Last Saturday saw a number of us out as it was the only flyable day of the bank holiday weekend. Despite overdeveloping early on there were patches of light lift through most of the afternoon and a few people had a bit of a play although it was a struggle to get near cloudbase.

This weekend currently looks flyable on Saturday, probably too wet and windy on Sunday. It also looks flyable tomorrow (Friday) as the centre of a small high moves over us, although the forecasts suggest that there will be a fair amount of cloud.

Wyton EGUY 151050Z 26007KT 9999 SCT030 19/12 Q1015 BLU

Friday 15th August proved to be an excellent day for those of us who managed to clear work diaries and get out. We got an earlier start than normal as the forecast suggested that conditions would get going early. The strong, at times, thermals and streeting meant that even with a 5-10 mph SSW defined XCs were possible. Andy Hollidge disappeared into the distance along a cloud street at 12.30, making the A1 in 50 minutes UPWIND and arrived back 5 hours later over the moon after achieving a defined 128k triangle. I managed two small triangles having been drilled by sink after completing the first one. Wilson had a good time exploring his Atos, once he had figured out how to work the flaps... Charlie Goodall managed a good height gain (to 3000ft) on his Discovery. Others also had excellent flights.

The forecast for this bank holiday weekend suggests Saturday is the only good flyable day at present.

Last Friday eventually proved to be a good day with a couple of people out for some decent thermic flying from mid afternoon onwards. The weekend was wet and windy as forecast.

This weekend's forecast is not looking great, although changing on a daily basis, however FRIDAY is starting to look good and we may try to get a crew together to fly.

Due to either wet or high wind conditions, no gliding was possible last weekend.

Cambridge EGSC 021120Z 18011KT 140V240 9999 VCSH FEW008 SCT014 BKN022 19/15 Q1011
Cambridge EGSC 031220Z 23009KT 190V260 9999 FEW020 SCT035 20/15 Q1009

We flew Sunday (yesterday). It was a hot and humid day which made general ground manoeuvring an effort. Eventually thunderstorms built for a late afternoon downpour.

Cambridge EGSC 271150Z 17001KT 9999 SCT045 28/16 Q1017
Cambridge EGSC 271750Z 21007KT 150V270 9999 3000W TSRA SCT010CB BKN040 22/18 Q1017

During the day, cloadbase was typically around 4000', The launches were a little lively, and those that found lift managed to ride the initial slow climb to decent rates higher up. Bill had a good 3 hour O/R on his Atos VR, Wilson achieved a 30Km triangle on his Atos and Reihner had a couple of hours in the air, whilst Ian and I had pleasing 40 minute excursions.

There was no flying last weekend due to high winds and frequent showers.

There may be some good flyind days mid-week his week. If you want to fly then you need to contact Roger at least one day in advance and be prepared to organise a crew for the day.

The weather started well with a lot of cumulus streeting. Steve Elkins, Andy Hollidge and Jason Brown planned a substantial 110Km delared triangle. An hour after their launches the clouds filled in, particualrly from the West. Jason was unfortunately forced to return to the airfield early.

Local METAR at the time: Cambridge, EGSC 131250Z 22003KT 9999 SCT035TCU 18/10 Q1015

Meanwhile a number of other club members were launched and had a decent scoot around locally.

After almost 5 hours, Andy Hollidge returned to the field having flown in excess of 110Km, but unfortunately could not make one designated turnpoint, concsequently his flight was trincated to an 80Km O/R. Later, Jason contacted Steve who had landed out in a field at Pidley, just 4Km from home. He had virtually flown the planned course. I'm sure, if this were golf, we'd allow him that one!

All told it was a pretty decent flying day.

Again there was no flying last weekend.

This weekend looks like it might actually be flyable and possibly even good on Sunday. What a shock!

There was no flying last weekend due to the strong wind.

This weekend is not looking hopeful, wind and rain...

There was no flying last weekend due to wind and rain.

This weekend, weather allowing, we will be running a DEMO DAY, with Steve Elkins bringing a demo wing or two. The ATOS should be out to try. There will also be a barbeque in the evening. Please contact Andy Hollidge, asap on arrangements for this and to express your interest in the demo day and barbeque.

Last Sunday was an interesting day with a large number of people out. Big black clouds and quite overcast at times, and then opening up as the day moved on. Some good thermic flights were had and Andy managed a good O/R. I got into hail while tucked up under one of the big black things, and then got absolutely drilled while heading back to the field from an O/R, landing half a mile short.

This weekend is currently looking best for Saturday but the forecast is changing every day so keep your eyes on it.

We are also planning a demo day on the weekend of 28th/29th. Steve Elkins is aiming to bring along an Atos or two. We will probably also have a barbeque on the field. If you are interested, please contact Andy Hollidge to let him know so he can 'cater' for 'numbers'.

We had an interesting day last Sunday. Operations were shifted to Chatteris, an airfield about 7 miles north of Sutton Meadows, with a goal set of landing at Sutton Meadows. Everyone achieved goal including 3 people (Charlie Goodall, Graham Bayliss and George Freeman) who had never previously flown XC, let alone a goal flight. A really good club day, and logistically interesting to get our cars back and forth, and to time our take-offs so that we did not have parachutists arriving around our heads (Chatteris is the home of the London Parachuting centre). We also had an audience of about 200 members of the public for every launch, which focussed the mind slightly.

We will be flying tomorrow (Sunday 8th). Please check with us before you come out as we may be towing out of Chatteris airfield with a goal set at Sutton for pilots who have never flown XC before.

