Norfolk Gliding Club Flying Reports

Our Last Flying Day

2011-10-29T17:24:00.000+01:00

All the talk was of a great day so we were up early. Typically all was not as expected, the ASW19 needed defrosting and misting was a problem for everyone so there was a later start. John was a little stir crazy and keen to go, so as soon as a local member launched and reported climbs he was away.
Unfortunately as he made his way above cloud the gaps closed sufficiently enough to stop the rest for a while. Above the clouds, John was having fun at around 12000' or so, looking down at the countryside through valley-like gaps in the clouds. Soon, however, the gaps widened enough for the others to climb in and go. All had a good time.
After five hours John found a 6 knot climb which took him from 13000' to FL192. On the way up the wave box was opened but the wave broke down as he reached the top of the wave cloud. 185 metres short of diamond height! We will just have to come back next year.

footnote: John's feet took two hours to warm up after his longest flight for a long time. He is checking to see if 6h8m is his longest ever. (I've checked; it is my longest flight to date, by over 30 minutes; JR-K)

A Golden Day

2011-10-27T22:07:00.000+01:00

The weather forecast was not great, and we had the usual slow start, changing ends and having to wait while some strong turbulence cleared. Steve, Josh, Adrian, David and Mike all got away first time and were climbing in wave very quickly. Highest climb was to over 15000' and Adrian and Josh (the old'en and the young'en) both claiming their gold height gains. Well done both of you! Weather looks even better tomorrow; stay tuned.

Aboyne Expedition

2011-10-26T21:53:00.000+01:00

We have all had to play a waiting game, although David, having arrived last week had already been flying. The rain and low cloud of the last few days cleared sufficiently for us to launch this afternoon. Wave had set up in the Dee valley and could be reached from a 3000' tow, so off we set. Steve, John, Josh and Mike having varying degrees of success. Steve, in the Discus, getting the longest and highest flight. Adrian took a ride with Gerry, the seasonal instructor here, to gain more experience of wave, preparing for his first solo wave foray this year in the ASW19, planned for tomorrow.

No records broken today and the forecast over the next few days seems to change every hour, but we remain optimistic of a few days more decent gliding.

Fantastic footage

2011-10-03T20:16:00.004+01:00

Have a look at this!
Down at the Sea-side! - YouTube Looks amazing (but is it safe?) The first part of the soundtrack is pretty good too.

3rd August: a Good Time.

2011-08-04T20:26:00.004+01:00

I promised Peter Carter some cross country coaching, but the day was slow to improve from poor; that gave us plenty of time for a briefing and tea! I was beginning to doubt the wisdom of the President's Triangle.

We launched after 14.00hrs and got down to 1400' before we found a thermal. Up to over 3000' and a proper start. A good series of thermals took us to Norwich East and we turned this high after a climb. A line of lift continued all the way across "the fine city" until we got to the western edge. Here we lost all battery power (for the third time today!) but continued for a while. Without the audio vario we decided to return to TIB but at Wymondham fell into a 5kt thermal to over 5000', so game back on. At PIC we met up with Phil in the DG and lost out to him on the run back to DIS. We did take a climb or two edging toward TIB, with one flying and the other being audio vario and additional lookout. A great first time cross-country for Peter. I am sure this has whetted his appetite!

Competition Photo's

2011-07-11T07:39:00.003+01:00

Images taken on day2 of the competition can be found on the Tibenham Photo Album website

Images were taken of all of the competitors and tugs

World Vintage Glider Rally 2000

2011-06-22T14:22:00.004+01:00

With thanks to Bob Sage - I have just scanned 25 photographs taken at the 2000 event ( we now have a sub Album with 63 images taken the 2000 VGC rally)- these have been added to the my Tibenham Photo Album together with images of more unusal types seen at Tibenham at other events approx 2000-2004 .
We now have over 1,500 images of gliders and aircraft taken at Tibenham

Hope these are of interest

Cracking day, but not obvious From RASP

2011-06-12T18:06:00.004+01:00

The trouble with RASP is that it is pretty good. So when you see a day that does not look too great, you tend not to bother. The kind of mackerel pattern you see below would suggest that maybe there are loads of showers or something. Speaking for myself, I would rather an all over smooth yellow colour than the mottled red. However, a few days showing up like the day below, which have turned out to be OK (well pretty good) have led me to at least turning up now.

If you'd looked earlier in the morning, say 11am, you would think that it would be a complete non-starter in Norfolk.

However, it was 'going' from pretty much ten a.m., and those people who got out to the club were in for a treat. Ray Hart was Duty instructor, with Chris Lawrewnce providing some great flights for trial lessons, as it was great soaring weather. I wonder if we get better conversion from trial lessons to members when the lesson is on a good soaring day.

In terms of acheivements:

Beth Redpath got a Bronze leg

Paul Gould got his silver height

Tim Heighton and Art Kerkhof explored XC in the Janus, and Mark Wright, Steve Brownlow, Dave Munro, David Taylor all went off in single seaters. I'm pretty sure I saw one Grob 109 exploring about too.

A couple of pictures: The east coast from near 7k', just south of Norfolk. I never knew my iphone did geo-tagging either, but going on the little maps in iPhoto: it must do.

Honington, with Mildenhall & lakenheath barely visible as sun pools in background. Note time is just past six in the evening. I've never been heading away from home so late before. The showers never reached Tibenham, you could see them to the North and East coasts, and later in the West.

Finally, if you look at the cumulous cloudbase for late in the day, you can see that it does indeed promise to be good up to around 7k'. Paul G saw around 7,800'. It was well worth turning up.

Now why could we not have this weather for the Eastern Regionals.

Snetterton's New Layout

2011-05-31T15:57:00.004+01:00

With many thanks to Phil - we had a very enjoyable flight in the G-DKDP, Grob 109, to have a look at the new Circuit at the end of March - also I was also able to get a view of our neighbours at Priory Farm and a view of the airfield looking west - soon to change with all the new buildings

Eastern Regionals 30/5

2011-05-30T20:06:00.006+01:00

Here are a few images taken today 30/5/2011

G-AODT off for a local flight before the Gliding got started

G-BSOM DG-400

Rotax Falke from Marham helping with the tugging

Finally - winner of the task "HNC"

Many more images, as usual, can be found on the Tibenham Flikr Photo Album now nearly 1500 images all taken at Tibenham

All out

Keith

Air to Air Pictures of Tiger Moth

2011-05-27T22:51:00.002+01:00

What is it about Tuesdays? Tues 24 May.TIB BUN BIC TIB

2011-05-26T23:01:00.008+01:00

Two brilliant Tuesdays when I had to be at work, followed by a third, when I could skive off! What a run of exceptional weather unless you are a gardener or farmer!

Saturday 21st May began with spectacular thermals when I was tugging. I reported on the radio at least 7 knots in the Gissing area, as I regularly saw the VSI showing 1000 t0 1300 ft/min. A few listened and had a launch. I was itching to get gliding myself, so thanks Steve for doing the afternoon stint. By the time I launched it was surprisingly difficult to make progress. I take off my hat to Paul Gould for hanging on in those conditions for a Silver 5 hours!!

Rasp was already showing Tuesday 24th to be the best day for a week, and the predictions of a post cold front classic day kept on coming right up to Monday night. The wind strength was the only dampener on the optimism of a superb 500k day. So arriving at about 10 am I was unsure of the excellence of the day, but already quite late for a 500. I was really surprised to find no other glider pilots there champing at the bit for a launch. I had already resolved to offer to tug only 1 or 2 if there was no other tuggie on site. No need to worry! I was on my own.

I spent a while talking to Phil and Mick and reduced my original plan of Hereford and back to Bicester, with a downwind start to Bungay to assess the streeting strong wind.

Easy climb off launch to 3500 feet, so I set off downwind and arrived at Bungay at 3700 QNH then into wind, failing completely to find the lines of lift, so another start, this time more cautiously, arriving at Bungay at 4700 with a 20 kt wind behind me.

Then into wind. What a slow slog it was! after an hour and only at Knettishall made me decide that the task was not achievable. However, the lift slowly became more reliable and I just kept on going, joining a good street and getting to the now 5500 cloudbase west of Honington. Much better, but realised that Bicester could not be achieved by anything like the 4pm turn back time I had planned. Gransden passed at 4pm and then great progress as the wind eased to be past Milton keynes at 5 pm, having difficulty keeping below the 5500 airway, and so arriving at Bicester at 5.17.

Lovely view East, but no photo of Bicester as it was in evening shadow!

I was thinking that a technical or real landout was inevitable, but on the downwind home journey, the thermals just got bigger and smoother, with regular 4 or 5kts. No need to get to cloudbase, but I indulged myself at St Neots at 6pm with a climb to just over 6000.

