Evening Flying - Thu 23rd June 2016

A flyable evening. Maybe strong but worth heading out.
Well. That was what I hoped for. Quite a few people showed some interest in heading out.
South Westerly forecast. Strong to start with dropping maybe as the evening went on.
I set my sights on getting to the hill for 18.30. It was probably flyable earlier in the day but had a lot on with work.

A friend of Chris B's was interested in having a wee tandem flight so put both the tandem int he car and the solo (just in case).
Then got a call from Stephen. He'd be joining us.
Then a call from Chris.. A friend of his was on the train from london to lockerbie and could do with a lift.
another call. Train was delayed.. (only 15min)

I WANT TO GO FLYING

but we sorted it all out and droped the chap at samye ling on the way to witchieknowe.

Turned the corner at the bottom to head up the swire road (I think that's its name but may be wrong) 4 gliders int he air. WE were LATE.

Tommy, Dave Lyle, Dudley and ChrisB were in the air. It felt strong on take off so not sure how the normal wingbeat pondering and pontificating on the weather and strength didn't kick in.
Maybe it was wisky related... or lightweight landrover driven to take off (petrol or ep90 fumes). They were flying anyway.

Stephen joined Ged and Chris mcColgan on the southerly take off while I spoke to my prospective passenger Kal.
Most people seem a bit nervous about tandem flights. Kal was very enthusiastic. Maybe the 2hrs hanging about had something to do with it.

The wind was maybe SSW to SW so the southerly launch was flyable but I didn;t want to do a downwind dash then scratch up the bowl ont he tandem so we walked over to the landie and started to set up.
Tommy, Dudley and Chris landed and helped a bit with the setup (and knot removal) and then we were ready to go.

Stephen made it across from the south take off. Managing to not land :-) As did Gerald. Chris McC was not lucky. I think he might have been beter with a more acute angle to the hill (based on where he landed)

It felt strongish. A 42m2 glider is a bit of a handfull at times but wall built fine then with Tommy as passenger support we launched.
Kal's feet were off the ground straight away. followed my me not long after. We were off.

It was strong, Smooth and quite lifty at times. Perfect conditions for a tandem flight. It was interesting flying with Stephen and Gerald in the air. Not sure that they were hugely keen on the backwash from the tandem but there were no complaints.
Soon Tommy, Dudley, both Chris's and new pilot to the are Alex were soaring the hill and surrounds. I think if it had been lighter then it would have been a lot more stressfull but there was plenty of space.

Several people made it back over to the cars then back to the bowl. It seemed to pick up a bit. so a few people landed. or tried to land!

We flew out to the road and had a nice landing. I'm more used to taller passengers (DaveH is a bit taller than Kal) so that made for an interesting change.
Stephen picked us up we then all (or almost all) headed to the pub for a debrief. and crisps.

A lovely evening flying.

Jamie