It's days like this that one wishes we had the option of (occasionally) taking an aerotow or turning the field through 90 degrees. With the easterly wind launch heights were modest leaving insufficient time to find the lift. Only 1 person managed launch directly into a thermal and so was able to wander around at 4,000 to 5,000 around the countryside in the Vega. We did see lots of gliders passing overhead at great heights - grrrrrr.
The day started blue (with a NE wind) but the good stuff appeared from the south and the wind veered to the East. Mid afternoon the blue crept in from the south, the wind also moved to the south and we changed ends. With the dead sky came a couple of Lashamites unable to make it back home. With those 2 pilots plus some refugees from Wyvern and a couple of unbooked TLs appearing the visitors outnumbered the club members. Very pleased to welcome the Wyvern chaps who's help at keeping things running and putting the toys away was much appreciated.
I took a launch shortly before 18:00 and much to my surprise managed to deliver a full 30 minute TL in what looked like dead air by gently milking the almost imperceptible lift.
Many thanks to the few club members who turn out and kept us flying with a special thanks to Nigel and Trevor for their long stints on the winch and Jim C who delivered 13 instructional flights.
Saturday 26th
Report from Bob B:-
Today (Saturday 26th May) produced a howling South-Easterly making it unwise to risk cables falling to the west.
However, there was furious gardening at Rivar Hill - topping the new forest of hogweed in the middle of the field. Unfortunately this will need chemical attack as the roots will be impossible to remove, so it will be back in a few weeks. It was suggested that Jim should load up his Nimbus with agent orange and waterbomb the area.
We were pleased to greet our new full flying member 'Kes' to the club.
Thanks also to Jim who entertained us with a talk and discussion about circuit planning.
Sunday 27th May. What a day.
Cross country flying is ok, well it's better than ok, for me
it's great, pushing oneself to your own personal limits and getting across country
as efficiently as you can is fantastic but I have decided, strictly on a personal basis, to
add a different dimension to my cross country escapades. I have therefore
introduced cross country sign collecting.
The idea, and it has the seed which could become more
popular as people realise how enjoyable it is, involves flying away from your
launch point and taking a photo of the nearest signpost you can find.
Here is a beauty I collected on Sunday, isn't she lovely?!
I've collected quite a few the last year or so but I've been
somewhat hesitant to publicly air my passion for signs. One of my greatest
finds was this little gem.
My flight was great and (for me) no shame in my landout at
Little Rissington airfield.
The guys there were very welcoming and helpful, and when I'd
arranged a retrieve and turned back up at Little Rissington at 21:30 they
turned out to open the gates.
As I thermal'd above the airfield, joined by a couple of Ventus
and LS8's I sctratched away thinking
that if I landed at least I'd have some company, but after a while, as well as
being a bit lower I realised they were all popping their engines.
I've mixed feelings about engines but the overriding feeling
is jealousy.
How happy I was to see them turbo'ng away from certain land
out while I turned finals and landed on a very nice runway.
A little later a gent from Aston Down landed at Little
Rissington, unfortunately without putting his wheel down and on the runway.
Very unfortunate to see but it does make the biggest Morse code I've ever seen
and looked like this -... ..- --. --. . .-.
Until I landed out I was having a great day, fantastic runs
with great air, well that was until the air changed and it all went to custard.
Sutton Bank: At Last We Fly
OK, so strictly speaking, Wednesday was not our first flying day. Sunday, Carol and Phil worked away at getting everyone site and/or aerotow checked. Tuesday, a few flew but only the Janus (Carol & Phil) and the Nimbus (Jim) did more than simply descend; Paul took his first aerotow solo and Jon took his first aerotow for 20 years. However, on Wednesday all who launched soared. Gliders (between ourselves and the Stratford club there were quite a few) were positioned in readiness to go on-line to the south of the clubhouse and pilots hung around or drank tea in the clubhouse waiting to see if it really would “pop”. Before that could happen we changed ends and all the gliders returned to where they had been overnight. I say “changed ends” – we moved half way along the runway and pointed in the other direction. Not much wind to speak of but what there was was on our back. It did mean we were launching over the white horse and one suddenly had lots of height if a low cable break was encountered.
“Enough of the ground manoeuvres, what about the flying?” I hear you ask. Hm, maybe the less said about that the better. With cloudbase between 1,800’ and 2,000’ and the most reliable area of lift above the bank there were a lot of gliders trying to cram into the 1,400 to 1,800 band in a limited area – not many of them Flarmed and the visually picking out gliders wasn’t that easy. Easy enough to stay airborne, most folks came back when neck muscle strain got to them. James W and Richard D exercised Sutton Bank’s Astir and Discus (respectively).
With the warm, long evening alfresco dining was the order of the day. We gathered in Thirsk’s market square where fish & chips and Chinese takeaways were on offer which were then taken to a select spot on the banks of the river. James W, having misprogrammed the turning point, ate his takeaway further upstream but on the homerun (for the pub) we meet back up with him.
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With the warm, long evening alfresco dining was the order of the day. We gathered in Thirsk’s market square where fish & chips and Chinese takeaways were on offer which were then taken to a select spot on the banks of the river. James W, having misprogrammed the turning point, ate his takeaway further upstream but on the homerun (for the pub) we meet back up with him.
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Sutton bank Exped 3
I spoke to Phil this morning who said they're all having a great time. The weather is a mixed bag but they're hoping for an improvment which looks supported by the Met.
Obvoiulsy Paul Prentice is missing the creature comforts of home but seems to be muddling through. Perhaps he's inspired to do some ridge runnning, maybe he dropped his lucky 50p, either way I doubt that the young lady noticed Paul the Ninja creep up behind her!
Obvoiulsy Paul Prentice is missing the creature comforts of home but seems to be muddling through. Perhaps he's inspired to do some ridge runnning, maybe he dropped his lucky 50p, either way I doubt that the young lady noticed Paul the Ninja creep up behind her!
Sutton Bank Exped 2
from http://www.ygc.co.uk/wordpress/
Sarurday 19th. Rain in the morning and low cloud for the rest of the day kept the gliders in the hangars, while the cool and moderate N’ly flow kept the pilots in the clubhouse, although a couple chose to fly in sunnier skies on the simulator. The club welcomed pilots and gliders from both the Shalbourne and Stratford GCs with the hope of better conditions for the new week starting on Sunday.
Sunday 20th. The moderate N’ly flow continued, but the day was dry and the cloud, although low, provided sufficient gaps to allow flying to commence at 1030 hrs and continue until 1730 hrs, during which time around 30 ATs were flown. The conditions provided some navigation challenges, but no one got lost. The visiting pilots from Shalbourne and Stratford took the opportunity to get airborne with 16 launches in their own gliders, Messrs Harris and Elison putting up the longest 2 seater flight of the day as conditions improved a little in the afternoon, 27 minutes in their Puchacz, just beating the 26 minutes of Messrs Pike and Greenwood in the Janus. No YGC single seaters were flown, the 2 K21s and the DG1000 providing flights for the rest of those wanting to fly, including Tony Dury who made use of his Learn to Fly package to have 4 flights with John Marsh in the K21, the longest being 21 minutes. 2 pilots managed to find sufficient lift to exceed an hour in the air, Barry Kerby having 1:27 in his LS8 via a series of short cloud climbs, the cloud base not increasing much over the day. The last flight of the day saw Bob Calvert make use of a downwind convergence to soar for 1:07 in his Discus.
Sarurday 19th. Rain in the morning and low cloud for the rest of the day kept the gliders in the hangars, while the cool and moderate N’ly flow kept the pilots in the clubhouse, although a couple chose to fly in sunnier skies on the simulator. The club welcomed pilots and gliders from both the Shalbourne and Stratford GCs with the hope of better conditions for the new week starting on Sunday.
Sunday 20th. The moderate N’ly flow continued, but the day was dry and the cloud, although low, provided sufficient gaps to allow flying to commence at 1030 hrs and continue until 1730 hrs, during which time around 30 ATs were flown. The conditions provided some navigation challenges, but no one got lost. The visiting pilots from Shalbourne and Stratford took the opportunity to get airborne with 16 launches in their own gliders, Messrs Harris and Elison putting up the longest 2 seater flight of the day as conditions improved a little in the afternoon, 27 minutes in their Puchacz, just beating the 26 minutes of Messrs Pike and Greenwood in the Janus. No YGC single seaters were flown, the 2 K21s and the DG1000 providing flights for the rest of those wanting to fly, including Tony Dury who made use of his Learn to Fly package to have 4 flights with John Marsh in the K21, the longest being 21 minutes. 2 pilots managed to find sufficient lift to exceed an hour in the air, Barry Kerby having 1:27 in his LS8 via a series of short cloud climbs, the cloud base not increasing much over the day. The last flight of the day saw Bob Calvert make use of a downwind convergence to soar for 1:07 in his Discus.
Sutton Bank Exped
Phil has asked me to add this to the blog. Apparently it was to sort out a small problem with the Puchacz, it was the smallest hammer in Rod's toolbox.
