I had been following the weather forcasts and RASP while Offshore the week i was due to return home, by Tuesday it was starting to indicate that the weekend was going to be promising. I had also arranged to meet a chap called Jon at Bicester either Saturday or Sunday to look at a trailer he had available for sale fitted out for a Mosquito. I returned home Thursday and by now the forcast seemed like the weekend would be to good to miss out on either day so i called Jon and asked if he would be about Friday, he was but not until 6pm. So we arranged i would go over to Bicester and meet him there at 6pm Friday evening that way i could get the trailer and bring it back to Tibenham and stay in the caravan ready for the weekend.
I arrive back at Tibenham around 11pm friday night with my new trailer.
Saturday weather wise was a bit of a disapointment although I flew for 3 hours which was all quite local soaring but at least it gave me more time under my belt with the Mosquito. I left the Mossi rigged over night and Sunday morning I was up and about around 8.30 am I had not had chance to check forcast or RASP and my initial thought at that time was that it was going to be much like Saturday. I wondered over to the glider and wiped off the condensation, fitted the batterys etc, then lent a hand to James and Tim rigging the Cirrus. Tim asked me if i was going to go for a 300Km today I repiled that i didnt think the conditions where going to be that great! Tim replied no its going to be a stonking day im planning a 500, Tom Smith a 750 and James a 300. Hmm...If Tim Davies and Tom Smith are planning such long XC flights its going to be good for sure!..I better get planning.
Tim advised me that the best bet was Silverston out & return. That seemed a good idea only the one turn point and heading west into the better conditions.
I ended up faffing around for quite some time with one thing or another and then when i was ready we switched runways which took a bit more time. By now it was getting late and i really didnt want to still be on the ground.
I eventually launched at 12.30pm iwas towed up into some decent lift and released early at about 1800 ft. I minced about for a while until contacted some better lift and got a good climb which took me to around 3500 ft enough to start pushing out to the west on track.
Conditions soon became better en' route, climbs much stronger and the cloud base lifting.
It seemed slow going and the wind direction more westerly at altitude. I was keeping an eye out for Chris Lawrence, James Francis and Dave Taylor who where also doing the same task but they where almost an hour ahead. As i arived near Bedford i stopped for a good climb and i think it was here i spotted Dave Taylor in his LS4 in the thermal below me. I took the climb until the lift started to reduce at around 4200 ft and set full negative flap and pushed out again on track through a bit of a blue patch. Time was getting on now and i was very aware that i could be heading back into the sea breeze front. I tried to pick the pace up a bit and not take unnecessary climbs.
I eventually arrived at Silverstone TP at 16.30pm 4 hrs after launching. I was rewarded with the best climb yet right over the track. I hauled into the thermal turn and set full pos flap the altimeter wound up to 5600ft until i was in the whisps of the freshly developed cloud. Just what i needed to set me on my way back as there was now quite a large gap of blue between Sivlerstone and the next climb on track.
The home run was much quicker and i was lucky to find most lift on track. As i passed Cambridge conditions seemed to be getting more stable clouds less defined and climbs weaker. I was looking out in the distance to the east to see if i could make out the blue line of the sea breeze front approaching and my immanent land out, but for now I seemed safe.
The Km's dropped down on the GPS and before long i found myself at Lakenheath / Mildenhall. I took a climb which was looking to be my last. I could just make out the smoke rising from the Maltings from here. I had 30 Km to go and 4500ft. the next climb was in the direction of diss which would take me off track when i was quite close to home. I started to head out that way but it soon became apparent that it was going to be no problem making it back home so i pointed the nose back towards the airfield for the final glide, arriving overhead at about 2600ft. No flashy Racing finishes but at least i had the 300k in the bag.
It was now 18.45 pm so the task took me 6hrs 15 mins.
5 mins after i landed Tom Smith arrived dumping water on a low racing finish to his 750 Awsome!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Mike Crook's Silver duration & height
Sunday 14th June
I had planned to go flying on Thursday but a quick look at the forecast weather soon put me off. However the forecast for Friday looked pretty good and in particular the RASP charts showed a potential cloud base of 5500ft with a reasonably long period of good thermals possible do I thought that the Silver C height and endurance might just, with a little bit of luck , be on.
Friday morning was a beautiful blue day with virtually no cloud around except a few small cumulus over the distant coast. After some discussion a launch at about 1215hrs was planned. At the appointed time we were still in a large blue area centred on Tibenham although the coastal cumulus was starting to build and so at 1255hrs I launched behind the Tug thinking that even if I didn't get the endurance time I would get a decent flight anyway.
Climbing through 1700ft we passed through what seemed a decent thermal so I took an early release and turned back to find it. The immediate sky was still blue but I manged to get into, and of course out of the thermal, and spent the next hour floating around between 1400ft and 2700ft. At this point 5 hrs seemed a very long way off. Over in the east the sea breeze front had started to take a more positive form and lumps of decent cumulus were starting to develop.
Eventually I got a good contact and a decent climb up to cloud base at about 4700ft. I set off touring the towns and turning points in the immediate area of Tibenham very conscious of the fact that I wanted to keep as high as possible rather than go for distance. As the cloud developed and the sea breeze front moved further towards me eventually I was able to troll up and down the edge for some time without too much of a struggle. The cloud base steadily increased and I eventually moved up with it getting to 5400ft. I was reasonably confident that this would give me the required height climb not withstanding any convoluted calculation that might be involved.
The sea breeze front continued its march westwards passing over Tibenham where I set up what amounted to be a holding pattern over the field at about 5000ft +/- 200ft for what seemed like an hour although it was probably less. This was far more reminiscent of my commercial flying days but it did pass the time and the last two hours passed quite quickly.
By about 1730hrs the front had started to dissipate and with it the cumulus also started to disappear. I had one of those sinking feelings that I was going to drop down just a few minutes short! Luck however was on my side and there were enough residual thermals around for me to hover around 3000ft to 4000ft until finally 5 hrs airborne arrived. I made good and sure I had a reasonable excess to allow for for the tow time and then made a high speed dart for terr firma, by now my backside aching and feet that felt as if they had gone to sleep. According to my GPS, 241 track miles and all within 10 miles of Tibenham and as someone remarked an awful lot of circles! Nevertheless, a great flight.
I had planned to go flying on Thursday but a quick look at the forecast weather soon put me off. However the forecast for Friday looked pretty good and in particular the RASP charts showed a potential cloud base of 5500ft with a reasonably long period of good thermals possible do I thought that the Silver C height and endurance might just, with a little bit of luck , be on.
Friday morning was a beautiful blue day with virtually no cloud around except a few small cumulus over the distant coast. After some discussion a launch at about 1215hrs was planned. At the appointed time we were still in a large blue area centred on Tibenham although the coastal cumulus was starting to build and so at 1255hrs I launched behind the Tug thinking that even if I didn't get the endurance time I would get a decent flight anyway.
Climbing through 1700ft we passed through what seemed a decent thermal so I took an early release and turned back to find it. The immediate sky was still blue but I manged to get into, and of course out of the thermal, and spent the next hour floating around between 1400ft and 2700ft. At this point 5 hrs seemed a very long way off. Over in the east the sea breeze front had started to take a more positive form and lumps of decent cumulus were starting to develop.
Eventually I got a good contact and a decent climb up to cloud base at about 4700ft. I set off touring the towns and turning points in the immediate area of Tibenham very conscious of the fact that I wanted to keep as high as possible rather than go for distance. As the cloud developed and the sea breeze front moved further towards me eventually I was able to troll up and down the edge for some time without too much of a struggle. The cloud base steadily increased and I eventually moved up with it getting to 5400ft. I was reasonably confident that this would give me the required height climb not withstanding any convoluted calculation that might be involved.
The sea breeze front continued its march westwards passing over Tibenham where I set up what amounted to be a holding pattern over the field at about 5000ft +/- 200ft for what seemed like an hour although it was probably less. This was far more reminiscent of my commercial flying days but it did pass the time and the last two hours passed quite quickly.
By about 1730hrs the front had started to dissipate and with it the cumulus also started to disappear. I had one of those sinking feelings that I was going to drop down just a few minutes short! Luck however was on my side and there were enough residual thermals around for me to hover around 3000ft to 4000ft until finally 5 hrs airborne arrived. I made good and sure I had a reasonable excess to allow for for the tow time and then made a high speed dart for terr firma, by now my backside aching and feet that felt as if they had gone to sleep. According to my GPS, 241 track miles and all within 10 miles of Tibenham and as someone remarked an awful lot of circles! Nevertheless, a great flight.
First 500 - finally
A late night text from Tom Smith saying "Planning 750 tomorrow, west forecast to be mega. Getting to TIB at 8:50" was enough to send me to SeeYou thinking a 500 might be a sensible compromise. Dave Masson's forecast was short and to the point "possibly the day of the year" was more than enough encouragement. RASP and wind forecast suggested that getting west of BSE was the first challenge, staying west would be a good idea and that the final stretch back to TIB was going to be compromised by a wind swinging round to the north and a probable sea breeze from the East coast. A high cloud base and a final glide in from Newmarket was what I was hoping for ... so let's try EDGehill - Cambridge West - Silverston (520km).
Sunday morning brought me a text from Mark saying that the glider and trailer were serviceable, I didn't notice he had sent it late the night before and his response to my call at 7:45 was surprisingly free from expletives! Having rigged and watered all that was left to do was suggest to James Francis that it would be a good day to try for 300 - "but I've only flown it once" attracted the response "good - so you know how it works then ..."
Tom left at 10:00 and as I decide 11 was a sensible launch time I was glad to see that Tom had got away when I climbed into the 27. A tow to just shy of 3,000 gave me a good start height to push out into the west where the cu base was already up to around 2,500.
A REMINDER TO ALL ... when flying badge flights the start options are 1) a 45° sector 2) a 1km line or 3) a 500m radius barrel NOT the 12km line ... I did manage to get 1 logger point in the sector - phewww, and James F is relieve the sector is infinitely large or we would both have missed out on the claims!
Progress out of Suffolk was slow and I was relived to get to Newmarket where the weather was picking up and 3000 was achievable at 3kts. A low point at Oakington led me to dump my water before picking up 2.6kts got me going. It was now 12:30 - 90mins for 90km - not fast but hopefully it was going to improve.
