13 Logbook 2016

Date

Pilot

From

Task or Route

T/O

Land

Time

Kms

IGC

Pics

25-Feb

741

Rob

Dunstable

Cheltenham-Lower Clopton

12:16

14:51

2:35

223

Rather murky at LGC but cleared late morning to good conditions. A bit spread out at CHL but a nice climb at LCL put us almost on glide. Saw 4,800' once and 3-4kts was around. Fab for Feb.

28-Feb

742

Steve

Dunstable

Earith O/R

11:59

13:54

1:55

146

An unstable day where we tried to avoid the spread-out and picked our way between the sunny patches which always worked, often delivering 3-4 kts, & once 5 kts. A lovely day to be flying, with crystal clear vis.

04-Mar

743

Steve

Rob

Dunstable

Olney-Swindon-Newbury-Membury

10:54

14:28

3:34

254

Unstable day with threatening showers around. Climbs very variable, often gusty, & some nice streetiing in places. Turned Newbury, short of our intended Basingstoke TP due to the possibility of getting cut off. A bonus day for this week.

22-Mar

744

Rob

Dunstable

Oakington-Wantage

11:41

14:37

2:56

266

Just on the edge of the overcast. Not very high base but some good runs, only two thermals in the first 130km. Went 7.9/8ths but survived and slowly cleared to nice conditions to the SW. Back in the air at last!

25-Mar

745

Steve

T Hutchings

Dunstable

Chilbolton-Colsterworth

10:36

15:44

5:08

409

Went too early (again!) so got stuck for a while on Chinnor etc ridges. Generally poor run south with weak and variable climbs. Complete change as we came north into ever improving conditions, and some excellent runs. By the time we reached the Rutland area, cloudbase around 4300', and much better climbs with height. Straightforward run home although this involved much street crossing.

30-Mar

746

Rob

Dunstable

Elmswell-Worcester

11:12

15:41

4:29

451

Forecast was for showers and it was a bit low to begin with but a gentle run out to Elmswell. Some areas of spreadout needed early deviation and slow glides but there were good climbs around. Base picked up to 4,000+ west of the Cotswolds and we saw two showers all day, both to the south. Probably 600 in the day if you'd dared to declare it.

02-Apr

747

Rob

H von Arb

San Vittore

Biasca O/R

16:44

17:31

0:47

Short local check flight

06-Apr

748

Rob

T Mills

San Vittore

Massera-Verbania-Aquino valley

11:42

18:30

6:48

300

Extended local flight. Barely soarable at start, but with odd splash of sunshine things perked and allowed a little cross country. Max cb only 8500' very low for location.

13-Apr

749

Rob

Dunstable

Great Ashfield-Ludlow-Stoney Stratford

11:42

17:16

5:34

526

Expected strong conditions but problems with showers. 1st leg no showers but had to go way north to get any (weak) lift. 2nd leg no showers but cirrus and altocu cutting off the sun. 3rd leg no showers but called it a day near STS as cloud amounts going towards 8/8ths. The odd good climb and a nice run on the 2nd leg, Lakenheath controller very friendly, 526km on OLC.

17-Apr

750

Rob

Dunstable

Axminster-Belvoir Castle

10:43

16:18

5:35

623

A bit soft for the first 60km but improved steadily after. Good energy lines for 50km in and out of AXM, then more climb and glide. Never got low, found regular 4-6kt averages and generally had a choice of things to aim for and speeds to fly at, which is unusual for the UK! Some spreadout on the northern part of the task, a minor deviation at BVR then a pleasant glide home. Probably another 200km in the day but given the air temperature at 6,000' we might wait until it gets warmer to try it...

18-Apr

751

Steve

A Harrison

Dunstable

Butser Hill-Firle Beacon-Nympsfield

10:10

16:37

6:27

512

Low CB on the leg south, but good climbs nevertheless in cold unstable NE'ly. The South Downs ridge was softer than expected, and we got hung up a couple of times waiting for height to cross gaps, probably down to my relative inexperience of the ridges. Loss of time encouraged us to turn short at NYM. Return leg into increasing spreadout, but still surprising to find the climbs to bring us back.