Sounds like they're having fun at Sutton Bank. I went to work again today.........
Saturday 19th
'Vaguely Soarable' is how Met God David Masson forecast the day, and indeed vaguely soarable is what it turned out to be. We did our first vague soaring on the first flight when the gloop cleared enough to fly at around 11am. We flew through the rest of the day and it was soarable for most of that time, with a mix of soaring flights, cable breaks, checks and investigation of glider behaviour near the stall.
Lovely to see Mark Patterson firmly back and not far off resoloing; lovely also to see John Day back and determined to get himself back to solo. Meanwhile we flew two trial lessons - I hope they'll both be back - and those in training/improvement got down to some hard work on training and improving.
The only thing missing was the rest of you - we had only enough people to operate one glider at a time for most of the day. Don't waste the facility you've paid for - get out and get flying! And the DI apologises for having to slope off a little early - even I was fooled by the weather into thinking we'd be packed up by 5.15 when we did the last flight!
Sunday 13th (the other day)
So, everyone made a bee-line for Saturday. Some of us knew our glider would be occupied and went flying on the other day of the weekend (and not all that many of us). Well why would anyone pick Sunday when the Lasham weather guru said "nothing spectacular - rather lingering cumulus
base 3000-3500ft" with 2 kt thermals? Well, the friend of Selvam's who I took for a TL mid-afternoon seemed to think that joining a thermal shortly after launching that took us to 4,800 with the vario bouncing between 8 and 10 was spectacular - but then it's easy to impress folks taking a TL isn't it. In this case he'd been to L many years ago and didn't quite make solo so he did have some experience to compare with.
OK I will admit earlier on it wasn't so easy all day and not everyone managed to get away and some took more than 1 attempt. Even so 9 of the (modest) 19 launches had a decent length flight (between 1 and 3 hours). I don't know where folks got to other than Pete (180k but then his Nimbus was back in its trailer by the time the best conditions arrived) - oh, and me. Between Colin and myself EEFy clocked up over 5 hours.
PS I'm not trying to take a pop at the Lasham forecasts - they are very good and I do appreciate being able to see them. It just goes to show that the weather does what it wants to do.
OK I will admit earlier on it wasn't so easy all day and not everyone managed to get away and some took more than 1 attempt. Even so 9 of the (modest) 19 launches had a decent length flight (between 1 and 3 hours). I don't know where folks got to other than Pete (180k but then his Nimbus was back in its trailer by the time the best conditions arrived) - oh, and me. Between Colin and myself EEFy clocked up over 5 hours.
PS I'm not trying to take a pop at the Lasham forecasts - they are very good and I do appreciate being able to see them. It just goes to show that the weather does what it wants to do.
Saturday 12th May 300km later
After waiting for some decent weather we were finally
rewarded with light northerlies on Saturday. RASP looked good; the met gave a
good report so Phil and I decided to pop around a 300km flight, each in our
single seat gliders. We were (if time allowed) going to shove on an extra task
if we could but the essence of the task was Birdlip, Rushden and back to Rivar.
We decided on as early a start as possible, that way we’d
have the opportunity to add a further task on if we wanted.
Having got to the field and the dawn of crack we found James
Hunneyman had beaten us to it!
We fettled, snapped wings on and generally got everything set
and were ready to launch early.
A little later, having sent off the K13 we decided it was
worth launching and took to the sky.
Leaving Rivar at around 2500 feet we tiptoed towards Gloucester
The sky towards Birdlip cycled and not in a way you’d like, turning to a
scraggy horribly and grey mass. I got low and ended up scratching for the
little lift there was next to Kemble. Hearing people on the radio sounding
grateful for a half knot climb I realized I wasn’t the only one low and about
to land. At 830 feet above the ground I finally latched onto a weak but stable
climb, which took me both back up into the air but more worryingly across a forest
of trees. It’s strange how you focus when so close to a mixed deciduous forest
with a small escape field at either end. Up I went with the thermal eventually
building into something much better and having called to Phil to carry on track.
I sulked a little for letting myself get low and headed towards Birdlip
some 17km ahead. Rounding the TP I refocused and headed onwards to Rushden and
with a good pace started chomping away the km’s. After a while a familiar voice came over the
radio asking how I was doing. I told Phil I had 85km to run to Rushden. To my
amazement Phil said he had 110km to run! I wondered where he’d been and how on
gods green earth had he sneaked behind me at Birdlip but it transpires he also
got low getting the TP, of which the two Kens in the Duo Discus turned back
from, Phil had lost a lot of time there.
I do like a little schadenfruede especially when I later learned that
Phil was watching me above the forest and flew away as he didn’t want his day
(and 300km) spoilt by watching me land in the trees.
The day and the air got
better and better and once we’d turned Rushden it was a relatively smooth run
back for the last 125km, well that was until Phil got to Didcot and thermalled
around the chimneys but even so managed a very respectable final glide of 40km
at 62 knots and the best climb at Didcot averaging 5.5 knots with the vario
hitting over 10 knots in places.
What a cracking day. [edit: by pete: shame you dont know which one - changed sunday in your title to saturday muppet!]
Alchemy, Pure Alchemy (12May)
 |
| CFI Phil congratulates Nigel on his 5hours and his Silver completed |
|
| Our newest silver pilot Nigel congratulates Phil on his Gold Distance flight. |
Also congrats to Jon for his 2hour xc endorsement leg.
A busy day of soaring - nuff said.
(originally posted by Pete. Re-ordered/posted by Steve)
Sunday 6th May
Arrived at the club to find Janus, LS7 and LS3 rigged under a very grey sky - what did they know that I didn't? The Janus was first out of the slipps and when it came back to earth after 7 minutes I concluded that it wasn't really worth rigging. Hm, got that wrong - next attempt it returned after an hour and half, via Swindon. Guess they would have stayed airborne if Phil and Carol hadn't pressing matters to attend to. Connecting to lift wasn't a foregone conclusion with only 11 of the 25 launches flying for more than half an hour. Cloudbase got to 4,000' and longest flight was 1:52.
The second man in space...* (5th May)
Bob said we'd be packed up by 1.30. We all agreed...
At 5 we were looking up at Steve B in the K13 diminished by height to a mere speck.
In between we all went soaring, ok so cloudbase wasn't great for most the day but there were good climbs out there. I think Bob spinned (span/spun just doesn't sound right) every foot he gained back down again. Darren's daughter showed me how to soar on her first flight, just as well as i couldn't manage it today and everyone else had at least a half hour flight.
*on this day in 1961 Mercury-Redstone 3 carried Alan Shepard in to space.
His flight lasted 15mins, well down the leader-board of today's flight times.
At 5 we were looking up at Steve B in the K13 diminished by height to a mere speck.
In between we all went soaring, ok so cloudbase wasn't great for most the day but there were good climbs out there. I think Bob spinned (span/spun just doesn't sound right) every foot he gained back down again. Darren's daughter showed me how to soar on her first flight, just as well as i couldn't manage it today and everyone else had at least a half hour flight.
*on this day in 1961 Mercury-Redstone 3 carried Alan Shepard in to space.
His flight lasted 15mins, well down the leader-board of today's flight times.
Sunday and I didn't fly (22/4)
Alas I had a poorly stomach, I could have flown if I were thirty seconds away from a loo, which is quite difficult in a glider.
Still, all was not lost as I put this together as a promotional video which hopefully give people who've not experienced gliding a glimpse of why we are all addicted to it.
Let me know what you think.
Chris (PP) B
Still, all was not lost as I put this together as a promotional video which hopefully give people who've not experienced gliding a glimpse of why we are all addicted to it.
Let me know what you think.
As classic as last Sunday... (22/4)
...which as you know was a classic example of a windy but storming 500k day. I too have a tale to tell from that day and I'll digress from today's post to tell it here - I got a cold over Easter that was very slow in departing, but by Sunday I thought my ears were up to it. Took off, and similar to Chris, lobbed off to the Downs for a run to Lewes and back. It's so pretty on a nice day, the south coast - rolling hills, turquoise sparkling sea with cute sailing boats on, that sort of stuff, although this is the first time I've rund the Downs on a ridge day and so spent significantly more time looking at grass(= rolling hills, of course) rather more closely than usual. Back to Butser, and after a low point invonveniently close to the Southampton airspace, found a good run back past Lasham where I climbed to cloudbase... and found that my ears weren't ok at all. Had to give up and land, and couldn't hear anything much at all for an hour. Still, at least my electrical and hydraulic systems (geddit) worked correctly, even if the pneumatics was a bit dodgy!
So, back to today. As I stood on an empty airfield surveying the glorious scenery in warm sunshine, I wondered if we'd have another day like yesterday when it seems everyone decided the weather was rubbish. Wrong - Ayala passed at 4500' having had up to 8kts. I'd received a sick note from Chris PP Bessent, get well soon Chris, but slightly ahead of 'E'Team No3 Graham came Selvam, keen to take advantage of the day and add to his 15 or so launches, then Rod. A small flurry-ette of further arrivals helped us get things going, but it was a slow start to the day - always a problem when showers are forecast.
