Monday 16th to Thursday 19th September 2024
Posted: 19/09/2024 21:21
Monday 16th. A light and variable, but mainly SE'ly blew, as high pressure established itself over the UK bringing a day of sunshine with isolated Cumulus. The 15 launches off runway 20 led to 12 flights over 30 minutes, with 5 of these over an hour, all of these by 5 out of the 7 private owners who flew. These flight times ranged from 1:58 by Geoff Burtenshaw in his DG303 to Martyn Johnson's 2:35 in his DG600, but no one went far from site, as operating altitudes were typically from 2,800' to 3.200' and average thermal strengths around 1 kt. Martyn did, however, find an average peak thermal of 3.7kts, while Craig Lowerie climbed to 4,200' asl in his DG808 whilst also recording a low point of 1.400 asl. Sanjay Nath had 55 minutes in Astir DPO, with Ian McFarland taking one of the day's 2 First Flight pupils for 47 minutes in the DG500. The Falke was the only aircraft to fly XC with an O/R to Sandtoft whilst also flying some touch and go's at Rufforth and a simulated field landing near Bagby on the way back to site.
Tuesday 17th. Early mist in the Vale of York soon cleared to give a sunny, blue day that was fine for sunbathing but not for soaring, with the day's 23 launches off runway 20 into a light S'ly only leading to one flight of over 30 minutes. This was a valiant effort by Bob Calvert in his Discus 2ct, his 1:05 being spent mainly between 900-1,500' QFE thermalling in the main bowl, with an occasional climb to 2,100'QFE. The next longest flight was of 23 minutes, achieved by 3 flights, Paul Whitehead/Dave Bendarash in the DG500, Ian Bullous in his DG808 and Malcolm Morgan/Julian Gerrettson in K21 KLW. The day's 4 First Flight pupils came next with 21-22 minutes each,, while the Falke repeated Monday's O/R to Sandtoft.
Wednesday 18th. An early overcast soon broke up to give a repeat of Tuesday's sunny, blue skies but with even less useable lift as a light ESE'ly blew. Gliding activity was confined to 6 ATs off runway 20, 4 of which were for First Flight pupils and Bob Calvert, flying one of these in K21 JVZ, again topped the duration list, but with this time a much more modest 27 minutes using a couple of weak thermals to maintain height at 1100' QFE and then 800' QFE. Tony Kirby was the only YGC member to take an instructional flight, having two 1100' tows as he practiced circuit flying with Clive Swain.
Thursday 19th. Another sunny, blue and essentially flat day with the wind now a light N'ly. 15 ATs were flown off runway 02, with all but one of these in 3 of the club's 2 seaters, the exception being a flight by Chris Teagle in his LS8t-18, a couple of engine burns allowing him to visit Carlton Bank and then 4 km north of Churchhouses in his flight of 1:05. Chris later trailered KFV down to Thirsk, beautifully tracked by the glider's Flarm unit. Visiting instructor Andrew Watson flying the DG1000 with Bas Sonnerfeld, released at 400' QFE and landed at Bagby and, having reached 3,200' QFE on the retrieve AT, indulged in some spins before landing after a flight of 24 minutes, the 2nd longest of the day without engine power. The longest of the day was also by Andrew, a 26 minute flight with one of the day's 5 First Flight pupils. The Falke, meanwhile was again off on its travels with an O/R to Fishburn.
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.