What a brilliantly clear afternoon! From just after Bicester the Lion at Dunstable, MK of course, and other towns like Northampton were clear. I reckon at least 60 NM visibility. What a blast! I only saw one other glider nearby between Bicester and Gransden, and then none at all. Yet the thermals kept on going, now with an Australian or South African look to them, a long way apart, no streets, and over 6200 feet bases. Last one was at 6.30 3 to 6 knots at Newmarket and home to upset the wind buggies using our runways.

Turned out to be half a day of superlatives, though the Dunstable and Hus Bos boys had a whole classic day with a 750 by Robin May in his EB28 starship and seven 500s, notably 2 in ASW20s in 15 m mode.

Where were the rest of you?? Not everyone had to work!

Sorry, I could not get the blogger to put the photos in the right place.

Anyway the top one is looking at the Dunstable lion from about Buckingham. Next Arrival back at ten to 7.

The third is Bungay and the coast.

Ladder entry is here:

http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=31512

Peter

Soaring PNA - cheap price alert

2011-05-16T12:25:00.005+01:00

I walked into PC world last week, and picked up a Navman Mio M400 for around £57. I just mention it here, as I think that they are probably selling them out, as they are no longer on the web site. It is cheaper than I have seen it anywhere online (typically over £70). The other ones they do sell are the Navman Mio M475 for £80. I am not sure if it is effectively the same model with TMC traffic device actually included.

It's a 4.3" PNA which can be cracked to use LK800, XCSoar or Seeyou Mobile on it's built in GPS.

Both XCSoar and LK8000 specifically target the device.

There is a review of it compared to various devices on the postfrontal (LK8000 support) forum here:
MIO M400 PNA, pictures compared with other units, which should give you a clue of other devices to consider.

It has serial port capability (in common with many other PNAs), so you can hook it up to your FLARM (to see where everyone else is & how well they are climbing, unless in stealth mode) or otherwise hook it up to a glide computer vario, e.g. LX 16xx, CAI 302) for real-time wind calculation, even in cruise.

I have not fiddled with my M400 yet, as I spent the weekend getting FLARM talking to my HP 314. It works a treat. I used a line level converter from glidertools.com, here. Note that their picture shows a Mio M400. A converter is required to get USB working at normal RS232 voltages. I will in due course get my M400 working too.

The converter is compatible with Oudie and Wayteq too.

IMI also make a converter, here. I have not tried it, but I found them very good to deal with when I got the new glider tow-bar.

Ruby Tuesday

2011-05-10T22:25:00.004+01:00

As in one comes along every x years.

Soarable from 9.50 till 17.30.

For once, the best cloudbase was East Anglia, up to around 6K' as far NE as Fakenham, less than 4K' SW of Stony Stratford.

Up to 6K' over Tibenham.

Phil Morgan was soaring his G109 up to 5K'. 4 engine units for around 2 and a half hours soaring.

DT, JRK, PW, DM all went XC.

Berkeley got his 5 hrs. Well done Berkeley!

Pictures for "What a Day"

2011-05-03T22:22:00.001+01:00

What a day!

2011-05-03T14:23:00.004+01:00

A poor turnout yesterday, even for a bank holiday, but what a day! The forecast blue certainly was not going to happen but the 25kt wind did. A number of us rigged or prepared to fly. Tim and Chris in the Janus, Paul G. in the Cirrus, Steve B in 20, David in Y11, Pete in BSOM and this writer in FGP. One club two-seater was kept busy all day, landing well after everyone else had finished.

All of us had more than two hours of fun and frolics with some of us completing our declared tasks. The sky was boiling in parts, but that wind, wow! Thanks to Andy for running the day and to the busy tug pilots (Steve and Steve).

Great fun. More please.

Busy Easter Saturday: BGA Course, Glider swap, Met as promised

2011-04-23T19:54:00.007+01:00

It was a very busy day at Tibenham today, with a big turn-out.

A week-long instructors course has started for the BGA, run by Dave Munroe. Most of their morning was taken up with class activities, but everyone was out on the field in the afternoon.

As the course involves spin excercises, the temporary swap of our Grob 103, with a Puchacz from Rattlesden was arranged.

Here is T12 getting a clean & wax from junior members:

And here the chairman returns triumphant with the Puchacz.
Note that the sky is still blue around lunch-time.

For once the met was pretty much right, with RASP showing Cu developing to the West of Tib, and the BBC predicting showers somewhere between Thetford and Cambridge.

From about 1300 BST, Cu were visible over Attleborough & Wymondham. If you were lucky, you could get just under 3K' in the blue over TIB. If you could reach WYM, then it was easy to get to 5K' under the clouds. A big shower cell did indeed develop over Lakenheath & Thetford. On the other side of it, max climbs were over 7K'. Here is Mildenhall, looking East, from about that height. The sky to the West went blue about 10K East of Ely.

South of Bury was still classic fair weather Cu, but the big shower cell stayed east of TIB all afternoon. Here it is from slightly north-east of Honington, looking NW.

... and finally from the ground (Runway 33, looking NW), around 1630. It never did reach Tibenham.

Here is the UK visible sat pic. at 1800.
Big cloud over Thetford!

So wrong, in so many ways

2011-03-31T19:13:00.003+01:00

Looks like my ploy to confuse the weather gods by getting the date wrong for Monday failed.
There was a 40 minute soaring window, as the sky went from blue to 8/8.
This did not stop Mick Hughes, from running his day course for two members.
There was even a period late afternoon, where it seemed to be soarable, despite 8/8 cover, as the clouds thinned.
Better luck next time....

Maybe even this sunday (3rd April). Look at this RASP picture for 1300 on Sun (84 hrs out)... sorry I could not help myself. N.B. the beeb currently shows sunday as being 8/8 cover with drizzle all day.

Got a pass for Monday 27th March?

2011-03-27T10:44:00.011+01:00

This could be a pretty good day in East Anglia ! I hope I don't jinx it by pointing it out.

Here are some pictures from RASP for tomorrow:

Firstly, here is the updraft at the best part of the day. It starts to look pretty soarable from 11.30.

But at 1500 (1600 BST) in the day it is still looking good too!

Admittedly cloudbase is highest towards the end of the day, but from 1200z, it will be above 3K'.

Could this be on? (option to drop MCH, if running behind schedule - running out of day).

Here's another version, maybe staying under the higher CB more.

19th Mar, Finally the start of the season?

2011-03-20T17:43:00.002Z

Quite a busy day, with all three twin-seaters out, and one astir.

It got thermic shortly after midday - enough for people to stay up.

It stayed blue all day, with TOC rising from around 3,000' to around 3,600'.

Thermals stopped shortly after 1630. It looks like the season has started.

Saturday 12 March

2011-03-12T20:33:00.002Z

Congratulations to Kevin Holdsworth and Josh Brownlow for passing their Bronze examination written papers today and thanks to Steve Brownlow for getting the happy candidates up to scratch.

Sunday 27th Feb

2011-03-01T15:38:00.007Z

Managed to get down to the airfield on Sunday - all three of the club two seaters were in action - and our new tug was kept busy. Flying was off R/W 33 - several flights over 3/4 hour were acheived

With thanks to Phil I enjoyed a couple of long circuits off the winch.

As the sky cleared and the winds dropped - the based Fokker Tri-Plane took off on a sortie

Remember the Tibenham Photo Album is available on line - over 1300 images taken at Tibenham with over 100,000 hits in just 1 year

Another birthday solo!

2010-12-13T21:05:00.003Z

The weather was kind enough to leave a flying window just the right size for Peter to have a check with Mick and then a solo flight. Many congratulations Peter; and happy birthday. Thanks to Mick, and to George (for flying the tug).

The cake was something splendid too.

Thursday 18 November

2010-11-18T17:27:00.007Z

A big thanks to all helping today. My friend Dave Woods managed to propose to his Italian partner via a giant banner pinned to the grass at the side of the runway. She noticed it at about 1,000 feet but only managed to read it once we got down to about 800 feet. The huge love heart mown around it (this photo was taken before it appeared) was the finishing touch. The whole thing was great especially as she had no idea it was going to happen and didn't even know about the glider flight until Dave drove her onto the airfield! They want to thank all involved and reckon we have a great club. They're right of course!

WILL

Back in the Flatlands

2010-11-01T11:44:00.003Z

After a great week in Aboyne duty called on Saturday. The day went very smoothly, once the K21 was back on line, (thanks Stu) and we got through 39 flights. Some trial flights, with Paul Wilco drafted in now he is back from Cologne, and a host of club flying. The sky tried to deliver lift and the gentle wind gave 1300' winch launches. A very pleasant day; thanks to Paul and Mark for instructing and to all who took their turn in the winch, Art, Chris, Ray, Paul G and any I have forgotten.

