After the Fludde

A strange craft is rumoured to have appeared atop the airfield.
ark2

But another couple of weeks and we’ll be into the soaring season and mostly thanks to Andy, aircraft are all tidy and raring to go. But will YOU be? Take a look at the BGA currency barometer, https://members.gliding.co.uk/library/safety/currency-barometer-pdf/ to see how current you really are. Take a check flight (or two) if you’re below the green zone, but also spend 15 minutes reviewing these excellent Black Mountain clips, you never know they might save you some embarrassment.

http://www.blackmountainsgliding.co.uk/vid_stall1.php
http://www.blackmountainsgliding.co.uk/vid_stall2.php
http://www.blackmountainsgliding.co.uk/vid_spin1.php
http://www.blackmountainsgliding.co.uk/vid_spin2.php

If you are a Vega pilot (or similar) and haven’t made that big step to Silver Distance or 100k, then why not try a warm up exercise? Most good soaring days have a bit of N/W wind in them so a local 50k triangle – Rivar, Pewsey, Membury, Rivar (RIV,PEW,MEM,RIV) is never further than 15k from Rivar and is always within gliding distance from 2500ft QFE. You’ll always have a favourable wind if things go to worms and if it works out, go round twice – that’s 100k!”

For something closer to home try RIV,BUB,HNN,HUR,RIV that’s also around 50k.

Taking that one step further; some time ago I read an S&G article by the legendary Alan Purnell. In a nutshell, his recommendation was to go round a local 50k spending as little time thermalling as possible and flying as fast as possible. The second time round you’ve got a good idea where the thermal sources are, so you should do less thermalling and fly even faster. Repeat the exercise until you don’t have to thermal at all!

In the meantime I’ll keep gazing at my chubby foot, willing it to get better before the weather does.

Sound advice?

“When flying try to stay in the middle of the air. Do not go near the edges of it. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly there.”

And compliments of the Season to all who helped rig, hooked on cables, drove winches, worked through reams of paperwork, sat for hours in the back seat and generally made it all possible.

And if you’re stuck for gift ideas, how about one of these?

 rsz-diesel-synergy-plane2

Radio Telephony Course

Just in case the Blog gets to places that Yahoo Groups does not reach. The first session of the FRTO Licence course starts on Wednesday at 18:30 in the club house.

Whether wanting to qualify as a certified radio operator,
qualified but need a refresher,
or just interested in how to use the field radio correctly,
 this course is for you!

All for only a fiver (to cover costs – any surplus to club funds). Don’t worry if you can’t make the start time, just turn up asap.