MIDLAND GLIDING CLUB
Long Mynd, Shropshire 01588 650206 		BGA web site
MGC Ltd is a member of the
British Gliding Association,
the sport's governing body in the UK
K21
Home
  About MGC  
  Flying at the Mynd  
  How to find us  
  Membership benefits  
  Membership costs  
  Information for visitors  
     
     
  BGA medical requirements  
     
   
cumulus
 

this page last updated April 12, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
Weather
 

 
It is always tempting to look at someone elses weather forecast and decide that it isn't worth the trip to the club. But remember that the Mynd has a weather system all of its own and is often very different to what is happening in the rest of the region. Also if you are an abinitio or an early solo pilot there are many days at the Mynd that may not look promising for cross country flights but are nevertheless perfect for training. These are the days when the fleet is in less demand and you can get more launches than usual.

Even our pundits often find that days may start looking poor but a window appears for a few hours that gives excellent cross country flying. Do use the forecast information by all means but never turn down an opportunity to fly. You will learn something from every launch.

Weather is all important to the glider pilot so here are a few links
that may help to keep you informed. Many of these links come and
go very quickly so if you find any broken links or have ideas for new
ones please inform the webmaster
Soundings
Sat Pics
Synoptics
Radar
Actuals
Forecasts
Webcams
Weather sites
Gliding weather

 

    
 
  Why do we need weather?
 

Glider pilots depend largely on finding columns of rising air known as thermals to keep their aircraft flying. Understanding what the weather conditions are and what they will do is fundamental to successful soaring.

We also use ridge lift to slope soar, sailing along on the updraft from a strong wind against a ridge or mountain side.

Sometime we are fortunate to find a phenomenon called wave where a wind with steady direction and increasing speed with height flows over obstructions such as a mountain, creating waves in the air like water. These waves, on the upside, can go to 30,000 feet or even higher. The downside can come down very quickly indeed and cause what power pilots refer to as microbursts.

 
 
  New source of local weather data
 


A new weather site called MetCheck has started that includes some basic but useful info for glider pilots. Click here

 
 
  New source of UK forecast weather data
 


Check out the RASP Blipmap forecasts by clicking here. These predicted models for the UK give a host of information for the soaring and cross country pilots, especially wave prediction. Well worth a look.

A new Viewer is now available that decodes all the info into graphical form.  Click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
   

 
2003 © Copyright MGC Ltd. All Right Reserved  
Design and hosting by Webz.co.uk