Winching in Suffolk

It had been a while since I visited the tow fields of Suffolk, and with the season slowly drawing to a close, it was time to return for one last day.

The southerly wind forecast suggested Mickfield as the site for the day and as I arrived, everyone was readying the airfield. I parked the car next to the hedge, unloaded and rigged my glider.

The wind was stronger than the forecast had suggested and as my turn to launch came, I was felt a little nervous. As soon as the launch started I concentrated on the flying. At a height of 200 feet, the tension increased on the towline followed by a jolt as weak link conceded ending the tow. I was high enough to loop back launch where I safely landed.

Three more successful flights followed, but with conditions being far from ideal, after my final flight, I flew the short distance back to the Mendlesham hanger where I landed and packed up. It was a lot of effort for 16 minutes of flying, and with a 120 mile return trip to West Sussex, I was eager to get going!