Even the expectation (and arrival!) of an easterly failed to persuade several members from emerging from hibernation. However, sufficient hardy regulars (plus one day course member Mike Lickfold) did turn up to take advantage of good availability of gliders (K13 and K8), winch and instructors (Ged Nevisky and yours truly), coupled with the ever popular west end launch point (which started with a green surface - but soon revealed itself as a boot-topping swamp beneath this facade).
While two of our two-seaters are off-line for maintenance, it was great to have the recently-fettled DMX back. Meanwhile the ML winch (driven by David Rippon and Steve Raine) was in better form than ever, thanks to the commitment of Dave Bourchier, who had spent the previous day alone on the airfield, servicing its brakes.
Flying-wise, Ged devoted his day to the one day course, while I concentrated on helping to return a few 'recently-dormant pilots' to currency, these being Dave B., Sandra Buttery and Mike Gadd. Meanwhile Dave Rippon and Steve Raine alternated in keeping the K8 busy, and the ever-enthusiastic Phil Hardwick braved the mud in the Astir. The hoped-for soaring conditions didn't materialise, but after my recent 'knee-enforced' layoff, it was great to be back sharing a day in the fresh air with so many enthusiasts keen to fly and to help keep the club running.
At this time of year so many solo pilots lapse into non-currency, then moan when they can't get refresher flights (and clog up the training system) when the better weather arrives. If you risk falling into this category, don't put off the 'evil hour' but get down to the airfield soon - not just for a check flight and 'token' solo circuit, but to get really current and to stay current ready for the arrival of wave and the start of the season.
As ever, there were several members present who opted to stay on the ground freezing their n**s off on the club's behalf, rather than flying, such as John Bolt manning the control tower and flying log, and vice-chairman Colin Boyd and Alan Carter slaving over a cold quad bike rebuild in the back of the hangar.
Thanks, too, to Alan Holland for helping out later in the day with cable retrieve.
Bob Pirie
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