Note to newer members (and everyone else) - if there's ever a day when showers are forecast, get there early in order to maximise flying ahead of the showers. As I say, today was another classic day. Unfortunately it was a classic showers-come-in-and-ruin-the-day-completely day. Have you noticed how big showers seem to sit pretty still for a while, not really coming your way, and then when you turn your back they gallop up at lightning speed (how mized a metaphor was that??) And so it came to pass. Not, however, before Selvam and Keith both took me soaring in the K13, thus offering a masterclass to the K8 which failed to stick. And Richard, having been baulked of flying on his duty day yesterday, unleashed his inner meanie on James H through the medium of annual checks.
Then, just as we were really enjoying ourselves, rain stopped play. Ah, 'E'Team weather...
So, back to today. As I stood on an empty airfield surveying the glorious scenery in warm sunshine, I wondered if we'd have another day like yesterday when it seems everyone decided the weather was rubbish. Wrong - Ayala passed at 4500' having had up to 8kts. I'd received a sick note from Chris PP Bessent, get well soon Chris, but slightly ahead of 'E'Team No3 Graham came Selvam, keen to take advantage of the day and add to his 15 or so launches, then Rod. A small flurry-ette of further arrivals helped us get things going, but it was a slow start to the day - always a problem when showers are forecast.
Note to newer members (and everyone else) - if there's ever a day when showers are forecast, get there early in order to maximise flying ahead of the showers. As I say, today was another classic day. Unfortunately it was a classic showers-come-in-and-ruin-the-day-completely day. Have you noticed how big showers seem to sit pretty still for a while, not really coming your way, and then when you turn your back they gallop up at lightning speed (how mized a metaphor was that??) And so it came to pass. Not, however, before Selvam and Keith both took me soaring in the K13, thus offering a masterclass to the K8 which failed to stick. And Richard, having been baulked of flying on his duty day yesterday, unleashed his inner meanie on James H through the medium of annual checks.
Then, just as we were really enjoying ourselves, rain stopped play. Ah, 'E'Team weather...
yet more about sunday....
I write this sat on the banks of the Elbe, 80p pint of Urquell in hand looking up at the remains of the days 5000ft cu. Mountains rise majestically in the distance and the bar maid is quite simply gor... Sadly I haven't been flying, the hotel isn't communism's finest (i have been issued my single bar of carbolic soap by the stern receptionist) and Steti is all an eastern bloc industrial town conjures in your imagination - the paper mill blocks the views of the river. It does have wireless so I will write about Sunday to pass the drinking of the last of the first pint!
The day had spreadout, the forecast had said it would. But I was over Abingdon at 2500 and needed some more for final glide. I drifted ever closer in the 20kt tailwind towards a scraggy bit of cu beneath the grey. It boosted me onto glide and I set off for home.
It was an interesting day getting here, 5kts to 6000ft was tempered by a strong wind, thankfully the mighty nimbo has legs enough to make up for talent deficiency and the first leg up to Finmere had gone ok - some long glides using energy lines but at the tp it was looking grey. I glid in, rounded it and looked south - the lift looked a long way away towards Oxford. I set off at best glide. When i got there (the lift that was a long way away) I had picked a field and was wheel down on a downwind leg, but I got a knot and scrapped back up. Boosted by the now tailwind tp2 at Bullington Cross was easy with the best lift and greatest cloudbase. I turned north and set of for tp3 between Oxford and Bicester (Isley), of course the spreadout was heading remorselessly south and now this TP was all grey doom, again I glid in but this time running past it to the only promising cloud. It was snowing but working well and I climbed up and glid south to Abingdon.
The wireless has died so I'll post this later on!
The day had spreadout, the forecast had said it would. But I was over Abingdon at 2500 and needed some more for final glide. I drifted ever closer in the 20kt tailwind towards a scraggy bit of cu beneath the grey. It boosted me onto glide and I set off for home.
It was an interesting day getting here, 5kts to 6000ft was tempered by a strong wind, thankfully the mighty nimbo has legs enough to make up for talent deficiency and the first leg up to Finmere had gone ok - some long glides using energy lines but at the tp it was looking grey. I glid in, rounded it and looked south - the lift looked a long way away towards Oxford. I set off at best glide. When i got there (the lift that was a long way away) I had picked a field and was wheel down on a downwind leg, but I got a knot and scrapped back up. Boosted by the now tailwind tp2 at Bullington Cross was easy with the best lift and greatest cloudbase. I turned north and set of for tp3 between Oxford and Bicester (Isley), of course the spreadout was heading remorselessly south and now this TP was all grey doom, again I glid in but this time running past it to the only promising cloud. It was snowing but working well and I climbed up and glid south to Abingdon.
The wireless has died so I'll post this later on!
Sunday......a little more :-)
Sunday provided those who turned up with some very good climbs. Flights above 4000ft were the norm with some quite good climbs.
Pete Smith flew RIV,FIM,BUL,ISL,RIV for 300.5k in the Nimbus but I only managed 140K before failing electrics, freezing temperatures, the strong desire to have a pee and deteriorating conditions around Bicester tempted me to fly back to Rivar.
Once back at Rivar I had a flight with Helen Forrest in the Puchacz and straight off the launch we contacted a strong thermal which took us all the way to cloudbase at 5300ft. For the last 2000ft of the climb Helen was flying the Puchacz herself which really made her day, in the end we only came down because it was so cold!
Great day but sooo cold!
Phil
Pete Smith flew RIV,FIM,BUL,ISL,RIV for 300.5k in the Nimbus but I only managed 140K before failing electrics, freezing temperatures, the strong desire to have a pee and deteriorating conditions around Bicester tempted me to fly back to Rivar.
Once back at Rivar I had a flight with Helen Forrest in the Puchacz and straight off the launch we contacted a strong thermal which took us all the way to cloudbase at 5300ft. For the last 2000ft of the climb Helen was flying the Puchacz herself which really made her day, in the end we only came down because it was so cold!
Great day but sooo cold!
Phil
Sunday. (15/4) And this little piggy went wee wee all the way home.
What a day of promises and hopes. RASP looked as though it was the best day of the year, which for many it was.
I decided to pop down to Lasham and get a high aerotow to allow me a quick drop down to Butser hill on the west end of the Southdowns. My cunning plan was to fly the ridge to Lewes and back to Butser, then to make my way towardsGloucester
I decided to pop down to Lasham and get a high aerotow to allow me a quick drop down to Butser hill on the west end of the Southdowns. My cunning plan was to fly the ridge to Lewes and back to Butser, then to make my way towards
I watered up filling the wings with about a hundred and fifty pounds of water, updated my ClearNav with current airspace and waypoints on the grid at Lasham (thanks Nigel M for the use of your memory stick) and took a glide down to the Southdowns. I remembered to keep Basingstoke somewhere behind me so I knew I was off in the right sort of direction. In no time at all I got to Butser and flew down the ridge crossing Steyning and on towards Lewes. It was peaceful and I didn’t see another glider- for a while. On my way back towards Butser I couldn’t see anything other than gliders! They were everywhere, below me, above, by the side of me; I didn’t order this when I took off.
Once clear of the Southdowns and heading back towards Rivar which I’d put in as a waypoint, and trying to keep well clear of Southampton airspace I found the conditions great, strong thermals but also strong sink. I pushed into a 20 knot headwind, albeit with a battery that died within a couple of hours of being switched on; I shut down all but essential stuff and made my way across the countryside eventually getting to Hungerford where they sky wasn’t at all what I’d expected.
At this point, and having drank a lot of water I decided to have a mid air crisis and on relieving myself found I wasn’t at all relieved as my ‘plumbing’ system had gone horribly wrong. At height the temperature was just above freezing (don’t worry well get back to the plumbing saga), so my feet were like blocks of ice, my vent for the cockpit was firmly shut and I was faffing about with the electrics trying to make sense of what’d gone wrong. It was not a moment for good karma in the cockpit.
Now, after my incontinence break I was rather damp around my mid-drift and getting colder by the minute.
Rivar hill was beckoning, it would have been so easy to let down into the field, probably to be welcomed by my good friends and flying buddies with a degree of sympathy and understanding of my unbelievable misfortune and series of unfortunate events.
Ok, so the truth, and I’d expect nothing less, would be everyone falling about calling me ‘Chrissy Pissy Pants’, which is what I was. They almost certainly wouldn’t have been able to help me push the glider to the launch point due to laughing so I kept with the half knot thermal and decided to drift back to Lasham where I could land in a far corner of the field and creep surreptitiously to my car, there to sit for a while with the heating on and my arse pressed into the dashboard.
I got back to Lasham, landed in a far flung corner warmed up in my car and retrieved my glider.
After a chat with Liz and others I drove back to Rivar to finish my day off smelling like an orthopaedic chair in an OAP’s home.
It was great!
Great day out and four hours flying, oh and an unexpected boil wash with extra fabreeze!
