Saturday 10th May

What else to expect in February....but hang on just a minute it is May!

As ever the rather pessimistic weather forecast meant that the flying list was not very long. 
However with an evident determination from the members present to fly, the launch point was set up for a southwest / west wind direction and both K21s and a Junior were taken across to start the flying for the day.
First flag colour of the day was yellow but soon turned to blue as the morning progressed.
So far so good
As the wind became more and more 'interesting' in both mean speed and gust strength the flying continued in 'fits and starts' between the heavy showers until a decision was made to stop for lunch - with four consecutive broken weak links perhaps indicating the rough conditions on the launches.
Not so good
After lunch a K21 managed the longest flight of the day at 37 minutes during which time a decision was made to return the other K21 to the safety of the hangar (the Junior having been put away earlier).
Extra wing stand
As the K21 landed, a ground crew were waiting to help get the glider back under cover and the fact that the instructor and student were encouraged to stay in the glider as it was being towed across to the hangar indicates how strong the wind had become.
Wind sock trying to go above the horizontal
A total of 9 launches and just under 2 hours of flying before weather stopped play but with some good experience gained in the February (sorry May) weather conditions.
DSGC weather station output showing mean wind and gust
WELLINGTON SCHOOL
The second week of the joint initiative with Wellington School saw the student group arrive full of anticipation of more gliding 'air time' to add to the flights completed the previous week. Some more ground school lectures were completed but unfortunately the weather was not good enough to fly, so the students left hoping for better weather next weekend. - Mike Sl