If you do come out please make sure you bring your roof rack to help with the logistics of taking off from a different airfield.

We had a good day's flying last Saturday with some O/R XCs being done and everyone who turned up getting a decent flight with a chance to play with the thermals.

This weekend's forecast has changed markedly over the last 24 hours and there is some disagreeement between forecasts so it may change again but currently Saturday looks flyable and sunny, Sunday is looking overcast and possibly more windy.

There is a slight possibility if it turns out to be Northerly that we might take the opportunity to launch from Chatteris with Sutton as a goal. Please therefore contact us before turning up.

This weekend looks flyable both days with Saturday less cloudy. There is already some interest in Saturday.

A reminder for all club members that the AGM is 7.30 tomorrow night at the Sutton Conservative Club.

There was some good flying today with thermic stuff early afternoon and a calm evening for some training flights. The trolley is back in action having been repaired and strengthened.

This Saturday and Sunday currently look blown out. The forecast for Monday is changing constantly so keep an eye on it. There is a possibility it could be flyable. Please call Roger direct as I will be in Wales this weekend.

Saturday was a sunny, warm, humid, high pressure, still air day.
Wyton, 2008/05/10 13:06:55, EGUY 101150Z VRB02KT CAVOK 23/14 Q1018 BLU

Inopportunely, the launch trolley was damaged and out of service, so foot launching was the order of the day. Most pilots were awakening from their winter hibernation and rusty on foot launches. This combination made for some interesting and occassionally awkward launches for pilots.

However, despite the less than ideal conditions, a few short flights ensued and some walked away feeling pleased to be returning to the air.

A few lessons were learned, including the need to limber up before commencing on the necessary '100yrd' sprint whilst attempting to get airborne.

The weather is finally allowing us to fly!!!

We were out last Saturday and bank holiday Monday. Saturday proved a bit too strong and rough, only Andy H and I flew and there was nothing thermic to really grab hold - probably due to the strong wind breaking it up. Monday was lighter wind and a really good day to get people out. We had 11 pilots turn up, everybody got in the air, some for the first time this year, and there was even a bit of gentle lift giving extended flights. A good "getting back in to it" day.

This weekend looks flyable both days with Saturday probably the better day due to lighter winds.

We flew last Sunday! Well some did if they got up in the air early enough. Andy H had an hour's pootling around in and out of cloudbase then screamed back to land just before the rain and gust fronts hit bang on forecast at 13.00. Graham B got stuck in a 5 up and for his first time worried about how to get out of a large thermal taking him rapidly towards the clouds. Tony Smith went off xc towards Kings Lynn but backtracked due to Cu Nimbs ahead and then landed when they were starting to gather in from all sides. Yours truly just got wet on the ground and eventually gave up after an afternoon of showers and drizzle.

This weekend looks blown out on Saturday and the forecast for Sunday needs to be watched.

A couple of us went to the airfield last Friday - 04 April. Roger and George worked on the tug in the morning, preparing it for its annual inspection. Andy Hollidge flew his Aeros Phantom in the afternoon. Conditions weren't brilliant and quite windy, but still Andy had a short reasonable flight.

Roger and George are expecting to be at the field on Friday to get the tug ready for its annual certification. Friday is actually looking flyable(!!!) so if anyone wants to take the day off to go flying please let us know. We only need two people to say yes and we have a crew.

Saturday and Sunday are currently looking blown out again. Will issue an update closer to the weekend.

Last Sunday turned out to be flyable and thermic on the day - something that only started to be predicted Saturday night. The fact that we did not have a crew out is a lesson to us all to watch the forecasts avidly and express any personal interest in flying as far in advance as possible.

Yet again - windy and wet.

If you have not looked at the forecast yet, don't even bother. Another blown out weekend (Friday-Sunday). There is a very slight chance Monday could improve.

Not looking good again. Sunday's blown out and Saturday is likely to be wet.

You Guessed. Yet again the forecast is not good. Unless Sunday's forecast changes to lighter winds we will not be flying this weekend.

There was no flying last weekend due to weather. This weekend is the same.

We were out flying last Sunday. A super smooth (and warm!!!) day that was good for getting back into things.

This weekend is flyable both days with Sunday being the lighter wind day. There are already a couple of people expressing interest in Sunday so it's highly likely we will be out.

UPDATE: We will be out flying tomorrow (Sunday). Get there early. RASP is forecasting gentle thermals from 11.00-14.00 and it may last a little longer.

There was no flying last weekend due to the weather. This weekend is definitely blown out on Sunday. There is a slight chance that the ridge coming through tomorrow might drop the wind sufficiently to allow it to be flyable. Keep checking the forecast, particularly for the 900mb wind strengths.

Charlie sends greetings from the pistes...

The weather forecast is not entirely conducive for hang gliding, therefore we do not plan to fly at Sutton Meadows this weekend.

There was a small crew out last Sunday to initiate flying for 2008. Up and downs only but it's good to get the wings unfolded. George and Mike took passenger flights in the tug to blow the cobwebs away.

This weekend is blown out on Sunday but may be flyable Saturday. I'm away this weekend and next weekend so please contact Roger directly if you are interested in flying.

Happy New Year to you all!

This weekend is currently looking like it may be flyable on Sunday for those of you interested in unfolding your wings and getting yourself back into flying mode. Give us a call or email by tonight to express interest please. Remember that the field at Sutton always seems to remain in good condition throughout the winter.