Members' area

Saturday started with pouring rain and blustery winds but the skies cleared in the afternoon to allow some flying from 27 for the ODC and other members, Doug even managing a trip to Abergavenny. It wasn't good enough to entice the 5 instructors on their refreshers to fly so they retreated to the clubhouse to continue with briefings. Sunday was a bright day albeit cold and with a full complement of trial lessons, UWE students, instructor refreshers and club flying it was a busy day, filling several logsheets. The treasurer will be pleased.

The day started well with all the two-seaters getting a wash. This was probably a good thing as thereafter they were all kept busy with club instruction, a group of UWE freshers having their first flights and visitors Brian and Tim on the one day course. For about an hour around mid-day it was properly thermic with climbs to cloud base at around 2,800'. Thereafter, it clouded over and much time was spent waffling around in 1/2-1 Knot thermals. Highlight of the day was circling at 2,500' sandwiched vertically between two buzzards. Many thanks to our winch drivers and also to Simon Buckley and Andrew Turk for helping out with instruction.

A grey start to the day but all the two seaters were out of the hangar early. It remained cloudy for a while so a group of us gave KRX a makeover with a good clean and waxing and all the tape was replaced. Perhaps tomorrow's crew could do the same to KRU. The day got better and soarable although the visibility was poor, the ODC had a good day and hopefully produced at least one new member.
Thanks to everyone who helped.

Gill and Adrian have been trying to get a winch driver or two to cover this Monday (25th) as our professional winch driver is away for the day (he has to take some holidays during his six months !) and there is a course on. So far they have drawn a blank.

Whilst I could cover Monday morning up to 12.00 if necessary, I have to then leave to take an elderly and inform neighbour out for lunch and I cannot get back to winch before 15.30 or so.

Out of a club of 140 or so members, and whatever number of winch drivers I hope someone can help with this. Preferably for he 12.00 noon session onward at least.

I know the forecast is rain or at least showers, but it may well be flyable between the showers.

I'll stand clear to avoid the stampede.......

DGR / chairman

Our "B" wInch is U/S and it may take a couple of weeks at least to get it back into service as it requires some replacement parts which are not immediately available and may need to be manufactured. The supplier Skylaunch is dealing with this as a matter of urgency. Their spare winch is in Holland but due to come back to the UK in about 10 days, after which it will be made available to us if our B winch is not ready.
So, in the meantime, extra special care in operating the A winch .....PLEASE !
As an adjunct, the committee will be considering proposals to have one winch go through a major overhaul this autumn, with the other one the following autumn.
DGR / chairman

A late start was forecast but a busy launchpoint with the course and trial lessons. The forecast showed a short window in the afternoon but tricky conditions around AD. The task was AST - Avebury - Chieveley - Whitchurch - AST and a number of gliders attempted it but I think only Tony Parker and yours truly made it round, not an easy day.

Good forecast for tomorrow, briefing at 09:30

The task set was AST- Newbury South - Newport Pagnell - Oundle - Thetford - Ast with the option of returning from each point to AD to score points. Most pilots found bad weather around Bicester so some turned back with a few landouts on the way. Andy Smith and Doug Gardner turned Thetford and Andy made it back to AD to complete the 500km task. Weather was not quite as forecast but well done to Andy.

Today and possibly tomorrow look like rest days.