Web Diary 2013

December 2013. Lots of coffee being drunk in the club house, Jobs being done, tow bars fitted and the simulator packed in. Weather has been strong winds and rain so not much in the way of flying. We now have enough funds from our members to buy the EuroFox without needing a loan. The EuroFox is now due at the end of March beginning of April. Happy Christmas to all our readers and best wishes for the New Year. The new club logo is being fine tuned. This is from BBC Online Weather "Turning very wet and windy during morning with gales likely, especially along the coasts, and transient snow Pennines. The rain will clear through the afternoon, with heavy showers following." Says it all! The last Sunday of the year was good with wonderful smooth lift on Blackcombe with a SW wind.

November 2013. Compared to last years weather it is going well. There was no damage from high winds. We have been flying, we have a new member in Andy Spray who is an experienced pilot, has joined us from Eden and brought his PW5 with him. As soon as we discovered he had a BI instructor rating our CFI checked him out for instructing with us - can't pass up on an opportunity! The Annual Dinner was on Saturday 24th, well attended and a good time had by all. George Clooney joined the dinner with his groupies. Full report to come.

October 2013. What magnificent days wave flying on the 12th and 13th. Chris bagged his Silver height with a climb from 1500ft to over 10000ft immediately overhead Barrow. 23 had three flights one up to 14000ft, a couple of runs over Wastwater and another up to Cockermouth. The syndicate partners in 434 were taking turns in the wave. Most flights were getting up around 8000ft and average flight time for the 2 days was about 1hr 30min. On Saturday the wave gaps got better as the day went on with some looking very inviting to try a flight to North Wales across the Irish Sea. The photo was taken at 12000ft over Wastwater looking to the NW.

September 2013. Two new members, Tom Jeffreys and Bill Ives. Tom is from the Air Cadets at Kendal and won a free flight in the raffle at an Air Cadet's function. His dad Steve brought him down and I suspect Steve may also take up gliding. Bill is from Grange and is recently retired, he flew some 10 years ago obtaining his Bronze C and has decided to take up gliding again now he has a bit more time on his hands. Steve Wilkinson went on a weeks gliding course to the Long Mynd and has provided us a write up with photos. He was impressed with the response times of the emergency services on his second landing as an ambulance, police helicopter, two fire appliances and a paramedic car arrived just as he touched down. Read all about it and see the photos, click here. Chris Richardson completes his Bronze with a 2 hour flight in wave and Bill was up at 4000ft with Dave. The Portmoak outing was doing circuits!!!!

August 2013. That was quick, the French trip to Le Louroux was a success with reasonable weather and flying. The Nimbus, DG800, LS3 and Capstan went out with about 12 of us plus our friends from Pocklington, Husbands Bosworth, Camphill and Holland. Roy got some good soaring flights at last in his Nimbus. Craven left the campsite without disconnecting his electrical supply, late entry for the wooden spoon and he thought the website manager didn't know. The Capstan made an early exit for the two seater competition and came back with the new Club Class trophy and 10th in the Open class. Chris Richardson joined the team and flew on the day we beat all including the hot Open class ships. He also came back with his cross country endorsement. The new Lakes hospitality tent in bright green saw some good service. Back at home the old bowser has been sold and a new fuel facility established.

July 2013. A close look at the Wastwater Screes at the start of the month. Busy weekends with nice weather, wave and a surge in Club Ladder claim forms. Even better deals for junior members introduced, the replacement for our fuel bowser is nearly complete. Wave flights of 6/7/8/10/11 and 12000ft with cross countries included. Our newer members got the real taste of what flying is all about - great. Saturday 13th brought some fascinating cloud formations with a near all day static huge Cu over Kendal/Penrith.

June 2013. Summer has arrived as if someone turned a switch. Beautiful blue skies, NW wind with puffy white clouds and somewhat rough thermals. The local pundit claimed wave interference with Ireleth and Blackcombe and suggested a high tow would contact wave. This was declined by the members present as a money raising scam, however as the day progressed we have photographic evidence - draw your own conclusions. Lewis did his field landing tests to complete his Bronze C, congratulations. Chris achieved his second hour plus soaring flight and passed his Bronze C paper, well done. 23 flew over the lakes to Penrith and back. Toby Walker goes solo on the 16th seen here with Dave North presenting Toby with his 'Wings', well done Toby.

May 2013. A good start to the month with reasonable weather. Gliding holiday season is nearly on us - who is coming on the various trips? Some good flying with ridge, thermal and wave, cloudbase even got to 6000ft, some wind and rain, some new members and some Bronze hours. The Janus is back and the Capstan was seen flying before starting its holidays.

April 2013. Mid April and and a wonderful days flying. We had 3 gliders out, 4 power aircraft and a Sea King helicopter in for refuelling. The EuroFox finally flew in to show us it's capability, beady eyes assessing it, aerotows behind it. Two of our heavyweights were put in the K21 to test it. The EuroFox is very pretty, very quiet and a very good tug. We have paid our deposit and now need to find a way to finance the purchase before our brand new one arrives in February 2014. Lots of aerotows, lots of sun and Chris Richardson went solo for his 3rd time. A week later Chris clocks up his first 1hr 10min in thermals and the first leg of his Bronze. Another new member in Michael Wallace who has recently moved north, joined BAE and is currently a post graduate apprentice. This brought memories back to Peter R as he started in BAE, then Vickers, in the same way some 48 years ago. We have a new YouTube video showing a full trial flight with commentary at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf0fHDHx1Jw. The AGM was well attended, pie and peas were great and we welcome Chris and Lewis as new committee members.

March 2013. Sunday 10th and we are still waiting for the tug to come back, it looks like we have some magnetism interfering with the compass. The service boys are trying to sort it out. the weather has stopped us flying anyway. The new Janus two seater is getting ready to fly. Check out this YouTube link for a closer view of Hoad Monument at Ulverston, it's closer than 23 has been! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYJGqzEiXns The K21 is fixed, the bus is fixed, the tug is fixed, can anyone fix the weather? 29 knots with snow at the moment. Easter Weekend and good weather and good flying. Cloud base up to 5000ft and Lewis clocks up his second hour for his Bronze C badge, the bus throws a 1/2 shaft in retaliation. We welcome Chris Richardson as our latest new member, Chris served with the RAF for some 23 years and is keen to take up gliding again. He has taken advantage of our superb value Starter Pack before taking out annual membership.