Stormy Sunday

The clocks went forward last night, so we woke even earlier to hear the rain and wind howling round the house. However, a search for 'things to do in Wales' produced a plan to visit Merthyr Tydfil for a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway. Three coaches and a steam engine - and lots of steam. We trundled up the valley past a couple of reservoirs, then back again, stopping off at the Steam Museum and café.

 We drove back via Talybont to check out the reported landable fields in the area - which were mainly stuffed with sheep and lambs. There is however a good long flat field (with no sheep) at the end of the reservoir.

Nick has come round for dinner (roast pork, roasted veg), he drove over to Aberystwyth to see the sea. Yesterday he visited Long Mynd where they were winching - 30kts onto the ridge, no problem.

Tomorrow it looks as though it will be worth getting up early - fingers crossed - this is after all a gliding expedition.

Tempestuous Talgarth

Well, here we are again in Wales, and what a beautiful place to be. Yesterday when most people arrived, it was sunny and clear, so several members were able to get their check flights done, and Glyn flew one of his models.

Today we awoke to wind and rain, less than optimal for gliding - or even standing upright. The local briefing indicated that the rain might stop later, but that the wind would continue, and as there was a significant southerly component, launching would not be possible as none of the take off runs would be anywhere near into wind. Jim maintained his optimism for a couple of hours but in the end conceded defeat.

A bit windy

There are probably sheep in that cloud

It doesn't look that promising for tomorrow either...............

Food report: so far your correspondent has only sampled the Castle Inn in Llangorse, which does a nice line in pies. The sirloin steak was apparently excellent - meat supplied by WJ George in Talgarth - and the sweet potato chips were delicious. Today there was an expedition to the Honeypot Café in Talgarth which was reportedly very good. The gang in the big house in Pengenfford have roast beef to look forward to, courtesy of Jim, who is a man with high standards - he complained bitterly that Symeon had given him breakfast on a cold plate. Here in Llangorse we will be having cod in lemon sauce, followed by a bit of Metallica.

Pass the Plopp

The promise of good soarable weather gave the club another busy day today. More club members turning up for check flights and cross country tasks set for the single seaters.  Many chose to stay local, but a couple of Bicester Didcots were flown despite the very rapid spreadout and poor recycling of the thermic conditions.
It was cold at the launch point despite the sunshine, but Siena gave us a welcome energy boost when she shared around her Plopp.

Air awareness day RAF Benson

Last week RAF Benson hosted an Air Users Awareness Day. The aim being to share more about who flys what where and how we can all continue to do this safely. Watch out in the next newsletter for a fuller description of the days events and information that came out of the greatly beneficial day.

What was significant is that one of the main focal points was in respect of Gliding in and around the area and Richard Crockett gave a great presentation on the topic - it was clearly well received judging by the interest and questions raised by the attendees from local flying clubs - so much so that Richard has been asked to give the same presentation at White Waltham.

F1 mixing it with the choppers

There was a chance to see the aircraft operated from Benson and Booker took a glider along for participants to look at close up (and not as a result of an airprox).

Graham S working up his summer routines

The better weather has also brought a lot more folk out of winter hibernation and it is good to see the launch point busy and pilots taking some launches before they head out to Talgarth/Shobdon for the first of the years main expeditions. If you aren't current (or as current as you would like to be) don't waste time, get up to the launch point and take some launches - there is always something new to learn.

Good forecasts gets pilots flying

February ended with a great soaring day (for the time of year) and several soaring flights and cross countries by J1M and AJ (BIC-DID) and observations that the task was set too small!

Today's forecast NWly and unstable airmass promised some flying on the ridge and the prospect of a good soarable sky. AJ, EN and J1M set off for the ridge but quickly realised the sky was looking too good to stay there and set off X/C - not sure where they got to, maybe the ladder will reveal?

Rolf bashing the ridge

Rolf decided he wanted to have a look at the ridge and set off in KCZ for an hour or so before climbing in a thermal to get the height to get home.  

Busy sky

Finally late in the day John H set off for some soaring under a sky that still looked good at 16:00.

John H climbing late in the day

Cross Country Performance Programme

Hi

I apologise if you get this several times as I am posting as widely as possible to reach as many members as I can.

Nice picture of the Duo for no other reason than that!

During the 2015 season, I will be running another XC Performance programme for budding or improving cross country and competition pilots. The programme includes some classroom stuff, some use of the SIM, and flying in the club's two seaters. I hope to enlist one or two other members to act as coaches but right now it is just me.

If you are interested in participating in the programme then please come along to the briefing room after my Cross Country Met lecture next Saturday 28th when I will describe the programme content and how I expect it to work.

BTW, good met is fundamental to successful XC so if you want to use the programme please come to the met lecture too.

Jim

Still Sunny - Busy

The weather was gorgeous, with sun all day long. The wind was moderate, but straight on the nose along runway 24.

The launch point felt like it got into a nice rhythm by mid-afternoon with Mike Mike kept busy, and the retrievers kept away from the chocolate mini rolls in the bus.

A lovely days flying.

Sunny Half Term

What a lovely day. We may still be in winter, but there was a strong sniff of spring in the air. It was fairly busy, but everybody got all the flights they wanted. And ended with a lovely sun set.

There was even some gentle lift for the tenacious. The young cadet George showed us all how to do it with a 30 minute flight, which was double the length of most others!

More of the same tomorrow please

Off to the Ridge

The alternative 35 departure

A quick chat with the tower, a short run into an icy wind, an eye on the t's and p's, over the north side parking, watch for helicopters, into the turbulence, safe height now, speeding up, throttling back, on towards the ridge.

Wind 31015 - It must be on the Ridge

The cold north westerlies must be good for something and with the wind forecast to be on the ridge there were no excuses for getting the K21 out and showing the ridge a good time.

First out was Mike Gatfield who also decided there had to be a task flown and turnpoints were declared and a (very!) short task was flown but at 116kph (and Bookers first ladder flight for 2015). This even allowed for some air to air time to formate on a passing RV6.

Mini-Gat enjoying life on the ridge

Running in

KCZ as seen by walkers on the ridge

Encouraged by KCZ's safe return, Paul C/Steve W and George H/Jim W went out and enjoyed an hour or so each on the ridge in KCZ and John H put in an appearance in his Ventus. It was extremely cold and progress was observed by many members on FR24 back in the clubhouse. In spite of the cold, general consensus was that it was more fun doing the flying than watching it!