Cloud base after St Neots so was up to 4,500 with regular 3.5kt climbs and the rest of the run to Edgehill was at about 90kph with a light headwind. I was reassured that Dave Masson and RASP had been right by the number of gliders I saw, perhaps a FLARM should be on this years early Christmas present list.
The run back down wind to Cambridge was rewarded with a 6.5kt climb just short of the TP to give a tactical high downwind TP before turning at
14:50 and having dragged the task speed up to 80kph I now had a chance of finishing earlier than I'd first feared, at about 17:30, so hopefully the conditions east of Newmarket would be OK.
Back to Silverstone was another breeze, lots of gliders marking climbs, some unusual sights like the Super Dimona G-LIDA doing as its name suggests with the engine off!
I tried to contact Tom a couple of time but was rewarded with Radio Cook on full bore each time so mostly flew in blissful radio silence. Having turned SIL at 1540 the next 100km was uneventful and reasonably paced, approaching Cambridge the main concern was to get up to cloud base which was now above 5,200.
A final climb at 17:00 at Red Lodge on the A11 took me to 4500 with a 44km glide - the sky ahead was still looking good so off I went ... alas none of the cloud on track gave any indication of lift and I squeaked onto the end of the Grass on 08 with 100' to spare.
All over in a mere 6:13 for 84kph - a task I've attempted whenever I and a glider and the weather have coincided since 2004!
Flight on ladder: http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=21133
Sunday morning brought me a text from Mark saying that the glider and trailer were serviceable, I didn't notice he had sent it late the night before and his response to my call at 7:45 was surprisingly free from expletives! Having rigged and watered all that was left to do was suggest to James Francis that it would be a good day to try for 300 - "but I've only flown it once" attracted the response "good - so you know how it works then ..."
Tom left at 10:00 and as I decide 11 was a sensible launch time I was glad to see that Tom had got away when I climbed into the 27. A tow to just shy of 3,000 gave me a good start height to push out into the west where the cu base was already up to around 2,500.
Progress out of Suffolk was slow and I was relived to get to Newmarket where the weather was picking up and 3000 was achievable at 3kts. A low point at Oakington led me to dump my water before picking up 2.6kts got me going. It was now 12:30 - 90mins for 90km - not fast but hopefully it was going to improve.
Cloud base after St Neots so was up to 4,500 with regular 3.5kt climbs and the rest of the run to Edgehill was at about 90kph with a light headwind. I was reassured that Dave Masson and RASP had been right by the number of gliders I saw, perhaps a FLARM should be on this years early Christmas present list.
The run back down wind to Cambridge was rewarded with a 6.5kt climb just short of the TP to give a tactical high downwind TP before turning at
14:50 and having dragged the task speed up to 80kph I now had a chance of finishing earlier than I'd first feared, at about 17:30, so hopefully the conditions east of Newmarket would be OK.
Back to Silverstone was another breeze, lots of gliders marking climbs, some unusual sights like the Super Dimona G-LIDA doing as its name suggests with the engine off!
I tried to contact Tom a couple of time but was rewarded with Radio Cook on full bore each time so mostly flew in blissful radio silence. Having turned SIL at 1540 the next 100km was uneventful and reasonably paced, approaching Cambridge the main concern was to get up to cloud base which was now above 5,200.
A final climb at 17:00 at Red Lodge on the A11 took me to 4500 with a 44km glide - the sky ahead was still looking good so off I went ... alas none of the cloud on track gave any indication of lift and I squeaked onto the end of the Grass on 08 with 100' to spare.
All over in a mere 6:13 for 84kph - a task I've attempted whenever I and a glider and the weather have coincided since 2004!
Flight on ladder: http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=21133
Tibenham's New Fantastic Four!
It was an amazing day of achievement which concluded with 2 first 300km Diamond Goal flights by James Francis (Cirrus - it was only James' second flight on type!) and Simon Urry (Mosquito), 1 first 500km Diamond Distance by Tim Davies (ASW-27) and an outstanding 750km flight by Tom Smith (LS8-15m)! So Tibenham has a new Fantastic Four - with a new motto: "Younger...Faster...Further!"
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Well Done guys.
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Toms' Flight at: http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=21143
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The forecast said it would be fabulous west of East Anglia, and those who went for it were rewarded with excellent conditions once they got past Newmarket. The conditions locally were soarable but by no means special with broken thermals that were difficult to centre (pretty much as RASP, etc. suggested). In addition to the Fantastic 4, Dave Taylor flew to Bedford and back, and Will Day landed back early at 2pm to let his syndicate partner, John Kinley, have the Vega only to find he had gone soaring with me in T12 - Doh! Others out included Jenny, Andrew H, Ben H, Jo Hoy, Ben M and sveral others plus the duty crew; Andy V (Full Cat), Steve F-H (Basic) and Steve Cat flying the tug who kept everything running smothly.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Fabulously Fun Friday
A great fun day. A blue start that improved dramatically once the thermals punched through the inversion. When I arrived Mike Crook was preping the Astir for a Silver duration attempt, whilst Wilko and Peter R were already rigged. Mick instructed some A/X flights in the K21 and later flew with Ratty in the Grob109. Jo Hoy was also out and Brian K. flew the tug.
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I decided to join in the task of the day with Pete and Wilko and we all went round the new "President's Triangle", then played about in the sea breeze front for a while. Once the inversion burst it was very good and we should really have gone further (2-300km was definately on) but the high crops and lack of landable fields meant I was satisfied with a quick(ish) 117km! I took off last, around 2:00pm BST. Cloud base eventually rose to 5,500ft and there was 4-6 knots in places, but some big sink too! Mike Crook was successful and got his 5 hours and Silver height (just distance to do now) - well done Mike!
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President's Triangle
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Surprisingly Soarable Saturday
Cool ENE winds (15-20kts at altitude) made it feel more like early spring than summer. However, by lunchtime usable thermals were popping and those that flew were treated to some decent soaring whilst much of England was exposed to the front lying out to the west.
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Dave Munro ran the day aided by Paul Wilkinson doing the BI flying. Others out included Art, Jenny, Geoff T, Ratty, Mark W in his ASW27, Andy and Tom Smith flying their LS8 (Tom completed the new President's Triangle) and me. But the man of the moment was Ben Harker who completed his XC Endorsment Field Landing Cx with Dave Munro in the G109 this morning and then flew a club Astir for 2Hrs plus to push himself further towards his Bronze and XC ticket - Well done Ben! East Anglia certainly seemed to have the best of what weather was on offer today. Longest soaring flight of the day was 3:46. Silver duration was possible!
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Where there's an Will...
With Mick off sick (though on the mend and hopefully back soon) Will Day stepped in to instruct and keep the club airborne...and a good job he did too! We didn't get the big weather that was forecast further West, but despite a lot of cloud and the sun having difficulty penetrating it was surprisingly soarable. Due greatly to Will's enthusiasm there were a number of soaring flights in both club and private gliders. I didn't arrive until after lunch but was encouraged to get the '20' out I still managed an enjoyable couple of hours despite the 15kt+ NW'ly wind at 2000ft and the NOTAM'd Mil-Ex to our immediate West which made going anywhere except downwind difficult! Others out included Ratty, Mike Crook, Geoff T, Steve F-H, Grum, Mike W. and George B'ski.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Day 9 Spring Task Week
Final day of the task week, Phil Sillet running the airfield, and after Tim's successful task setting yesterday he agreed to set todays. Weather was strong easterlies, blue with it looking much better in the west.
Tim set us multiple choice turnpoint task for mere mortals was TIB-HTN-THE-BSE-RAT-TIB, and for himself and the other pundits TIB-GRL-TIB.
In the end it turned out to be particularly difficult soaring conditions locally, with around 2knts to about 2oooft, and a 15knt north easterly wind. Pete Ryland had the best chance motoring inland to Honington before setting off on task to Olny. A few lucky pilots caught the duty thermal drifting towards HTN which did punch up through the inversion to about 2400ft on occasion, but no brave souls pushed out any further.
James flew his first flight in the Cirrus, also doing the longest flight of the day around 2hrs 45mins.
So thanks to all who participated, for those that flew XC please get your flights on the ladder - with or without traces - it all helps justify keeping our open airspace. www.bgaladder.co.uk
Well done to Pete Ryland winning the Spring Task Cup with a flight yesterday to Silverstone scoring the highest for the week. The Cup is presented at our annual dinner dance, and I understand Pete was the last winner some years ago, so he may be presenting it to himself - There was a suggestion we tape up his engine for the next task week to give the rest of us a chance!
Thank you to Ian, Don and Tim as weather and task setters, also Pete who was on standby for task setting and advising on ladder queries. And to Mick and the weekend duty teams for allowing us to hijack the briefing.
Proposed Summer Task Fornight from 25 July to 9th August.
Tim set us multiple choice turnpoint task for mere mortals was TIB-HTN-THE-BSE-RAT-TIB, and for himself and the other pundits TIB-GRL-TIB.
In the end it turned out to be particularly difficult soaring conditions locally, with around 2knts to about 2oooft, and a 15knt north easterly wind. Pete Ryland had the best chance motoring inland to Honington before setting off on task to Olny. A few lucky pilots caught the duty thermal drifting towards HTN which did punch up through the inversion to about 2400ft on occasion, but no brave souls pushed out any further.
James flew his first flight in the Cirrus, also doing the longest flight of the day around 2hrs 45mins.
So thanks to all who participated, for those that flew XC please get your flights on the ladder - with or without traces - it all helps justify keeping our open airspace. www.bgaladder.co.uk
Well done to Pete Ryland winning the Spring Task Cup with a flight yesterday to Silverstone scoring the highest for the week. The Cup is presented at our annual dinner dance, and I understand Pete was the last winner some years ago, so he may be presenting it to himself - There was a suggestion we tape up his engine for the next task week to give the rest of us a chance!
Thank you to Ian, Don and Tim as weather and task setters, also Pete who was on standby for task setting and advising on ladder queries. And to Mick and the weekend duty teams for allowing us to hijack the briefing.
