Today was round 2 of the semi finals and the forecast had been for rain until mid to late morning. We woke up and got ready as planned and yes, it was raining but the forecast was still for it to stop.

Ian was the first of us to fly and was in the first group of pilots so was eligible to practice at the contest site. Ian headed off to get a flight in so was on site for 7am, and yes, it was also raining at the contest site.

The organisers looking at the forecast and the bands of weather coming in changed the start time twice during the morning.

Steve and Mark were flying later in the round so headed for the practice site and waiting it out until the rain subsided. They both got a flight in and headed for the contest site ready to help Ian.

By now it was raining heavily but the organisers were keen to get on so any time the rain slowed to a drizzle they were pushing pilots into flying. They did say that if the rain got heavy then the pilot should land, and he would get a re-flight at the end of his group. Ian felt very uncomfortable with this as the rain at times was very heavy. Other pilots were in the same situation too.

Once it was time for Ian to fly the rain did pick up and he was held but it soon slowed so he flew. The wind was also blowing 90 degrees out and Ian was not only fighting the wind but was also fighting the visibility with drizzle and cloud. It wasn’t Ian’s best flight, but he certainly did his best in the circumstances.

Mark flew soon after and was having a cracker of the round but near the end the heavens opened. Mark could have landed but elected to carry on. Great flight again considering the circumstances.

Flying was now delayed due to the heavy rain which continued after Marks flight for nearly 2 hours. Once it started again the weather had certainly changed for the better and the wind had swung nearly down the runway.

Steve flew towards the end of the round and did a good job but did make a few minor mistakes which may have cost him a position today.

The round ended at 6.15 so we had been at the field for nearly 11 hours. All of the hanging around and waiting really takes a toll on you mentally so we are extremely proud of the pilots.

We now cut the field again, this time to the top 14 who tomorrow will fly two rounds of finals.

The current standings are

  • Steve 5th
  • Mark 11th
  • Ian 20th

Currently the team is in 5th position overall but it’s all still very close for 3rd.

We must also congratulate Duncan Osbourn of the F3N team who having won the preliminary rounds and also now the first two finals can now not be beaten so is European champion- well done Duncan

Steve Roberts