Wednesday = Funday
After launching the first 3 gliders there was a trip to the hangar to collect the remaining 2 club gliders. First flight was 54 minutes so a good start to the day. Showers could be seen all around the airfield. Fortunately only one dumped on us - the hail pounded down and sardines was played in the caravan, the 3 gliders airborne managed to avoid the shower. Folks returned with tales of 10 up (and 10 down). The vis was excellent. The 2,500' cloudbase at the start of the day rose to 4,000' in the afternoon. Peter E reported a climb to 5,000' up the side of a cloud - that was on the longest flight of the day (over 2 hours). Prior to that he'd had flights of 10 minutes(ish) so perseverance (and his free launch) paid off. Most members got a decent soaring flight. Last launch of the day abandoned when the sky started to growl.
30 launches and 14 hours flown and donuts enjoyed.
30 launches and 14 hours flown and donuts enjoyed.
Saturday 7th
A day when sensible folks would stay at home and restock brownie points - fortunately, we had enough members not that sensible (or members of the duty team) so we were able to fly. We started with a "guess the height of cloudbase" competiton - turned out to be better than anyone guessed at just over 1200'. While some of us were flying (well, launching and coasting back to earth) John T and Steve B made progress on the new launch point caravan.
New winch chassis has arrived!
Today Rod Harris and myself collected the newly fabricated chassis from Newbury which will be used to mount the Tost winch from the old bus chassis.
Thanks to Rod for the use of his Sprinter, Pete for the use of his trailer and also to James for designing the chassis.
Phil
Good Friday? Sure was!
With the promise of a good day's gliding and with the help of the early birds and the Puch's new one man tow out gear the first launch took to the skies at 9.50.
At 10:10 Jim McCormick and I managed a 34 minute soaring flight and for the next 4 hours extended flights were the norm with 5 flights having in excess of an hour.
Paul Prentice flew a short soaring flight in the Puch and upon landing commented that the ridge was working so well he managed to fly in zero sink for quite some time before realising he had not turned on the vario!
Two XC flights were flown, Chris B in his LS7 loaded with water flew Devizes, Newbury and Nigel Burt (aided by Paul P) flew a more modest, but no doubt just as enjoyable, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn flight in JPC.
We also had a visit from Upavon's DG1000 turbo. The two pilots phoned up first to ask if they could come over and sit in the Vega as they were looking for a glider that the could fit into as both being well over 6 feet tall glider selection was something of an issue.
Some time later the DG landed and the pilots duely tried the Vega for size. At this point I blagged a flight for one of us in the DG and after much arm twisting (OK so Rod jumped at the chance really) Rod was soon in the front seat with Upavon's Alex Watt in the back. After a while showing Alex how to soar our ridge Rod finally brought the DG back.
A short while later the DG took a launch and after moving off a suitable distance started up the turbo and disappeared back off to Upavon.
All in all a realy nice day's flying and with 37 launches i'm sure our treasurer is happy as well :-)
Phil
Easter flying.
Well, it's Easter, the schools are out, some are thinking of a short holiday and some of flying. Typically the forecast looks like its a bit of a mixed bag and, for the little knowledge I have of weather, it looks vaguely soarable on Friday in the south with a fairly early start but with lower cloud pushing down from the north by around midday. Probably still soarable underneath for a while but looking rubbish by 3pm.
Wind of 330/ 11 knots on the ground and 335/ 15 knots at height will help with decent launches, and the ridge will either help keep you aloft or kick off a thermal or two. Also worth keeping an eye out for paragliders if you are mucking about with the ridge, especially Coombe Gibbett end just don't trust them to stay there.
Not worth watering the gliders but worth getting them out.
Phil has promised a big easter egg to the best cross country flight, which could be distance, speed or best place to land-out.
Wind of 330/ 11 knots on the ground and 335/ 15 knots at height will help with decent launches, and the ridge will either help keep you aloft or kick off a thermal or two. Also worth keeping an eye out for paragliders if you are mucking about with the ridge, especially Coombe Gibbett end just don't trust them to stay there.
Phil has promised a big easter egg to the best cross country flight, which could be distance, speed or best place to land-out.
Wednesday 19th
Forecast not at all encouraging but a sufficient number of "Wednesday boys" turned out anyway. It felt as if we had returned to January but sometimes you just have to get your bum off the ground. Steve B brought on-line the new caravan that he and John Turk have been working on. Steve set the longest flight target early on - only 12 minutes but no one else was able to match it - well not until the last flight of the day which had the benefit of a 2,000' launch .
Sunday 1st April. April Fool?
We got off to a good start with some early soaring under little cu, which fooled everyone into thinking it was going to be a cracking day. But after a bit the cu disappeared and soaring got harder, with quite a few relights needed. Pete said it was rubbish, and could only stand it for 3hrs. A couple of gliders from somewhere else came by calling out good climbs, but they were obviously only baiting us as they only ever did a couple of turns then moved on. But towards the end of the day, Steve (recently converted to the Vega) got over an hour in it, and Graham did as Liz had ordered yesterday and got a bronze leg with over an hour in the Ka8 just back from Annual.
Saturday 31 March. Tea needed drinking.
Let's see now:
Mon weather: CAVOK (cloud and visibility OK)
Tue weather: CAVOK
Wed weather: CAVOK
Thu weather: CAVOK
Fri weather: CAVOK
Sat weather: 8/8 stratus at 400ft
Sun forecast: CAVOK
Any guesses whose duty day it was today? Anyway, Graham dutifully turned up to support his instructor, and was sent away so he could come back tomorrow and get at least one leg of his bronze badge.
Did he succeed?? You'll have to read tomorrow's blog.
Mon weather: CAVOK (cloud and visibility OK)
Tue weather: CAVOK
Wed weather: CAVOK
Thu weather: CAVOK
Fri weather: CAVOK
Sat weather: 8/8 stratus at 400ft
Sun forecast: CAVOK
Any guesses whose duty day it was today? Anyway, Graham dutifully turned up to support his instructor, and was sent away so he could come back tomorrow and get at least one leg of his bronze badge.
Did he succeed?? You'll have to read tomorrow's blog.
Wednesday 28th - Another Sunny Day
and with the sunny day came the inversion (at just over 2,000'). That didn't stop the "Wednesday boys" packing in the launches - all 38 of them, 9 of which were over 20 minutes. Modesty stops me from mentioning who took longest flight honours with 54 minutes.
Colin was kept busy with checks. Bill O converted to the Vega. It was good to see Dave O (who used to be a member about 10 years ago and has been working overseas) who got back into winch launching. We were also able to welcome Brian L as new member.
Quite a day
Colin was kept busy with checks. Bill O converted to the Vega. It was good to see Dave O (who used to be a member about 10 years ago and has been working overseas) who got back into winch launching. We were also able to welcome Brian L as new member.
Quite a day
Keesh and sunny sunday 25th march part 2
As Pete mentioned earlier, well done to Steve Gaze for converting to the Sport Vega, hope you have as much fun flying it as the rest of us do!
Phil
Keesh and sunny sunday 25th march
So why would anyone bring quiche for a BBQ? "No! More meat!" I protested but Claire was adamant. "How am i supposed to burn, err cook that?" I protested, but to scant avail. And that is how everyone came to enjoy quiche with the first club BBQ of the year. In GMT no less.
The next day dawned a little later, but was it time to get up? I had no idea if the alarm clock, phone, computer etc updated automatically or whether I was supposed to press and wind things. Finally, having decided it was time, I set off for a sunny and pleasantly warm day at the airfield with a promise to myself to visit Chris' shop for some proper timekeeping equipment!
Fresh from repairing the structural rendering on the clubhouse Steve Gaze jumped into the Vega for a type conversion.
Meanwhile the CFI was in a daze, due to the early hour I think, he had managed to rig enough seats for three of him (I'll leave the comments to you guys here) and was busy contemplating which one to try first. He did manage to make the choice and once the temp had risen he managed to soar in all of them.
In a spectacular timing miss (I think he was still in Olly era double summer time) Alan managed to fly whilst it wasn't soarable and then derig during the soaring window which lasted for a couple of hours from about 3 - oops.
Saturday 24th - Summer starts a day early
It may have been the day before the clocks "spring forward" for summer but the weather was more like June than March. Last Sunday I was glad I had my Ozee suit, this week it was shirt sleeves suntan cream. With the established high pressure came the more stable air, the inversion and the murk.
The day started with a slow launch rate but with only a few members in the morning and only circuits on offer that was hardly surprising. There were some scraps of lift on offer but it wasn't until 1:30 that anyone stayed airborne for that bit longer (Jim C in the Puchacz for 23 mins). Following Jim there were a number of flights around half an hour and a couple of over an hour. One of those being my flight in EEFy in which I got to 4,750 and took a wander to Hungerford and Newbury. Jon G was a happy bunny having got his second bronze leg and we have a new junior member (Helen, who took a TL a couple of weeks ago). Helen has the same initials as the Puchacz's trigraph so I guess it was meant to be that she should join us at Shalbourne.
The day was rounded off with a BBQ organised by Pete and Claire.
