A real bonus of a day for September! The day dawned sunny, bright and cold which promised good thermals. As we expected plenty of visitors for trial lessons and a day course, we took DVX & CCC up to the top hangar field to get started together with the tug. Paul N and John W were on duty, with Eric, Andy, John R on the winch in turn, once Eric & Alistair had installed the new roller on the right hand drum! Clouds started popping late morning, and the private gliders came out to fly.
Alistair took HJD off soaring, John R got the day record of 4 hours in EPU, Gary and Graeme Hudson (stop press - Graeme is hoping to get back into gliding and is looking for a glider) went off on aerotow in KHC, while Robin and then Gail flew G2. John Le Coyte went off in the DG800, whilst Gaynor was running a very successful 'Macmillan Coffee Morning' down at the clubhouse. Various members sloped off for cake, and then Christine brought more cakes & coffee up to the launch point for the helpers - definitely an improvement on our normal bus catering!
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| Where did all the gliders go?? |
All of our visitors managed a soaring flight - the day course couple both had a long flight, and showed lots of enthusiasm! During a break I took CCC for a long flight - conditions were great, up to 3,600 (cloud base at the time) in less than 10 mins off the winch. It went bluish locally for a short while but even then the wisps worked well. Paul Mucha turned up mid afternoon and very helpfully relieved Eric from the winch, finishing the day's session. Patrick turned up in the afternoon and had a late long soaring flight with John W. My hangar flight of DVX with Rowan turned into 40 mins of local soaring watching the shadows lengthening over the ridge & furrow. It was a gorgeous evening, in tune with a very enjoyable day.
After flying a gang of us went for a curry to celebrate Gary's birthday.