December 1998-January 1999
Despite a weather-induced shaky start, the annual club trip to Portmoak ultimately proved successful with some terrific flying. Neil Braithwaite completed a 300km for Gold distance/Diamond goal, Graham Welch gained Diamond height and Linda Dawson is well on the way to Bronze with the first duration flight in the bag. Our thanks to Irene and Steve for being great hosts.
The club also attended the two-seater comp at Pocklington where our K21 came 15th and the Capstan 21st - very pleasing results. Whilst there Lyn Martindale took the opportunity of completing the first part of the 100km Diploma.
Mean-while, back at Walney we've been having some better flying now that the Autumn winds have arrived, ridge flying in the Lake District saw some of our gliders soaring as far away as Scafell and Buttermere.
A.D.
October-November 1998
The weather has been rubbish - what more need I say?
Congratulations to Roger Copley who completed 300km in France back in June despite being grounded for several days by the best bureaucratic efforts of the BGA and the French Authorities. A recognised Gliding Licence is long overdue.
A.D.
August-September 1998
Our club trip to Hus Bos at Whit week was well attended, despite the weather. Flying was scarce and we upped-sticks on wednesday, only to hear that friday and saturday were "300"k days. Our thanks to the Soaring Centre for their hospitality.
A.D.
June-July 1998
The Easter weekend provided some particularly good flying. With a stiff northerly wind keeping the sea-breeze at bay, we had thermals up to 7000 feet which is spectacular for Walney, and unheard of in April. At the same time we also had the usual wave and ridge lift as well. John Martindale retrieved the picture from BFGC (Chipping) and Roger Copley also made it to there the next day.
Phil Storer gained his silver height and currently leads the club ladder, a fine achievement for an early solo pilot. Peter Seddon has his bronze.
A.D.
April-May 1998
As usual the Lakes GC have been flying throughout the winter. Over the last two months we’ve had everything, a fair amount of wave and ridge soaring and even thermals - yes on December 31st (honest!) several gliders were up for over an hour each flying in thermals. Earlier in the month Roy Jones, Alan Meadows and Graham Sturgeon all did their Assistant Instructor completion courses and David North completed his Full cat rating.
Last month all of the club gliders were C of A’d and special recognition has to go to our Chairman, John Martindale and CFI Peter Lewis who did nearly all of the work.
A. D.
February-March 1998
The third club outing of the year was to Portmoak back in October. Unfortunately there was no wave to be had and hence no really outstanding flights except Rod Murfitt’s five hour plus in thermals!
The recent annual dinner/prize giving was as good as ever. Trophies went to: Peter Redshaw - Best Cross Country and Best flight; David North - Services to the club; Lyn Martindale - Club Ladder; Neil Braithwaite - Best gain of height; Peter Seddon - Best Progress; Dave Bull, Martin Lewis, Lyn Martindale, and Andy Tebay jointly - Best flight by non-silver pilot and John Burdett - Wooden Spoon.
A. D.