The day started with a slow launch rate but with only a few members in the morning and only circuits on offer that was hardly surprising. There were some scraps of lift on offer but it wasn't until 1:30 that anyone stayed airborne for that bit longer (Jim C in the Puchacz for 23 mins). Following Jim there were a number of flights around half an hour and a couple of over an hour. One of those being my flight in EEFy in which I got to 4,750 and took a wander to Hungerford and Newbury. Jon G was a happy bunny having got his second bronze leg and we have a new junior member (Helen, who took a TL a couple of weeks ago). Helen has the same initials as the Puchacz's trigraph so I guess it was meant to be that she should join us at Shalbourne.
The day was rounded off with a BBQ organised by Pete and Claire.
Sunday 18th March
A steady day with only limited soaring on offer. Rob J set the time to beat on the 4th launch with 21 minutes. That wasn't beaten until later on with a 36 minute flight by, guess who, yup Rob again. Grabbing as many launches as were on offer was Mark P, returning to the club after his 2+ year "rest". He hasn't forgotten how to fly :) Richard (DI thanks to a 2 way swap) was kept occupied with a couple of TLs one of whom was particularly keen, heading off with the plan to buy a book and return in 2 weeks time. 23 launches with a modest 4:13 hours flown.
Spring Sunday (11/3).
Technically spring isn't for a couple of weeks but anyone who turned out to fly on Sunday was rewarded with another lovely day, warm sunshine and light north westerly winds.
The Skylard, ops sorry Alan, Skylark was stooging about making the most of the weak thermals as was Messrs Keating and Jarvis in the Cirrus, along with the Duo flown by Bill.
Earlier the forecast looked as though we would be getting a potential cross country day but in the end it was only really good enough for some nice extended flights and that good ol' practise scraping in a weak and broken thermal.
We saw Paragliders by the score who mostly stayed towards the Gibbet, although I was unfortunate enough to have three or four join me on the ridge in front of the club.
sharing a thermal with Chris K and the Puchacz was nice, relaxing and it meant we all stayed airborne a little longer through shared sampling of the air.
A few trial lessons added to the enjoyment as did the cars parked around the field spectating. Hopefully one or two of these will have a go at some time.
The Skylard, ops sorry Alan, Skylark was stooging about making the most of the weak thermals as was Messrs Keating and Jarvis in the Cirrus, along with the Duo flown by Bill.
Earlier the forecast looked as though we would be getting a potential cross country day but in the end it was only really good enough for some nice extended flights and that good ol' practise scraping in a weak and broken thermal.
We saw Paragliders by the score who mostly stayed towards the Gibbet, although I was unfortunate enough to have three or four join me on the ridge in front of the club.
sharing a thermal with Chris K and the Puchacz was nice, relaxing and it meant we all stayed airborne a little longer through shared sampling of the air.
A few trial lessons added to the enjoyment as did the cars parked around the field spectating. Hopefully one or two of these will have a go at some time.
Saturday 10th March-spring is sprung?
Despite losing most of the morning waiting for the mist to burn away a great day was eventually had by all.
We made the most of not having any single seaters out and made good use of the Puchacz and K13's. Not a great day for staying up but many extended soaring flights were there to be had. Alan Pettit in the Skylark clocked up a credible 30 mins or so mostly not above 900ft!
Congratulations to Jon Garner for convincing Carol to sign him "Off Checks"......well done!
Not sure how many flights were flown as I did not see the log but Carol and I were certainly kept busy, what a cracking day!
Phil
We made the most of not having any single seaters out and made good use of the Puchacz and K13's. Not a great day for staying up but many extended soaring flights were there to be had. Alan Pettit in the Skylark clocked up a credible 30 mins or so mostly not above 900ft!
Congratulations to Jon Garner for convincing Carol to sign him "Off Checks"......well done!
Not sure how many flights were flown as I did not see the log but Carol and I were certainly kept busy, what a cracking day!
Phil
Sunday 4 March - planning the perfect soaring season
Well, as expected it was not quite the ideal soaring day today. Indeed when I arrived and unlocked the field gate, I wasn't sure if I would get up the field , there being quite a lot of surface water around (understatement!!). But get up ok I did, and was sat there planning a flight for myself (Snowdon O/R - my plan for the first nice day this spring - 569K) when fellow E teamer Graham arrived with a Landrover (Chris was away on duty team at his granddaughter's birthday party). This was a great relief in case of problems going back down the field.
As I said, if we can't fly we can plan, and Graham and I worked on his training plan so he now has a clearer idea of what progress he can reasonably expect to make through the summer, and how best to twist the arms of the duty instructor to make sure it happens!
For those who are in training, days like these are an excellent opportunity to ask questions that get lost on days when your head is full of flying. Make a list, pin the DI down and get him/her to explain things you're not sure about. Then you will make the best progress come the flying days.
For those who are post solo but who haven't yet made the ranks of World Champions, days like these are an excellent opportunity to make a plan for the season.
This morning Graham and I talked through things in 3 headings which you might find useful to make progress:
> badges / distances/measurable achievements - eg I want to do my XC endorsement, get my 5hours, fly my first rated comp, fly faster XC, do my 500k, do over 100hrs flying, become an instructor
> technical - eg I want to get all my post-solo development card items crossed off, improve my circuits, work on speed control in thermals, improve turnpoint technique, learn to fly the energy lines, learn to fly blue conditions
> fun - eg I want to ditch the geezer in the back seat, fly with buzzards, do task week, do someone else's task week/comp, fly Snowdon O/R, fly a 750km, nab a ride in a hot 2-seater, fly and land somewhere for coffee then fly home.
>>Of course, all three categories overlap!
The other person on the airfield, Graham's dog Bunny, was to be honest pretty unimpressed with many of my suggestions. In the end she was very glad that Graham finally came to understand that the real purpose of his being there was to take her for a walk. Which he did, just as the rain turned to snow and the field vanished in a blizzard. I slithered gently back down the field to solid tarmac, went home and made soup.
As I said, if we can't fly we can plan, and Graham and I worked on his training plan so he now has a clearer idea of what progress he can reasonably expect to make through the summer, and how best to twist the arms of the duty instructor to make sure it happens!
For those who are in training, days like these are an excellent opportunity to ask questions that get lost on days when your head is full of flying. Make a list, pin the DI down and get him/her to explain things you're not sure about. Then you will make the best progress come the flying days.
For those who are post solo but who haven't yet made the ranks of World Champions, days like these are an excellent opportunity to make a plan for the season.
This morning Graham and I talked through things in 3 headings which you might find useful to make progress:
> badges / distances/measurable achievements - eg I want to do my XC endorsement, get my 5hours, fly my first rated comp, fly faster XC, do my 500k, do over 100hrs flying, become an instructor
> technical - eg I want to get all my post-solo development card items crossed off, improve my circuits, work on speed control in thermals, improve turnpoint technique, learn to fly the energy lines, learn to fly blue conditions
> fun - eg I want to ditch the geezer in the back seat, fly with buzzards, do task week, do someone else's task week/comp, fly Snowdon O/R, fly a 750km, nab a ride in a hot 2-seater, fly and land somewhere for coffee then fly home.
>>Of course, all three categories overlap!
The other person on the airfield, Graham's dog Bunny, was to be honest pretty unimpressed with many of my suggestions. In the end she was very glad that Graham finally came to understand that the real purpose of his being there was to take her for a walk. Which he did, just as the rain turned to snow and the field vanished in a blizzard. I slithered gently back down the field to solid tarmac, went home and made soup.
Satuday 3rd March
Not a promising start to a new month with rain over the airfield in the morning. However, those few who had looked at (and believed) the forecast were rewarded in the afternoon. Behind the band of rain there was brighter weather, even if there was also plenty of wind - a day for lot of height and lots of speed on finals. Above Ham at, what will be, our Olympic ceiling I spied the Janus being tempted on-line. After a couple of circuits the Janus boys claimed they had only wanted to complete their ARC by checking deflections. One grotty band of rain passed to the north but the next lot got us. Once that passed the wind swung further south adding about 300' to the launches.
On a day that could so easily have been missed 10 folks (between them) got 15 launches and over 2 hours of fun flying.
On a day that could so easily have been missed 10 folks (between them) got 15 launches and over 2 hours of fun flying.
 |
| Not everyone was convinced by the new back seat technique |
Sundays flights (continued)
As Steve has already said, it was a great day. I noticed Phil jumped in the Puchacz a little later in the afternoon and the thermals were so strong it seemed to do funny things to the glider. Did I spot a chandelle or two?
I tried out my wing cam; apart from the narcissistic element of watching myself on film it's actually a great training tool to self police your flying.
I tried out my wing cam; apart from the narcissistic element of watching myself on film it's actually a great training tool to self police your flying.
Sunday 19th of is this really February
What a cracking day. 4 club gliders being kept busy plus the LS3 and LS7 rigged. Stonking - provided you were in the right place at the right time. 4 flights of over and hour (sorry Steve you Wednesday record was short lived - Colin flew the LS3 for 1:35 today) and another 5 of over 30 minutes. When Pete S had to rely on his third (free) launch to get away you know it took more than just skill. Climb rates of 5.6 (on the averager) and climbs up to 4,000' QFE were available - so you can now kick yourself for not getting along to partake. A Duo Discuss from L was seen over the gibet being outclimbed by one of our members (I suspect that might provoke a response from Liz about L folks doing cross-countries).
