Sunday 28th April - EuroFox Vist to Milfield

The Eurofox offered to drop in on us today as they headed South from visiting Portmoak.

The conditions at BGC were extremely windy (25-35 knot gusts all day)- the Duty Instructor and tug pilot had ruled out any thought of flying and everyone had been sat around doing nothing much - apart from Dave & John who were ploughing through CofA paperwork on the computer.

The Eurofox arrived overhead about 2pm when the windsock was literally horizontal and Adrian and Roger made a steady approach over the gate before executing an excellent landing given the conditions.

Once the aeroplane was on the ground it seemed very steerable - showed no tendency to weathercock when it turned broadside on to the wind and then taxied downwind to the waiting crowd 

The take off into wind was equally amazing - it was 'off' within 40 yards and climbed away steeply.

Saturday 27th April

Things didn't look too good at briefing with a strong and gusty breeze blowing but, by the time we made a start, the wind had eased and it looked like a day of hill soaring beckoned. However, having been introduced to the Aim Higher initiative by Kevin Atkinson, we tried out some task setting using the RASP forecasts. They looked promising but were viewed, it must be said, with some scepticism. Despite that several pilots made declarations and the result was a 'good day' ! Steve Rae declared Milfield / Oxton / Wooler / Milfield for a 100km speed attempt. He completed the task but, sadly not fast enough. Ian Sim, Roger Partington and Steve Marriott also visited Oxton with Steve declaring the next leg to Pocklington ! He turned back, lured by the urge to complete the 'Local Triangle' - again ! Your correspondent and Kate Ashley also got around the triangle in the K21 !!

Tom Farquhar had declared the Old Gits' Triangle, Milfield / Charterhall / Rothbury / Milfield but landed out at Powburn having completed over 90 km. As the middle leg is 53 km we have completed a Silver Distance claim for Tom which should be approved. Well done Tom !

All in all an excellent days flying.