Combe Gibbet opens Saturday 2nd Feb
Nik Valiris
In case you forgot Combe Gibbet the TVHGC site reopens in just under two weeks time on Saturday the 2nd of February :-))). This is one of our best sites in winds coming from the NW-N and an alternative to travelling to Westbury or Liddington. The site is available to TVHGC members and Reciprocal Members from Avon, Wessex, and Sky Surfers clubs only. Weekly membership is also available for pilots not in these clubs wishing to fly.
Site guide: http://www.tvhgc.co.uk/content/view/40/87/
As is usual when Combe opens there is a little sign on the gate which needs to be turned to OPEN. Nearer the time if someone happens to have a pair of pliers to change it round that would grand.
When we open there can be a bit of litter on the hill which has accumulated over the winter months so if pilots could bag up anything they find and shove it in the bin in the car park that would also be helpful.
For those who have not flown Combe or are newly qualified this year Combe is a very nice place to fly and suitable to pilots at all levels CP+ but please read the sites guide (link below) and DO ask for a site brief from a fellow pilot. There are two key launch areas for N'ly (east end) and NW'ly (west end) and some hazards such as the big fence behind launch that eats gliders in strong conditions. It’s not suitable for winds off to the NE. It has good open launch areas and a bottom landing field next to the main road. Watch out for the tree's at the westerly end as they can be as source of thermals but flying low over these is not advisable.
For those Cross Country pilots it’s also an excellent XC site within the south of England with good thermal sources out front being triggered by the tree lines.
Do expect the site to get busy, especially at the weekends but if it’s an XC day the site will get quieter in the afternoon once the pilots have left. Please try to avoid kiting your glider up the front of launch from below hill height view as you can’t see if pilots are launching and visa versa.
Note and caution for low airtime pilots!!!:
I know it still the middle of the winter with snow on the ground ;-( but springtime conditions are just round the corner as we head towards February and March. Things will change quite dramatically on sunny days compared with our winter soaring thus far.
Site’s like Combe will become thermic and turbulent in the air and gusty on launch. Take your time to assess the conditions and keep a good look out. Also remember that the stronger wind speeds chosen to fly in the wintertime are unlikely to be suitable in the spring/summer as sites will generally be blown out.
If your ability to fly in strong spring thermals is not up to scratch then it’s normally better to choose to fly later in the afternoon when the thermals are less strong, large and more mellow (theoretically). The mornings are an option but expect the thermals to be small and punchy and sites to be busy and mid day can be booming. Also in the morning expect the wind to pick up towards the mid day when the sun is at its highest in the sky so don’t get caught out!
Combe can be lovely in the evenings for thermodynamic flying due to the cooler air from the north and the ground being warmed all day releasing. This can result in some lovely soaring for a few hours into the late evening. Typically this is at the point when most pilots leave the hill when the wind drops off, just hold off as you never know.
As always keep a very good lookout Combe gets busy!
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Nik Valiris
Mob: 07549 527301
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Nik Valiris
Mob: 07549 527301