It was good to see Evelyn return after her hibernation having being distracted from flying by things like getting married. Just as gliders were being launched for hangar landing our first TL of 2012 appeared.
Thanks Bob for arranging such good weather for your duty day.
It was good to see Evelyn return after her hibernation having being distracted from flying by things like getting married. Just as gliders were being launched for hangar landing our first TL of 2012 appeared.
Thanks Bob for arranging such good weather for your duty day.
Wednesday 15th
Wednesday had it all - ridge, thermals and wave. The fact the wave was seen in the distance and the thermals interfered with the ridge just meant the lift could not be taken for granted and one had to work at it. Four club gliders in operation and at times an empty launch point. The Vega blinked as it emerged from the hangar for the first time this year. Only 3 launches taken in it but it did clock up 99 minutes of flying time. Honours for longest flight of the day (and for 2012) went to Steve B with 48 minutes. 12 members flew and we did 22 launches. JMX was rigged and JPC derigged and into the workshop.
Saturday 11th Feb
Just a nice day to be out enjoying the sun and the banter. No soaring on offer but just good to get one's bum off the ground after so many non-flying days. The wind was forecast to go from East to South to North during the day - but there was so little of it that it made not a jot of difference. A good day for check flights too and spot landing with no wind to help. Comment was made whilst observing the K8 landing approach "you'd think Bob would be able to fly straight with all the experience he has". After that most K8 pilots appeared to take the opportunity to practice side-slip approaches. The winch driver gave a nicely timed (requested) launch failure which Chris K took in his stride and did a well judged reciprocal landing back to the launch point. James W when asked to demonstrate a spin and recovery showed off with a left spin off a right turn.
23 launches with Bob B being the only one to make double digit flight time (just).
The following picture was taken by Bob B of a blue glider on a blue day
23 launches with Bob B being the only one to make double digit flight time (just).
The following picture was taken by Bob B of a blue glider on a blue day
Wave flying.
I posted a link to this on GPN a little while ago, Steve B spotted it and promptly told me off for not posting it to the blog.
Well worth a read if you've ever been wave flying, or ever intend to, albeit you may not want to after reading....
http://home.earthlink.net/~shp1/wave_sim.html
Well worth a read if you've ever been wave flying, or ever intend to, albeit you may not want to after reading....
http://home.earthlink.net/~shp1/wave_sim.html
Saturday 4th Feb - polar bears seen on field
I was extremely pleased that it had warmed up a little from when I got up by the time I was ready to leave for Shalbourne - it had heated up to -9.3C as I left home. Hmmmm!!!
With the ground temperatures that low and a forecast of snow arriving sometime between 12 and 3 it seemed to me (effete southern jesse that I am) inappropriate to try to get flying so we looked at some navigation and map reading, and how to use SeeYou to analyse flight traces.
With the electric heaters on and quite a few mad people turning up, it was quite festive in the Roundout. But we declared a close on the day in time for everyone to be home before the promised snow arrived - and of course then it arrived later than forecast. But in this instance, better safe than sorry...
With the ground temperatures that low and a forecast of snow arriving sometime between 12 and 3 it seemed to me (effete southern jesse that I am) inappropriate to try to get flying so we looked at some navigation and map reading, and how to use SeeYou to analyse flight traces.
With the electric heaters on and quite a few mad people turning up, it was quite festive in the Roundout. But we declared a close on the day in time for everyone to be home before the promised snow arrived - and of course then it arrived later than forecast. But in this instance, better safe than sorry...
Sunday 29th 1-1 Liz vs Met Office
So the forecast mutated overnight from plausible if cold flying into a rather nasty creature. Driving up from home and closely following on the heels of the CFI, it was turn-and-slip on somewhere north of Andover as we went into fog. This made it difficult to see when we actually went into cloud, but the airfield was most certainly well above cloudbase. One of those days when you point the car uphill and hope to stop before you hit the clubhouse wall...
Many hardy types arrived with hopes of flying; much tea was imbibed.
At midday you could still barely make out the eastern hedge from the clubhouse, and we scrubbed - although by then cloudbase had in fact risen to around 5 fathoms and so it was rather easier than expected to find your way off the airfield.
Oh, and it was colder than it was yesterday. Still, that's January mostly done with - it's getting better all the way from here...
Many hardy types arrived with hopes of flying; much tea was imbibed.
At midday you could still barely make out the eastern hedge from the clubhouse, and we scrubbed - although by then cloudbase had in fact risen to around 5 fathoms and so it was rather easier than expected to find your way off the airfield.
Oh, and it was colder than it was yesterday. Still, that's January mostly done with - it's getting better all the way from here...
Saturday 28th - Liz forecast vindicated - cold but soarable
It started with a kiss...
...of the cloud on the top of the hill, unfortunately! But it gradually lifted little by little so that by the time we were ready to launch it was ok to do cable breaks, and even to do abbreviated circuits. So lots of useful annual checkery was done, but I don't think my 'we're going spinning' briefings fooled anyone...
Eventually the orographic gloop (technical term!) cleared through and it became possible to ride the launch all the way to the top - which was the best part of 2000' for the K8 I'm told. And it was soarable on the ridge if you were careful/skilful/lucky, in a mixture of thermally ridgy stuff.
But it cannot be denied that it was a little chilly. If you're coming tomorrow (forecast= more of the same) then DO wrap up warm and bring flasks of soup.
Liz
...of the cloud on the top of the hill, unfortunately! But it gradually lifted little by little so that by the time we were ready to launch it was ok to do cable breaks, and even to do abbreviated circuits. So lots of useful annual checkery was done, but I don't think my 'we're going spinning' briefings fooled anyone...
Eventually the orographic gloop (technical term!) cleared through and it became possible to ride the launch all the way to the top - which was the best part of 2000' for the K8 I'm told. And it was soarable on the ridge if you were careful/skilful/lucky, in a mixture of thermally ridgy stuff.
But it cannot be denied that it was a little chilly. If you're coming tomorrow (forecast= more of the same) then DO wrap up warm and bring flasks of soup.
Liz
Sunday flying at Nympsfield.
Well I went down to Nympsfield and flew with Trevor Stuart in his Nimbus 3 and he coached me on how to run the north end of the ridge.
It was apparently an ‘easy day’ but I really can’t see how any of what we flew was at all easy, the bits I flew left me with a concentration headache which lasted hours after. I always know when I am learning something as it’s really quite painful.
I heard calls of other local gliders climbing to fl150 but we stayed down and dirty on the ridge, either with it close to our sides or just above us!
3 hours 40 minutes and now I have to try it on my own. Anyone want to collect me out of the field I WILL be landing in??
Weekend flights.
Probably more to follow over the weekend.
Sunday 15th
After such a strong turnout yesterday (16 people flying on one day is a good turnout for this time of year) today we were left with the duty team plus a couple of others. We still managed 14 launches and the same number of double digit flights as yesterday - in fact, the average flight time (allowing for cable break practice) was a minute longer. Not quite on a par with Chris B's 5+ hours at Nymsfield.
Saturday 14th
With Shalbourne and most of the valley covered in mist the airfield was bathed in sunshine so I decided to try out my new camera mount on the Puchacz and do a few loops. With the mist in the valley it looked like the tide had come in, you should have all been here!
Turnout was quite good and despite having to go down to single cable ops when a fault in the skybrid dog clutch developed we still managed around 35 launches with 4 of these being aerobatting flights with the puch. JMX has been derigged and placed on the trailer ready for towing off to Keevil for weighing, hopefully this will be done next weekend. It is possible (weather permitting) that we will aerotow it back afterwards.
The camera I used for the video is only an old Olympus 4mp compact camera operating in low res movie mode so looks a bit cr*p on full screen but the results are not too bad if you make the window smaller. Encouraged by the results I will have to get hold of an HD camera to improve the quality.
A longer version is being edited and will hopefully be on YouTube in the near future
Phil
Nymsfield Ridge and beyond.
I had the chance to explore the Cotswold edge with Trevor Stuart in his Nimbus 4 on Thursday so got a lift with a friend from Lasham, trailed down his LS8 and were at Nymsfield just gone 9am. A quick introduction and wipe down of wings and we were ready to launch by 10am (ish). Trevor gave me the briefing on how the Ninbus worked and what I should and shouldn’t do but this was short, to the point, and allowed me to remember what I’d been told by him.
Off we went on a 1400 winch launch and headed for the ridge. It’s perhaps fair at this point to say it isn’t much of a ridge, patchy at best but taking Trevor’s advice you aim here, aim there, avoid this and that part and move forward towards the M4 and Bath
He took time to explain why we took the path we did and his words seemed sensible and I could understand why we took the course he chose.
Cloud base was against us with drizzly rain and hill fog covering parts of our route. By the time we got to the M4 Trevor decided it would be prudent to turn back and revisit the ridge a little later in the day.
