Today saw some fantastic soaring flights with the Swallow climbing to over 5000ft. The Sedbergh had a rather interesting flight climbing up the front of a large cell at more than 4 knots with the spoilers fully open.
Soaring to Height
Historic flight News
Sun – Rain – Sun
9th April started Sunny before rain and cloud stole most of the day. There was a clearance late afternoon which produced beautiful blue skies and even some soaring.
The wing of the Sedbergh makes a good rain shelter – check the water running off the trailing edge.
Windy but sunny
Saturday was going to be a quiet day with 3 people flying the Swallow. As it turned out a few more became available and a great afternoon was had in the sun.
Initially very windy the Swallow had some good thermal flights, as the wind abated the Sedbergh joined in the soaring.
Sarah Hall got current again after a stint of maternity leave and has been flying the Swallow with plenty of willing babysitters on the ground!!
Over 5 hours flown!
Spring Soaring
A wonderful soarable day with gin clear visibility. Multiple soaring flights to 4K in the Barge and Swallow.
Bitter
An absolutely bitter day. Gray, cold and windy but high launches.
Futures Brighter
Today brought what has been a good week for the Historic Flight to a close with both the 2 seaters in action today – sharing the airfield with motor sport. 621 VGS will be one of 11 VGS (of the 25) that will remain when VGS Gliding re-commences. It does however mean a move. Whilst the future is by no means certain – the new home of 621 VGS has been announced as RNAS Merryfield in Somerset.
Hopefully Air Cadet Gliding both modern and historic will continue for the next generations.
Wave!
Today was the first weekend day for some time that was not written off by the weather although a biting North Easterly wind made things a bit challenging to say the least. The Sedbergh, Swallow, Prefect and Venture were all flying. Dave Woolcock took the Sedbergh wave soaring to 3600′ and then spent the rest of the day thawing out! We also had a guest fly in the Venture who soloed one at Syerston as a cadet 30 years previously.
Perhaps a view to remember?
Brave or stupid?
Not quite sure which. With the windsock almost horizontal the MK3 flew for the first time this year in beautiful sunshine.
Don’t hide in bed – it may turn out nice!
Most people left home to arrive at the airfield only to find unflyable conditions. The hangar was opened and the gliders DI’d but the weather got worse. The cross section for Colerne looked reasonable so it was decided to have an extended tea break. There was a dramatic improvement in the weather and suddenly we could see the other side of the airfield. A good afternoon of flying followed.
