My briefing was given by Chris Hill (one of the owners, pictured in his Zugvogel above) an Assistant Category Instructor.

Everything covered and all questions answered, it was time for me to launch. The launch was uneventful, different outlook, speed was good all the way to the top (thank you Mr Winch Driver) the climb (check the wings with the horizon), the release at the top was smooth, check the speed, check the attitude, good look round, all clear, try a gentle turn. The Zug controls are positive and the turn surprising co-ordinated for me. Straighten up, fly towards the village of Upwood, what's that noise? it's the vario , I am in lift, well can't be bad for a first flight to get a thermal not far from the top of launch.

Climbing, I am joined by first one then second glider, the Zug takes it all in it's stride, go vis so I can keep a good lookout. Climbed to 4000' then off to see what the penetration is like. Down a cloud street, enjoying myself now, more relaxed, a few more thermal turns, slow it down, HASSLL checks, all clear and try a gentle stall, pre-stall buffet, recover, no big surprises.

Better go back now, time to try the airbrakes to get of some of my height. They are quite powerful, put them away and try a slideslip, need to be more positive with the opposite controls functions, that's better, remember I am landing long. Set up a good circuit, onto final and set up the attitude, check the speed, check my landing area, maintain the attidue and speed, now the airbrakes, good float to the end of the field.

To some it all up, a memorable flight in a nice aircraft with no big surprises.

A good briefing, a long landing certainly gave me time to sort out problems I might have encountered.

Thanks to Chris Hill and Chris Shepperd for the opportunity to use of their aircraft, thanks to Chris Hill for the excellent briefing.

Dave Mansfield

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