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!

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!!!

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

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.

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.

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.
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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.

Tales of Summer

- Click on page to expand -

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!

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.

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!

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

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

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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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.

Sutton Bank Expedition

The end to a near perfect week.

Sutton Bank Thursday 20th Nov 08

We awoke to very fresh westery winds giving promise to some challenging flights. G.Marshall had joined us. Unfortunately our K21 went u/s on us as the front canopy strut developed a crack preventing the canopy closing properly. Not to be beaten we obtained use of a club K21 and the DG-1000 giving some members another challenge. The day went well giving everybody another enjoyable day. The weather for the next two days was not not very promising for ridge flying so we packed up Friday returning before being possibly snowed in. In all the week was a great success with many wanting another expedition, to be planned as soon as possible.

Sutton Bank - Wednesday19th Nov 08

Today's weather followed the previous day's with north westerlies. Two more members had turned up, B.McLean and P.Hayward making a good opportunity for a site check. Mid-day the wind backed round to a fresh westerly making the flying much more interesting. Beating up and down the ridge really focuses you in improving your lookout. Even two or three gliders can make big demands on your work load. Eventually the low sun and misting canopies forced us to stop after a really rewarding day.

Sutton Bank - Tuesday 18th Nov 08

Arrived late on Monday to some very low cloud. Next day the skies were clear for the prospect of some fine flying. The day was clear with high lenticulars within possible grasp. High tows throughout the day left us a little frustrated at not getting into wave but all enjoyed just getting use to a new site with new challenges. Five members flew P.Woodcock, M.Crook, P.Ward and even Don Johnstone managed to get solo, so not a completely wasted day. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Summer 2008

Looking at the stats from the UK met office, it can be seen that East Anglia had the highest actual and highest mean temps this summer. It also had the second highest amount of sunshine and the lowest rainfall. So despite the poor weather, it seems we probably did have the best of the summer soaring season here in the East.

Just think what we can achieve when we get some good weather next year!

www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/2008/summer/averages1.html