Wave (geddit?) goodbye to Aboyne

2010-10-28T16:19:00.017+01:00

Just a couple of pictures from the NGC->Aboyne expedition 2010 (well you never know, this could be more than just a one-off). It sounds a bit grand, but was just really John R-K, Adrian P, Pete R, and David T out on a half-term jolly.

The expedition was centred around the last week of October: half term.. from Saturday 23rd to the following Friday 29th. During those 7 days, four were wave days. Both JRK and Adrian got checked out on the Saturday, having travelled up over Friday and early Sat. I arrived shortly before six on Saturday to see JRK landing in the dusk, through the rain, having just had a check-flight up to 4k' in wave.

The other flying days were Sunday (ridge/low wave & shower dodging), Monday (Adrian went up to 12K odd and then decreasing), Tuesday (I think that one bloke from Booker got around 15K'), Thursday (wave good to 20k). The Deeside members were very welcoming and helpful. The club facilities are great, and the atmosphere was very easy. Even on non-flying days there is plenty to do. Walking was great with stunning scenery, and if you bring family - then towns such as Ballater and Aboyne will keep the shoppers happy.

Monday: View of Morven hill with snow on it, from about 6.5k'. The previous week had been a cold snap.
The wind is from the W. The higher cirrus clouds are showing N-S ridges.

Thursday October 28th: JRK taking 'team FGP' photos

Now it's his turn to pose.
Check out the length of the shadows at 57º North at 10.24 BST!

Here is the Dee valley, looking towards Ballater, at around 12K'. Wind from the SW. As the valley in which Deeside GC sits runs E-W (main runway is 09/27), there is turbulence as soon as there is any N or S in the wind. JRK and DT managed height gains. As well as going up, Pete R managed to go 150K XC in the wave.

Finally, on Friday it was just too darn windy. 26Kt, gusting 38Kt from SSW. This picture is from Glen Muick (pronounced 'Mick'), looking back over Aboyne. The loch itself had white horses on it, and there was a mist of spray over the loch.... all from the wind.

All-in-all a fantastic week. I think I'd like to go back. Roll on next October half term!

Wednesday 27th October - Opertion "Save Wade" !

2010-10-27T10:59:00.004+01:00

Shower Dodging

2010-10-24T21:08:00.002+01:00

Well yesterday was a write-off, with low cloud and persistant rain meaning we were banished to the club house for the day.

Today proved to be a whole lot better, although the "dry and bright" that the BBC weather girl predicted was not to be at Tibenham, with showers coming and going all day, some heavy enough to give us a good drenching. Bob Grieve and Ben Magnami ran the day, with some help from me for the trial lessons. Many familiar faces braved the elements to fly and help others fly - I won't try to name them all, but you know who you are and thanks as always.

Good fun was had by all, with plenty of bung-pulling, BI training, aerobatics, and muddy fields - I'll say no more!

What a weekend!

2010-10-18T18:13:00.003+01:00

On arrival at the club yesterday I was greeted with "you should have been here yesterday" with stories of three hour flights! G-CFGP had been left rigged by Adrian who had taken it for its first flight since June (if you don't already know why please do not ask, it gives him nightmares still.) I did some fettling and de-watered the wings thinking it would have been quicker to rig it and prepared for a winch launch into a promising sky. I lined up and watched Bob Grieve get away from the launch in 18m mode. I was less successful and spent 15 minutes at 1000' before giving up and settling for an aerotow. There was a queue, Chris, Norman and others had lined up, along with trial flights and AFRs. At one point the grid looked like an advert for ASWs with a 20, a 21 and two 19s in line. The tug pilot's view was that "it looks better than it is". Nothing ventured etc.

A very good decision, once at 2000' the lift was better and I managed three and a half hours cruising to Norwich, Thetford and Honnington as well as more local soaring. Cloud base was 4600' in places and the visibility absolutely stunning with the whole of East Anglia visible. As the thermals died I spun and recovered (it still recovers Adrian) and stayed up in weak thermals until the cold and the bladder drove me down. A splendid day.

Apart from the duty team and the usual Sunday crew lots put in an appearance; but I was too busy to see them!

The Chairman tries out his latest proximity warning kit !

2010-10-15T19:14:00.003+01:00

When a picture speaks a thousand words !

25th September - 5k run in aid of the Air Ambulance

2010-09-25T18:12:00.023+01:00

No flying today due to rain and a low cloud base. The wind was also "Brisk" - But some hardy individuals turned out for th "Fun" (?) run !

Like I said , The wind was "Brisk" !

The usual stalls were evident

Keith puts his slick sales approach into action ( One OAP asked him if this was the Charity clothes collection point !)

The "Masses" appreciated the band from under cover ! To be fair the band were pretty good.

Gabriel paid us a visit in one of his modes of transport

There was a ceremony to commemorate the fateful "Kassel Mission"

The commemorative balloons were released -

But all did not go well (again !)

A failed rescue mission !

Some ran for fun !

Some didn't !

Chris & James warm up

The Start Line

And They're off !

The winner in 17 minutes 13 seconds

Robbo recovers

As does James

We've got your number !

Chris and Caroline finishing

The show finished with a classic Clown display ! But that's another story - Ask me when you see me !

Well done to all that took part in very difficult conditions - For a very worthy cause !

Chin Chin

Flyboy

More on Sunday 12th

2010-09-15T09:20:00.005+01:00

Yes a busy day. After some instructing and two abortive attempts to get away from winch launches ("the sky just seemed to go blue each time I lined up" is the story I am sticking with) Dave M let me fly LS7. Fantastic, and it goes even better with the undercarriage up! Dave himself towed me to the end of a street that ran to Attleborough and I spent an hour flying along parts of the A11. I had a great view of a cricket match near Tacolneston but was too high to see the ball.

And some good news, the K21 returned after its annual check; we were just too exhausted to rig it as the light faded! Sorry midweek chaps, we left it for you to do. We will try harder to rig the Astir when it returns from Scotland.

Sunday 12th September 2010

2010-09-14T16:51:00.019+01:00

Sunday turned out to be a lot better than forecast ! We had a really busy club day which Will looked after aided by "Wilko" carrying out 6 Trial Flights and numerous NGC Instructors helping to fulfil the extensive flying list which included another 6 Friends and Family flights ! Mark W completed his Year 3 checks with Dave Munro . Many of the private fleet were also rigged and soaring Tom sent me some good pics (including one of TIB from the top of a 6.5 knot average climb - straight off the winch ! ) , But unf. I couldn't get them into a format that I knew how to use !

Beth takes a check flight with JRK

Ben Magnani in the Standard Libelle

The Hart family flew "Zero Eight" for half the day

Thank You to Phil S. for lending me the DG 300

Moses leading the lost children of Israel .............

To push back an Astir ! There was enough of them to carry it back !

Caroline takes a winch launch in her Ka6e

A good day enjoyed by all

Even (Temporary) "Chef" Lawrence shut the Kitchen to go flying with Tim H.

Chin Chin !

Flyboy

Saturday 11th September 2010

2010-09-11T20:17:00.007+01:00

Well if you believed the forecasts you wouldn't have bothered turning up ! BBC said Cr+p, ITV said Cr+P & Even Lakenheath (who had all the trial flights booked up for the day ! ) Declared that it would rain solidly from 11;00 solidly until 15;00 with gests to 30 mph - So cancelled their day ). We flew all day (without any rain ! ) from about 10;30, with a constant wind (about 13kt ) not far off being straight down the main runway.

Andy Smith had a currency check ! ( No Euros in his Paul Wilkinson completed his BI checks for the year, Emily Rusbridge learnt that we do have instructors who when you say " I can't do it . Please take over ?" will not take over , Well done Emms you tried to use it on our number one bastard today ! Didn't work, Did it ?

Big News is that Lauren managed to convert to solo flight on the winch !

Lauren about to go !

Lauren going up the "wire" on her first solo winch launch !

The " Cheshire Cat" is back again ! Well done Loz !

The"Smiths " had a trip round the bay !

But not before they had a quick round of " Simple Simon says", (Put your hand on your head !)

Thanks to loads of people who helped us fly without flying themselves. Pip, Chris, JK, Berkely et al . Sorry if I missed some out ! Lizzie was ace at breakfast !

Chin Chin !

FlyBoy

Fantastic welcome at Crowland

2010-09-05T14:31:00.007+01:00

I had heard of this thing that Norfolk Gliding Club have going with PSGC (Crowland); whereby you fly on a 'mission' to the 'other' club, depending on where you start from, to retrieve Snoopy.

Originally there was only Snoopy, but now there is a 'Percy the Penguin' involved, so that now the idea is to swap out the cuddly toys. It's been a while since a swap took place, so I telephoned PSGC to see if the arrangement was still current. I spoke to Annie Ewer, who was very welcoming and said that it would be great to see someone from our club.