Proposed Summer Task Fornight from 25 July to 9th August.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Spring Task Week - Saturday
A good turn out of club members again, and Tim ran the day, including setting the tasks. Although the weather was not great - strong easterlies, at last we have some tasks attempted!! Pete Ryland winning the day with a trip to Sailverstone, returning to Honington before abandoning task. Paul Wilkinson did Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds before landing ar Rougham for an aerotow retrieve.
Flight of merit today was Dave Rusbridge in the club Astir turning Newmarket for a field landing somewhere near Brandon, thereby completing his first 50k for bonus points and completing his Silver for even more points!!
Flight of merit today was Dave Rusbridge in the club Astir turning Newmarket for a field landing somewhere near Brandon, thereby completing his first 50k for bonus points and completing his Silver for even more points!!
Friday, 29 May 2009
Spring Task Week - Friday
I was not around, however Mick ran the day and Don set some tasks. Only really soarable locally, however Will flew about 140k locally.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Spring Task Week - Wed & Thur
No tasks over Wednesday and Thursday due to poor weather. Mick ran the airfield and some local flights were made.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Day 4 Spring Task Week
Briefing at 10am today, with a presentation for Rachel and Eddy on their 25th wedding anniversary. The weather started very wet but with the clearance expected midday and soarable if windy conditions to follow, the task was set as East Dereham, Fakenham. Operation Snoopy was also put forward.
So after lunch, we took the K21 and tug out to the launch point on the church runway, and with wind blowing 15-20knts started operations. Mick flew with Paul T, Paul Woodcock and Mike Bean. Mark completed EDE PIK undeclared and Pete Ryland launched in the DG for Crowland and Snoopy, (so someone took the challenge - and Percy had a nice flight to Brandon and back!).
The weather certainly looked impressive and reported climbs of 4-5knts with cloudbase around 5000ft. However the wind was very strong - up to 20knts at surface, 28knts at height.
We had visitors from Wattisham who brought along the RAFGSA's Duo Discus XL and did some cross country flying towards Wattisham and back.
Monday, 25 May 2009
Day 3 Spring Task Week
Bank Holiday Monday, and a slower than usual start to preceedings. Briefing at 10am, the forecast was poor for the east, but there was a chance of some thermal activity. Ian set us a pilot assigned task ie. choose a variety of local turnpoints and turn up to 4.
In addition Operation Get Snoopy was launched. Percy Penguin currently resides behind the club bar, and Crowland have Snoopy. The challenge is to take off at Tib, land at Crowland and swap Percy for Snoopy.
Unfortunately the top cover didn't really clear well enough for the thermals to properly generate. Eventually flying off 08 (we changed ends a few times before getting started!), Will set up and drove the winch to start and I flew with Paul Thompson for a couple of winch training circuits, Tim H did some aeros in the K21 and a couple of trail lesson aerotows were also flown. Others also out included Mick, Mark, Jenny, Wilco, Ian, Mike Watson with Tony tugging.
So no scoring tasks today. With thunderstorms expected overnight everyone senisbly derigged. However there is a clearance expected midday tomorrow, so breifing at 10am with Don doing our weather and task setting.
In addition Operation Get Snoopy was launched. Percy Penguin currently resides behind the club bar, and Crowland have Snoopy. The challenge is to take off at Tib, land at Crowland and swap Percy for Snoopy.
Unfortunately the top cover didn't really clear well enough for the thermals to properly generate. Eventually flying off 08 (we changed ends a few times before getting started!), Will set up and drove the winch to start and I flew with Paul Thompson for a couple of winch training circuits, Tim H did some aeros in the K21 and a couple of trail lesson aerotows were also flown. Others also out included Mick, Mark, Jenny, Wilco, Ian, Mike Watson with Tony tugging.
So no scoring tasks today. With thunderstorms expected overnight everyone senisbly derigged. However there is a clearance expected midday tomorrow, so breifing at 10am with Don doing our weather and task setting.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Day 2 Spring Task Week
Blue with tops of climbs about 3000ft locally, however those that were brave and tasked saw 4000ft in places.
Mick and Ben H. flew the K21 on task to Honington return, however conditions were not good and so they locally soared. On returning they went to collect Jenny from a field towards Honington. Well done Jenny for going for it on a difficult day. Ben had his first taster of field retrieves, luckily this was a nice one in an easy place to find!
Adrian completed Honington return in his ASW19 and Steve FH completed the same task in his ASW20, both entering their first flight on the BGA ladder.
Paul Wilkinson and Mark declared larger tasks going out towards Cambridge and Rattlesden, Mark landing at Rattlesden, but Paul completing the task with one turn point missed.
Ian launched around 3:30 and did a quick out and return to Newmarket - proving the task was possible and doing his fastest task of the year at 72kph.
But flight of the day was Peter Ryland going to Northampton and a landout at Grafham Water.
Mention also for Harley who converted into the Astir. And Simon who flew for over 4 hours in his Mosquito (longest flight of the day).
42 launches and half a dozen flights of over 2 hours. A good day had by all.
Mick and Ben H. flew the K21 on task to Honington return, however conditions were not good and so they locally soared. On returning they went to collect Jenny from a field towards Honington. Well done Jenny for going for it on a difficult day. Ben had his first taster of field retrieves, luckily this was a nice one in an easy place to find!Adrian completed Honington return in his ASW19 and Steve FH completed the same task in his ASW20, both entering their first flight on the BGA ladder.
Paul Wilkinson and Mark declared larger tasks going out towards Cambridge and Rattlesden, Mark landing at Rattlesden, but Paul completing the task with one turn point missed.
Ian launched around 3:30 and did a quick out and return to Newmarket - proving the task was possible and doing his fastest task of the year at 72kph.
But flight of the day was Peter Ryland going to Northampton and a landout at Grafham Water.
Mention also for Harley who converted into the Astir. And Simon who flew for over 4 hours in his Mosquito (longest flight of the day).
42 launches and half a dozen flights of over 2 hours. A good day had by all.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Spring task week starts
...and we have good weather! It was great to see so many people turn up for an early start - Simon Ully and Jenny Novak both beating me to the hangar at 8:15 this morning!
Ian's forecast was for pretty good weather south of us, and so a multiple choice task was set. First turn point Rattlesden, then a variety across to Northampton West.
Quite a few declared 300k, Norman, Tim D, Ian, Bob, Dave T all setting out with big plans. With an easterly wind (completely different to forecast), cloudbase of about 2500ft, and the scent of the maltings wafting across the airfield, it started to go blue, and then top cover gradually killed the 2-3knt thermal activity around the airfield by about 3pm. Tim Davies getting the best of the day with completing TIB - RAT - DEP - TIB
Part of the task week is to encourage people to achieve something for themselves, however big or small, and so I should mention Simon Ully who flew his first flight in his new Mosquito, Dave Rusbridge who planned his silver distance (even though conditions meant the flight wasnt really on), and all those who rigged and flew where they would not have normally bothered.
Ray and myself were duty team, flying some trial lessons and a few check flights. JRK brought along family friends to fly, and I flew with a lady who had been bought the flight for her 80th birthday 6 months ago!
We filled up 2 pages of the logsheet, with flight times varying from a few minutes on check flights to over 2hours for the guys going XC.
So a good day, and a nice start to the week. Thanks to all who turned up, flew, helped out. See you at briefing tomorrow 9:30am.
Ian's forecast was for pretty good weather south of us, and so a multiple choice task was set. First turn point Rattlesden, then a variety across to Northampton West.
Quite a few declared 300k, Norman, Tim D, Ian, Bob, Dave T all setting out with big plans. With an easterly wind (completely different to forecast), cloudbase of about 2500ft, and the scent of the maltings wafting across the airfield, it started to go blue, and then top cover gradually killed the 2-3knt thermal activity around the airfield by about 3pm. Tim Davies getting the best of the day with completing TIB - RAT - DEP - TIB
Part of the task week is to encourage people to achieve something for themselves, however big or small, and so I should mention Simon Ully who flew his first flight in his new Mosquito, Dave Rusbridge who planned his silver distance (even though conditions meant the flight wasnt really on), and all those who rigged and flew where they would not have normally bothered.
Ray and myself were duty team, flying some trial lessons and a few check flights. JRK brought along family friends to fly, and I flew with a lady who had been bought the flight for her 80th birthday 6 months ago!
We filled up 2 pages of the logsheet, with flight times varying from a few minutes on check flights to over 2hours for the guys going XC.
So a good day, and a nice start to the week. Thanks to all who turned up, flew, helped out. See you at briefing tomorrow 9:30am.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Leading the Ladder
Some good soaring was available this weekend if you were prepared to work for it. Several ladder entries, mostly via the Rattlesden inter-club league meet. Back at TIB Will Day went round the President's Triangle twice...but the man of the moment is Pete Ryland who claimed the first 300km+ flight to be flown from Tibenham this season and the highest scoring ladder claim of the year so far! Well done Peter.
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http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=20302
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http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=20302
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http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Poor piss planning
Having been on duty on Saturday while nobody at NGC was making use of the weather that allowed huge flights in the rest of the country - nothing was going to stop me flying on Sunday.
I arrived at 10 and was rigged pretty quickly thanks to Jo Hoy's patience. The forecast wind and the actual wind suggested pushing straight into wind was the best option so I declared Crowland Bridge o/r for 189km as RASP had looked "a bit funny" - I think this was probably a sign of streeting and occasional over development and later wave influence as the wind went more NWly.
Launching at 12:15 into a 2kt climb to 3,000 was enough to call a start and begin pushing up wind - as always the first good energy line ran straight towards Old Buckenham - so I called them on 124.40 and was allowed through - obviously too windy for meat bombs.
The fist need to climb came a few k short of Scoulton where 4kt average took me quickly to 3,500 and then it was off following the energy with the pull ups and slow downs under the cu keeping me high thought the 20kt head wind was knocking down the xc speed. At this stage I realised I should have put water on and thinking of water - oh f**k no pee bags!
At Wisbeach I had enough height to run in and make the turn lowish at about 1,500' and start what was promising to be a quick romp home - but 5kt 12km out had to be taken so I turned at a very conservative 3,500' - making the first leg 1hr 30m for 62kph.
