Gliders flying at the MalvernsMichaela, Wayne, Geoff and I went to the Malverns. It was the first time any of us (except Wayne) had flown the hill, but the forecast indicated that east would be best. We got there and people were already getting high.

After assessing the conditions (i.e. having some sandwiches), Wayne launched first and climbed straight up and out from the hill. I launched second and climbed straight to 3500ATO. I lost the thermal and went on a glide to the next cloud but couldn’t work it properly. Three of us were hunting around in the same area but no one was finding anything, so I flew off to a factory with earthworks in front of it. The earth was dark brown and churned up and I was praying it would work, and it did! I climbed 1200 feet and headed for the gap in airspace around Hereford. I was on a good line to miss the airspace, but didn’t find another thermal, so was down at 24km. Very disappointing, given how good the day was.

As I was in the landing field, Wayne overflew me (who sold him that good looking glider?). He got to Hay-on-Wye for a personal best, around 55k. Well done, Wayne!

Geoff got to north west of Hereford (33km), his longest PG flight, but again should have got further. His mistake was taking a long glide to the north of Hereford to avoid airspace, but the cloud was just too far – obviously forgetting, again, that he was on a PG not an HG. Max height was 5764′, still well below cloudbase.

Michaela had a great day, her longest ever flight with over two hours air time.

All in all, an epic day, high base, smooth thermals, lots of cumulus… it seems likely that some long distances were done.

See photos of today.

Tracklogs, etc available from link on right – our XC flights.

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