Hi Everyone
Please ensure you update to the new condor patch before flying tonight, version 2.1.3 should fix problems caused by the last patch!?!
tonights task will be:
Park -Membury -Wells -Park,
slight variation in thermal strength and size, light SW wind.
I may not be able to join but i hope to pop in to check on progress…..
Regards
George
Hi Everyone
Hope you are all keeping well.
I saw the Yaks practicing on Weds here in Marnhull but there were only 3 and I don’t think they had sorted the smoke out as it all looked a bit random.
Just like Jorn I saw the 5 Yaks going round and round for about an hour this morning looked like they were doing a circuit Gillingham, Shaftsbury, Sturminster Newton, Marnhull, Stallbridge and maybe out as far as Wincanton they were writing messages all the way round including “VE 75” – “Thank you” – We’ll Meet Again” were the ones I saw, then I watched them go back into Henstridge. I managed to take this Photo
Nigel.
Hi folks,
Just thought I’d share a photo of the skytyping we were treated to by the Yakovlevs here in Templecombe. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a good photo of the motto of the day (the subject line) and thought it was an invitation to a barbecue (well, meat again), but at least it became obvious that the pilots were suitably grateful for being allowed to fly. Wouldn’t we all!
I hope the condor pilots aren’t boring everyone with our continued use of the blog, however I would just like to thank Dan Pike who has set up a dedicated server, his technical know how leaves me dribbling in the corner of the room, his server will host all on line events with fewer hick ups I hope, we tested it tonight with 7 pilots joining with a minor problem being sorted at the start, once up and running most completed the club 100k task SAS BLD. Tonight’s task was a bit more challenging due to the weather settings, this caused a couple of land outs, but I was also privileged to see some aerobatics from Tomas and Nicky that Tim Dews would have been proud of (better to land with the wheel down though Nicky👍😂) All in all still with the same friendly club atmosphere.
we are planning the next task for Friday evening at 19.00 an out and return to Aston Down.
if there are any specific tasks anyone would like to do please drop me a line, about 100k is about right time wise.
hope to see you then
George
After a successful test flight last night BWND is back in business!
( at least with Condor2 👍😂)
We clocked up our first 360 (virtual) Kms between us with varied results, two successful land outs, very close to home and an enjoyable evening was had by all.
I would like to invite anyone to join us again on Monday evening at 19.00 for another short task.
hopefully it won’t be long before REAL flying commences
stay safe
George
Hi All
I hope everyone is fit and well, if not fit at least well?!
Is anyone interested in a group flight, flying on line today at 14.00 using Condor2? I am hoping to Host a flight which will be named “BWND” the password will be “Discus”
All you will need is “UK south EastUK3″scenery.To join the session all you need to do is go to the Condor2 home page, klick on Multiplayer and a list of sessions will show up, then scroll down until you see BWND and press Join, this will then as if you want to start Condor 2 , press confirm and the program should start in the multiplayer screen with the server address already filled out within the game. At this point press join and you should see the task for today, select your steed check the weather tab etc and press start,
hopefully I’ll see you there
regards
George
Firstly, I hope all of you are doing well!
Carrying on from Chris’ awesome video from Peru. I wanted to show you some videos from a little project I have been working on myself.
One of my favourite travel cinematographers, recently shared this shot of him flying across the tops of palm trees, it wasn’t an ordinary drone shot, but one created using a FPV Drone. After a little more searching on the topic of FPV drones I came across Johnny_FPV, this kid makes his living by creating cinematic FPV Shots, and his work is amazing.
Since there was to be no gliding for a foreseeable while, I decided to order one of these FPV drones and try it myself. I trained by flying a micro drone called a Tinywhoop round the house, and once I was proficient with this I decided to take out the full scale version.
Disclamer: I have a CAA “Licence” (Its referred to as Flyer ID) with a Operator ID and a Flyer ID and a friend as a spotter, and we do not fly near the public or livestock. The people in the video are my friends who happen to be Key Workers such as myself & we all work together at the same place.
Here is what I have created so far:
Stop Press
Condor are offering a 20% discount for registered club members. Anyone interested please let me know and I will send you the discount code. Condor have asked us not to broadcast the code.
Hi All
A written message and a video message are going out to all members today to bring you up to date with what is going on in the club. My video message is here Video Message We are asking or your help in putting together ways of staying in touch with each other and also having a bit of fun. We need loads of ideas and also teams of people to make it all happen. Lets start a conversation here about what you would like to see and how you might help.
I came across this unusual image of Bournemouth airport yesterday. If you are reading this from an email you will probably need to look online at the blog to see the image
In these difficult times I thought it might be worth a caption competition.
Any suggestions? Perhaps “Airport proves traffic forecast doubters wrong?”. But I am sure you can do better.