There was a fair amount of spread-out over the top of Tibenham, so I got my tow earlier than I would have as Steve Brownlow had to be elsewhere in short order. He towed me out to the East where there was still some sun-light between the clouds - and the clouds were working. Norman Clowes joined me in '20', and we played about towards Bungay - waiting for the better weather to be blown further West.

After a while it did get better out to the west, and I was able to tip-toe to Crowland along with the wind. The welcome at Crowland was as even better than I expected. Y11 was towed out of the way, and I was plied with tea and cake, whilst Martin Ewer organised a launch, and Graham Morris towed me back half way in a Husky(I think). Unfortunately, the top cover had really settled in properly towards Thetford, and I ended up landing there on a large (it seemed to me) estate. The farmer was very helpful and put up with me boring him and his wife about clouds to the extent that he even drove me to his house and made me a cup of tea.

The photo shows 'Lars' standing (I think) in front of his Nimbus, holding the two cuddly toys. Snoopy due to come back with me, and Percy who was due to stay. Trusty Y11 sits in the distant background. Various folk at Crowland send their regards to various folk at NGC. I think both Bernard and Lars send regards to Woody & Bonnie. There were more good wishes, but unfortunately my tiny mind... er what was I saying?

Finally JRK, Will Day and Josh Brownlow came out to retrieve me, having just packed everything else away on site. As we got back to the glider, the noise of the car shooed off a small herd of deer. There were also many large hares in the various fields.

The whole experience was great. I would definitely recommend it. I am looking forward for someone to come from Crowland to pick up Snoopy, so that I can do it again. Thanks everyone from both clubs, and to the kind people from the farm for a fantastic day out.

2010-09-03T21:02:00.004+01:00

Also flying today The South Norfolk Swing Band; a super group of young people who make beautiful music together. This was a present from the club to them for their entertainment during the Vintage Gliding Rally. Thanks everyone of you and we hope to see (and hear) you again soon. And congratulations to Josh for his first solo off the winch. Shame the bar was closed!!

Helping today; Will, Paul Wilko, Mike Tate, Jeff, Beth, Don, Mick, Josh, Lauren and Tony

Another solo; and a good day's flying

2010-09-03T20:51:00.005+01:00

Beth's 16th birthday started exactly as it should. The day dawned fair and sunny. After a check flight with Mick Hughes Beth was sent solo in the K21; and a beautiful take off, a short soaring flight, reaching 3000' before returning with an inch perfect landing. Many congratulations Beth and the happiest of birthdays.

Wednesday 1st September 2010

2010-09-01T23:15:00.003+01:00

Sorry no pics today !

After lunch we had reasonable thermals to 4,500 ft in the murk !

Congrats to Mr. Lefever on re-soloing ! and comiz to Paul B on not quite achieving 5 hours !

I had an early flight with "Mr. Magic" - Don Cann , Even he couldn't keep us up !

A good days flying all in all !

Chin Chin
Flyboy

Bank Holiday Monday

2010-08-31T19:37:00.015+01:00

Upon opening the curtains it looked like the forecasters had got it wrong (again) and that we were in for a miserable day. But fortunately it was only the forecasters timing that was out (and the wind strength !)
The wind stayed quite strong for much of the day, Windy enough to make the ground handling of the ASK13 a little tricky so we left it in the hangar. But the lift strength was good enough for most to get good soaring flights, and the wind conditons gave valuable experience of flying in stronger wind conditions to some of the less experienced pilots. All in all we had a good days flying.

"Tango Twelve" Back in action

We had to stand down for nearly an hour while the "Red Arrows" did their stuff at Eye Show.

Those specs are the "Reds" flying past !

The six nautical mile Temporary NOTAM area. ( I don't know how to do the fancy page transfers like Dave T, So I had to take a picture of the map !)

Rosie took to the skies and further progressed her early training.

Chris flew some members of his fan club in "Zero Eight"

Coming back to the sport, Gordon suprised himself on how well he coped with the tricky conditions. He must be ex ATC - No need to salute the CFI !

New BI James preps a trial flight ........

While old hand Steve F-H uses his well practised technique of also incorporating Zen Budhism

Cadet Emily R was dropped off and collected in style by "Daddy" in his company vehicle.

Last flight of the day with Lauren in the ASK 21

View through a rapidly misting canopy

A most enjoyable day, with plenty of soaring (some of it Booming) and interesting approaches. Just shows that staying away just because it's windy doesn't always pay off !

Many thanks to Pete N and Mike Tait who worked all day to help us fly without flying themselves.

"Conversation of the day" which I wish I could of overheard !

Rachel dealing with the Red Arrows ground team on the telephone !

"Quote of the day"

Sarah Jones - " My best landing ever ! Far less of a bump than usual !"

There were a couple of other good quotes today - non publishable - Thanks Paul, Mark & Lauren.

Chin Chin

Flyboy

Better Than it Looked (Again)

2010-08-28T21:00:00.002+01:00

RASP predicted 22Kts from NW, but also some lift, and the BBC predicted showers from say 13:00 BST.

Nevertheless, a good few souls turned up (briefing room 2/3rds full) to enjoy(!?) the day.

Ray Hart was duty instructor, with support from JRK, and Steve F_H. At least three trial lessons were flown (I should get the numbers).

Cumulus were forming streets by 0930.

By 13:30, the rainfall radar looked like this:
... however, it was possible to dodge the showers, and there was good lift where it was not raining. A few flights of over an hour were had.

Jo and Stu Hoy were also there just putting the finishing touches on the newly fixed Grob 103. Ray gave it a test flight with Jo in the back, and both declared themselves to be satisfied with the result. Now the club fleet is back up to three twin-seaters.

The picture carried on the same way, with more showers being blown in from the NW:
... and although the showers were getting progressively larger, few of them reached the airfield. Only one shower interrupted flying - and only for 10-15 minutes at that.

Here is a shower passing over Diss (to the south of Tibenham), shortly after 4pm.
The picture was taken whilst climbing in just in front (to the W) of another large shower which was drenching Long Stratton.

... Meanwhile, out to the West....
... you can see the walls of showers stretching quite a way to the North and South.

Finally, a shower coming through at around 5pm told us it was time to pack away.

.... an unexpectedly great day.

Wednesday 25th Aug. 2010 - A day with the "Spidermen" !

2010-08-25T21:47:00.010+01:00

We had a full day of flying in spite of the forecast with many soaring flights of over an hour . I had to get special dispensation to fly as I'm far too young to fly on a Wednesday !

The "Spidermen" Start to gather !

The Triple- Decker flew again today ! Sorry about the crap photo but I got up late !

"Griff" looks up ! But then again he always has to !

Dave Blythe completed his Bi-Annual checks with Mick H in "BUGL" - They're braver than they look !

Mike Lindsay displays his (normal ?) Sartorial appearance.

Any grey you can do I can do better ! No you can't , Yes I can , No you can't ........etc. etc. !

JRK preps a trial flight

Wade ( You da Man) ! Funnily enough the lorry driver who had an "Altercation" with Wade remained in his cab ! To quote the "A" Team - "You ain't as dumb as you look Sucker ! "

Wade takes the ASK21 for a walk !

All in all ,A good days Club flying .

If you're wondering ? Why "Spidermen" ? Because they need help to get out of the bath !

Chin Chin

Flyboy

Sunday 22nd August 2010

2010-08-22T21:27:00.015+01:00

Another Great days flying !

The usual suspects turned up ( too many to name them all ! ) even Paul Gould managed the occasional smile ! (Yes that's rich coming from me ! ). Up until Lunchtime it proved to be a difficult soaring day with lift taking us up to about 2,500 ft for a window of about 3 hours , It then went dead for about an hour until it kicked off again giving thermals of about 3 knots to 4,000 ft. (Thanks Pete N. for lending me your lovely Std. Cirrus to take advantage of it ). The visibility was incredible ! The best I have ever witnessed from TIB !

Thanks to Phil Sillet for running the day ! along with help from a variety of other NGC Instructors.

Our "Pied a Terre " !

An early visitor (A Taylor Monoplane (for the Anaraks !) for fuel) , From Priory Farm. I'm sure that when he gets more experience they'll let him fly a full sized aircraft !

Life at the Launch point.

Hethel A/F - Also Lotus Works & Test track. Don't land out there if you can help it they charge you ! - and will only accept "Hard" cash.

A "Brace " of LS 4's. "Yankee One One" and "Kilo Two" prepare to go.

Blakeney Point

"Kilo Two" takes to the air.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside ........ etc. etc. - The North Norfolk Coast

Des ! - Now do you believe why I told you that you rotated too low, too fast and too quickly ?

