Tuesday 19th September 2017
Posted: 19/09/2017 20:30
Tuesday 19th. A transient ridge of high pressure produced a thermic and cross country day at Sutton, 33 ATs being flown off runway 20 into a light SSW'ly wind that later veered into the W and strengthened slightly. Some patience on the part of the 7 private owners who rigged was required, as although Cu appeared early over the Pennines to the west and the Wolds to the east, it stayed stubbornly blue over and around the site until around midday, this triggering the first of the private owner launches, Lindsay McLane in his Ventus. Lindsay subsequently had the longest flight of the day, 4:54 during which he visited Leeming, Ripon, Pocklington, Humber Bridge and Beverley. Six other pilots exceeded an hour with Rob Bailey in his ASG29 visiting Aysgarth, Catterick, Ripon, Boroughbridge and Snainton during his flight of 3:58, while John Ellis, self launching in his DG800, had 2:14 aloft, visiting Masham and Wetherby and indulging in some cloud climbs. Peter Clay abandoned his intention to visit Wetherby in his Ventus and instead visited Boroughbridge and just to the south of York in his flight of 2:06, while Phil Lazenby, flying the club Discus, visited Beverley and Driffield before landing out near Hovingham after being aloft for 2:21, the afternoon's spreadout no doubt contributing to the end of his flight . Tony Drury in his DG303 and Ken Arkley in his LS8-18 completed the list of those exceeding an hour with 1:26 and 1:07 respectively. Dave McKinney in the club DG303, one of 4 pilots to exceed 30 minutes, had 50 minutes of air time, this list also including Andy Parish who had 53 minutes with Christina Griffiths in K21 JVZ late in the day having earlier had 44 minutes with R Wikins in the same glider. The day also proved to be special for Phil Turner who had his first solo flight in K21 KLW, so congratulations to Phil.
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.