24-Apr

752

Rob

L Allen

Dunstable

Eyebrook O/R

11:54

14:28

2:34

180

Nice for a while, then mid level came over and killed the day.

26-Apr

753

Rob

Dunstable

Sixpenny Handley-Bishops Castle

10:12

15:43

5:31

531

Forecast was a bit more showery than had been mooted the night before but we thought we'd give it a go. OK down to SIX, then several shower lines developed. Managed to get through a tiny gap in one then followed another until it all merged together. By then there was no way out, so horizon on and sucked up at 10kts into a cunim. Fell out the back and a little grovel but reconnected. By then we'd pretty much given up with the task, so followed a convergence to Cheltenham then saw a gap with a street and the task was back on! 5K base and 4-5kt averages, got better the more NW we went. Fairly straightforward home with a great run along the sunny side of a shower line from Banbury. Fab vis, I think we got the task about right in the end.

29-Apr

754

Steve

M Hayden

Dunstable

Sixpenny Handley-Bishops Castle

10:13

13:17

3:04

207

Exercise in dodging big very gusty showers, the first of which was too early and stopped any notion of a task. Then the real trough arrived, so end of...

30-Apr

755

Rob

P Houlahan

Dunstable

Chilbolton-Lyvedon-Chievely

10:26

15:14

4:48

472

Started early based on forecast of showers to come. Central areas looked the place to be and maybe with a trough line in the flow some good runs. The fun started at Northampton with some spectacular showers developing, so a gentle glide in and out of Lyvedon, then followed a great run along the shower line to just short of Bicester. That same line beat me to Dunstable and had wait 10 minutes or so for the rain to clear before being able to finish. Brought my 106kph down to 99kph:( Great day to fly on, just for the variety of sky, magnificent visibility to see it all and some stunning climbs.

03-May

756

Rob

Dunstable

Tavistock-West Meon Hut

10:23

16:48

6:25

767

The forecasts all pointed to the SW being better, with the possibility of some convergences. Not a bad run out, latched onto a line south of Yeovil that went to Exeter. 5,500' base over Dartmoor, fell a bit into the turn but it looked like you could have gone quite a bit further into Cornwall. Reconnected with the convergence but it fizzled out near Compton Abbas and we didn't think it worth going down to the coast. Much more spread out after the turn, climbed at Lasham then down several gears and a bit of deviation to get home. Great views of the Jurassic coast and Devon, well worth going down there.

14-May

757

Steve

D Adams

Dunstable

Bembridge-Pitsford-Stockbridge

09:53

16:31

6:38

586

Spreadout and blue patches were the main features. Not really as Topmeteo forecast. Best cloudbase achieved 4500', and not many climbs were that consistent. Still very enjoyable, especially to the IOW.

15-May

758

Rob

Dunstable

Chilbolton-Lyvedon-Chievely

10:24

18:32

8:08

767

OK until hit a reluctant patch between Marlborough and Devizes. Better run past Exeter but the hoped for convergences seemed in short supply. More spread out until Dorchester then opened up a bit - got a clearance from Bournemouth and Southampton and had about 30k of sea breeze until we had to leave it for the TP. Lots of cloud on the run in to Cirencester but it cycled slowly and there was always some sun to go for. Twisty thermals but some quite good cores. Glad we hadn't been too ambitious when we crept back on 1-2kts in a dying sky.

16-May

759

T Walker

Dunstable

Kilmington-Welshpool

11:35

17:00

5:25

530

Nice start, with good thermals and runs. Became more difficult beyond Membury and struggled a bit in and out of KTN, between 1500 & 2500AGL seemed to be the norm. Talked to Bristol who were helpful as usual. Sea air up the Channel, just made it to the Forest of Dean on the right side of a convergence. After that, fairly straightforward with 4-5k bases and a good energy run home from Welshpool. A better day than anticipated, almost didn't go flying after the forecast the day before.