Cromer

Simon Urry completing his BI course with CFI Mark W.

About to go ! I'm the happy looking chap in the front !

Down "Safe & Sound" - Can't have been all bad !

Quote of the day :-

" This parachute's a bit tight !" - Ben Magnani , who then found that he had it on inside out !

Conversation of the day :-

"Pip" Morgan questioned the CFI about the times for the NOTAM regarding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights pass over Flixton Museum as "Pip" wanted to watch it from the air in the G109 with John K. (They're a bit like that ! ). Once the times had been sorted (usual confusion re Zulu & BST ! ) it went like this :-

CFI - " Be aware that the heights involved are surface to 2,000 feet.

"Pip" Morgan - That's okay , We'll fly under that . ( OMG! ) (ed)

Tip of the day :-

Don't follow directional instructions off Jeremy K. ! (in joke)

I'm at Booker next Saturday and Sunday , Then on Duty on B/H Monday so someone else will have to pick up the "Blogging Gauntlet" !

Chin Chin !

Flyboy

Saturday 21st August 2010

2010-08-21T18:36:00.002+01:00

A good days flying. New members Rosie, Gordon & Graham commenced their training, Lauren started her conversion to winch launching and Simon completed more of his BI course (Hopefully complete 2moz !). 6 trial flights and winching to around 1700ft. Tim D. and Mick H. ran the day.

Sunday 15th August 2010

2010-08-15T20:43:00.008+01:00

Adrian Prime celebrated his 50 years of gliding with a flight from TIB today ! With usual club precision planning we have no picture of the event ! So Adrian is pictured below with his usual P2 , But you had better ask her "Who has control ?" Congrats Adrian an we wish you many more happy soaring days !

We had a brilliant "Club" day the atmosphere was fantastic with everyone chipping in and doing their bit to ensure a full day of enjoyable gliding ! James had his first "Duty Day" as a BI and showed the pleasures of our sport to 4 people. Andy V ran the day and ensured all went well !

Shipdham solo pilot Lauren Bean has also signed up at TIB as a member - and after a check flight (which truly proved her worth) took her first solo flight from TIB (see above picture for an impression of a "Cheshire Cat ". We look forward to sharing Laurens company with Shipdham for the forseeable future. See ! If you meet the required standards the world is your Lobster !

New TIB "Cadet to be" Harley Crisp takes to the air with NGC Chaiman JRK . Apparently the boy can fly ! (That's Harley not JRK ! (Although he can as well !)) . Ratty has yet to sell Harley an 8 month out of date Calendar !

The usual "Muttering" of members debating what the CFI is doing wrong , Any takers for the job boys ? - I thought not !

Altogether a brilliant day enjoyed by all !

It all comes to an end

2010-08-08T23:03:00.019+01:00

I forgot to mention that at last nights bash while the VGC were giving their own awards they also acknowledged the efforts put in by the Norfolk GC members who worked tirelessly to make the event a success .

The "Petrel" with motor.

The "Petrel" without motor !

A T21 takes one of the last launches of the rally.

Club flying with the K21

The last de-rigs

Lofty starts to disassemble the "Rhonsperber"

Marja takes the "Kranich 2" apart.

Nearly all our guests are gone and we finally close the Hangar doors on the event

Why couldn't they take these bums home with them.

Stragglers enjoy a last supper at the "Fox and Hounds"

Vera , Johannes and Ziggy

"Stella " Jack entertains the troops !

Vera

TIB mob

And now it really is all over. Best wishes and safe travels to our visitors , And a massive pat on the back to the TIB team who put it all together.

Sunday Goodbyes

2010-08-08T10:03:00.004+01:00

A lot of people have started on their long trek home , so there were only a few at briefing for the las days flying.

Anyone lost a locking pin ? !

Later Proceedings !

2010-08-08T00:58:00.015+01:00

We flew untill it was obvious we were going to get washed out ! The NGC Cadets having toiled all day didn't get to fly , We will have to make it up to them.

The following pics are not in the correct order - But take it or leave it, It's all that's coming at you .

Matt trying to play with the big boys! See you again jn a year or two !

The Good , The Bad & Mike Bean

I told her where my caravan was - She must have forgotten !

"Yet" Honestlly That's her Name !

We don't need your help !

The " Nutty Boys " !

Mr.Cool - He thinks !

This Lady runs the "Swing Band" I think her name is Karen !

God, I'm slow off the mark !

The crowd plead for more

The Swing Band

See You all at briefing in the morning at 9:30 !

Proceedings so far

2010-08-07T22:01:00.011+01:00

Jans prepares for a big night !

OK,Pics so far . You won't be amazed that they are not in the correct order ! I'll update when I wake (Probably Wednesday !). I can't remember the names of the recipients of the prizes , But I'm assured that they all did very well!

Taking over for next time

Joker and Legs are the MCs for the night

Christoff & Graham

Prepering for a night on the P++s !

Rounding the day off !

2010-08-07T17:30:00.011+01:00

Another good afternoons soaring !

Some of the Characters around this week :-

Rob "Yo-Yo" Van Geffen - Thanks guys forlending me your prde and joy (The Grunau Baby). But you could have warned me not to go up in just a T Shirt - At Cloudbase I had to keep reminding myself that I was having fun !

Ulf "The Main Man" Kern. One very special individual (I say that because I doubt/hope that there's not two of them !)

Jans " The Joker " Forster

Jans relaxes,

"Pretty Boy" Daniel - Thanks for lending me the "Rhonsperber" complete with Audio Rudder !

Aren't the French Peculiar People ?

"Lofty" Russell falls in to place as Danny boys Wardrobe Manager.

Stefanie "Legs" Gester. So much prettier than my last interpreter ! (Sorry Klaus)

Yup ! It's BBQ Time/Weather. We will be entertained tonight by the South Norfolk Youth Swing Band, But I suspect by the end of the night it won't only be the band that's swinging ! The closing ceremonies take place tonight , The whole thing has gone so fast (Except for the gliders ! ) It's towards the end of the rally and I've found some Cava in my caravan which needs using up before it goes off . Pictures of tonights procedures may appear to the untrained eye to be out of focus !

Weather ok for the morning ! (Whether I'm ok in the morning is another matter !)

Chin, Chin !

Up and flying !

2010-08-07T13:34:00.004+01:00

We're out and flying !

For Sale !

The Scottish contingency take the NGC 21 for a trip

Not everyone appreciates the Paparazzi

The weather is not so good this morning, But it should brighten up !

2010-08-07T08:09:00.013+01:00

In the meantime here's some pics from during the week

The "Steinadler"

Forward view from the back of the "Kranich 2"

Made more sense than most people doing the briefings !

Mike tries a dish from the Burger Van which advertises a peculiar type of relish

Old friends meet up. Keith, Mike Lee (took me on my first ever X/C, We landed out at TIB !), Kay Lee(East Anglias Tokyo Rose) and yours truly

Let's hope for better in the morning !

2010-08-07T00:40:00.000+01:00

Friday Fun !

2010-08-06T17:40:00.006+01:00

Sorry about no earlier blog update today but I/we have been out flying all day ! We have had a great day with some sort of soaring available throughout. Reports are back that there has been 2 landouts so far , one being the Hols Der Teufel which is somewhere on the North Norfolk Coast ! I can't imagine why he didn't punch his way back in to wind ! Here's a few pics of today to whet your appetite. I'll try and put some more on later but I'm off to dinner with a bunch of bums soon so I probably won't be able to blog with any accuracy ! "Chin, Chin" !

Some "Ugly Bugger " reliving his youth !

The famous " Rhonsperber"

A picture of the site from the back of the "Kranich 2"

End of the day

2010-08-05T23:31:00.000+01:00

The evening rounded off with demonstration of Morris dancing and a superb Aerobatics display by Christoff in the Habicht. I can honestly say this was the best gliding aerobatics I have ever witnessed ! (Watch out Team Swift). Following that A Fish and Chip Supper was enjoyed by all (except me , I had a Tandoori mixed grill !)

Briefing at 9:30 , Rig and place for R/W 21

They're up and soaring

2010-08-05T13:23:00.007+01:00

We got lucky withe the weather and got couple of hours long soaring window with the bad weather passing to the West of site. But now it's all gone pretty flat overhead.

Rob Van Geffen takes the front seat

Christoffs Habicht

Stefanie Gester in the Zugvogel 3a

Thursday and we're flying !

2010-08-05T11:13:00.003+01:00

Soaring prospects are good ! But due to the Wind strength/direction and the number of gliders involved we are limited to Winch launching only on Runway 33.

Hi Vis Jackets suit some more than others !

2010-08-05T11:07:00.002+01:00

More photos from the event

2010-08-04T21:52:00.000+01:00

Our local aviation photographer Keith Sowter has been at the event taking shots of all the different gliders. Have a look see if yours is on there...Tibenham VGC flickr Page .

