Hot and Humid in Suffolk

As I looked at the sky as I drove to Suffolk I could see an inversion was established and with the high-level cloud, thermal activity would be minimal. It had been over a month since I last visited the tow field and despite the not so inspiring sky, I was keen to get on the winch and in the air again.

At Mendlesham the wind was a light south-easterly and the runway was being prepared for an easterly launch. The first two tows were not of any great height but the air tempted us with whiffs of lift. I was to be the third launch of the day but the wind had swung around more to the south which made all launches cross-wind. It was decided to relocate the entire winch operation to Mickfield Hall and use the farm track orientated in a north/south direction. This would be much better for the now established wind direction.

Still at the east/west runway of Mendlesham, I was asked if I was happy to launch with the cross wind and complete a short XC to Mickfield. I happily agreed and commenced my first launch. I only managed 450 feet on tow and when I felt what I thought were the winch brakes being pulsed on and off, I assumed this was a signal to release. As I did, I quickly set off towards Mickfield.

As I crossed the power lines my vario made a few beeps and I acknowledged this with a quick 360. I'm not too sure if this paid dividends so I continued towards Mickfield when again my vario squeaked another set of beeps, again followed by another quick 360.

It was now an easy glide to Mickfield. I burnt of excess height along the northern boundary of the field and landed with a no stepper! One by one, other pilots joined me before the entire winching operation was relocated to Mickfield and towing resumed. With a better orientation towards the wind, everyone achieved higher tows but with no notable thermal activity, every launch resulted in the inevitable downward journey back to launch.

Overall a very, very warm enjoyable day and great to be back out with the Suffolk Coastal Floaters!