22-May

760

Rob

Dunstable

Carlisle

via York

12:10

16:55

4:45

434

Followed the weather, lucky it followed the task! No problems until north of the Humber where it became a bit spread out and showers started. One route over the Pennines which we gratefully used, pushed through cunims then a fab bit of tourism over the Lake District. Carlisle friendly and we plan to launch tomorrow, destination ???

23-May

761

Rob

Carlisle

Kirkbride

Laggan Bridge then Dumfries and Galloway

10:54

17:24

6:30

614

Started from Carlisle, base a bit low but it crept slowly up as we progressed north into the higher ground. Lack of wind helped with the confidence. Clearance from Edinburgh, ran north to c.50k shy of Inverness but showers over the turn made it look unlikely. Turned back under a 6700' base then a good run back with a clearance from Glasgow this time, gave us a band 3000-5000 to work which was really helpful. Explored out towards Stranraer as the trough line had become active over Carlisle, landed at Kirkbride which turned out to be a good choice. Stunning views of the Borders and the Scottish Highlands.

24-May

762

Rob

Kirkbride

Dunstable

via Lake District, Pennines, Woodvale, Rhyl and Hay-on-Wye

11:10

16:59

5:49

501

Took off from Kirkbride, just a few miles from Scotland. 5500 base over the lakes at 11am, cruised south with the option of E around Leeds or W over the sea to Wales. Chose the interesting route and got to 5k on a sea breeze near Woodvale, then a slow glide round the airspace past Liverpool to Lleweni Parc. Not bad from there on but most of the time the streets didn't seem to be aligned with anything and there were some long glides to uncertain thermals at times.

25-May

763

Steve

M Biggs

Dunstable

Downham Market-Newmarket-Edgehill

10:28

15:36

5:08

346

Low (first half) and tortuously slow in generally woolly thermals. Wisps generally produced better than developed clouds. Anticipating a cut-off c 1630, we abandoned on the leg west.

18-Jun

764

Steve

Dunstable

Local

14:14

15:07

0:53

19-Jun

765

Steve

N Tillett

Dunstable

Grantham-Upwood

09:59

14:12

4:13

272

Just had to fly! Weak difficult conditions made worse on leg north by top cover arriving earlier than planned. Initially abandoned north-bound leg at Corby, but temp clearance in the top cover stoked it up again for a brief while. Best we saw was cb 3000' but mostly we were 1k' lower. Hoped we would have better conditions into the SE, but not to be, and we threw in the towel at Upwood. Pleased we flew, even in silly conditions.

21-Jun

766

A Sampson

Dunstable

Docking-Colchester-Earith

10:57

16:48

5:51

436

Good runs to start with but base lowered to 2,500 approaching DOC. Managed to get to Colchester after holding and grinding but didn't quite contact on the way out, lit up in the Earl's Colne circuit. Managed to soar back to LGC under the glook, long glide out from a cloud climb at Cambridge just got us to the next thermal at Bedford.

24-Jun

767

Steve

A Paul

Dunstable

Gransden Lodge

Great Yarmouth-Gransden Lodge(LO)

10:22

14:12

3:50

321

Really nice run downwind to Great Yarmouth, although trickier near the coast. Then back into wind, which had eased, so we thought it was on. Lakenheath undemanding both ways. Around Chatteris, the showers started, we couldn't make Ramsey (well done to TJ who did), and faced with walls of rain, we dropped in to Gransden. Thanks to Robert Welford, Andy Beatty and Phil Jeffery at Grandsden for the tea, hospitality, humour and help. Got back to DUN in a brief window

24-Jun

768

Steve

A Paul

Gransden Lodge

Dunstable

15:21

15:58

0:37

27-Jun

769

S Hayley

Dunstable

Dorchester-Chippenham-Craven Arms

12:00

18:02

6:02

561

Last of three cold fronts eventually cleared, good run as far as Salisbury then lower and weaker. Crept up on the eastern edge of Somerset/Wiltshire as poor air was flooding in from the Bristol Channel. Didn't get good again until the Forest of Dean, then base rose significantly. Could see cirrus appearing so a race into the turn then energy lines on the way home so a 140km final glide. The high cover paced us back so 20mins later and it would have been difficult.

