Friday 4th August 2017
Posted: 04/08/2017 23:13
The metoffice forecast promised the after-effects of some occluded fronts with amounts of cloud but no rain. A westerly wind of ridge-soaring strength ensued, and although no significant wave was forecast either in the "215" or by RASP, wave bars were obvious both to the west and the east. Much like yesterday, then!
Flying operations started at 0954. There were thirty winch launches and two aerotows; the aerotowing being to improve the launch rate following the cable unravelling itself from one of the two drums - this was corrected later. All of the club two-seaters, the two Astirs, and the Discus flew today. There were six trial lessons.
Our thanks to the repairers of our DG500, enabling it to fly today - John Carter for performing the initial diagnosis yesterday, and Derek Taylor of NYS for bringing along the requisite nose wheel inner-tube and fitting it this morning.
David Watson and Mark Newburn claimed the longest club two-seater flight in the DG1000 (1:26), whilst Chris Booker, in a qualifying flight for the XC endorsement claimed 2:23, and Rob Bailey pipped Chris by having 2:38 in the club Discus off one of the two aero-tows.
There were seven private owner flights, and two of these were the only ones to find the elusive wave; Graham Evison in his Nimbus 2a climbed to 6500 amsl, whilst Bill Payton and Stuart Heaton in their DG1000t not only climbed to 10000' amsl but also bagged the longest flight of our day at 5:17.
Nigel Burke in his DG600 rounded off the flying day by landing at 18:00.
Yorkshire responded by giving us a sunny evening with far-reaching views (and a few wave bars thrown in for good measure)!
This blog describes a snippet of life at the Yorkshire Gliding Club. Why not take a flight and try it yourself, or we can teach you to fly as a full club member.