The return leg was a breeze - after topping up 15km after the turn to 4,700' the next glide was 50km to the edge of D208 with an achieved L/D of 100:1. Arriving at the Danger area at 2,700' I needed some extra to take me over the top, and another 5kts to 4,000 left me 1,000 over a 3kt M/C final glide - most of it at Vra as it was rough - the leg taking 40m for 152kph and an overall speed of 88kph.
Any lessons to learn?
1) Preparation - there were pee bags in the trailer
2) Water - you can always dump it - can't dump it if it isn't there
3) Optimism - I feel that the minimum I should have declared was 300km
Ladder Posting here
I arrived at 10 and was rigged pretty quickly thanks to Jo Hoy's patience. The forecast wind and the actual wind suggested pushing straight into wind was the best option so I declared Crowland Bridge o/r for 189km as RASP had looked "a bit funny" - I think this was probably a sign of streeting and occasional over development and later wave influence as the wind went more NWly.
Launching at 12:15 into a 2kt climb to 3,000 was enough to call a start and begin pushing up wind - as always the first good energy line ran straight towards Old Buckenham - so I called them on 124.40 and was allowed through - obviously too windy for meat bombs.
The fist need to climb came a few k short of Scoulton where 4kt average took me quickly to 3,500 and then it was off following the energy with the pull ups and slow downs under the cu keeping me high thought the 20kt head wind was knocking down the xc speed. At this stage I realised I should have put water on and thinking of water - oh f**k no pee bags!
At Wisbeach I had enough height to run in and make the turn lowish at about 1,500' and start what was promising to be a quick romp home - but 5kt 12km out had to be taken so I turned at a very conservative 3,500' - making the first leg 1hr 30m for 62kph.
The return leg was a breeze - after topping up 15km after the turn to 4,700' the next glide was 50km to the edge of D208 with an achieved L/D of 100:1. Arriving at the Danger area at 2,700' I needed some extra to take me over the top, and another 5kts to 4,000 left me 1,000 over a 3kt M/C final glide - most of it at Vra as it was rough - the leg taking 40m for 152kph and an overall speed of 88kph.
Any lessons to learn?
1) Preparation - there were pee bags in the trailer
2) Water - you can always dump it - can't dump it if it isn't there
3) Optimism - I feel that the minimum I should have declared was 300km
Ladder Posting here
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Twice around in late afternoon.
Saturday April 25 TIB-DIS-PIC-NOE-TIB
With the DG back on line and two short flights made in April, I was cursing missing the good weather found by John and Ray earlier in April, due to ongoing building work at my place and running the business in hard times, but Saturday looked possible, depending on which forecast was correct, either before or after the predicted weak cold front. Rain in the West.
Mid morning rigged with help of Mark, whose comment " Where is everyone?" was answered by me, "We are here, let's get rigged!" to forestall him getting stuck into a late breakfast from Delia.
Some short local soaring with weak conditions was going on, but as I finished fettling I could see the 7 to 8 eighths cloud which had rolled in from the South beginning to thin behind, so I decided that it must be a very weak cold front indeed. (A strong cold front is more common at this time of the year, which normally consists of towering walls of cloud, rain and often thunder for less than an hour, followed by bright, crisp cool air. Normally good soaring conditions, but often unstable with smaller localised showers with snow above 2000 feet........ good fun!)
Clearance of overcast took another half hour or more, but eventually I was up into unstable air but disappointingly low cloudbase at 3000 feet with only Norman in 20 for company, plus the occasional 2 seater. I messed about locally for over an hour, noticing that the cloud base was rising, even though I did not get near it due to rejecting weak climbs often. Of course, this was a very weak front, so the whole thing was very mixed up and the new airmass was slow to become its pure self. Decision was to start as soon as I could do so at 1000m, so with a climb at last to 3800 feet, I burned the height a bit and made a start at 14.53. I was far too cautious as it panned out, as the conditions improved rapidly, so that by the time I was thermalling close to Watton and watching their cadets launching, the cloudbase was almost 5000 feet and I found my vario shouting "6 knots!!" So from then on, a fast run with a wide detour away from Costessey, I was round in 1 hour 21 min.
This was too good to waste, so I thought another lap was in order, but unfortunately I did not get away from my finish height and relaunched(thank you Iron Thermal) and restarted at 3330 feet at 16.37. Faster first two turnpoints, but then the sky was beginning to clear of clouds and the brisk 15 knot wind was increasing. At Norwich East, I could smell the sewage but did not expect to get back, so messed about trying to get enough height from Thorpe Business Park for final glide. I failed and set off directly upwind to Tib, expecting not to make it. However, due to luck and it being directly into wind, I found enough reduced sink in the blue street that I did manage to make a competition finish, unobserved, as all the gliders were away and everyone was in the bar. 1 hr 37. Thanks Dave for helping to derig.
So, a very good afternoon's flying! 2 complete laps of the triangle and my fist ladder entry of the year.
Lesson learned: do not be impatient. If I had started 30 mins later and just done the one lap, I could easily have increased my 86 kph by another 10. Ray still leads the President's Triangle mini comp.
Please put all your flights away from Tib on the National ladder. This then forms the club ladder for NGC and all flights posted with logger files are counted towards the ladder trophy. Current holder is Tom Smith.
See it on the BGA ladder:
http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/DispLadder.asp?Season=2009&ClubID=NGC&Ladder=O&PageSize=9999&ExComps=&Log=Y
Peter
(PICture is PIC with its new thermal generating wind turbines!)
Best flight yet
To go or not to go, that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and glides of a poor day or to stay at home and do something useful!
I was up at the crack of dawn to check RASP and the other forecasts. We were still in the grips of the stable high pressure air that has dominated for quite some time but there was a cold front due to pass though during the day which might change things. Anyway, I decided to stay at home and to try to finish off my kitchen worktops. I was keeping half an eye on the weather as I was interested to see if the cold front would make much difference. By lunchtime I had pretty much forgotten about it all when I noticed a tiny cumulus cloud through the window. 'Oh my god,' I said out loud. Poor Robyn thought I had just discovered something terrible in one of the cupboards. 'I've got to go,' I said. She now understood exactly what I meant!
I got to the airfield at about 1:30 and put my name on the list. People were just managing to stay up. There were thermals around but they were pretty tight and disorganised due to the relatively stiff Southerly wind. The K21 was free so I took a winch launch with Jan due to the fact that I was still getting back into it after a long layoff. We found a little lift but were back on the ground fairly shortly. The remnants of the front were starting to clear and it was all beginning to look rather promising. I had a feeling this was going to be a good chance for me to get a decent flight in. Timing seems to be everything in gliding and my turn in the Astir came round just about perfect. I got about 1350' from the winch and pushed South into the wind hoping to pick up some lift. It's a great feeling flying into lift, especially off the winch when conditions look good. So I was off, right up to 3000'. I have flown on days with reasonable lift but never anything as good as this. It just seemed to be getting better and better with the cloud base eventually reaching 5000' plus. For the first time I had the feeling it could actually be possible to go somewhere by flying from thermal to thermal. Not that I did go anywhere, but I'm sure I could have. After what seemed like ages I radioed down to see how long I had been up. Jenny told me 50 minutes and that there wasn't anyone else waiting for the glider. X-ray 19 told me to stay up for at least an hour and ten to get a bronze leg. At the time I thought this was Ray Hart flying Jenny's ASW 19 but I now think it was John R K. What he didn't tell me at the time was that if I had stayed up for 2 hours I could have got something towards my cross country endorsement. Anyway I decided I would just stay up there until someone told me to come down. The air was crystal clear by now and the view was stunning. It's just amazing how quickly things can change when a different air mass comes through. There was lift everywhere and I really felt like a proper glider pilot. Inevitably that call eventually came so I pulled the air brakes and was on the ground in about 10 minutes. I did a rubbish landing. Ray said the third one was OK!. There was an hour and thirty nine in the log book, which was by far my best and longest flight so far. I felt so calm and happy, having achieved that magical combination of a free glider, and perfect conditions.
When I got home I looked up the satellite pictures of the day (see below). You can clearly see the cold front pushing away the hazy high pressure air and replacing it with clear unstable air which immediately started to boil.
8am
12am
4pm
I was up at the crack of dawn to check RASP and the other forecasts. We were still in the grips of the stable high pressure air that has dominated for quite some time but there was a cold front due to pass though during the day which might change things. Anyway, I decided to stay at home and to try to finish off my kitchen worktops. I was keeping half an eye on the weather as I was interested to see if the cold front would make much difference. By lunchtime I had pretty much forgotten about it all when I noticed a tiny cumulus cloud through the window. 'Oh my god,' I said out loud. Poor Robyn thought I had just discovered something terrible in one of the cupboards. 'I've got to go,' I said. She now understood exactly what I meant!
I got to the airfield at about 1:30 and put my name on the list. People were just managing to stay up. There were thermals around but they were pretty tight and disorganised due to the relatively stiff Southerly wind. The K21 was free so I took a winch launch with Jan due to the fact that I was still getting back into it after a long layoff. We found a little lift but were back on the ground fairly shortly. The remnants of the front were starting to clear and it was all beginning to look rather promising. I had a feeling this was going to be a good chance for me to get a decent flight in. Timing seems to be everything in gliding and my turn in the Astir came round just about perfect. I got about 1350' from the winch and pushed South into the wind hoping to pick up some lift. It's a great feeling flying into lift, especially off the winch when conditions look good. So I was off, right up to 3000'. I have flown on days with reasonable lift but never anything as good as this. It just seemed to be getting better and better with the cloud base eventually reaching 5000' plus. For the first time I had the feeling it could actually be possible to go somewhere by flying from thermal to thermal. Not that I did go anywhere, but I'm sure I could have. After what seemed like ages I radioed down to see how long I had been up. Jenny told me 50 minutes and that there wasn't anyone else waiting for the glider. X-ray 19 told me to stay up for at least an hour and ten to get a bronze leg. At the time I thought this was Ray Hart flying Jenny's ASW 19 but I now think it was John R K. What he didn't tell me at the time was that if I had stayed up for 2 hours I could have got something towards my cross country endorsement. Anyway I decided I would just stay up there until someone told me to come down. The air was crystal clear by now and the view was stunning. It's just amazing how quickly things can change when a different air mass comes through. There was lift everywhere and I really felt like a proper glider pilot. Inevitably that call eventually came so I pulled the air brakes and was on the ground in about 10 minutes. I did a rubbish landing. Ray said the third one was OK!. There was an hour and thirty nine in the log book, which was by far my best and longest flight so far. I felt so calm and happy, having achieved that magical combination of a free glider, and perfect conditions.