03-Jul

770

Rob

Dunstable

Mablethorpe-Worthen-Corwen

10:03

17:26

7:23

684

Finally a half-decent day after all the rain! Not a bad run up to about 50k short of MBL then lots of spreadout. Crept round the turn and followed a crack of sunshine. Difficult until past Syerston where it opened out. Some good climbs then missed the bubble going NW from WTM and a bit of a grovel. Looked nice over the hills but climbs hard to find. Decided to exit the high ground, little bit of uncertainty until Shrewsbury, then finally broke through up to nearly 6k. Sky much better after that, only a handful more climbs needed to get a good glide home.

05-Jul

771

T Jenkinson

Dunstable

Longleat-Nympsfield-Carreg Cannen Castle

11:43

18:14

6:31

556

A fair amount of spreadout on the way out and good climbs were a long way apart. Better beyond the Severn, looked OK in Wales but lower base and rapid cycling. Had to use the ridges on the Brecon Beacons on several occasions, base went below 3k near Sennybridge, just where it would have been nice to be a bit higher. Crept round the TP then a bit of a struggle, frankly. Improved from Cheltenham then not too bad. Overall we found the clouds very hard to read and energy lines didn't last very long but good to be flying!

06-Jul

772

Rob

Dunstable

N Walsham-Ipswich-N Walsham

10:56

17:10

6:14

516

RASP said convergences on the east coast, so off we went. Nice to start then soft until over the sandy soil near Mundford. Clearance from Norwich, met sea breeze near the TP then Ipswich and back along the coast. Not an amazing convergence but it did work in places. Last 120k a bit of a grind under overcast, don't think we could have got much further in the direction of home.

13-Jul

773

Rob

Dunstable

Mendlesham-Thrapston-Winslow

10:09

14:21

4:12

333

High were our hopes and fair the wind at our backs when we set off... Unfortunately, after a reasonable run to MEN, bands of showers started appearing. Saved it near Ely then ran into a wall of rain near Kettering. Good energy along it and we eventually found a gap but it didn't look like it was worth pushing through as lots of showers ahead, confirmed by the weather radar.

14-Jul

774

Rob

L Roberts

Dunstable

Plymouth-Stockbridge-Bicester

10:18

17:23

7:05

634

Cloudbase took ages to rise so had a closer look at the Jurassic coast than usual on the way out. Interesting line of strong lift and high cloudbase immediately downwind of Dartmoor. From there in and out of Plymouth proved tricky with difficult to find climbs in a messy looking sky. Once back downwind of Dartmoor it was a straight forward return with some good thermals.

21-Jul

775

Rob

Dunstable

Wantage-Ely-Beverley

10:27

17:07

6:40

617

OK to Oxford then a bit patchy. Slow in and out then an improving run to Ely. Top cover made the thermals a little random but just when you thought it was dying a better climb turned up. Talked to Coningsby, not bad round the turn then slower and weaker with spreadout and cirrus combining to cut off the sun. Took several weak climbs to stay in contact but not quite on glide. A surprise 7kts near Santa Pod for a fast final glide but it looked pretty dead after.

23-Jul

776

Rob

S Venables

Dunstable

Boston-Chilbolton-Oakham

10:36

17:10

6:34

621

Quite a small area to fit a big task in, so chose Boston as a first TP, though wished I hadn't as it was barely soarable for 20k in and out. Then things improved heading South into a really nice day though I feel sure I didn't get my fair share of 6kt thermals.

