Saturday 8 June 2024
A late start to the day which was caused by rain, an unserviceable two seater, winch and retrieve buggy, and also knowing the wind direction was going to force a runway change as soon as we started.
We eventually got going and did 4 launches before the end change.
The weather turned out to be quite soarable, with great conditions enabling most people to garner a soaring flight.
We achieved a total of 34 flights, with the longest flight being 1 hour 50 minutes, Taff in his Oly 2b, followed by Phil Mackenzie in the Discus 2cT (R6) 1 hour 44 minutes and Paul Field in the Discus CS (506) of 1 hour 38 minutes.
Phil gambled on a 150km triangle but ran into lousy weather at Upper Heyford and landed out in a soggy, maize field when the turbo failed to start. The retrieve crew had fun carrying the glider out section by section. .
Three new members were flown; Alex Hawthorn (service), Dylan Hawthorn (his son) and Daniel Pickford, whose father, Andy Pickford, is service.
We also flew 4 UCL students, with more than 2 hours of flying for them.
Some notable flights include Amy Playle in the ASK 18 (R48) for 51 minutes and Rhys Milford for 37 minutes - both recent converts to the glider.
Finally, we welcomed Keith Tegg as a visitor, who many will remember.