When I got home I looked up the satellite pictures of the day (see below). You can clearly see the cold front pushing away the hazy high pressure air and replacing it with clear unstable air which immediately started to boil.
8am
12am
4pm
Sunday, 5 April 2009
That's more like it!
As I said "always make a declaration".
Will on duty, and as the morning progressed more pilots appeared. Having already done the monthly check on the winch, once again the ASW19 was rigged. A few others had done similarly: Ray; Paul W. ; Barry and Ben; Mark (the CFI); Des and Dave; Phil H; Phil S plus others I am sure I missed. A later start than planned, the sky took a while to get going, but Ray and I were off to christen the new version of The President's Triangle (TIB-DIS-PIC-NOE-TIB). Cunningly devised to be over 100km, away from the western stub projection of Norwich International Airport but close enough to remind them we have the right to be here (although we do live in harmony).
At about 14.07 I took a winch launch, and then again 10 minutes later, connecting this time. Ray was off first time and, given his speed had probably finished before I got to 3000'. I got round pretty briskly and took a thermal before finishing just to extend the flight time!
Great views over the city and a splendid inauguration. On landing a tired looking Ass Cat (Jan)asked if I would mind taking a trial. 16.30 and the sky was dying quickly but the trial had a great 30 minute flight. I derigged and set off for the committee meeting, a glorious end to a glorious day!
Art; you have to be in a glider by 14.00 if you are going to get that silver height, never mind the Tiger Moth. They don't need thermals (noisy, smelly, dirty, engined things!)
Will on duty, and as the morning progressed more pilots appeared. Having already done the monthly check on the winch, once again the ASW19 was rigged. A few others had done similarly: Ray; Paul W. ; Barry and Ben; Mark (the CFI); Des and Dave; Phil H; Phil S plus others I am sure I missed. A later start than planned, the sky took a while to get going, but Ray and I were off to christen the new version of The President's Triangle (TIB-DIS-PIC-NOE-TIB). Cunningly devised to be over 100km, away from the western stub projection of Norwich International Airport but close enough to remind them we have the right to be here (although we do live in harmony).
At about 14.07 I took a winch launch, and then again 10 minutes later, connecting this time. Ray was off first time and, given his speed had probably finished before I got to 3000'. I got round pretty briskly and took a thermal before finishing just to extend the flight time!
Great views over the city and a splendid inauguration. On landing a tired looking Ass Cat (Jan)asked if I would mind taking a trial. 16.30 and the sky was dying quickly but the trial had a great 30 minute flight. I derigged and set off for the committee meeting, a glorious end to a glorious day!
Art; you have to be in a glider by 14.00 if you are going to get that silver height, never mind the Tiger Moth. They don't need thermals (noisy, smelly, dirty, engined things!)
Turned out nice again...
The morning started clearer than yesterday with hopes from RASP of thermals up to 5000ft. Will ran the day, with myself, JRK and Ben Magnani flying the trial lessons. After a runway change the soaring started around midday.
The Astir N12 returned back into service after its C of A and Bob Grieve test flew it ready for George Backowski to completed his silver height - well done George (apparantly he's never bothered claiming it).
Paul Wilkinson finished his BI acceptance flights with Mark and is now ready to join the roster - well done Capt Wilko.
When the K13 was returned to Will a number of AFRs and checks were completed, spinning being the theme of the day
Many gliders were rigged on such a good forecast, and tasks planned. Tasks seemed to be of the order of 100-150km as the weather appeared to be locally good, thermal strength between 3-5knts and cloudbase reported over 5000 at times. However the top cover spoiled the day around 4pm.
Those going places included Ray Hart (doing the presidents triangle in just over an hour), Dave Taylor, Des O'Brien, Ben M, Barry Marcham, JRK, Tom Smith, Phil Hayward, Mark Wright and probably a few others - it was quite busy. Dont forget to put your flights/traces on the ladder!
I had originally planned to come and fly the Astir as my glider is already over in Wales, but I didn't managed to get into the Astir until well after the sky had collapsed, with a fantastic 9 minute flight! Never mind, I did do over 2 hours instructing in lovely soaring conditions and it was great to see so many club members out.
The Astir N12 returned back into service after its C of A and Bob Grieve test flew it ready for George Backowski to completed his silver height - well done George (apparantly he's never bothered claiming it).
Paul Wilkinson finished his BI acceptance flights with Mark and is now ready to join the roster - well done Capt Wilko.
When the K13 was returned to Will a number of AFRs and checks were completed, spinning being the theme of the day
Many gliders were rigged on such a good forecast, and tasks planned. Tasks seemed to be of the order of 100-150km as the weather appeared to be locally good, thermal strength between 3-5knts and cloudbase reported over 5000 at times. However the top cover spoiled the day around 4pm.
Those going places included Ray Hart (doing the presidents triangle in just over an hour), Dave Taylor, Des O'Brien, Ben M, Barry Marcham, JRK, Tom Smith, Phil Hayward, Mark Wright and probably a few others - it was quite busy. Dont forget to put your flights/traces on the ladder!
I had originally planned to come and fly the Astir as my glider is already over in Wales, but I didn't managed to get into the Astir until well after the sky had collapsed, with a fantastic 9 minute flight! Never mind, I did do over 2 hours instructing in lovely soaring conditions and it was great to see so many club members out.
Monday, 30 March 2009
Pre-Frontal...
A few flights on aero-tow and in the Falke and G109 motor-gliders, plus a few other power movements. There was a little scratchy soaring but nothing like yesterday! Peter Molloy, visiting CFI from Dorset GC, enjoyed the best soaring flight of the day at just under an hour. An evening pre-frontal wave slot added some interest and the G109 allowed us to explore some gentle, if rather short-lived, lift (engine-off) towards the end of flying.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Always make a declaration
What a day! Phil S standing in for Will, a gin clear sky (at 9.00 BST), very bleary eyed (clocks going forward etc.) I figured that I might rig just in case. I helped get the club gliders out first as there was a BI course running and they needed the K13 for high tows. DIed the K21 and helped tow it out. Not many folk rigging, Ben and Barrie rigged Libby and Tim and Chris rigged HNC. As I reached the launch point a newish member needed a finishing lesson on how to use the winch. Well the sky still looked poor so why not? Only one launch needed so we dragged the cable back to the launch point only to discover that all the other winch driving pilots had gone for tea. Our new recruit was thrown in at the deep end and so I gave him a briefing on my launch and sent him back for his first unaccompanied launch. I waited for Ben to take an aerotow and then pushed on line for the winch. Away.... not bad for a first timer, 1000' before I released to prevent over speeding. Thermals were just building and I got to 2000' with no problems. From then it was charging around the market towns of Norfolk and a foray over the city at 4000'. A better pilot would have declared but I had a great time (4 hours and 17 minutes worth). Cloud base reached 5200' at times but cold feet defeated me in the end. What a marvelous day.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Not much ...
Front, trough, front, trough.
Ray Hart and I sat in on a BI Course and helped where needed - so you can now watch the BGA Winch Launching Safely videos on the computer in the briefing room - http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/safety/safewinchlaunching.htm
We also redesigned the "President's Triangle" so that it doesn't cross the Norwich approach.
A PDF will be distributed but the basic details are
TIB - NOE (Norwich East) - PIC (Pickenham) - DIS - TIB
or reverse
for 116km
Ray Hart and I sat in on a BI Course and helped where needed - so you can now watch the BGA Winch Launching Safely videos on the computer in the briefing room - http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/safety/safewinchlaunching.htm
We also redesigned the "President's Triangle" so that it doesn't cross the Norwich approach.
A PDF will be distributed but the basic details are
TIB - NOE (Norwich East) - PIC (Pickenham) - DIS - TIB
or reverse
for 116km
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Blustery but Bright Sunday
A very bright and windy Sunday eventually saw soaring flights of over an hour for George B'ski. Will Day, John Kinley and Geoff T & Barry Marcham. Not to be left out, I shook the cobwebs off my Cirrus and after a shakedown and trial flight following winter maintenance, managed over an hour myself. Conditions not ideal for XC with 21kts of wind at 2k and launching off 33 meant an interesting approach with the trees providing plenty of curl-over. At least the vis was much better than the previous 2 days.Andy Vidion ran the day with help from Ben Mangnani and Jonathan A. Thanks to Paul Thompson and his wife for providing the catering.
Others out were, Grum Ashworth, Mark Wright, James Francis Andrew Hewitt, Mike Tate and Pete C.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Hazy Day
A murky start did not put people off rigging, and although the thermals got going late under a thick inversion, it turned into a good local soarable day with many flights over 1hr. Dave Munro ran the day, with John Roche-Kelly kindly stepping in to take some trial lessons.
Our ab initios turned out in force including Oliver Bloomfield, Ben and Steve Kirk. Amongst the others out enjoying the day were Tom Smith, Chris Lawrence, Tim Highton, Mark Wright, Art Kerkoff, Geoff Tilly, Josie Briggs, Paul Wilkinson, James Francis. Ian Atherton and Roy Colman took a trip in the Grob 109 to Rattlesden returning at the end of flying.
I did just over an hour and a half in the 20, cheating a bit by taking a high tow above the 3000ft inversion and dropping down into the top of the thermals! Still a nice flight despite the poor visibility.
Our ab initios turned out in force including Oliver Bloomfield, Ben and Steve Kirk. Amongst the others out enjoying the day were Tom Smith, Chris Lawrence, Tim Highton, Mark Wright, Art Kerkoff, Geoff Tilly, Josie Briggs, Paul Wilkinson, James Francis. Ian Atherton and Roy Colman took a trip in the Grob 109 to Rattlesden returning at the end of flying.
I did just over an hour and a half in the 20, cheating a bit by taking a high tow above the 3000ft inversion and dropping down into the top of the thermals! Still a nice flight despite the poor visibility.
Friday, 20 March 2009
4 hours of thermals...
