Author: chrischappell

The decision not fly Thursday this week has been made. 
The workshop crew having finished and rigged FUY managed to make use of a weather window today where Nick and Joe were able to have an aerotow and give it a test flight.

Chris C

Hi Mike,

That looks fun – winged suit next?

Chris C

There may be a possibility of flying if the weather improves. Whilst the forecast is not great, we do have instructor and winch driver cover for Wednesday and Thursday – whichever day looks to be the better. So it will be a last minute call.

Chris Chappell

January 2019 midweek flying saw a much need boost to club flying with only 3 days flyable on the weekends for the whole month.

5 midweek days:  100 winch launches.  13 aero tows.   14 motor glider launches                                        14.59 hours gliding                                                                                                                                  5.07 motor gliding

Chris Chappell

 

 

Surprisingly no snow at the Park and no slippery access road up the hill, having “slipped” all the way up last week, with half my car on the gravelly bit (not a 4 wheel drive on my old banger!)

Can I appeal to the committee to purchase some grit/rock salt boxes (with rock salt in them) to place at strategic points on the access road up to the Park from the farm at the bottom of the hill.

Whilst Gillingham had a dusting of snow  and icy driving conditions, driving towards Mere and to the club from this direction was clear of any snow or ice as was the airfield – most unusual, not what I expected of today.

The field was somewhat frozen which delayed winching but there was plenty of demand for aerotows. First launch (aerotow) of the day at 12.09 and the final winch launch at 15.54 taken by Mike J in JKW, just as we were about to tuck it up for the night! Mike took off to go and explore a stunning cloud street formation out to the north west, looking quite dramatic against the soon to be setting sun. After soaring for 24 minutes , Mike opted to land – “throwing away his height” on some tight turns to beat the setting sun – or was it the lone gaitor on the airfield skyline? Longest flight of the day was down to dick – 38 minutes.

With 2 Puchaz, JKW, BNH and the motor glider out on the airfield, some 12 members enjoyed the day with check flights, annuals, cloud flying checks and some respectable soaring flights for this time of the year, averaging out at about 15/20 minutes. With the polar air it was an amazingly clear sky, dotted with tempting and quite dramatic looking cumulus. (pictures to follow thanks to Dan Weston) We all enjoyed home made cake and brownies too!

9 areotows, 10 winch launches and 2 flights by the motor glider.

The “fettling” crew as busy as ever in the workshop

Chris Chappell

Fortunately spotted my mistake before anyone else- phew!!!!

Flying is on for Wednesday 30th January. We have Mike instructing, with our trusty band of midweek winch drivers sharing the cosy warmest place on the airfield, (not all at once I must say!) with Guy volunteering as tug pilot, A sunny  day with a light north westerly wind and some cloud – hopefully with some lift being generated. Wrap up warm and join us on the airfield  Wednesday this week.

Chris C

Hi All,

We are planning to fly midweek Wednesday 30th January, weather permitting. A sunny day with  a moderate north westerly is predicted as of the present forecast. Confirmation in the next couple of days.

Chris C

Stunning photos of today Alistair, reflecting what a beautiful crisp January day which saw some 20 club members well wrapped up, enjoying the winter sunshine and some soaring along with the usual maintenance team in the workshop. After the briefing given by Guy, and the first launch at 11.20 and last at 16.09 we operated 4 aero tows, 17 winch launches along with 3 motor glider flights with Sue keeping the tidy log today.

Chris C

Hi All,

There will be flying tomorrow. Another fresh crisp sunny day predicted. So wrap up warm and come and enjoy the day.

Chris C

A glorious sunny January day saw 15 club members turn out to fly with Steve and Mike instructing for the day with our team of midweek winch drivers Dave, Andy and Nick enabling a total of 29 flights in all with Lesley keeping a tidy log. 2 Puchaz and JKW were out on the airfield, with the first launch at 10.45 and the final launch of the day at 16.07. A strong northly, gusting on occasions  gave plenty of cross wind landing practice. Despite some exceptionally strong sink, Andy (Callahan) managed a very respectable 17 mins solo in the Puchaz, gaining a height of 2.100ft – well done Andy!

Chris (Basham) apart from being an intrepid aviator with the rest of us has taken some great photos of members “basking” in the January sun – albeit being well wrapped up, which when I find out how to post them from my PC we will be able to share them with you all.

Chris Chappell

A beautiful crisp day with a steady northerly saw 13 club members at the launch point enjoying the day, with Stuart facilitating the instruction. First flight being at 11.22 and last flight 15.17 Despite some promising looking small cumulus around midday the conditions of the day belonged to some fairly strong sink!

17 winch launches and 1 motor glider flight.