Saturday was the penultimate day of the Lasham Regionals Competition and glider 775, one of the youth gliders, is currently standing at 3rd in the B class. 778 on the other hand is well down in last. However, fun has been had by all.
The schedule today was gruelling. Gliders were brought to the grid before the 10 o’clock briefing…
The glider grid assembled in the shimmering noonday heat,
And then had to wait…
One 778 pilot making the most of the wing area.
And wait…
Still waiting...
And wait…
Malcolm looks like he has done this before!
Until the pre-launched “sniffer” gliders announced thermals were starting so launching was to begin at 1:30. As you can see Sam in 778 was over the moon…
Sam is ready to roll.
So the tug planes were readied…
One of the more powerful Lasham tug planes. Recently refurbished.
And they were off…
At last we're rolling.
And away!
Airborne at last.
The task for the day? 103.6km total distance. Lasham to Illsley, just North of Newbury, then to Hurstbourne Tarrant, near Andover, eventually arriving back at Lasham to clean the bugs off the wing.
Time to clean the bugs off.
Meanwhile yours truly did not actually fly today since it was too windy but did find something to set his heart on. I know I am trying to get converted to the single seater Grob 102 glider, and that is a good next target..
One of the Lasham Grob 102s, affectionally know as Baby Grobs.
Although the cockpit is looking the worse for wear.
But my eyes alighted on one of the club Discus gliders, SH2, and now I am after getting checked out on that. Beautiful. We will have to see just how long it takes.
One of the lovely Schempp-Hirth Discus club gliders.
By the way “SH” stands for “Surrey & Hants”, one of the original clubs that were amalgamated to become the Lasham Gliding Society.
Next I have a report from the Saturday evening group which was tough flying due to the strength of the crosswind we had that day.
Reflections, Ramblings and Rumblings 