A misty start with the sun burning through to rapidly raise the cloudbase during the morning. The dew point quickly climbed above the inversion and the day went blue - but that was definitely not the end of the thermals. The inversion rose to around 3000ft and despite a SE wind there was around 4 hours of usable thermal activity. Country member Roy Colman got the longest flight of the day in Astir NG1 with 3 hours soaring. Others out included Paul Wilkinson doing some BI course prep, Tony Griffiths and Tim Highton, with Ian Atherton instructing and Jim Lawn providing the aero-tows.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Not a cloud...
Not a cloud in the sky. Very weak and short-lived blue thermals did finally bubble up but were mainly capped at 1500' by the inversion. Geoff T. did, however, somehow manage to scrape up to 2200'! Andy V. ran the day whilst I flew the G109 for Field Landing Refresher training with Wade, Adrian and Clive. Launching was off RWY 21 with winch launches reaching around 1600ft despite very light winds. This morning Jim L. retrieved the tug from Old Buck after maintenance.
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NGC's Grob 109a Motor-Glider
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
ATC Visit
A dull day with a weak front passing through so no flying. However, the day was used for some useful briefings in the morning followed by a visit to Norwich Airport ATC where we were shown round the Tower and the Radar Control Room. Our thanks to ATC staff Ian, Mark, Kate and Steve for an interesting afternoon - we even got a free cup of tea!
Monday, 16 March 2009
Blue, Blue, Blue...
Blue skies and stable conditions gave us a pleasant day to be out at the airfield, if slightly frustrating, waiting for a trigger temp that never quite got there. Some useful flying was achieved in the G109, whilst others fettled club kit.
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Soarable Sunday
Light NW winds and soarable conditions lead to long thermal streets enabled several cross-country excusions; the first of the year from Tibenham.
The Season Starts??
Sunday 15th March
A super day, half the club appeared to be out with a number of privateers rigging. A patient wait until 12.00 was rewarded with the sight of cumulus slowly developing in the Tibenham hole. Taking a launch at midday I almost paid the ultimate price, narrowly avoiding the fate of the next launch by hanging in the weakest of thermals as it developed. It took me the best part of an hour to reach 2000’ but once there the lift was 2-3 knots and by 13.30 went to 3300’. I spent most of the time in gliding range, just, with one or two excursions around turning points just beyond range. Streets formed later and I made Wymonham to Beccles with the loss of only 200’. I finished by spinning the 19 just to remind myself that the single-seater does recover when you do the right thing. Three hours seventeen minutes. Not bad for March, and RASP looks good enough for a proper cross-country on Saturday!
JohnR-K
A super day, half the club appeared to be out with a number of privateers rigging. A patient wait until 12.00 was rewarded with the sight of cumulus slowly developing in the Tibenham hole. Taking a launch at midday I almost paid the ultimate price, narrowly avoiding the fate of the next launch by hanging in the weakest of thermals as it developed. It took me the best part of an hour to reach 2000’ but once there the lift was 2-3 knots and by 13.30 went to 3300’. I spent most of the time in gliding range, just, with one or two excursions around turning points just beyond range. Streets formed later and I made Wymonham to Beccles with the loss of only 200’. I finished by spinning the 19 just to remind myself that the single-seater does recover when you do the right thing. Three hours seventeen minutes. Not bad for March, and RASP looks good enough for a proper cross-country on Saturday!
JohnR-K
And they're off...
Beautiful blue skies this morning with a light NW wind. Cu started to pop around 11:30am pretty much as forecast and a number of soaring flights followed over the next 4 hours until top cover killed the day around 3:30pm. There were several X/C excursions by private owners, mainly running the well established street between East Dereham (a military exercise DZ at Sculthorpe prevented us going much further NW) and Bungay allowing some decent 'local tasks' of well over 100km and nice views of each coast at the respective TPs. JRK soared the longest scratching away early to clock up well over 3 hours. Longest X/Cs were around 140km. Bob and Ben ran what turned out to be a really busy day with gliding and SLMG flying. Thanks to all who helped make it a good club days flying.
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One of several XC tasks completed today. TIB-SWA-BUN-EDE-TIB (145KM)
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Saturday
Poor weather in the morning gave way to better conditions in the afternoon. Mark Wright ran the day and a productive afternoon of instructional flying was acheived.
Friday, 13 March 2009
Friday
Mick was doing a few NPPL lessons in the motorglider and I turned up early afternoon after work to fly a member of the local press.
Cloudbase was around 1700ft, quite blustery and it looked like the forecast front was going to put paid to any afternoon flying. However this was not the case; I took an aerotow in the K21 at about 2:30pm to show our visitor what gliding is all about, and although we were sculking around the cloudbase on an extended tow, he still had an enjoyable flight. There were a few areas of reduced sink and if the wind hadn't been quite so strong we might have had a few more minutes airborne.
We retired to the clubhouse whilst other club members turned out to fly the motorglider - it must have been airborne most of the day.
Cloudbase was around 1700ft, quite blustery and it looked like the forecast front was going to put paid to any afternoon flying. However this was not the case; I took an aerotow in the K21 at about 2:30pm to show our visitor what gliding is all about, and although we were sculking around the cloudbase on an extended tow, he still had an enjoyable flight. There were a few areas of reduced sink and if the wind hadn't been quite so strong we might have had a few more minutes airborne.
We retired to the clubhouse whilst other club members turned out to fly the motorglider - it must have been airborne most of the day.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
I Can’t believe my season is over!!!!! (Gary M)
Having recently accepted a job offer to work in India, I find my season over almost before it's begun! So where do I start? I suppose today is the best place...
8th March the morning after thinking there wasn’t going to be anything left of Jenny’s or my awnings on the caravans!! Last night was horrendous with the wind and rain that came down. I thought my caravan was going to turn over at one stage. Anyway I laid in bed until just before 0900am expecting the weather to be bad and thinking I could get up have a shower and start DI’ing the gliders before anyone was to turn up. To my amazement the sun was shining and the gliders were already out and DI’d!!! Did everyone know something I didn’t? So I had a quick shower and followed the club gliders out with B12, only to break my wing dolly in the process. I shot off to the launch point to get someone to help to walk my wing to the launch and had the pleasure of meeting our new Cadet flyer Grant, who gladly obliged.
I then had to shoot off too Long Stratton to meet my brother’s sister in-law who I didn’t realise till last week, lives in Newton Flotman. (How long have I been here at Tibenham)? Anyway Maggie decided that she wanted to come flying with me, but this was when we were both a wee bit tipsee at my brothers 25th wedding doo, so you can imagine I didn’t really believe that she would come. Well I was proved wrong!
So I went and dragged the Grob 103 out which was already DI’ed! Once reaching the launch point Mark our CFI told me to jump straight in it. I pre-arranged last night to do my Passenger Endorsement with Mark. But never really thought I would be able to take Maggie flying myself. However, Mark signed my Passenger Endorsement off despite the strong wind conditions which allowed me to take Maggie up.
So there I was sat in the glider with this lovely lady doing my first Passenger Flight. I have flown mutual flights loads of times but somehow this was much different. For the first time in years I was really nervous about flying and after doing all the briefings with Maggie we were there about to launch.
The launch was un-eventful and we turned right to get away from the launch. I kept talking to Maggie and pointed out the local landmarks. The view was brilliant today as well we could see for miles. She seemed quite at ease at this point. Well we hit a bit of lift so a made a few gentle turns to see how Maggie coped and I didn’t hear anything in the way of screams or whimpers from her and she was seeming to enjoy it so I wound it into the thermal even more and found ourselves climbing. I couldn’t believe our luck as everyone else had just gone straight up round and down till this point. Well we managed 17 minutes in all. After landing I was keen to see the look on Maggie’s face and she was beaming all over so I guessed she enjoyed it!!!! Once we had pushed the glider back she quietly whispered to me to say to everyone that she didn’t scream once!!! (I was about to ask her to say that to everyone).
So after a quick warming cup of tea we went for round 2. But the weather was starting to close in and after seeing the duty instructor Phil have and eventful approach I was on the verge of scrubbing our second flight, but seems we were strapped in and secure Maggie was wanting to go for it! So I went through the ‘CBSIFTCBE’ clipped the cable on and waited for the all out signal. Fortunately I emphasized the eventualities bit and guess what we went through a big wind shear and had a cable break. The wind had swung so we ended landing in the centre triangle. It was the safest option and the least scary one for Maggie.
To my amazement I found Maggie must have enjoyed it because she very quickly asked about the different types of membership that she might be able to join. This was when Ratty turned up and quickly whisked her away to his car to look for the membership rates, !!!!!!!! Hum…I wonder.
So back to my feelings, what can I say? It was fantastic to be able to take a total stranger up flying, and to give them the amazing experience of gliding. It was just an awesome feeling to give that gift to someone. I would well recommend it to anyone.
Also this week:
Due to our March offer of free reciprocal membership I had the pleasure of 3 of my Burn Gliding Buddies turning up for the Tibenham experience. Firstly on the Monday Keith Springate came with me . He flew with Ian A in the motor glider and had 2 hours. Keith managed to complete his cross country checks , one hour soaring the 109, and a site check. So he was happy. Keith flew the winch a couple of times later in the week.
On the Friday I rigged B12 with the help of Tommy. Gary and I decide to try and launch together in the clubs Astir and me in B12 so we could do a quick cross-country together. Unfortunately due to a cable break this didn’t turn out as planned and it left me only 40 minutes to fly before shooting off to work.
After taking off I managed to climb to base at 2900 feet and pushed forward to just south of Watton on the edge of Thetford forest and the danger area. And got back with loads of height!!! There was a good distance to be had I am sure.
What a great week it was for the visitors, Gary, Tommy, Keith, and Maggie. It was good for the club with around 200 to 300 pound spent on flying and I don’t know how much on coffee teas food and beer, and a possible new member at that as well. What a marvellous experience for me to gain my passenger endorsement and fly one of my family. I just want to finish this by saying a great thank you to all that winched instructed cooked food served beer and pushed and pulled gliders and every thing else that makes flying in this fantastic club so good.
Good and safe flying to all from Ting Tong Slumdog.........