We headed back to NYM and found an easy transition into wave above the site so with enough height we decided to head across the Severn Estuary to Wales
We jumped wave bar after wave bar climbing and stopping at each one arriving at Usk after perhaps 4 or 5 wave bars. Trevor then got the bit between his teeth and suggested that because we couldn’t ridge soar at Nymsfield we should head to Talgarth and use the ridges there. How could I refuse?? Again we jumped a sucsession of wave bars and headed deeper into Wales
We had a play, explored around the area and Trevor did a sterling job of getting us off the deck at Hay Bluff. I wouldn’t say it was low but it’s a good job the wheel retracts…
We got a little higher but by this time the wave had collapsed and we were left with just the hill lift. Getting as high as we could we headed back towards Abergavenny really too low for a final glide. Trevor suggested a hillock he knew and we stopped for a top up. I worked in parts but we were still far to low to get back and it was suggested the turbo needed an airing. At that moment Trevor latched into something and with a few beats and patience we got high enough for the glide computer to give us a plus reading on the PDA. Trevor let me handle almost all of the final glide but to get every ounce from the glider you have to concentrate.
I’m told it has a glide angle of 1:57, I’d like to think that I got somewhere near that on the glide back.
We crossed the Severn Estuary VERY low and got back to NYM with about 150 feet to spare.
5 hours 32 minutes. £12 reciprocal membership £10 launch fee. Learnt a loads and big cheesy grins until I fell asleep that night!
Oh and I had to retrieve Nigel in his LS8 from Wales
What a day!
Rodney and the Swales
I saw this online, the similarities to Rods Swales are remarkable. No need for a DNA profile....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PLtS_RDpus&feature=player_detailpage#t=30s
Safe to say Rods glider has had a child.
Happy New Year Rod-a-knee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PLtS_RDpus&feature=player_detailpage#t=30s
Safe to say Rods glider has had a child.
Happy New Year Rod-a-knee
Christmas flying
Is it just me or was the build up to Christmas not as longwinded as it has been in previous years? Usually I seem to start suffering around September time noticing the harbingers’ introducing mince pies and Santa hats but this year it really seemed to start a little later. There’s still the complete and anarchic scramble for food at the supermarket, and watching the people hell bent, single-mindedly focused on grabbing as much food as they possibly can because (in their minds) this will be the last opportunity to eat for months and albeit the shop are closed for just one day there’s simply no persuading them the end of the world isn’t gong to happen. It’s just another day, but with a few more mouths to feed, and on that note if these people are buying extra because of guests, surely not everyone has to buy extra?
I waited my time, carefully calculated the best time to get my provisions and pounced Christmas Eve about ten pm. Ok so I had to wade through scattered vegetables on the floor and dodge the few zombie shoppers wandering around lost in their world of Chrimble purchasing, but I grabbed what I wanted and needed and was all finished in 20 minutes.
Christmas turkey was in fact lamb as requested by my daughter, it was nice, peaceful and I needed the break.
But, festive feasting can only last so long, it’s nice to spend time with loved and of course there’s family to entertain. But it’s nice when they either go or you leave.
Once I got back MY peace and quiet my mind turned to the important things in life and I decided to go flying. The weather looked good for Lleweni Parc so I called Kevin who confirmed he would be operating.
I hooked up my trailer, good ol’ LS7 and zipped up to Denbigh. Luckily I’d found a really lovely place to stay which if you decide to go gliding up there is simply the very best place to stay, oh and very reasonable rates. http://www.glanclwydisa.co.uk/index.php?option=com_hotproperty&task=view&id=1&Itemid=3
The flying was superb, and it was the smoothest wave I’ve ever flown in. I sat there it just over six thousand feet looking over Colwyn Bay and watching the wind turbines in the Irish Sea spinning like children’s pinwheel windmills. It was serene, peaceful and made the world a lovely place to see.
The ying yang of wave flying means you pay for the peace and tranquillity of the smooth air when you decide to land and boy was it rough, things flying about the cockpit, me flying about the cockpit and the glider bouncing around like a cork in a washing machine. It’s a little unnerving and turning finals at a thousand feet at with eighty five to ninety knots on the clock you feel as though there’s no way you can possibly get the glider down, but on getting a little closer to the field and still not using airbrakes you start to wonder if you’re going to undershoot. It’s not too bad really but you should have your mind focused on the job in hand.
I would have stayed longer, the weather was favourable but I developed a cold that blocked my ears, nose and throat so I grounded myself and trailed home.
I had hours of flying, blew away some cobwebs and flew at a new site (again) and had a lovely time, all this in the depths of winter, I would have had to take thirty or more winch launches at Rivar to fly this long…
Happy New Year to all of you!
Sunday 18th December
After braving the icy roads and dealing with problems with the winch and signalling lights we finally got going about 11am. With a crosswind we were not hopeful of high launches but we were happily proved wrong and many of us took advantage of the 2000ft release heights to prolong our soaring.
Ken Porter quickly set the level at 15 minutes only for Rod Harris (dressed as Santa's little helper.....sorry Rod!) squeaking in a 17 minute flight despite only getting 1800 ft on the wire (No Rod that does not count as a launch failure!). Bill Cook and Steve Gaze completed their annual checks and a good time was had by all.
All in all a good turnout with 24 launches being flown before the bitterly cold air finally sapped our enthusiasm for more.
Phil
Ken Porter quickly set the level at 15 minutes only for Rod Harris (dressed as Santa's little helper.....sorry Rod!) squeaking in a 17 minute flight despite only getting 1800 ft on the wire (No Rod that does not count as a launch failure!). Bill Cook and Steve Gaze completed their annual checks and a good time was had by all.
All in all a good turnout with 24 launches being flown before the bitterly cold air finally sapped our enthusiasm for more.
Phil
Radio training and emergency landings.
I guess this is why we should all get proficient with the radio, you'll never really use it until you really need to. (as well as field landings)...
Also, so many people say to me that flying in a glider is dangerous as it doesn't have an engine but this shows it can be just as dangerous with on, plus my landings have never been as bad as this one. Not that it's a bad landing, just a good ploughing.
And all this to advertise a watch?? How strange. See http://www.bremont.com/mayday.php
Also, so many people say to me that flying in a glider is dangerous as it doesn't have an engine but this shows it can be just as dangerous with on, plus my landings have never been as bad as this one. Not that it's a bad landing, just a good ploughing.
And all this to advertise a watch?? How strange. See http://www.bremont.com/mayday.php
Saturday 10th - on(?) the west ridge
Well OK, as Stephen has asked for an entry.
Keen members Nigel, Graham and Jon got there good and early to help Tim set up. Tim then duly dropped the pen when signing the DI book, and it found its way right down into the skid void. Despite the resultant delay, we got the first launch off just after 10.30, by which time a few more bodies had turned up. Jon did everything right and Tim sent him off for his first solo in 15 years - congrats to Jon.
Then Graham did likewise, and was also rewarded with a couple more solos.
Meanwhile, the K8 pilots were getting 16-1800 ft launches, although it wasn't particulary windy, and heading off to the west to try to out-do each other on the west ridge. Despite it being such a light wind, the ridge was giving some reduced sink, even lift briefly, so there were several flights considerably extended beyond a standard circuit.
All in all, a remarkably decent day for midwinter. The sunset tables now indicate that the sun will begin to set later (even though sunrise will also keep getting later for a few more weeks).
Keen members Nigel, Graham and Jon got there good and early to help Tim set up. Tim then duly dropped the pen when signing the DI book, and it found its way right down into the skid void. Despite the resultant delay, we got the first launch off just after 10.30, by which time a few more bodies had turned up. Jon did everything right and Tim sent him off for his first solo in 15 years - congrats to Jon.
Then Graham did likewise, and was also rewarded with a couple more solos.
Meanwhile, the K8 pilots were getting 16-1800 ft launches, although it wasn't particulary windy, and heading off to the west to try to out-do each other on the west ridge. Despite it being such a light wind, the ridge was giving some reduced sink, even lift briefly, so there were several flights considerably extended beyond a standard circuit.
All in all, a remarkably decent day for midwinter. The sunset tables now indicate that the sun will begin to set later (even though sunrise will also keep getting later for a few more weeks).
Sunday 11th
Impressive turnout of the duty team (the wondeful C team) despite the rubbish forecast. Conditions were better than expected but hardly inviting. Jim Mc turn up just about the time we'd decided that the forecast rain probably was on its way. Dry when we left but by the time I got home the rain had started.. Yet another no-flyable day - good job they flew yesterday (hopefully someone will add a blog entry about yesterdays 25 launches)
Windy Wednesday (7th)
Modest turnout for a sunny Wednesday (Christmas shopping/chores taking their toll?). After lunch we stirred ourselves into action and started to pull the toys out. Chris K towed the winch out but once away from the shelter at the top end it started to rock in the wind. Not a good sign so after consultation with Colin B back came the winch and we packed everything away.
