With the Easter bank holiday providing an opportunity for some extra training, several members of the team gathered at Nympsfield for an ad-hoc camp in the hope that spring might finally deliver some usable flying weather.
Unfortunately, the weekend began much as recent camps had ended, with low cloud and the lingering effects of Storm Dave bringing strong winds and rain throughout Friday and Saturday. With flying off the table, attention turned once again to maintenance and preparation work. Progress was made on the Fox annual inspection, further configuration work was carried out on the S100 to improve its aerobatic display screens and options, and updates were completed on the FLARM and other instruments in the SZD. Work also began on rewiring the rear battery box, although that job remains a work in progress.
Despite the weather, spirits remained good, helped in no small part by a relaxed evening meal hosted by friends of Dan and Anne.
Sunday finally brought an improvement, allowing both gliders to be rigged and moved to the launch point. Dan was first airborne, initially planning to aerotow but instead launching by winch due to conditions. The newly fitted hook performed well, and the flight also provided an opportunity for some ridge soaring. Laura followed with the second flight of the day, also launching by winch as aerotowing was still unavailable due to the wind. A 1,300 ft launch quickly turned into a climb to 4,500 ft in thermal conditions, with cloudbase sitting around 5,000 ft. Laura used the opportunity to begin working through elements of this year’s published Advanced Fixed Known sequence, getting valuable currency after several months of poor weather.
As conditions improved through the afternoon and wind speeds reduced, aerotowing resumed with Graham kindly flying the tug through until sunset. Elliot flew in the SZD-59, focusing on selected CIVA figures and spending time refining negative push manoeuvres. Alex, Laura and Elliot all managed several flights throughout the afternoon, primarily concentrating on figures from the first half of the Known sequence as everyone looked to rebuild currency and consistency after the long winter.
We were also joined during the day by Laura’s friend Brad, who is beginning his own aerobatics journey and hopes to enter competition flying in due course once his display authorisation is complete. Brad kindly helped out at launch point for much of the day and it was great to have him involved.
Sunday evening saw part of the team head out for a well-earned meal at the local Chinese restaurant — a welcome reward after the busiest flying day many of us had seen in some time.
Monday offered another flyable day, but with a strengthening direct crosswind forecast for later in the afternoon, the decision was made to start early. Daily inspections began at 07:30, with the first launch at 08:30. Elliot opened proceedings, again focusing on negative push technique and figures from the first half of the Known sequence. Alex followed, then Laura, all taking high tows to between 6,000 and 7,000 ft to maximise airborne time.
Further flying continued through the morning, with Elliot completing three flights, Alex two, and Laura one. Dan Weston also flew the Fox, taking a check flight with Dan Welch before later flying solo.
With the crosswind steadily increasing, operations were wrapped up at around 14:00 to allow time to de-rig both gliders and pack away. Elliot then took the SZD-59 on to Dunstable, where it will be based for the next couple of weeks to allow the team and squad additional flying opportunities ahead of the Dan Smith Memorial competition, and to support preparations for the Advanced FE requirement ahead of the May competition.
At last, after several weather-affected camps, this felt like a genuinely productive training weekend — with meaningful airtime, valuable practice, and encouraging signs that the season is finally beginning in earnest.
