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Flying Diary

Flight Statistics
Site	Mendlesham
Conditions	S-ESE;
Glider	Aeros Target 16
Height Gain (ft)	300 release; 300 total 400 release; 400 total 450 release; 450 total 500 release; 500 total 600 release; 600 total 800 release; 800 total
Max Climb (fpm)	-
Duration (mins)	2 3 3 4 5 5
Distance (km)	-
Total Hours	22:21

Return to Suffolk

5 April 2009

Another trip to Suffolk's Mendlesham Airfield. With the forecast predicting an easterly wind, the set-up was the opposite orientation to that of my previous visit. The drive up from West Sussex took a little longer this time, mostly contributed to the exceptionally large abnormal load travelling along the M25.

I eventually arrived at Mendlesham and after finding a track that led to the opposite end of the runway (we're not supposed to drive along the runway), I dropped off my glider before returning my car to the hanger.

Walking the length of the runway, I retuned to my glider where I rigged it and slipped it to one side. Soon after, towing commenced.

Tow 1

The wind was non existent, possibly slightly tailwind? After giving the "All Out!" instruction I was hauled forward but not upwards – damn, these nil wind launches require you to fun fast! My first cable release was a little premature and as the full tension transferred from the top line to the bottom, the bridle cut into my left hand. It hurt like hell, but I had to concentrate on my flying. A short while later I top released, probably around 400 ft and I started heading back to launch. I wasn't that high and I wasn't sure if I'd make it all the way back. I didn't, but squeezed a good landing in as close as I could. I then noticed my control frame was covered in blood, a result of my premature bridle release leaving a lovely rope burn through the skin on my left hand. Ouch - I must get some gloves!

Tow 2

There was a little more lift now and more of a cross-wind. It appeared to be more southerly than easterly, so much for the forecast! To make things easier, a launch trolley was now in use. Unfortunately, after its first use, both the leading axles were bent rendering it useless! When it was time for my second tow, it would be another foot launch along with a very sore left hand! This launch went much better and I was able to gain a little more height during the tow and was able to land back at the launch area.

Tow 3

The launch area was getting busy and there was some confusion as to who was up for next tow. To address this issue a helmet queue was formed, that is, we place our helmets in order of launch. My helmet ended up pretty close to the start so it wasn't long before I was hauled along the runway and up into the air again! Conditions were improving and one lucky pilot had already vanished into the clouds somewhere. I was less fortunate, managing to bump and probably bounce off a few lumps of rising air. I squeezed in a few 360s but didn't really connect with anything and before I knew it, I was landing close to launch again.

Tow 4

Steve had already launched and was flying just to the left of the runway and another pilot was walking his glider the length of the runway back to takeoff. So a perfect time to launch! It was quite interesting passing Steve heading in one direction and myself winching in the other! I was going up and Steve slowly heading down. With each tow of the day I was gaining more and more height, mostly contributed to the increasing easterly wind, now blowing down the runway. This of course resulted in a longer return to earth with a few tantalising lumps of rising air to turn in, none of which really took me upward, just helped me stay up a little longer!

Tow 5

An uneventful flight until the landing! I landed very close to the takeoff area but as I flared a thermal gust caught the nose. I was able to get my feet on the ground but the glider lifted further. The keel touched the ground and like a pole vault, the glider headed more and more vertical. I was now convinced a ground loop was imminent! I shrieked a cry of help, but no-one heard and it was at that point the breezed eased and I was able to drop the nose to a more favourable position.

Tow 6

This was my last tow of the day and this was to be a spot landing competition. It was an extremely good tow with a reasonable wind almost straight down the runway. The top release was around 800 feet and I found myself directly above the winch. After wiggling my leg, I released then flew over the ploughed field trying to find some rising air. This had very limited success and I was now on my way to attempt a spot landing! I think it was Keith that had launched before me and he was having more success finding lift. For a moment I thought we'd both converge at the landing spot at the same time, but I was descending much quicker. I landed close'ish to the spot, but not on the runway! Keith however, did a much better job and ultimately won the competition!

After packing up after a full day I contemplated heading to the pub, but the 122 mile return journey won out and I hit the road in an attempt to get back home at a fairly reasonable hour.