Compass Flying

Once you've had your first solo flight, got that Bronze Badge and Cross-Country Endorsement, book yourself in for a 'Compass Flight'. Every weekend day over the season, dedicated individuals volunteer to take early cross-country pilots on longer flights. The aim is to pass on the skills needed to succeed in those longer trips away from Lasham.

On Sunday 23rd May a great day had been forecast, and Jeremy was due to fly with Ed on a compass task. Looking at the forecast, taking into account the fact that they would be in the Duo Discus, and factoring in his own considerable skills, Ed decided a 750 Km task was possible.

Shortly before noon, our brave airmen launched and set off towards Lands End. They reached their first turnpoint at Roadford and belted on back towards civilisation boldly going where no other glider pilot has gone before (you know where I mean, Ed). Sadly, the day wasn't quite up to it and Ed wimped out after a measly 463 Km (actually, this is nearly double my longest flight, so maybe I should shut up about wimping out?).

Jeremy said he had a great time, and that he learned a lot from the day.

Ed's highlights were "eating a home-made ham sandwich over the Somerset Levels"  (you need to get out more, Ed), "a near-miss with an odd-shaped UFO near Exeter (that turned out to be cluster of kiddies balloons at 5000ft)" and seeing both the north and south coasts of Devon and Cornwall at the same time.

So if you haven't done so already, get your name down on the list; you will not regret it. If this year's list is full, start a new list for next year!

See the task.

See the barograph.

All views expressed here are absolutely nothing to do with The Lasham Gliding Society, the best place to glide in the UK.
For any further information or suggestions, please contact us by mail.