Please note these images are copyright so if you want to use them for further publication you need to get the permission of the photographer - click on 'contact me' and I will forward your request.

Other stuff from this afternoon

2010-08-04T20:57:00.013+01:00

Mick "Mustard" Hughes - Resident NGC Instructor shows off the latest syndicate machine at Tibenham.

A shot of NGC Cadet Peter Carter putting the Land yacht through its paces on Runway 33, Shortly after turning on to Runway 26 young "Get" Carter picked up even more pace resulting in him shooting off the end of the runway , across the peri track and well into the camping/caravaning area narrowly missing a very expensive looking vehicle and an even more solid looking caravan ! Sadly your photographer missed a chance to capture this event due to rolling around in laughter along with the rest of the watching membership ! The only quote available from "Get" Carter for about 15 minutes was "I'm sorry".

Yup ! It's Vintage Rally Maintenance !

Unlike last night "Nutty Boy" Christoff did not jump out of the helicopter this time !

"Benny"

And te "Jets"

The Model Gliders didn't fly today

Flying scrubbed for the day

2010-08-04T14:55:00.002+01:00

The only things flying today are the Land Yacht boys (clocked at 38 knots !), and the Model Jet team doing a display later on. Re-Brief tomorrow at 09:30 in the Big Top.

But then again !

2010-08-04T08:37:00.003+01:00

Maybe Graham was right ! I fear the normal Gliding holiday 10 pin bowling challenge may be on !

Another good day !

2010-08-03T00:35:00.000+01:00

Following a stumbling start - including a reversal of decision on which way to launch ! The day provided soaring to 5.000 ft with at least one K6 completing the Presidents Triangle. The launchpoint got very busy for a while but fortunately most found lift and stayed up and away . Personally I terminated a flight early in the Rhinadler at 4.000 ft to come down and meet a journalist who never turned up ! Many long flights were enjoyed by the pilots. The forecast for tomorrow is dire but I'm not so sure that we won't get belts of rain with good soaring opportunities inbetween. The VGC boys will be having their AGM in the morning but the rest of us "mere mortals" could be taking advantage of the occasional soaring opportunities.

International Night !

2010-08-02T22:02:00.026+01:00

What an atmosphere ! A good soaring day has filtered well in to the "International Night". Friends both old and new enjoying a superb day and evening ! Gabriel started proceedings off with a great aerobatic display in the Yak. I make no apologies for loads of pics - I still couldn't do the night justice ,

Gabriel prepares for the off !

Ding his stuff !

And again !

Where'd he go !

Norman " The Guvner " Clowes, Giving away drink that I can assure you stains white T shirts very effectively

Some mistake surely !

Some Brits supplying their national dish of Tandoori Chicken ! They sold out !

Don't tell the wife (1)

Keith displaying Joys Buns !

Don't tell the wife (2)

The "Meise" boys. Do you know what will happen if you tell me your winch launch was too fast one more time ? I suggest you call the medic first !

Rattys new marketing policy starts to pay off !

Fantastic day & night. Sleep well all and let's hope for good weather in the morning.

Monday 2nd August - A soaring day at last !

2010-08-02T21:42:00.005+01:00

At last a soarable day ! We were very lucky with the weather, Heavy rain and storms passed both to the East and the West of us allowing some soaring until one band of rain went through leaving excellent unstable/soaring conditions for one and all !

Some things were moving too fast even for our intrepid photographer !

NGC Chirman John Roche-Kelly (right) Blags a go in a T21 fitted with the latest proximity awarenes device

1st Solo Flight

2010-08-02T16:25:00.001+01:00

1st Solo flight on Saturday, I can honestly say I have never worked so hard for a leisure activity.Tim made it his mission on Saturday to progress me with 6 flights.

I'd like to thank the team at Tib for the time they have spent helping me to get to this point, also to all the members for making my family feel welcome.

Monday looking good

2010-08-02T10:29:00.002+01:00

Plenty are out rigging and the sky's looking good. Let's hope it stays that way.

Flying on Sunday

2010-08-02T09:51:00.004+01:00

Vintage gliders were everywhere yesterday, both on the ground and in the sky. Soaring conditions weren't great, but 2-3 knots could be found in places. Here's a taster, but there's lots of photos on the VGC Photo Site.

Everyone seemed to have fun, with quite a few club flights taking place between the Vintage launches. Ben Magnami was duty dog, with many others helping out. Chris L and Tom S managed short cross countries, and Paul W was out in Pinky.

New project commences at Tibenham !

2010-08-01T10:42:00.002+01:00

H Having seen the Hols de Teuful, Worzel and Mike have been inspired to undertake a new project

. It looks like they've almost finished it already !

We flew today and it was well worth it !

2010-08-01T02:35:00.005+01:00

FIRST SOLO ! Congratulations to Paul Gould on his going solo . Paul is pictured above with Instructor Tim Davies

Josie & Mike preparing for a flight in Mikes T21

Paul & Tim "I won't pull the bung" Davies

2010-07-31T19:47:00.002+01:00

Glider flying has now finished, but the modellers are out in force.

The Rally is now Officially Underway!

2010-07-31T17:39:00.002+01:00

We've now got many gliders rigged, and flying started a couple of hours ago. Here's a snap of some of the rigged gliders, but check out the VGC Photo Gallery for more.

Starting to improve !

2010-07-31T14:16:00.001+01:00

Get the Winches out Chaps !

Opening ceremony and Pilot briefing

2010-07-31T11:08:00.010+01:00

Norman Clowes "The Guvner" briefs the "Yellow Perils" in the Big Top.

Roll up ! Roll up ! (See the tattooed Lady)

The waiting throng.

John Roche-Kelly (Chaiman NGC), Richard Bacon M.P., Chris Wills (VGC), Jan Forster (VGC), Roy "Woody" Woodhouse (Pres. NGC)

The Chairman sticks his oar in !

Site Briefing by Mike Bean

"Met. Man " Graham Parker trying to part the waters !

Mark Wright C.F.I. (If I'm doing the Blog I get to put my picture in !)

Now we just wait for the weather !

Day One - Good Morning !

2010-07-31T07:23:00.003+01:00

Good Morning Peeps, An unexpected start to the day , It appears to be raining ! (Trans - Ill pluet!) Looks like an easy day for weatherman Graham Parker. Another factor that has come up is that the toilet cleaner has walked out on the job - anybody got a few hours to spare ! Opening ceremonies will be taking place this morning in the "Big Top" Followed by a site/flying briefing by Beano and myself, For some reasons the Germans started reffering o me as te "Commander" at the launch point yesterday - much to the mirth of the local Pi***oc*s. Going to work on my tan now so I'll catch you later

Fortunately the French contingent are serving breakfast this morning which shoul help make the start of the day a little more bearable !

More news will be added as it happens, Hopefully this will include some Gliding !

Here we go ! Friday rehearsals !

2010-07-30T22:03:00.008+01:00

Saturday 24th July - Nutty boys tour Suffolk

2010-07-25T16:55:00.007+01:00

An overcast morning saw our intrepid Aviateurs take to the air.

Another solo...

2010-07-23T23:14:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to Alan Merriles who went solo on Friday, with thanks to Mick for towing and Will for instructing.
The midweek courses are really showing their worth, 7 solos so far this year - and more cadets to come!

Wednesday Wave!

2010-07-21T22:35:00.002+01:00

Wednesday did not start very well. First the Tug broke down then the winch tow-out truck got a puncture so expectations were poor for the rest of the day. The sky looked odd all day with possible wave effects. With a borrowed Tug on line we started to launch.

I joined the queue pulling off in strong thermal lift which then turned into strong and persistent sink. At 1500' I contacted good lift again averaging 4.5 to 4000'. Mike Lindsey radioed to say he was in wave at 8000' north of the site. Pushing forward under the cloud to see what would happen I also contacted smooth solid lift. I turned along he front edge and it improved to 8 up for a while. after a beat or two I was at 7000'. Venturing further east I reached 8000' over BUN. scuttling back home before the rain came in. Mike had topped out over 9000' in the meantime. A great day after all.

The following from Mike Lindsay
"I've been gliding at Tib since 1968 and never managed to contact wave before away from the hills. Not quite like mountain soaring, for one thing the clouds were moving downwind, albeit much slower than the wind speed.
There was a promising looking cloud just north of Diss, base at about 5500. I got to the upwind side of it and fairly gradually was able to climb way above it.
Fantastic! ..."
He actually reach 9700ft!
"I was wondering if I should try to make Gold height, but I couldn't find any more lift. It looked good towards the coast, but then it showed signs of closing in. It took about half an hour to get down."