25-Jul

777

Dunstable

Newent-Reedham-Colchester-Rattlesden

10:39

17:26

6:47

617

OK run until west of Enstone then lots of spreadout. Committed to a glide-out to near the TP (why oh why didn't I go east like everyone else?) and got away fairly low. Didn't see a decent climb until I had waffled to past Banbury, then much better. Sea air just coming in at the turn, base now 4.5-5 with 3-5kts. Hit some spread after Cambridge but not too problematic, nice 3kt glide home. Due lack of a P2 flew on my own today, could have really done with a bit more weight in the runs. Talked to Gloucester and Cambridge ATC instead.

30-Jul

778

Steve

Chula

Dunstable

Wragby-Bedford-Thame

10:31

15:39

5:08

377

Top cover & spreadout, but mainly topcover meant we needed to deviate considerably from intended track. Just couldn't make the last 50k (wot again!) to intended TP at Scunthorpe, & pleased to have made it back. Some nicely behaved thermals under some of the glook.

31-Jul

779

T Russell

Dunstable

Plymouth-Four Marks

10:32

17:16

6:44

653

Made a last minute decision to go SW rather than Yorks/Norfolk. Difficult with medium cover until past Didcot then opened out. A fair amount of spreadout, took a cloud climb to jump it then a bit of a convergence along the Jurassic Coast. OK in and out of the turn, looked like you could have gone further but with difficulty. Another convergence gave us a free run of about 50k in zero sink under a wide shelf. Very good in Southampton's zone (thanks)
then a couple more climbs and home. Also spoke to Boscombe, Old Sarum, Bournemouth and Exeter.

05-Aug

780

Steve

T Rose

Dunstable

Newbury-Gainsborough

09:51

16:22

6:31

476

Very slow to get going, stuck on ridge at Halton. Several low points, too much RT to too many airfields in their ATZ's, but special thanks Barkston Heath who were really helpful. Good to have got back, an interesting flight, but another uncompleted.

06-Aug

781

Rob

Dunstable

Didcot-Driffield-Great Ashfield

10:55

18:30

7:35

650

Bit blue at DID but OK climbs. Managed to get 3-4kt averages for most of the rest of the flight although they took a lot of searching for. Lot of effort to get on glide, was 1,100' over 20k out then bad air and gave up about 7k short.

07-Aug

782

Steve

L Pike

Dunstable

Andoversford-Bedford-Cherington

11:09

15:29

4:20

361

Delighted at last to have completed a task, whatever size! Breezy day, challenging in parts, some nice runs up & down wind, some nice 4-5 kt climbs. Mostly below 4k', with the day dying rapidly at BIC.

09-Aug

783

Rob

J Jeffries

Dunstable

Brecon O/R

11:38

16:11

4:33

407

Started as a short flight for JJ, which led us to Gloucester. Conditions quickly improved further West, so flew the NW face of the Black Mountains, then Pen-y-fan, before running home under some wonderful clouds. A great flight all round

14-Aug

784

Steve

H Jones

Dunstable

Crediton-Fordingbridge

09:56

16:34

6:38

531

8/8 at DUN when we launched, & remained that way until Marlborough, but was soarable nevertheless. One low point in the first of the sunshine, then conditions improving really nicely to the SW for a straightforward run to Crediton & back (apart from Glastonbury which is always bad). Return was fine until weakening around Benson, & last low point near Aylesbury. It was a combined harvester that kicked off our last climb to FG.

26-Aug

785

Steve

P Stammell

Dunstable

Wendling-Wantage

10:00

15:56

5:56

409

Just too slow in the blue heading east, poor conditions & too many low points. Coming back we eventually met cu at Wyton, and conditions became significantly better for the run as far as Oxford. Then out into blue again (but now with haze caps) & not enough time to complete, so abandoned at Wantage. A day of many parts.

