Friday 30 March 2018

The evening groups are back.........soon

 
Evening flying starts again on Tuesday 17th April. The groups will, as last year, be run by:

Graham Saw - Tuesdays
Chris Rowland - Wednesdays
Symeon Economou - Fridays

Evenings are a great time to make progress with your flying - circuits, aerobatics (on Tuesdays), spot landing, aerotowing .......... or just enjoying a peaceful evening flight as the sun sets. It's also a good time for group visits - a (special price) trial lesson and a picnic, or maybe a trip to a local pub - just contact the office to make arrangements.

Don't sit indoors on a warm sunny evening, come on down to the airfield and make some new friends.

Saturday 24 March 2018

Good bye Sutton Bank

Friday was very windy indeed so the only flying was a couple of winch launches by the locals. We derigged the Duo Discus and LS7 in the shelter of the hangar and turned all the trailers round ready for leaving in the morning. Some of us then went for a bit of ground level sight seeing around the North York Moors, having seen a bit from above. This morning we said good bye and set off south to the Chilterns.

Many thanks to the Yorkshire Gliding Club for making us so welcome, and to Richard for organising us all.


Skoda convoy


Friday 23 March 2018

Westerly winds again

Yesterday was a busy day with the wind in the west and opportunities for ridge, thermal and wave soaring. Having got his Bronze 1 hour the previous day Max flew again for 2 hours, congratulations Max. The day ended with Richard taking a couple of people in 315 on runs along the length of the ridge, just before sunset.

315 above cloud somewhere in Yorkshire

Max heading for Bronze




Wednesday 21 March 2018

More flying at Sutton Bank

Today the wind was westerly so we were launching on 24 - a bit different from Booker, off the edge of the airfield and suddenly the valley is spread out below. The ridge was working well and there were strong thermals so staying up was not a problem. We had use of the local DG1000 as well as the Booker gliders, so everyone had a go.

Yorkshire

Chilly launch queue

John auditioning for Lollipop Man

Nick models the new Spring fashions



Tuesday 20 March 2018

Sutton Bank expedition week 2

Those that arrived for the weekend had plenty of snow to admire, but not a lot of opportunity to fly.



On Monday the sky cleared and white stuff stopped falling so we got the toys out. Conditions were, shall we say, bracing with a stiff NE wind which flayed any exposed skin, but there were strong thermals and plenty of interesting scenery - and a circuit which required concentration. Excellent fun.

Spot the (snow)ball

Today started with rain but our CFI promised us a clearance and lo and behold in the afternoon the sky cleared and the wind dropped and the views were stunning.

The view from the tractor
More fun tomorrow.
 

Wednesday 14 March 2018

Sutton Bank expedition update

The team had a good day yesterday with weak thermals allowing for flights of almost an hour. Everyone flew, including most of the single seaters. After a lovely sunset they retired to the Three Tuns in Thirsk for steak and quiz night - no word on whether or not they won!

Somewhere over Yorkshire

View of the airfield

Yorkshire looking a bit wet

Day's end

Local beer tasting



Monday 12 March 2018

Booker Spring expedition

The Spring expedition to Sutton Bank is now well underway. The week 1 contingent made it up the 1-in-4 hairpin bend to the airfield in safety and yesterday they all had check flights to get the lie of the land. Today it has been wet, as it was down south, but they are expecting a good day tomorrow.

A fine view of the White Horse

The gang looking happy