UK Junior Gliding Winter Series Round 2: Denbigh featuring R2
Four of our young pilots recently attended the second round of the UK Junior Gliding Winter Series at Lleweni Parc, where they all got the opportunity to fly in our DuoDiscus R2, in the hope they’d contact some surreal Welsh Wave. A huge thanks to our CFI Gally the GOAT for bringing R2 and giving Beccy, Hoss, Elizabeth and Brad an unforgettable experience.
Many thanks to CFI Gally, pictured here in his prime days
Friday
The forecast for Friday suggested a typically Welsh washout throughout most of the day; as a result, we were in no great rush to get R2 to Lleweni Parc for the crack of dawn.
Much to our surprise however, some flying was taking place at Lleweni Parc upon our arrival, with Denbigh’s CFI, Chris Gill scouting out some moderate wave in amongst the doom and gloom. We’d say we’re surprised, but the man is practically half human, half bird… he still never ceases to amaze though.
Not long after our arrival and after only a couple of flights, a band of rain soon halted flying. A brief ease in the rain however, soon provided the opportunity to get the wings on R2, and after rounding up those too slow to escape our call for aid, there were soon enough bods to rig. With the wings on and the rain becoming more relentless again, R2 was briskly hangered and the remainder of the rig completed in there.
With the rain persisting still, little action was to be had at the airfield, so checking in at the hotel and frequenting the bar for a drink or five became the next best option.
CFI, Gally the GOAT, flexing his camera’s witchcraft capabilities.
Saturday
Saturday’s forecast was offering slightly more hope than the previous day, however, as was iterated at the brief, there would be sporadic showers throughout the morning. It was decided therefore, to launch at midday. This left time to set Beccy and Hoss to work taping up R2 and for Gally the GOAT to DI her.
With the rain clearing, a flock of gliders amassed at the launch point of Runway 09, and the winter series got underway. Brad and Gally were first to fly R2, but despite the 3000ft tow, the wind was simply not strong enough, nor quite in the right direction to ignite the wave bars. They therefore, had to turn to the cloud encased ridge - that had a radio mast hiding within it somewhere - in the hope of encountering some weak ridge lift. Unfortunately, this was to no avail, as the glorified decent continued. That said, they still bagged the longest flight of the day with 28 minutes.
Gridding on Runway 09
With Beccy and Hoss taking 40 (more like 80) winks after a long night, R2 was utilised to fly other juniors throughout day, all of whom gushed over how she looked and handled.
The day was filled with the usual junior gliding tomfoolery, and with the prospect of some moderate wave forecast, we all hit the sack for an early night, dreaming of the wave that was to come.
Sunday
A promising forecast.
Day 3 of 3, and the best was saved till last. To make to the most of the day, flying was commenced at 09:00. R2 had a full schedule today with Beccy and Gally taking the first of many flights, followed by Hoss (who it turns out, is a rather proficient as butchering rabbits, as Barney the dog will vouch after receiving some under the counter rabbit ears from the boot of Hoss’ car). Whilst both enjoyed their flights, they were unfortunately slightly too early to encounter any wave, but still got 25 minutes airtime each. We were joined by our new social media guru Elizabeth today, who was next up in R2. A tow to 4000ft resulted in a mostly prolonged decent, bar one climb averaging 6m/min… no that’s not a typo! Despite not encountering much lift, Elizabeth and Gally still managed to bag one of the longest flights of the day with 53 minutes.
With the Shawbury crew flown, R2 was used for the remainder of the day to fly juniors who had not flown during the course of Friday and Saturday. This gave Elizabeth, Beccy and The Butcher the opportunity to raid the ice-cream van which had spawned on the club.
They thought they escaped the camera!
Meanwhile, Gally and his final passenger were fortunate enough to encounter some light wave with a fellow Navy Gliding Club Duo, 620, over Bodelwyddan (no, I couldn’t remember how to spell that & no, I can’t pronounce it). It was at this point, the met decided yet again to come over all Welsh, and with the low-pressure system closing in, a last dash for Denbigh was made.
With the day slowly winding to a close, R2 was derigged soon derigged; with Brad on photography/moral support duty, the remaining four heaved the trailer up the slope, with only one slip up – quite literally for Lizzie - and R2 was on its way back to Shawbury.
Whilst the weekend did not hold the classic Welsh wave we were hoping for, some 68 flights were had over some staggering countryside, as was seen up close on the trip back to Cosford.
