Flying Report Sun 2 Nov 25
The front had passed through overnight leaving blue skies and sunshine, and with a brisk W wind a tempting Wave bar formed (it was at 11,000ft🤪)
However, it was with some concern that a recce party set out to inspect the Shawbury lawn to determine, after all the overnight rain, whether it was suitable for aero-tow operations or was it going to be all too hairy (geddit😍)!
Thankfully, after prayers led by Duty Pilot Jack…..
…..ground conditions were deemed OK and so we set up on r’way 22 (was the old r’way 23 and appears to be in the same general direction wotevs).
It was the early launchers that made the most of some lower-level Wave conditions. First away was Norm in his syndicate owned K18 (R43) and dropping off the tow at 4,000ft he took “Hog-of-the-Day” honours, closely followed by Geoff M in his Ventus 2CT, eventually topping out above 5,000ft.
Super to see a number of our MEF gliding scholarship students out for the day. We welcomed Arron for his first flight and bid farewell to Adam, wishing him well at Marham. They were joined by Hos and Becky in the afternoon. Super to see you all.
Arron got away in R22 for the first of his two trips today with Nigel and with a good westerly, got off the ground pretty quickly.
John Luke in Astir EEO decided to join Norm but, dropping off the tow at 3,000ft he was probably just too low to get into Wave.
By midday Wave conditions had weakened enough to allow thermic conditions to set up for the afternoon.
Viz was fantastic.
Eventually, the dynamic Haynes duo decided to try their luck with the K18. Son, Jack in the K18 and back on the ground in 23 minutes, said that Dad and tug pilot Colin couldn’t spot a thermal even if he flew into one. Luv those Dad/Son moments, always moments to cherish🤩
Mid-afternoon, and launching off and landing on r’way 22 into the setting sun is always a challenge…..
……and with the clocks going back it was time to call it a day at 15:30.
After the run of non-flying days, it was a massive relief to get airborne, although with Winter approaching, we’re going to have to get lucky with the ground conditions as and until we get back on to the hard surface in January. Thanks to all for making the day a success with nearly 9 hours of flying time.
Club News:
Our ASK 21 R35 is away at NavBoys having spin weights fitted.
DuoDiscus R2 is off to Denbigh 10 – 14 Nov 25.