At last – a day to remember for all the right
reasons. 40 winch
launches, 9 aerotows, a first solo,
and soaring flights!
The cool crisp blue morning brought people out
in force,
including members from EUGC (now recognised as a sports club by the University), returning new members, and many
familiar
faces. By 9am the flying list was as long as an August day’s, the
gliders were
mostly out and being DI’d, and first launch – by winch on a frosty
field we
prayed wouldn’t turn into a quagmire – was just before 10.
Conditions were benign – just as well, as the
majority of
members hadn’t flown a winch launch for quite a while! By late
morning lift along
the south ridge was becoming thermal, and some clouds worked
almost as well as
in early spring.
Pete St had the longest flight in R37 of 42mins using only the steam driven vario, followed closely by Michael and Martin also in K13 in the middle of the day.
Pete St had the longest flight in R37 of 42mins using only the steam driven vario, followed closely by Michael and Martin also in K13 in the middle of the day.
Tim P was sent solo after some check
flights – having joined
in August last year, and done a course at Lasham, he had only
really been held
back by the weather. Matthew passed his Bronze exam, and Matt Sm converted to the K6 - Congratulations to all.
 |
| Martin congratulates Tim after sending him solo |
Meanwhile, Mark C had a huge syndicate gang at
work on ENW's
trailer – never in the history of North Hill have so many launches
been missed
by so few, with so little complaint. (But I bet they thought it
was going to be
a rainy day like all the others!) - JSto