Day trip to the Long Mynd
Seeing the forecast for a strong westerly Carol and I towed the Janus to the Mynd for a spot of wave and ridge soaring. The wind was blowing at a steady 20kts straight onto the ridge so they only give you a lob to about 100-200ft, this is because the idea is to give you plenty of airspeed not height. After being chopped at about 150 ft we had to dive at the ridge, which we cleared by all of 50 ft and contacted amazing lift as we turned left. At Shalbourne a 150ft launch is always followed by a land ahead but in a westerly at the Mynd there is nothing straight ahead to land on!
(Off the wire at about 150ft then dive for the ridge!)
The lift along the ridge was very strong in places with climbs of 6 to 8 kts but highest most of us could get to was just over 1500ft. It seemed that the wave was out of phase with the ridge and was supressing any good climbs. As time went by the airmass changed and weak wave was contacted by quite a few including us. We eventually reached 4000ft before going into cloud but few others were lucky and climbed a bit higher in a few gaps. A call went out from the launchpoint saying that the wind had increased and was now gusting to 45kts! So after watching how a few others flew their circuit we began ours. The brief was to leave the ridge at 1,000ft, fly a high circuit, not to go too far back and to approach at 80 kts. Despite what seemed a very high circuit and after dodging a few sheep we came to halt just past the launch point.
Even though the round trip took over 6 hrs we both agreed that the 3 hrs soaring made it all worth while.
Phil
Saturday at the Mynd.
Well, Carol and our glorious leader Phil are off to the the Long Mynd where they're hoping to catch some wave. The forecast looks good and the club there have opened a wave box to fl 245. I do hope they can find their rigging pins......I'm working.....
A little wave over the weekend
I had a look at the forecast and having also got a positive email from Steve B, I headed to Denbigh for the weekend.
There weren't many people about, two others on Saturday and only one other on Sunday (not including Kevin who single handed runs the club there).
It transpires an ASW20 which lived at Shalbourne turned up flown by a great bloke called Rob.
I think it was Carol's and syndicated.
I had a launch, but after loosing to a coin toss I ended up at the back of the queue with my wings on trestles waiting for Kevin to get me off the ground. It was all going so well until the winch stalled at 1000 feet so I was left pondering if I should land or head for the hills. Some time later and over 8,000 feet I realised I'd made the right choice.
Landing was not much fun but an approach of 85 knots and turning finals on the threshold at 900 feet saw me landing about the right spot.
Sunday was a little different, clearer skies and not much wave about so I ran the ridge with Rob in the ASW20 and stooged about for a few hours. Oh, did I mention I got a cable break at 950 feet.....
Again the landing was, well exciting and could have benefited from being completely held off. To be honest I was just glad to get to the ground in one piece!
440 miles travel- 2 launches- 2 landings (honest) and 6 hours of flying. 'twas good.
There weren't many people about, two others on Saturday and only one other on Sunday (not including Kevin who single handed runs the club there).
It transpires an ASW20 which lived at Shalbourne turned up flown by a great bloke called Rob.
I had a launch, but after loosing to a coin toss I ended up at the back of the queue with my wings on trestles waiting for Kevin to get me off the ground. It was all going so well until the winch stalled at 1000 feet so I was left pondering if I should land or head for the hills. Some time later and over 8,000 feet I realised I'd made the right choice.
Sunday was a little different, clearer skies and not much wave about so I ran the ridge with Rob in the ASW20 and stooged about for a few hours. Oh, did I mention I got a cable break at 950 feet.....
Again the landing was, well exciting and could have benefited from being completely held off. To be honest I was just glad to get to the ground in one piece!
440 miles travel- 2 launches- 2 landings (honest) and 6 hours of flying. 'twas good.
Saturday 26th
Arrived at the field to find equipment DI'd but not moved into position but with my appearancewe had enough to operate (just). By the time we were ready to fly a few more had arrived so Ken P was thrown into the air for a weather check and to decide whether we just put everything back - there was rather a lot of wind and cloudbase didn't look that grand. Before the launch Colin suggested to Ken that if cloudbase was at 1,000' then he'd probably still be able to land ahead. Turned out cloudbase didn't get in the way but we watched the K13 sitting stationary above the winch - when he finally headed downwind for his circuit he really moved. Just the one K13 out and it was a matter of pick your instructor to fly with. Just 11 launches but that was enough to take the total launches for November past the number achieved for the whole of November last year. Longest flight honours went to James W beating the next longest flights by 33% - yup, he managed a whole 8 minutes.
Wednesday 23rd
After a run of duff Wednesdays we finally got to play. Bob set the standard on the second launch with 14 minutes in the K8 enjoying some week wave. An achievement no one else was able to match (though a couple of us did manage 13 minutes). Still some colour in the trees to enjoy. 22 launches even after a late start due to having to sort out 2 flat tyres
Another Sunny Saturday
For once the airfield was clear of the mist and murk that was affecting the surrounding countryside and we were able to fly out over the clouds.
After a flight with Carol I fitted my cheap compact camera into its mount and attached it to the tip of JPC for a flight over the clouds with Colin. A much shortened version is attached here.
Pete Ellison and Steve Barber took advantage of the good conditions (ok they were press ganged into doing them!) and completed their annual checks. Jim McCormick needed very little encouragement in practising his landings and we flew a couple of trial lessons.
Thanks to Ken Reid who volunteered(?) to man the winch for quite some time before taking the K8 off for a flight.
All in all a very good day and surprisingly mild for his time of year. Flights were certainly not long but flying over the cloud was magic!
Phil
Sunny sunday (for mid November).
Another unexpectedly nice day for mid November with winds south of east and a fairly strong increase at height. I sat on the winch basking in the warm autumn sun and occasionally pulling a glider into the air. A little music in my ears and a good book was all I needed or wanted for the day, oh and very pleasant company from the members who turned out to fly. James H was busy getting the Vega trailer finished, and very nice it looks too, Jim had a splendid flight, nearly got the glider on the ground (thanks to Tim’s coaching) and was beaming with pleasure. Trevor took over winching for the afternoon shift which is when we coincidently started getting better winch launches, and I jumped into the Ka13 with Phil to finish off my checks. A very pleasant day indeed.
Sunday 6th November - record day
After no flying on Saturday (low cloud) good turnout on Sunday. The northerly wind onto our ridge inspired the private Puchacz and the LS3 to be rigged. We also had visits from piolts from 3 other clubs. From Lasham were Ayala and Mike T (admittedly just popped in to say hello on their way to Southern Sailplanes) but the chaps from Talgarth and Weston-on-the-Green did fly. There was ridge lift but not consistent enough (well not for most of us) as it was disrupted by thermals but the thermals weren't really strong enough to be useful. Half the flights managed between 10 and 30 minutes but 2 others went beyond half an hour - Trevor G with 39 minutes and Colin B with 56 minutes. Typically, Colin stated the only reason he landed was that he was getting hungry. I didn't hear any reports of launch heights but I saw 1,900' on a TL flown in a K13.
We only flew for just over 5 hours but clocked up an impressive 44 launches (most launches in an autumn/winter months in the last 5 years - which is as far back as easily accessible records go). Well done the B team (and the folks who helped keep things moving - especially Chris K and Peter E who did most (all?) the winching between them)
We only flew for just over 5 hours but clocked up an impressive 44 launches (most launches in an autumn/winter months in the last 5 years - which is as far back as easily accessible records go). Well done the B team (and the folks who helped keep things moving - especially Chris K and Peter E who did most (all?) the winching between them)
Wednesday 2nd
Arrived at the airfield to find it a hive of activity - Andy B + helpers rigging JMX; Colin B and Ken H working on the generator set-up; James H on the Vega trailer. More wind about than we'd ideally like (again!) so no rush to get the toys out. With JMX rigged it was decided to test fly it and check the conditions. First flight established that 40 knots into wind made naff all progress over the ground. Second test flight was need to check the rear instruments so Chris K joined me as talking ballast. Managed to find a modest thermal in which we gained 100' (vario tested both ways) and drifted us into a nice position for the circuit. On finals coming through the wind gradient saw 15 knots wiped off our speed - fortunately we had 70 knots to start with. Winch then put away and hangar packed.
Sunday 30th - not officially 'Nice'
I thought that I was on a roll on duty days - after our last duty being soarable all day. Perhaps my problem was swapping with Tim but he promised he'd booked the weather. Today I was (happily) surprised to find myself not the first person to turn up through the drizzle when I arrived at 9 am - James Hunneman was there already. Martin Hoskins and Rob Jarvis arrived subsequently. The low cloud and drizzle amplified to rain and then sank back into cloud and drizzle again.
But be assured - days like these are not days to miss - you can learn a huge amount on the ground even if you don't fly. We amused and enlightened ourselves with some trace analysis until 11.30 or so and then in the absence of anyone else to do any groundschool with, we abandoned the day and went home. Hasta la vista, comrades!
But be assured - days like these are not days to miss - you can learn a huge amount on the ground even if you don't fly. We amused and enlightened ourselves with some trace analysis until 11.30 or so and then in the absence of anyone else to do any groundschool with, we abandoned the day and went home. Hasta la vista, comrades!
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