Saturday 8th November 2025
Posted: 09/11/2025 15:17
Saturday 8th. Low cloud and rain from 06-1000 hrs delayed the start of flying until lunch time, the initial SSE'ly becoming a light to moderate WSW'ly with the passage of the rain. 15 ATs were flown from runway 24 with a few of the subsequent landings on runway 20. The availability of hill lift and, in one case, wave, meant that there were 9 soaring flights, with 3 of these over an hour, 2 of the latter by the 2 private owners who launched and the other by Sarah Nolan in Astir DPO. Sarah's 2:06 long flight utilised the hill lift on the home bowl, where she maintained heights of 700-1,300' QFE. Neil Paverley in his Nimbus 2 also used hill lift for the duration of his 1:32 flight, sampling that provided by the home bowl, half the northern extent of the main W'ly ridge and the Forward Ridge, with a similar operating height band. Bob Calvert in his Discus 2ct used his engine shortly after release and motored to the NW of Topcliffe where he contacted wave and climbed to 6,500' asl. Proceeding westwards, Bob visited Masham and then flew over the Yorkshire Dales, doing an O/R between the Aysgarth and Pateley Bridge areas and then visiting Wetherby before landing back after 3:28, Bob's maximum altitude was 10,100' asl and the set up of the wave is clearly seen in the following photograph from Bob.
The 6 flights having between 30 and 60 minutes all used the home bowl's hill lift, the list being led by Andy Tyas who, flying Astir DSU, had 45 minutes. With the gliders and tugs safely back in their hangars, members and guests assembled for the YGC Bonfire night party, drinks and refreshments and a raffle raising over £300 each for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and another charity before the bonfire was lit, as the following photo shows, and the firework display started . Thanks to all those built the bonfire, set off the fireworks and provided the food.
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.