Well my new flying season got off to an unexpectedly excellent start at Dungavel yesterday. I have been following forecasts over the past weeks with frustration as each promising forecast seems to fade as the day arrives, but I took the plunge, booked a half day off and planned to get out on the Thursday. Expectations were very low - after a six month rest period all I really wanted was to get some easy groundhandling practice, an easy top-to-bottom and if conditions were right (ie not too strong) get the new Gradient Nevada out for some easy landing field G/H.
Conditions out the window in the morning did not inspire hope - too much cloud cover - but at least winds were light and easy, so off I went. Did not take long before I started to question my decision as, despite the 98% cloud cover, every hill to the south seemed to have some seriously big CU development with gnashing teeth going on. Doubts increased all the way to the car park below Dungavel and even considered just doing some g/h in the landing field. But Dungavel seemed to be in a hole, and only had very light winds while I got gear sorted, so decision made to walk up half way, set wing up, G/H and T2B. One other pilot was already on way to top.
Easy walk up, with light pleasant almost-soarable breeze, got wing out of bag, then felt serious increase in wind so time to sit and think. Overhead a big black cloud, and as it passed behind winds got pretty strong as they fed the monster. Let it pass and waited twenty minutes (with Mik the other pilot) checking for more beasts out front - it was all flyable but last thing I needed was an instant call to action. Anyway, now reassured got wing out, overhead a few minutes, felt confident and launched into a light breeze and never looked back or down - easy, easy to soar and some good pockets of lift got me easily above hill height several times. So had a nice 30 mins of beats, thermalling, pushing out front - keeping a keen eye for approaching dark skies - and then finally pushed right out on speed bar for an easy landing by the car.
Even had time to pack quickly and get the Nevada out for a first play. Very nice but a completely different feel to the Atis (seems much lighter on the controls) and more importantly a better colour scheme. Was joined by Mik who also had a good day and we talked about getting out next day. That plan was scrapped later that night as all my stiff muscles reminded me how long it has been. Now looking forward to the weekend.