8th March the morning after thinking there wasn’t going to be anything left of Jenny’s or my awnings on the caravans!! Last night was horrendous with the wind and rain that came down. I thought my caravan was going to turn over at one stage. Anyway I laid in bed until just before 0900am expecting the weather to be bad and thinking I could get up have a shower and start DI’ing the gliders before anyone was to turn up. To my amazement the sun was shining and the gliders were already out and DI’d!!! Did everyone know something I didn’t? So I had a quick shower and followed the club gliders out with B12, only to break my wing dolly in the process. I shot off to the launch point to get someone to help to walk my wing to the launch and had the pleasure of meeting our new Cadet flyer Grant, who gladly obliged.
I then had to shoot off too Long Stratton to meet my brother’s sister in-law who I didn’t realise till last week, lives in Newton Flotman. (How long have I been here at Tibenham)? Anyway Maggie decided that she wanted to come flying with me, but this was when we were both a wee bit tipsee at my brothers 25th wedding doo, so you can imagine I didn’t really believe that she would come. Well I was proved wrong!
So I went and dragged the Grob 103 out which was already DI’ed! Once reaching the launch point Mark our CFI told me to jump straight in it. I pre-arranged last night to do my Passenger Endorsement with Mark. But never really thought I would be able to take Maggie flying myself. However, Mark signed my Passenger Endorsement off despite the strong wind conditions which allowed me to take Maggie up.
So there I was sat in the glider with this lovely lady doing my first Passenger Flight. I have flown mutual flights loads of times but somehow this was much different. For the first time in years I was really nervous about flying and after doing all the briefings with Maggie we were there about to launch.
The launch was un-eventful and we turned right to get away from the launch. I kept talking to Maggie and pointed out the local landmarks. The view was brilliant today as well we could see for miles. She seemed quite at ease at this point. Well we hit a bit of lift so a made a few gentle turns to see how Maggie coped and I didn’t hear anything in the way of screams or whimpers from her and she was seeming to enjoy it so I wound it into the thermal even more and found ourselves climbing. I couldn’t believe our luck as everyone else had just gone straight up round and down till this point. Well we managed 17 minutes in all. After landing I was keen to see the look on Maggie’s face and she was beaming all over so I guessed she enjoyed it!!!! Once we had pushed the glider back she quietly whispered to me to say to everyone that she didn’t scream once!!! (I was about to ask her to say that to everyone).
So after a quick warming cup of tea we went for round 2. But the weather was starting to close in and after seeing the duty instructor Phil have and eventful approach I was on the verge of scrubbing our second flight, but seems we were strapped in and secure Maggie was wanting to go for it! So I went through the ‘CBSIFTCBE’ clipped the cable on and waited for the all out signal. Fortunately I emphasized the eventualities bit and guess what we went through a big wind shear and had a cable break. The wind had swung so we ended landing in the centre triangle. It was the safest option and the least scary one for Maggie.
To my amazement I found Maggie must have enjoyed it because she very quickly asked about the different types of membership that she might be able to join. This was when Ratty turned up and quickly whisked her away to his car to look for the membership rates, !!!!!!!! Hum…I wonder.
So back to my feelings, what can I say? It was fantastic to be able to take a total stranger up flying, and to give them the amazing experience of gliding. It was just an awesome feeling to give that gift to someone. I would well recommend it to anyone.
Also this week:
Due to our March offer of free reciprocal membership I had the pleasure of 3 of my Burn Gliding Buddies turning up for the Tibenham experience. Firstly on the Monday Keith Springate came with me . He flew with Ian A in the motor glider and had 2 hours. Keith managed to complete his cross country checks , one hour soaring the 109, and a site check. So he was happy. Keith flew the winch a couple of times later in the week.
Gary Vaughan and Tommy Lynch then turned up on Wednesday evening just as I was leaving the ‘Fox and Hounds’ so we stayed for a few beers. Over the next 2 days Gary enjoyed a couple of 1 hour soaring flights and Tommy did some winch work and further flying with Will and Ian. All three guys enjoyed it and pledged that they would like to get back some time soon.
On the Friday I rigged B12 with the help of Tommy. Gary and I decide to try and launch together in the clubs Astir and me in B12 so we could do a quick cross-country together. Unfortunately due to a cable break this didn’t turn out as planned and it left me only 40 minutes to fly before shooting off to work.
After taking off I managed to climb to base at 2900 feet and pushed forward to just south of Watton on the edge of Thetford forest and the danger area. And got back with loads of height!!! There was a good distance to be had I am sure.
What a great week it was for the visitors, Gary, Tommy, Keith, and Maggie. It was good for the club with around 200 to 300 pound spent on flying and I don’t know how much on coffee teas food and beer, and a possible new member at that as well. What a marvellous experience for me to gain my passenger endorsement and fly one of my family. I just want to finish this by saying a great thank you to all that winched instructed cooked food served beer and pushed and pulled gliders and every thing else that makes flying in this fantastic club so good.
Good and safe flying to all from Ting Tong Slumdog.........
PS Unfortunately due to me going to work in India for 2 years…B12 is for sale!
Gary Marshall.
Wild Westerlies...
Phil S ran the day with winching off RWY 26. Not much soaring in the 'wild westerly' winds but the best was made of a blustery day until heavy showers stopped the flying around 3pm. So despite some variable weather we have flown all but one day in March so far with some good soaring flights on 3 days.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Busy to the last minute!
Tim Davies ran most of the day, covering for Mark Wright who was at the BGA Conference to attend the 'CFI forum' this morning. JRK was BI flying and it was a busy training day with a good turnout including more visitors. Launching off 21 we were regularly winching to 1800ft+ in the 2 seaters, with some gaining over 2000ft. I took over as D.I. at 3pm when Tim had to go, shortly after which Mark also turned up to help out for the last portion of the day. We were busy to the last and only stopped flying due to running out of daylight. Thanks to all who helped out winching, etc. to enable us to get the most out of the day.
Friday, 6 March 2009
And the soaring continues...
Will Day covered for Mick, who was away for his medical. Launching was off RWY 33. The kit came out early and when I arrived after work around 1:45pm lots of soaring had already taken place. Even Grum soared for over an hour solo in the K21!!! I helped out with some instructing and Will managed some soaring in the Astir before the day cut off earlier than expected around 3pm or so, though by then most had managed some soaring. Thanks to all those who pitched in with the winching to enable yet another good days flying. Others out included; Mike Bean, Ratty, Paul Wilkinson, Paul Woodcock, Geoff Tilly and Dave Taylor, plus our visitors from Burn - Gary V and Tommy L. Gary is hoping to come back and fly the Eastern Regionals at the end of May.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Big Cu
A good soaring day for the time of year. Moist and unstable air leading to some over-convection and some large cells that gave the odd light shower. Mick and I instructed. I flew with Andy B and the visitors from Burn, one of which (Gary Vaughan) gained the longest soaring flight of the day at over 1hr 20min solo in the G103, before returning for the next pilot.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Late Clearance
The morning was poor with a later clearance of the front than hoped for. Nevertheless, Mick and the Wednesday regulars managed some winching for a few hours this afternoon. No soaring but at least Keith got to solo on site before his journey back up North to Burn. We wish him well on his BI course at the end of the month.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Best Day of the Year So Far
Keith Springate (visiting from Burn GC) and I made good use of the best soaring so far this year.
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Flying the Grob 109 for 2 hours we briefly explored the local area before turning the engine off to soar in thermals of up to 3 knots for almost an hour. Cloudbase was around 3500ft with well defined streets. The thermals started to die after 3:00pm, so we restarted the engine and completed a field landing refresher before landing back at Tibenham.
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Considering the excellent weather it was just a shame that more people couldn't get to the club to enjoy it today. Wednesday still looks promising at the moment so hopefully we'll get more soaring.
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The BGA ladder shows lots of X/C flights, several of 200km plus: http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/Enquiry.asp
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Don't miss the next good day.
.Forecasts at; http://norfolkglidingclub.com/Weatherton.aspx
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Saturday
Although it wasnt particulalrly soarable, it was good to see a number of club members flying including ab initios Oliver Bloomfield, Ben and Steve Kirk. Ben and Ray got the only soaring flight of the day apparantly a thermal found them whilst doing stall recoveries! Also out were Brian McClean, Geoff Tilly, Art Kerkhoff, Josie Briggs, Berkeley Pittaway, Tony Griffiths, and Rebecca Woodcock. Temporary member Bob Fairfield(?) returned to the club after his trial lesson last weekend and really got involved with helping after his flight.
We did around 25 winch launches and 3 aereotows. Not bad for a Weatherton 'day 1'.
We did around 25 winch launches and 3 aereotows. Not bad for a Weatherton 'day 1'. 
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Slightly Soarable
Another busy day, and slightly soarable for a while despite the broken layer of cloud around 3000ft AAL which didn't let much sun through. Andy V ran the day which turned out to be quite busy and a popular one for the club Astir. Operating off RWY 33 we both winched and aero-towed. Sunset is at last becoming noticeably later (around 17:30), so the most was made of our cheap winch launches after 3pm winter offer which ends soon!
Saturday, 21 February 2009
LAA Fly-In
Matt Cooke was around the club about to test fly his newly assembled Tipsy Nipper and agreed to authorise flying to start the days operations. The usual suspects were around and organised launching at a respectable 10am start. I turned up around 11am to take over as duty to an airfield begining to fill up with light aircraft. John Cooke had organised an LAA fly-in and by lunch time its was in full swing.
We were operating on 26 and were able to winch up to around 12pm when the big rush started. It ran very well and the power visitors were fitted in very happily with the gliding operations. Between 12-3pm we went to aerotow only as aircraft were landing at a rate of 1 every 3 minutes. Tibenham International Airport was definitly open for business!! In total we had around 40 visiting aircraft and some had flown from as far away as Sleap, Enstone, Tatenhill, Rochester, Stapleford, Elstree and North Weald.
It was soarable - with Geoff Tilley and Josie Briggs both getting soaring flights over 20mins from the winch. Gary Marshall rigged and flew his newly polished B12 on aerotow, Oliver Bloomfield had an exciting flight doing spin training with Matt Cooke, John Roche-Kelly flew a visitor on a trial lesson, Dave Taylor helped out by operating the winch for a few hours in the morning, others out were Tim Highton, Steve Flewitt-Hill, Nick Owen, Jenny Novak, Dave Allen and Jim Carter. Mike Tate and Josie Briggs helped man the radio. Steve Catermole and Steve Banyard were tuggies.
Thanks to all club members who pitched in and made this a very enjoyable day for gliding members and visiting pilots.
That was the trial run, roll on 20th June!!!
We were operating on 26 and were able to winch up to around 12pm when the big rush started. It ran very well and the power visitors were fitted in very happily with the gliding operations. Between 12-3pm we went to aerotow only as aircraft were landing at a rate of 1 every 3 minutes. Tibenham International Airport was definitly open for business!! In total we had around 40 visiting aircraft and some had flown from as far away as Sleap, Enstone, Tatenhill, Rochester, Stapleford, Elstree and North Weald.
It was soarable - with Geoff Tilley and Josie Briggs both getting soaring flights over 20mins from the winch. Gary Marshall rigged and flew his newly polished B12 on aerotow, Oliver Bloomfield had an exciting flight doing spin training with Matt Cooke, John Roche-Kelly flew a visitor on a trial lesson, Dave Taylor helped out by operating the winch for a few hours in the morning, others out were Tim Highton, Steve Flewitt-Hill, Nick Owen, Jenny Novak, Dave Allen and Jim Carter. Mike Tate and Josie Briggs helped man the radio. Steve Catermole and Steve Banyard were tuggies.Thanks to all club members who pitched in and made this a very enjoyable day for gliding members and visiting pilots.
That was the trial run, roll on 20th June!!!
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
TRY TIBENHAM!
To launch our “Golden Jubilee Season” Norfolk GC invites all members of approved BGA affiliated clubs to fly at Tibenham at normal club rates on a FREE reciprocal membership during March 2009. Visiting pilots pay only for launches with FREE AIR-TIME in club gliders, just like our club members, and we’re open 7 days a week.
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A/T or winch launch. Large airfield with tarmac and grass. 3x2-seaters, 2xSingle-seaters, Grob 109 motor-glider.
If you would like to visit, organise an exped, etc, please contact our full-time instructor Mick Hughes at; manager@norfolkglidingclub.com or call 01379 677 207
Saturday, 14 February 2009
Surprisingly Soarable
Light winds and the first half-decent thermals of the year enabled the first bronze leg duration flight of the year. Tim Davies ran the day. As well as the gliders, there were several of the Tibenham based powered aircraft out to play, including the club G109 motor-glider.
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Still No Snow in Norfolk
Another snow free day in Norfolk.
Phil Sillett ran the day and everyone was out early to make the most of the fine weather. Winching was off the main runway and despite little wind, we were still achieving launch heights of up to 1900ft. As a result there was lots of fun with aerobatics, spinning and instructor checks.
Phil Sillett ran the day and everyone was out early to make the most of the fine weather. Winching was off the main runway and despite little wind, we were still achieving launch heights of up to 1900ft. As a result there was lots of fun with aerobatics, spinning and instructor checks.
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Snow Free
Despite much of the country grinding to a halt with heavy snowfall, Norfolk remained mostly snow free with beautiful blue skies and crystal clear visibility allowing flying as normal at Tibenham. Winching was off 33 (our mid-length runway) achieving around 1500ft in the two-seaters. There was even a little gentle soaring around lunchtime with Art eeking out the longest flight of the day. Mark Wright ran the day with Nick Owen assisting as BI. Others out included Jenny, John K, James F, Ben K, Geoff T, etc. Paul Wilkinson and I finally managed some BI patter training in the Grob 109 for an hour and were very glad of the cabin heater! We also got a good view of the edge of the snow-line which started roughly at the Suffolk boarder, just a few miles to the south of the airfield..
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Brilliant Blue...
Brilliant clear blue skies and light winds provided a very pleasant days flying. Mick H and Andy V provided instruction off the wire with both the K.21 and K.13 working hard. Phil M, flew the club G109 motor-glider, and after lunch Nick Owen and I used it for simulated A/T failure refresher training to complete his BI Annual Checks. Others out included Paul Woodcock, Clive P, Wade, Berkley, Dave A, Brian K, Mike T and Mike L. Tonight's clubhouse meal was an ample portion of cottage pie and veg, which many of our neighbours from nearby Priory Farm partook before their monthly Breckland Strut meeting which they hold in our clubhouse during the winter.
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Snow Flurries...
Another sub-zero flying day with intermittent light snow flurries gradually increasing in strength and frequency as the day wore on. Even so, a number of hardy souls were out lead by Will Day. Those out included, Bob G, Ben M, Phil S, Andrew H, Chris L, and John K, with Jonathan Abbass manning the tug. There was even a bit of soaring with the longest flight of the day being 40 minutes from an aero-tow and the longest off the wire being 13 minutes. Winch Master John R-K (he of newly acquired S&G fame page 50 & 51 Feb/March issue) performed some annual winch driver checks. Paul Wilkinson and I tried to brave the elements in the Grob 109 in what looked like a gap to start work on his BI patter but this was cut short by an approaching snow shower and the motor-glider was quickly put back to bed! Shortly afterwards a heavier snow shower curtailed flying for the day and we all retired to the clubhouse for a winter warmer!
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Wind Chill
Despite the bitter Easterlies Ray Hart inspired everyone to brave the cold and out came the K.21. The wind chill was significant, taking the temperature on the skin to sub-zero. Jan volunteered to drive the winch to start the ball rolling (nice and warm that winch cab!). Young Ben Kirk has finally convinced his dad Steve to join, and they both enjoyed some winch launches. Others out included Geoff Tilly (who's 71 tomorrow), Art Kerkoff (longest flight of the day), Paul & Rebecca Woodcock, and Dave Taylor who flew his annual winch checks with Ray. Thanks to Steve Cat. and Wurzel for manning the tug.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Propeller-Head Invasion!
A cold day but clear day, and a bit of a slow start. However, Dave Munro was on duty and soon got everyone motivated, and once we got going it turned into a really busy day. The westerly wind meant we were on our 'short' runway with the winch at the far end of the grass section to enable extra height from the launches. It turned out to be a perfect day for power flying with both the Tibenham based Grob 109 motor-gliders out as well as the two Tiger Moths, amongst others. Our first visitor was a PA28 from Shipdham, followed by the Falke, G-BUEK. Then came a stream of light aircraft including a couple of micro-lights, a vintage Aeronca Chief and G-ARNE, the Piper Colt from Knettishall. It was great to see the airfield so busy in January!
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Sub-Zero
Despite the bitter sub-zero temperatures, it was another decent turnout. Will Day ran the airfield with help from Phil S. With the wind right down 26 flying was from our 'short' runway but due to the frozen ground the winch was able to be positioned at the far end of the grass without sinking into the field so still achieving good launch heights. Jim Lawn provided aero-tows. Steve F-H completed his BI annual checks, including some sim A/T rope-break revision in the G109. Enjoying the benefit of the heater in the motor-glider, Steve and I decided to fly over to Rattlesden for a visit. We received a warm welcome and enjoyed a hot cup of tea in their clubhouse (the old control tower). Back at Tibenham, many of us enjoyed Rachel's first Sunday Lunch of the new year - roast beef with all the trimmings, followed by apple pie and custard - Great!
The New Private Power Hangar at Tibenham
Saturday, 3 January 2009
A Good Start To The New Year
Ian (covering for Ray) teamed up with Jan to run the airfield. The weather was cold, but clear vis and high cloudbase allowed an early start. All three 2-seaters came out and Josie got the ball rolling by flying the K.21 solo for the first couple of winch launches. Despite very little wind we were still getting 1300ft on the wire launching from the intersection on 03. Several folks turned up to complete their annual checks including Tom Smith, Art and Geoff T who were all sorted by the end of the day. Steve F-H and JRK started work on their annual BI checks with CFI Mark Wright. Also out were Paul Wilkinson, Rebecca & Paul Woodcock, Jenny Novak, Will Day and Andy Smith. Mike Bean and Nick Owen flew 'Bugle', Phil Morgan flew his G109, Mike Lindsay & Steve Banyard flew the Condor. Visiting was G-VOID which flew in from Stapleford for lunch, Rachel & Eddie providing welcome hot refreshments in the clubhouse as usual. Tugging was provided by Steve Catermole and John Gamage. It was a full day with us packing up at dusk and retiring to the clubhouse for a well earned beer!
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Cadet Rebecca Woodcock with her dad Paul after their flight in the K.21
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Frosty Flying
. Photo: Early birds tow out the K13 with frost still on the ground.Another decent turnout and crystal clear blue skies again allowed everyone to make the most of the continued respite in the recent poor winter weather. Phil S. and Ben M. did the lions share of instructing with Steve F-H and JRK helping with Air-Ex Flights. I flew with Andrew Hewitt in the K21, who then flew his first solo since joining the club. Dave Munro flew the Grob109 - great to see good use of it again now it's back online with the re-furbished engine, and the cabin heat keeps you toastie on these cold winter days! Lots of winching and A/Ts were packed into the short daylight hours available before an early retirement to the clubhouse to admire the amazing sunset.
Photo: Andrew Hewitt after his first solo as a Norfolk GC member.
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Saturday, 6 December 2008
Winter flying
A chilly start to the day, but this didn't put off the brave souls who turned up to fly. We spent some time rigging the K21 after its trip back from Sutton Bank, then a few hours flying before canopy misting stopped play about 3.30pm.
New member Allen Merrilees, and David Allen who usually flies midweek, both got some flying in with Jan towards the end of the day. Ray flew with a chap who came for an air experience flight to celebrate his 50th Birthday today. Ray then kindly went down to the winch for a couple of hours. Bob completed his year3 instructor checks with Mark, and later found time to fly with Ian in the motorglider (yes its back on line!!!).
Other members who flew were Jenny, Brian McClean, Berkeley, Tim H, Geoff and Art.
New member Allen Merrilees, and David Allen who usually flies midweek, both got some flying in with Jan towards the end of the day. Ray flew with a chap who came for an air experience flight to celebrate his 50th Birthday today. Ray then kindly went down to the winch for a couple of hours. Bob completed his year3 instructor checks with Mark, and later found time to fly with Ian in the motorglider (yes its back on line!!!).
Other members who flew were Jenny, Brian McClean, Berkeley, Tim H, Geoff and Art.
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