Saturday August 5th 2017
Posted: 06/08/2017 19:48
The day lived up to the briefing forecast. Early Cu gave good lift with cloud base rising quite quickly but the instability always threatened showers in the local area and further afield. These curtailed some of the more optimistic declarations but overall it was one of the better days in what has been a disappointing soaring season so far.
50 launches during the day kept the Eurofox and Super Cub busy with launching off r/w 24 and around half of the landings on r/w 20. Jan Van der Hoek had soaring flights in both the club Discus and the DG303. Mark Newburn flew the 303 and Toby Wilson ( who else!) had a couple of flights in Astir DPO, in the process honing his knowledge of the S80 in preparation for Task Week. All four 2 seaters were in demand with most having soaring flights of half an hour or more. The four trial lessons booked for the day were augmented by a further three “walk ins”; welcome additional income to the club in view of the expensive Pawnee engine that is now needed.
Given the forecast it was not surprising that a queue of eager private owners soon formed, many with x/c flights in mind. First off just after 10am was Lindsey McLane (who else!) returning over 6 hours later having turned Belvoir and Boston in good conditions before showers around the Humber required patience in weak lift and a bit of a detour. This stage of his flight was helped by a cooperative Air Traffic Controller at Humberside Airport. Total distance around 400km we believe.
Amongst the earlier starters was Steve Thompson who made the sensible decision to cut short his declared task in his Discus and flee back to Sutton Bank to escape heavy shows blocking his track to his next TP. He recorded 155km on the BGA Ladder. Derek Taylor declared and completed a 300k flight which included the Doncaster TP and gave him 325km on OLC. Derek (Grinner) Smith in the Ventus recorded 376km in his Ventus around TP’s in Yorkshire after initially turning Scunthorpe. He comments on the ladder that he had luck in avoiding the showers and found very good conditions at times which presumably helped him to complete the task at 80kph. Other private owners to fly x/c included Kelly Teagle in the Kestrel, Darren Lodge in his LS8 and Paul Whitehead in the Ventus. The Duo Discus with Steve and Jon on board disappeared for three hours - we know not where. Amongst several private owner flights Robin Hutchinson flew his distinctive Wassmer 28 which is up for sale. It seems like a great buy for anyone with x/c ambitions wanting to get on the private owner ladder without taking out a mortgage.
Towards the end of proceedings the log keeper had to double check the identity of the pilot of ASW28 CT. It turned out to be Steve Thompson taking up the offer of a flight in this relatively new arrival at the club.
The day’s stories, occasionally exaggerated, were exchanged during a convivial hour in the bar after flying. One of the “debates” concerned the relative merits of the UK National Ladder v/s the International OLC flight recording system. Strong opinions expressed - which side are you on?
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.