Alastair
We certainly got the stiff easterly forecast, though it didn’t really feel cold – partly because we were dressed for it but mainly because we were all kept active outside the caravan – no huddling allowed! Richard H. gave us some very consistent launches; I thought 1900 feet was OK but take a look at the KTrax link on our website, where the launch heights are in metres ( and do your own maths) 🙂
We did 14 flights in total, 2 of which were aerotows and about half were soaring. Mark P. doing the best and I think his was the best winch launch too – a record???
We kept to the Covid19 guidelines very well but the rareity of a strong wind straight down the strip, combined with the “one person per vehicle” rule and solo flying only, gave us something to think about. We couldn’t keep the Puchacz rudder on one side when towing out, so we stopped and got help. Potentially the same problem after landing was solved by good short landings and someone walking out to hold the rudder. If we get another similar day, we could put the caravan further east eg. just beyond the dew pond, then the retrieves would just be short tows forward.
Thanks to all the duty team and everyone for pulling together to make it happen in challenging times.
Phil
I’m looking forward to flying on Saturday, 21st, with two clear objectives:
Phil G.
There were about 8 people at the club today all keeping 2M from each other whenever possible.
Two desperate Venture syndicate owners topped up on their circuit and landings currency in a brisk wind. Cloudbase was just 800ft but there was a wave hole over Gillingham that would have been much more fun if the size of the hole had been bigger. Definitely a wave day! No rain in the event but cloud too low for winching.
LPM had its arms put back on after a diligent annual by Alec and Greg, including the fitting of a launch assist sensor.
There’s now a white K6 wing in the workshop!
Lots of midnight oil being burned now on how we operate under coronavirus restrictions and concerns. Watch out for important messages soon.
Mike Thorne
As part of the risk reduction process being undertaken by the catering team all china cups will be withdrawn from the caravan on Saturday and replaced with a quantity of recyclable cups that have been purchased. These are not cheap and should be used frugally, so please put your name on them and keep for re-use by yourself later, PLEASE DO NOT leave them laying around in the club or caravan as they will be disposed of. To avoid further waste, you are requested to bring your own mugs.
Please also remember to wash all china cups, crockery and cutlery using the dishwasher. If you don’t know how to use this just ask, also please use common sense when to set the dishwasher running (it takes about 45 mins to complete a Quick Wash cycle).
Many thanks for your help and co-operation
Although unable to fly due to the high wind, there was a huge number of club members beavering away in the hangar. We were worried at one point when we saw a person on the hangar roof, fearing the worst we set up a suicide watch but it was only Mike Thorne clearing the gutters!
Yours truly & Andy Huggins set to rolling the airfield and have removed many of the ruts caused by the vandals last week.
Chrissy continues her sterling effort at redecorating the inside of the caravan, it’s looking great but you are advised to bring a set of welding goggles as it’s a bit bright in there now.
Lastly thanks for the cakes & sweets donated to the team.
Dear all
Not a gliding matter so apologise if this is not appropriate but the scammers are now picking up on Coronavirus, so far today I’ve had infected websites offering masks & disinfection wipes etc, be very careful & check the link address etc.
Thanks to everyone who turned up to fly today. After a late start due to low cloud, poor visibility & a bit of faffing we managed to do 19 launches & 6 1/2 hours flying, the motor-glider also flew again doing three sorties. The ridge eventually started working when the wind went south & picked up with 2 flights over an hour each & a couple slightly less. Thankfully Adam Berresford returned to do his duty instructor despite his membership lapsing, we all had a whip round & raised 10p towards his daily membership!
Congratulations to Andy Newman who, after 35 years days of solo flying was able to convince me that he is safe enough to be released from daily checks, well done that man!!!
On a sad note some vandal(s) decided to try trashing the airfield during the week (probably Thursday evening) by driving a vehicle up & down the strip & digging up the grass over the entire length & bredth of the airfield, I have taken pictures & the chairman & CFI have copies, investigations are ongoing, rest assured that thankfully the damage looks far worse than it is & isn’t a safety hazard.
A great day yesterday (Monday) when nine club members turned up to do a lot of work at the club. Primarily the team completely re-painted the clubroom, toilets, kitchen & briefing room including the floors in the kitchen & loos. While all this was being done Julie cooked bacon butties for the helpers, then completed a deep clean of the cookers (a filthy job at best), and Mike Thorne & Mick Longhurst fitted a new main access door, Chris Chappel was busy completing the re-painting of the interior of the caravan. Thanks to everyone who helped & Alastair for organising the day. The whole place now looks bright & shiny, please help keep it that way! 🙂
After a good BI Training Flight with Alastair. Where we managed to soar to 2800ft Agl (3500ft AMSL) at 3kts up, I took the Astir and flew for an hour on the ridge. I even managed to get some photos for the blog:
