Jack Goes Solo...

Jack' First Solo

It's been a busy week. Gavin P sent young Jack Bowler (now 16) solo at the weekend. Well done Jack - you'll soon be catching your dad!

All smiles!

Bruno, Val and Kath had a busy week with lots of soaring available for those folks who decided to turn up a week early for some practice, including John Clarke and Geoff King from Talgarth. I managed to pop in after work on a couple of days to say hi, and also managed several soaring flights in the K13 with various P.2s...all female!

As the weekend approaches the volunteers are rallying round making sure that everything's just right for the Regionals.

Wednesday 13 June

Southerly winds about 5 knots with 4/8 cloud and 3500ft bases QFE.

Well done to Tez Bowler and Alex Nichols for achieving bronze leg soaring flights. For Tez that is also bronze completed.

They day stoked up well with many good soaring flights, Martyn Smith had his longest and highest flight to date---big grins all around.

Welcome to 2 visitors, Nick Sarel and Easy Jet captain had his first flight since a 12 month layoff---he hadnt forgotten anything. Alan Montague flew in from Nympsfield arriving just as the top cover killed off the thermal generation.---still and opportunity to meet old friends and have a beer or two.

Don

Tuesday 12 June

Light northerly winds and high cloud cover. 020/05

Welcome back to Phil Hubert who spent the day grappling with learning to fly. All the flying and briefings completed by midday.

Thanks to the midday stalwarts and Bruno and Val for assisting with field operations. Val is our third midweek instructor here for some site familiarisation.

Meanwhile Dave Smith and helpers set about putting posh gravel on the car park---you wont recognise it now. Mary provided the pot plants, the place is beginning to look like Chelsea flower show.

Martyn Smith arrived later for briefings on winch laubnching and approach control.

Ian Atherton stuck his head in to say hello and find out how things are progressing, his new course starts in August, so good luck to him.

Don

Monday 11 June 2012

Wall to wall cloud. 8/8 with bases at 000ft.

Welcome to our 2 one day course candidates who spent a few hours in the briefing room learning about gliding and their first lessons. Phil Hubert and Keith Meddows then had an early lunch before going home in the rain.

Still a good day though

Don

High all

Just a brief report of a successful Saturday 9th June

Tim and I were on duty and the expected 4 trial lessons did not arrive, one at least was advised not to come since weather really not good  for TL's. Wind speed close to 20 kts gusting to 30Knts, not good off 280 for 8 acre.

However we pressed on with the few abinitio's experiencing conditions on the more difficult side.

The wind did moderate a little in the afternoon and there was some evidence of wave with prolonged flights with flight paths a few miles NW of the ridge.It was not ridge lift as the wind was more 280.

Paul Flecher took a Ka13 and enjoyed some 40 minutes soaring in thermal and the line of  lift being generated NW of the ridge.

Others had good flying with a couple of private gliders pushed off into what was becoming really soarable conditions.

All in all a good day, pity more members didn't come to enjoy a very interesting day.
 

Thanks to Tessa and John, Tessa LPC in the morning Thanks to John helping with others with the winching.

Derrick

 

Land out challenges---12 May 2012

Try to guess who landed out here. The retrieve was a real challenge.

Don

Friday 1 June

An uninspiring day to start with 1000ft cloudbases and drizzle threatened.

Welcome to Nigel Curtis and David Keen who were on a one day course. Nigel is an expert parachutist and David is wheelchair bound and holds a PPL.

Thanks again to the stalwarts who came out to help run the field and teach the ground handling skills.

Both course members did extremely well, with Nigel handling the aircraft and completing prompted landings and David undertaking the entire flight unaided using the handrudder control in DVX.

The Robin now has an oil pressure guage and is back flying, thanks to Colin et al.

The day ended with a wrap up chat and a beer in the bar.

Don 

Thursday 31 May

Over cast with lower scudding cumulus at about 1500 ft. Winds 200/15 and occasional light rain.

The first launch took Vinney Sullivan into wave at 2000ft. keeping clear of the cloud we were able to manage a short wave soaring flight before it seemed to break up.

Clive Williams tested John Rogers tugging skills with out of position exercises on tow. Clive is working towards his BI rating.

Eventually rained stopped play, and we were driven into the clubroom for some ground school (and tea).

Don

Wednesday 30 May

Started hot and blue, with CuNims in the afternoon. Winds 200/15.

The duo discus set off and soared locally for a while, but the overdevelopment made it problematic.

Welcome to Ross and Tracey Daniell who took to gliding like ducks to water on their day course. Both were landing the glider by the end of the day, terrific.

During one rain shower, Clive was explaining how Bernoulli got it wrong and caused a lively debate. A little later Tim Donovan and Clive set off in the Grob, but aborted the take off. Tim is now convinced the ghost of Bernoulli was taking it out on Clive.

The day was ended after a few rumbles of thunder reminded us it is better to be on the ground wishing we were flying than in the air wishing we were on the ground.

Don