I know, if I had it my way, that I would probably never write another academic article ever again, and would instead explore and articulate ideas with forms that are not only more durational in their expression, but are seasonal - changing with each passing day, responsive to tides and the planets.

5/ Landing! Runway 23 at Rufforth is never the most comfortable of approaches, but the pilot, Mark Blades, makes it look easy in the big DG505. I very much enjoyed the chance just to sit back and take in the view. I hope you also enjoyed the ride! 🛩️

4/ A straightforward "sled ride" towards the airfield, and we get a good view of York in the distance. We're still looking for lift, even now, just in case we can keep the flight going for a little longer.

3/ Releasing from the tow plane, we head straight for what looks like a promising cloud (unfortunately proves a little too far away to reach, and there is too little lift in its immediacy for clinging on, so back home we go).

2/ Tow to 2,800 is equally smooth and uneventful (unlike my earlier flight today, where I was bouncing to and fro, raising my heart rate significantly!) The large loops of the tow offer a good chance to see how the late Autumn skies over York are best characterised as a dance of light and shadow.

1/ A rare chance for me to fly as a passenger today, so why not ride along with us, as we search for lift on a fine Autumn evening. First of all - takeoff! We're using the trusty Eurofox towplane and there is a good headwind to get us off the runway smoothly.

#gliding #aviation #sky #sun #autumn