Well done to both
Jan

Norfolk Wave!

2010-07-18T22:02:00.003+01:00

There was a good turn out at briefing for the last day of our 'Summer Soaring Week'. With a warm front approaching the forecast for soaring was not particularly hopeful, though I thought that it would eventually trigger after lunch and provide some weak local soaring, so most decided to rig. However, the front brought with it a sky full of lenticulars formed by front associated 'shear wave' which both enhanced and suppressed the weak 'blue' thermals below depending upon whether they were in or out of phase . Phil S took an early launch in his DG and showed us the way - he eventually logged over 4 hours soaring. Chris L and Bob G took a placed tow to the wave and climbed above the clouds. The rest of us struggled on below until the temperatures rose and Cu started to form. Even so it was far from easy to go anywhere - even Pete R in his DG400 self-launcher could only get as far Bury! Eventually we found that we were still soaring passed 6pm with the wave still influencing, in what had turned out to be a fascinating, if at times somewhat frustrating, day.

.....

Chris L & Steve F-H soaring in the Janus in the afternoon.

First Solo Wins The Day

2010-07-17T22:06:00.006+01:00

Congratulations to Josh Brownlow who went solo on his 16th Birthday today - completing over 1hour soaring which also gains him a Bronze leg and a leg for his Cross-Country Endorsement. Doing this on the soaring week gained him 1500pts and puts him in the lead for the week!

Josh’s father Steve, and both grandfathers were all there to see him go solo, infact Steve launched him as his tug pilot. They are all former RAF pilots – and all still fly to this day. He also had an uncle who was an RAF Tornado pilot and another uncle who held a private pilot’s license. Josh’s mum was an air traffic controller in the RAF too!!

Josh after his first solo

Ray Hart congratulates Josh on a flight well flown!

From left to right; grandfather Keith Nunn (former RAF flying instructor, and later a civilian instructor), Josh, Steve (former RAF Jaguar pilot and now an airline pilot with Virgin Atlantic), grandfather John Brownlow (an RAF and civilian test pilot – still flying at the age of 81!)

Summer Soaring Week - Midweek Update

2010-07-16T20:59:00.001+01:00

Disappointing to start with, but we did at least manage to get some flying in on Mon & Tue around the showers. Wed, Thu and Fri all saw some local soaring but XC tasks were not possible. Fingers crossed the hopeful forecast for the weekend is correct!

Summer Soaring Week - Day 2

2010-07-11T15:27:00.001+01:00

Overall another good day, though it was a slow start as we waited for the weak cold front to eventually pass through and trigger the thermals. It eventually got soarable at TIB around 1:30pm but the 20kt wind broke up a lot of the themals for the first couple of hours and made progressing into wind hard work. Several of us went XC and managed 100km+ (Mark W, Ray, Will, and myself) though Chris L tried to cross a gap and had to land at Eye - Phil M retrieved!

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Buster teaches Berkeley how to be a retriever!

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Summer Soaring Week - Day 1

2010-07-10T14:54:00.000+01:00

A good turnout for briefing and lots of optimism for a decent day. Several 300kms were planned and 3 got round - the Stemme completing Watford Gap O/R and Chris L and Tom S making it round their tasks via Hus Bos. Several of us (Tim D, Bob, Tony G, James F and myself) flew 200km+. It was a day of very hot cockpit temperatures and at times tricky inconsistent thermals. There was also lots of local soaring and a good day was had by all.

Good Parking! - RAF Marham.

I do like to be beside the seaside...

2010-07-10T10:31:00.000+01:00

Having had to relight scrapping the planned 500 and falling back to the 300 - I then found myself down to 1400 feet out over the fens with no reasonable landing fields. A long slow climb back above the jumbled thermals below 2,500 drifted me north to Wisbech. The clouds ahead looked poor while back into North Norfolk looked booming. I'd seen the new TPs along the North Norfolk coast on SeeYou and decided it was time to go and see them myself.

First tp was over the boarder in Lincolnshire at Long Sutton, then King's Lynn, Hunstanton Light House, Blakeney Point, Cromer Pier and home.

Sutton Bridge & Power Station

Lynn Channel

Hunstanton Light House

Blakeney Point and next TP - CRomer Pier

Cromer Pier

England 1: Tibenham 4. Sunday 27th June 2010

2010-06-27T22:09:00.000+01:00

The winners on the day were those who turned up to Tibenham.

It did not start out that way. At 12:00 the low inversion was still holding strong, and forcing the gliders back to the ground.
On the ground it was sunny & hot, but at least there was a breeze from the SW. (6-16 Kts).

However, once the temperature got up that little bit higher the inversion broke down and started letting the thermals - and the gliders through.

Thermal heights to at least 5,500' locally with 5-6 Kt climbs. Yess! Up to over 6,000' near Martelsham, and over 7,000' near Bury St. Edmunds - at 17:45 BST.

It had been lovely and cool in the air too. Even after 18:00 the ground seemed hot and sticky after landing.

I missed the Lancaster flying over Old Buckenham, but I heard it call Lakenheath. I bet that someone who was still near Tibenham will have seen it though (own up if you did). The Lancaster never flew to Old Buckenham last year - even though the Spitfire & Hurricane did make it. The reason given by the announcer was that the rain (thundershowers developing that day) damages the propellers on the Lancaster (weird eh?). Not that that was a problem in WW II as they had a better production line for spares.

It even seems to be quite quiet on the bgaladder, for the kind of weather on Sunday - but for those of us who did not stay at home to watch England be defeated: "we wasn't robbed!"

Hot 'n' Hard. Saturday 26th June 2010

2010-06-26T21:41:00.000+01:00

Saturday was another tricky blue day. 6-12 Kt E wind veering SE, with tight thermals up to 2,800' at the beginning of the day, gradually lowering down to 2,300 or less.

Kudos to those who set off (Dave M, Chris L, Peter R, Bob G) and especially to Bob G who even made it back from RAT.

The rest of us mortals got some good scratching practice.

This year a few syndicates have splashed out on FLARMs, and it is reassuring to have them beep away even with local soaring, when they notice the other FLARM-equipped members. You are reminded that they are working, even before you set of XC.

Paul W is planning to equip the club gliders with the necessary wiring so that anyone can plug a FLARM into them - if they happen to have one.

The winch was not used, as the cross-wind component on the main was considered to be too much. Shame, but at least it is very unusual: I can't remember the last time that happened.

It was still cooler in the air than it was on the ground.

News from abroad ...

2010-06-26T06:36:00.002+01:00

but for those who haven't been following I'm at HusBos for the regionals. We have now had 7 of a possible 9 days and are looking like we will be coerced onto the grid again today and Sunday ... bugger this is knackering!

News and Results

Silver Day - Wednesday 23rd June 2010

2010-06-23T20:52:00.002+01:00

The weekday operation of the club is proving to be a bonus, as it is allowing quite a few members to fly on those good soaring days which don't happen to line up with weekends.

Wednesday was a classic fair-weather clouds day, at least near Tibenham, once it got going, around 12:00 BST. Cloud bases from 5,000', from around 13:00. Wind from SSW, 8-14Kts.

Ben H got his new LS4 out and gained his silver distance with TIB-ROU-NWI-TIB, giving him a leg over 50Km from ROU to NWI. I think he did 76Kmh, though I am not sure if it is just for that leg or the whole task. He might well have got his 100K diploma too.

Also Andy H, did 5 hrs apparently 'by accident'. He enjoyed a fair bit of local soaring - and then noticed that it was around 5 hrs.

Peter R did TIB-FRW-SIL-TIB to get 340 odd K. I think Tom Smith also set of for Silverstone. I expect he got round, but did not speak to him. I also set off for Silverstone, but wimped out at Newmarket, when it went blue. The sky east of Lakenheath was working till 18:00. The big clouds that you see at the end of the day, and wonder if they work well.... really do work well. I also shared a thermal with the Tibenham Buzzard. Nice!

Thanks to Mick H for running the day, and all the club members out and about for getting us all airborne. I have probably missed a few things out, but it's been a week since it all happened, now.

The longest day

2010-06-22T20:42:00.002+01:00

Well, as you insist Jan. The weather was definitely worth staying in bed for but I arrived at the club at 8.00 to find it all but deserted. Pete spotted me mooching about and relayed that he had been ready to fly the tug at 5.00 but had no takers!

We had a party of scouts joining us at 9.00 and I, aided by Ray, the day's duty instructor, DIed the winch. A few other folk turned up, as did the scouts, and by 10.30 we were ready. So it rained. That was the pattern of the day; rain, fly a bit, rain some more. We did get 23 winch launches and an aerotow in, however. The coldest and wettest we have ever been in June, we closed the hangar at about 18.00.

