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Flying Diary

Flight Statistics
Site	Mendlesham
Conditions	S-SW 5-10 mph, thermals/broken. Cumulus clouds building throughout the day, but difficult to exploit.
Glider	AirBorne Sting 3:168
Height Gain (ft)	955 release; 955 total 900 release; 900 total 900 release; 900 total 950 release; 950 total
Max Climb (fpm)	-
Duration (mins)	8 7 6 6
Distance (km)	- - - -
Total Hours	25:55

A New Glider

22 August 2009

The weather forecast was suggesting a trip to Metfield for winching, but like normal, everyone meets at Mendlesham first so that's where I'd head. Earlier in the week I had been in communication with Mark, a pilot that I met in Spain back in 2001. He was keen to try winching, so I gave him directions to Mendlesham and by 11am he'd arrived and everyone was now debating where to set-up.

The local farmer had just harvested his wheat, so he kindly allowed us to use a new field that better suited the wind direction - a stones throw from Mendlesham's main runway (Mickfield Hall). This allowed the winch to be perfectly aligned to the prominent wind direction (south/south west).

Today was to be my first flight on my new glider, the AirBorne Sting 3:168. This glider is about 10cm longer than the Target so I needed to short-pack it to squeeze into my garage. Arriving at the winch field I set about rigging the glider and after considerable faffing and paranoid checking of everything I was ready to go!

The first flight went very well, a full tow to around 900 feet and some broken thermals I was able to extend this flight. The new site is quite picturesque, flying over Mickfield Hall you can see the moat surrounding the buildings – the fact that I was able to admire the view was a good sign that I felt comfortable on the new glider. Shortly later, it was time for landing. Being within the weight range on this glider, it seemed to float along on landing. My first landing required 2 or 3 steps before I was stationary. Well, that was the worst of it over (landings were my main concern – no problem!).

In the meantime, Mark was starting his tow conversion. His initial flight looked quite scary and involved a PIO. He looked very relieved to be on the ground afterwards! After subsequent flights he was doing very well and finished the day with a circuit bringing him back to the launch point.

For me, 3 further flights on my new glider, some of which involved some weak broken thermals, confirmed I was hooked! However, the day felt very long and the sun and all the running around took its toll and I was knackered! So, it was time to for me to pack up!

A bit later, we all decided it was time for a pub meal. Arriving at said pub, Mark kindly brought a round for everyone and we were then told they'd run out of food! Damn! It was now late so it was time to hit the road and return to Sussex – the journey back was another adventure!