Sunday 5th April

Despite a reasonably good forecast there were not many members at the Club today, perhaps some members were out hunting for eggs and / or the Easter Bunny.

With a light variable Northerly wind the launch point was initially set up in the South East corner, and daily inspections started on the K21s and a Junior. 
Preparing for the day's flying (Mike Sl)
By the time the gliders had been walked up to the launch point the wind had strengthened slightly, and with a more definite Easterly component, so a K21 was launched to assess the launch and the approach/landing. A decision was made to launch the other K21 but as soon as the glider was in the air the it was evident that a change of ends was needed.

With gliders 'hopped' to the other end of the field the winch and launch point vehicle were repositioned and with the wind settling down to a North Easterly the decision to change ends was vindicated .

Under an overcast sky but with blue gaps steadily appearing there was some optimism of the day continue to improve lift wise - but the flying continued with glider after glider unsuccessful in finding any lift of any note. 


Trial lessons in improving sky (Mike Sl)
Paul S and Roly completed some trial lessons and Ron and Dan flew the ASH25 with the opportunity to show off it's shiny new gel coat. 
ASH25 re-gelled (Mike Sl)
Around lunch time the thermals started to become more evident and consistent with gliders finding lift more often than not 'just off the end of the launch' - for around an hour and a half there were good thermals providing climbs to a cloud base of circa 3000' QFE.

And then almost as soon as it started the thermals stopped and it was back to circuits.

During the afternoon James took the opportunity for some more flying in the Rotax Falke, with Paul S this time - an hour on the South coast was the order of the day.

And Guy and Simon completed some local flying in the Motor Falke.

With the flying list completed and with no further launches required the gliders were flown to the other end and the hangar days shut at around 5pm to end an enjoyable,  albeit unspectacular, day's gliding. - Mike Sl