An interesting and challenging day, Beth, one of our cadets, managed the conditions very well, the scouts from 1st Bacton all had a flight and a good time.

Thanks to Ray, Steve, Art, Pete, Phil, Chris and the others I am bound to have forgotten. Now what are the plans for the shortest day?

(Almost) The Longest Day

2010-06-19T23:59:00.000+01:00

Mick ran another Longest Day flying event and there was definitly flying to be had whilst missing the raindrops.
Unfortunatly I couldnt get there but saw it live on the new moveable webcam. Could I persuade anyone who was there to post a small blog on how events went with a couple of photos?
Cheers
Jan

Tuesday and Wednesday, grab it while you can!

2010-06-16T20:37:00.001+01:00

I knew Tuesday 15th June was going to be good but Wednesday looked better so went to Tibenham on Wednesday since the Ventus is still there, Marham being a building site at present.

The members said Tuesday was mega but Wednesday was not.....lots of little flat cu at about 3K all day with streeting, 12knots of wind and a constant worry that the day would go blue and one mistake with an invisible street would see me in a field. However I had three hours of local soaring in wonderful sunshine with the rest of the world at work.

The lesson never learnt is grab the good days when you can since tomorrow often does not come as expected [or forecast].

I also learnt this week why the "bent tube total energy compensator" is called the "bent tube" and not just the "tube".

It needs to be bent into the airflow by about 25 degrees. I returned my tube today to the correct shape [having wrecked it last year] after researching the subject.

It now compensates really rather well and was working really rather badly.

Now I need to work on my flying if I am ever to get the better of a certain ASW15

Peter Stafford Allen

Eastern Regionals Saturday 29th May - Sunday 6th June 2010

2010-05-29T14:00:00.000+01:00

Catch up with the tasks and results on the Eastern Regionals Blog.
http://ngccompetitions.blogspot.com/

Pre-Comp Practice

2010-05-28T23:14:00.002+01:00

A couple of flights reported so far from today, although I like many had to admire the view through an office window.

Steve F-H flew '20' around the presidents triangle,
http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=26480

Peter Stafford-Allen did a quick 352k TIB-NTN-GRL-TIB (92kph!) http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=26489
"The wind was a bit fresh on the way to Newark, 12knots, howver the task was completed at 96kph. A climb to 6k near Cambridge at 7knots sort of sums up the day..........just Mega".

There were a few others out too including AV8, but not sure if anyone else tasked.
Group flying this evening and thanks to Mark, Ray, Will, JRK and Wilko - apparantly flying went on until 20:30. Phil M was the hero on the winch.

First day of the Eastern Regionals tomorrow - lets hope the weather holds out.

Some (don't) like it hot!

2010-05-23T20:17:00.014+01:00

Heading East - Worth The Wait

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Another baking hot day with temperatures rising to 26*C making it very uncomfortable in the cockpit until the sea air finally reached us around 1500BST to act like a mini Cold Front and bust the 1700ft inversion and allow Cu to form, and with climbs to nearly 6500ft QFE Silver Height was easily on. Suddenly there were 2-3 hours of 'comfortable' soaring to be had and a few of us capitalised after a long 'grid-squat' and the odd aborted attempt to soar in the unbearably hot blue conditions. I think I was the only one to go XC, and managed a 100km or so (see the BGA Ladder for details).
...

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.....

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Will D was Duty Instructor with Steve F-H helping out with the A/X flights again. There were lots of winching and quite a few aero-tows with a number of ab initio training flights, check rides and solo excusions with the whole of the club fleet out again. CFI Mark W concluded his BI course. Congratulations to our newest (and youngest) Basic Instructor James Francis...and welcome to the instructor ranks. Also, well done to Phil M who passed his GFT in the Grob109 to completed his SLMG-NPPL.

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Rather warm...

2010-05-22T23:09:00.006+01:00

The weather has definitely turned warmer - 23degrees! but with no clouds in the sky it was a challenge for everyone to pick out the 3 'duty thermals'.

Mark W's BI course is running this weekend and our own James Francis was flying on it. Ray Hart and Steve F-H were the duty team, with Pete R on the tug. A busy day with 18 aerotows and 23 winch launches, but the thermals got popping after 1:00pm, when Geoff T took the K21 and soared for an hour. The lift was pretty hard to come by, only 1-2 knots and topped it out at about 2,500ft, but I did manage to keep 'LY' airborne for over an hour, despite not going anywhere. Tim Davies flew 'AV8', and Steve Brownlow in '20' seemed to do a little better but again only local soaring. Jeremy K, sparked with success of his flights midweek, converted to the winch to help his bank balance. Also out flying today were; Josie, Paul and Sarah, Wilko and new member Mark Fiske who 'enjoyed' an introduction to spinning with Ian!

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Because of the light evenings, flying continued until nearly 7pm, when the gliders were brought back to the hangar and washed (we have photographic evidence!).

Course week - a First Solo and a Bronze Leg.

2010-05-18T20:14:00.000+01:00

Mick is training Jeremy Keeling and Alan Merrelles on the course this week. I pitched up on Monday to fly LY, with George tugging. Weather was pretty good with a few showers and at one point a line squall went through. After about 3pm it picked up quite nicely with 2-4knt climbs to 4000ft. Both course members got to go soaring.

Well done to Jeremy who on Tuesday did his first solo - his first one was 27 mins climbing to about 3000ft, then came back to let Alan and Mick fly. The second one was a Bronze leg 1hr7mins and got to 4300ft before coming back.

Another Saturday duty.

2010-05-15T23:10:00.000+01:00

A busy day and an early start for Saturdays and a late finish. Some cruising around the President's Triangle during a very soarable slot in the weather. Well done folks! A good set of cadet and other ab initio pilots making good progress. Thanks to everyone who helped Mark and me today, especially Tim for stepping in when it was busy.

9th May and before

2010-05-09T23:59:00.000+01:00

I had a great flight with Bob Grieve, great thermals and for the first time I took over on the launch, attempted a dodgy landing but as usual failed!! Had really good flights so far with JRK, Mark, Will, Jan, Ray, Mick and Dave

Sarah Jones

Two Triangles (...and the rest)

2010-05-09T22:36:00.004+01:00

Whilst we were over at Henham Park selling vouchers in the drizzle and cold wind, Dave Taylor completed the presidents triangle from Tib - Twice!! Nice one Dave, it wasnt as bad as it looked then.
http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=25802
http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=25807

Others that also completed the president's triangle today included Dave Munro (now also on the ladder), Will Day and Chris Lawrence. Simon Urry went round but cut the corner at Diss, whilst JRK went to Norwich and back in addition to helping with some instuctional flights!

Come on guys - let's see those flights on the club ladder (especiallly if they are in areas that will help us fight additional airspace). We are currently 14th for total distance in the national stats with 3349.5km in 21 XC flights entered, only slightly ahead of where we were this time last year (2857.7km in 21 flights). It would be great to beat last years record breaking year for NGC.

And don't forget anyone can review their flights on the blog, not just XC stuff!

Thanks to all who turned out to help at Henham Wings and Wheels including Adrian, Clive, Wade and Eric we sold 9 vouchers despite the poor weather.

Three TPs and one BBG

2010-05-06T22:18:00.003+01:00

Getting urgent that I get some practice in for the Regionals I came to Tibenham on Thursday 6th May with the hope that despite the wind and the cold there would be some good flying.

Locally cloudbase was a bit low at 3k however out towards Thetford another 1K could be had. Some of the thermals were 5 knots plus.

I declared RAT-EDE-NOE for 145klm and hopefully 1.5hours good fun. There were only four problems on the flight apart from a slight in cockpit accident which will wash out.

Rattlesden appeared in a matter of minutes however a voice said stay high at the TP and I immediately fell into a hole. A bit more press on and I expect the strong climb that took ages to find would have been there immediately. Once at cloudbase the run to Dereham into wind was nose down 70 knots and just keep going....really good fun...except for problem two. Out of the mist of cloudbase as I was going north a BBG [ bloody big glider] appeared going south. Fortunately I saw the glider and dived underneath it and took the number 13 [from Dunstable] as the fin passed by. What amazing gliders are EB28s and the wings go on for ever. Time I bought a FLARM I think.

Problem 3 was Dereham and another hole with time wasted followed by a great run to NOE and yes, problem four, another hole and onto final glide.

The lesson for the day is that TPs are bad ideas [or do they sort the men from the boys?].

Thought for the day was perhaps buy a FLARM before it is too late!

Advice from the day is that you should buy some CONFOR foam from Trelleborg [as per S&G]. I put blue foam in the seat cushion and pink foam on my spinal support and the foam made a world of difference. Expensive, yes, but if your cockpit is a bit uncomfortable this foam would be well worth a trial.

http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=25782

Peter Stafford Allen