Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st July 2024
Posted: 31/07/2024 21:16
Monday 29th. The light to moderate SSW'ly continued to bring in good soaring weather, with strong thermals, average peak rates up to 5 kts and a cloudbase of over 6,000' asl. Consequently, the launch point was again busy with aspiring XC pilots, the day's launch total of 35 off runway 20 including 14 for private owners as well as 7 for First Flight pupils. Two 500's and five 300's were posted on the BGA ladder, one of the 300's being a 304 km O/R to Belvoir Castle, a first 300 for Toby Wilson in his Std Cirrus, so well done Toby. The two 500's were by Charlie Tagg in his Ventus cxa FES, 505km with TPs at Southwell Minster, Pickering and Clay Cross Reservoir, and 524km by Andy Wright in his Nimbus 3. Andy originally declared a 368 km O/R to Rutland Water Dam but decided in flight to extend the flight to an undeclared 500+ by adding on an O/R to Doncaster on first returning to Sutton. Both Charlie and Andy flew fast tasks, Charlie achieving 104 kph, the day's fastest 500, and Andy 92.3 kph Andy's original 368 km task was also successfully flown by Rob Bailey in his ASG29t, while Paul Whitehead in his Ventus 2cxt, Steve Thompson in his Ventus 2bt and Dean Crosby in his LS10 t all successfully flew a 395 km task around Saltby, Tuxford Junction and Belvoir Castle. 7 other XCs were flown, these being 430km by Bill Payton, flying his DG1000t solo, via an O/R to the Telford area, 206 km by Dave McKinney in his ASW28 with TPs at East Yorks 1 and 2, Sutton, Ripon, Tontine and Sutton, an 177km O/R to Doncaster by James Prosser in his Ventus 2ct, 176 km around the Ripon, Hawes, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Boroughbridge areas by Bob Calvert in his Discus 2ct, 150 km by Neil Paverley in the Discus visiting Pocklington, Rufforth and Northallerton and 100 km around Pocklington and Rufforth by Jim McClean in his ASW24, all distances OLC calculated. Steve Scothern in his Discus t attempted a Pocklington, Burn task but had to resort to his engine when approaching Burn. As well as all the above achievements, Sanjay Nath got his Silver C height in Astir DSU, Junior member James Horton completed his Bronze C flights in Astir DPO and Ivan Maczka did his 5 hours in Astir DSU, so congratulations to them all.
Tuesday 30th. Another warm and sunny day didn't get going in soaring terms until late morning, the wind being light from the WNW. 42 launches were flown off runway 24 with landings on 20, the day producing 12 flights of over 30 minutes, 9 of these being over an hour. Three pilots posted XCs on the BGA Ladder and there were a further 4 XC flights the distances flown being OLC calculated. Paul Whitehead in his Ventus 2cxt and Steve Thompson in his Ventus 2bt flew similar tasks, Paul 301 km with TPs at Worksop, Burn and Retford and Steve 304 km with TPs at Worksop East, Burn and Retford, while Eileen Scothern in her Discus t did 200 km of a declared 260 km task around Doncaster NW, Thirsk and Rufforth, abandoning the task before getting to Thirsk and landing back at site. Those flying other XCs were Dean Crosby in his LS10t, 270 km visiting Burn, Rufforth, Malton Fridaythorpe, East Yorks 1, Goole and Wetherby, Bob Calvert in his Discus 2ct visiting York, Pocklington, Pickering and Wetherby, 193 km, Clive Swain, 170 km in his Kestrel 19 via Malton, Langtoft and then around the Easingwold/Sutton on Forest area and finally Rob Bailey in his ASG29t who covered 91 km going NE to a few km short of Guisborough W and returning via Carlton Bank. Only one flight in club gliders exceeded 30 minutes, that being by Bruce Grain and David Gregson in the DG1000.
Wednesday 31st. The wind had become a light to moderate SE'ly but although the day was again sunny and warm it was essentially blue and staying up proved to be difficult, the day's 16 ATs off runway 20, all in 2 seaters, only producing 4 flights of 30 minutes or more with none over an hour. Bruce Grain/Sarah Nolan shared the longest flight of the day, 36 minutes in K21 JVZ, while Nigel Burke took one of the day's 4 First Flight pupils for 35 minutes in the DG500. Clive Swain had the remaining soaring flights, first 30 minutes with Henry Siamw? and then 32 minutes with Logan Briggs, both in K21 KLW , staying up being helped by weak thermals.
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.