29-Aug

786

Rob

Dunstable

Cray Rservoir O/R

11:32

16:19

4:47

424

Rather low and gloopy at Dunstable, first reasonable climb in the Bicester circuit. Carried on with the low theme until past the Cotswold edge then improved a lot. Nice run in and out of Cray along the tops with converging winds on either side. Base went to 5,000' in the end with good thermals so a good run home. Probably another 200km in the day if you'd dared and didn't believe the forecast...

04-Sep

787

Steve

Rob

Llanbedr

Local

12:17

12:57

0:40

Local familiarisation flight

07-Sep

788

Rob

C Hampson-

Llanbedr

Local

13:14

16:30

3:16

Colin Hampson-Jones, extended local flight

10-Sep

789

Rob

M Barrowma

Llanbedr

Cadair Idris-Bangor-Lleyn Peninisular-Snowdon

12:43

17:32

4:49

222

Fascinating flight just above Cadair Idris then moved North to Snowdon followed by a convergence near Bangor, back to Snowdon before following a cloud street almost the whole length of the Lleyn peninsular, final mounatinside climb of Snowdon before heading home. Great day in Snowdonia.

14-Sep

790

Rob

C Taunton

Llanbedr

Local to Snowdonia

12:45

17:28

4:43

149

Wave flight behind Snowdon, not sure why there was wave as the wind was only 5 knots at times nevertheless we reached 14200' with some stunning lenticulars for company. Then a nasty surprise as the whole area went gloopy with 8/8ths from the South, we could only just make out the runways when 3000' above. A reminder of how the time to descend from high altitude can be overtaken by weather below!

16-Sep

791

Rob

E Hollinshead

Llanbedr

Local to Snowdonia

11:27

14:25

2:58

151

Wave above and around cu to near 10k, Cadai working well on ridge though rather cloudy

16-Sep

792

Rob

C Marriott

Llanbedr

Local to Snowdonia

15:10

17:48

2:38

123

Similar flight though not quite so high

21-Sep

793

Rob

D Keegan

Llanbedr

Local to Snowdonia

11:34

15:32

3:58

115

Weak wave in the Mawddach valley

26-Sep

794

N Kelly

Portmoak

Portmoak local

13:40

14:16

0:36

27-Sep

795

Christine

Portmoak

Glenfarg-Tarland

13:08

18:24

5:16

239

Quick clearance into a strong westerly flow. Wave around but the clouds were fairly poor indicators. Fairly extensive cover to the W which broke up in the edge of the hills. Ended up near Aboyne and decided to get as much height as possible to get back, which was a wise decision with winds up to 93kts in places. Moderately hairy getting back, Scottish ATC helpful with a pre-arranged use of P600 if we wanted it. Blustery describes Portmoak on landing but survived.

29-Sep

796

Steve

Portmoak

Portmoak local

12:15

14:37

2:22

Steve celebrating 45 years since soloing at Portmoak in a fundamentally dissimilar glider, a T21.

30-Sep

797

Steve

Portmoak

Portmoak local

10:36

14:31

3:55

Weak wave over a single reservoir in the Ochills to 4000’, then scurried back onto the local Bishop hill for ridge and a bit more weak wave

01-Oct

798

Steve

Portmoak

Balmaha-Crieff

12:06

15:41

3:35

209

Forecast not great but clouds started appearing so took to the skies. A tad low to start with but light winds and the odd bit of lift led us down the Ochils then a glide out over the valley towards the hills. Dodged some showers and ran as far as Loch Lomond where it was lower and softer. Moved back east as the showers got more organised and took a cloud climb near Strathallan which got us back to Portmoak. Some stunning views and reasonably benign weather for the mountains.

30-Nov

799

Rob

P Lacey

Dunstable

Local

13:33

14:17

0:44

Rig, engine run and fly out.

11-Dec

800

Steve

Dunstable

Local

10:25

12:25

2:00

277:07

21827

Time

Flts

2016

Rob