Weekend Flying 29 & 30 March

Predictably a quiet weekend at the club - everyone was here over Easter, so no one came the week after! Jay Anderson flew the tug and launched Gerhard and Garry in the Twin Astir, and Christian Linnet in the Cirrus XQV. That glider does more flying than any other at the club I think. Matthew Minter flew the LS6. Geoff Neely flew the DG400. Not sure where they all went, but they had quite long flights, so I guess conditions were OK.

On Sunday there was no tuggie, so out came the winch to save the day again. Jay flew the tug for a couple of air experience flights, but then did a winch endorsement with Gerhard. David Sieb flew the Junior on the winch - would have been his first single seater winch flight. It lasted nearly two hours so he must have got away! Peter Shiels drove the winch for most of the day, but had a hangar flight at the end of the day.

Jay wrote:

Although I now have just under 700 hrs in gliders it was not until last weekend that the planets aligned and I got the opportunity to learn winch launching. Up until then my impression had been that the winch was a poor cousin to the tug. I have seen the light! If there is lift around (as there was on Sunday) I would now rather a winch launch than an aerotow. The winch is quicker, quieter cheaper and more exhilarating than the tug. Thanks again Gerhard - a very enjoyable day and valuable new endorsement!

Peter wrote:

Incidently, after Gerhard had sent Jay Anderson solo on Sunday, I asked to be allowed the last flight for the day. Gerhard drove the winch and I launched at 6-45, after a higher than expected launch (1600') I still expected just a brief circuit . Imagine my surprise to find myself at 7000' only 20 minutes later! I had a most enjoyable 45min flight to end the day!