Sunday 12th April

A small, but eager group of members were at the Club bright and early, no doubt encouraged both by the promising weather forecast for the morning and also hoping to fly before the potential poorer weather forecast for the afternoon. The launch point was set up in the North East corner of the field and with the wind already brisk and forecast to strengthen during the day daily inspections were completed on just the K21s which were soon being walked across to enable flying to start.
Clear blue sky to start (Mike Sl)

Under a blue sky full of potential promise there was synergy in the form of a Blue Card rating based on the anticipated "interesting" approach over the Eastern end of the field. As the morning progressed the flying list was gradually worked through - although the sky provided some tantalising glimpses of wave bars and cumulus to the West of the field either there was none close to the Club or the pilots were not good enough to find it. The wind strength and direction provided some weak lift along parts of the South ridge but not enough for anything other than extended circuits to be achieved.
A few clouds appearing (Mike Sl)

Then just around lunchtime thermals became more evident and with what seemed to be weak wave just off the Western end of the field the best flights of the day were completed - John St and Martin B achieving just over an hour before deciding to come down for lunch.
Some wave bars to the west (Mike Sl)
With not enough members to keep flying through lunch the gliders were carefully parked and food/drink consumed to recharge everyone's batteries. By the time lunch was over the sky had changed to a rather gloomy overcast grey as the predicted front had moved over the field very quickly.
Sky has turned grey (Mike Sl)
 So it was an afternoon of circuits and an opportunity for pilots to continue practicing their approaches and landings in the 'interesting' wind condition. During the afternoon Henry flew K6CR (HEB) for an extended circuit.

As the afternoon went by the wind gradually abated and then just as it seemed that the flying list would be completed a rope break together with some light rain determined that it was time to put the toys away for the day.

With the rope in question showing distinct signs of 'wear and tear', and with the first course week of the year imminent, John St and James led a team who replaced a large length of the existing launch rope with three new rolls of brand new rope.

A day of uneventful flying for which the statistics tell the story of the day's flying more simply than the above words.

22 flights all winch (21 dual, 1 solo),  21 flights less than 30 mins with just 1 flight of over an hour. - Mike Sl