Thursday August 17th 2017
Posted: 21/08/2017 17:36
A bright but quite unstable day gave the promise of a decent soaring window enlivened by heavy showers. Luckily although showers did develop they avoided the site (just) and also much of the x/c routes flown by competitors and private owners.
CLUB FLYING: Cloud base lifted in time to allow club flying to start at midday before the Northerns competitors were sent on their way. Several private owners took advantage of this with John Ellis doing most of the Northerns task and Rob Bailey flying just over 200km round TP's that included Pontefract. Other private owners to fly were Martin Johnson, Peter Clay and Dave Bradley. The 2-seaters were utilised before and after the Northerns, flying three first flighters and five pupils. Phil Lazenby flew the only club single seat trip of the day in the DG303 enjoying strong lift and great vis over the moors before landing just ahead of a heavy rain shower that tracked from Boroughbridge to Helmsley.
THE NORTHERNS: A 150km task was set round Malton, Market Weighton and the Tontine. A lively W wind meant thermals were broken and turbulent at times causing problems for some competitors. Jeremy Pack won the day with an impressive speed of 97kph. In second place with 89kph was G Dale in the Duo thus consolidating his place as overall competition leader. Graham Morris claimed third spot at 87kph. One competitor was undone by the tricky conditions and landed out and four others failed to round the final TP, finding their way blocked by shower activity north of the site. All in all it was not a bad day - the fourth contest day out of five possible. Already four more days than in the whole of the Northerns in 2016!
This blog describes a snippet of life at the Yorkshire Gliding Club. Why not take a flight and try it yourself, or we can teach you to fly as a full club member.