DGS News - Wednesday 29th May 2013

A sunny and very soarable day, with a one-day course, several trial lessons and  a small team of our solo pilots sharing the heavy workload, but at the same time taking the opportunity to enjoy themselves and extend their skills.

Instructor Bob introducing Phil Hardwick to the delights of back seat flying

 The day started around the hangar and clubhouse with Colin Boyd finalising plans to collect the 'new' engine for the Guslaunch winch, and Ged Nevisky and Mike Jardine completing paperwork following their epic 300k and 50k flights. Meanwhile the rest of us got the K-13 and Bocian on-line, while Phil the Farmer and two members of the next generation of Hardwicks, Mark (14) and Nicola (17) changed ends of ground equipment due to to the easterly element in the north wind, and got the ML winch DI’d and ready. Their presence helped to reinforce our club's status as an Accredited Youth Gliding Centre, and Nicola was rewarded later in the day with a flight with Steve Lewis in the Bocian.

One Day Course candidate Terry McAuliffe

The instructing team was kept busy until mid-afternoon, but we were a bit disappointed by the lack of home grown 'trade' (i.e. club members) seeking instruction - not to mention their help in keeping things running smoothly.

Sheila Smith and son in law Mark Pogson both enjoyed Air Experience flights

While Ged and Steve concentrated on delivering a one-day course to ex-power pilot Terry McAuliffe and a stream of trial lessons  in the guise of Geoffrey Roberts, Sheila Smith and her son in law Mark Pogson, I first of all introduced Steve Raine to the front seat delights of the Bocian (in a tricky cross-wind), then gave Phil and Mike Gadd their first taste of the pleasures - and responsibilities - of flying the K-13 from the back seat. Currently, they're two of our most focused solo pilots, and here's hoping they extend their horizons to include a Basic Instructor rating among their goals.

Geoffrey Roberts and family with Ged

During the afternoon a flash of blue overalls heralded the arrival of Alan Holland, who extracted the Zugvogel from the back of the hangar and disappeared into the sky for an hour or so, to be followed - as conditions deteriorated - by John Howe and yours truly.

Is Mike Gadd hiding in the back seat of the K13?

Thanks to John, Phil, Mike and Andrew Beaumont for running an efficient launching operation, although commiserations to Andrew for not getting airborne. (Although one might say: "Serves you and Phil right for parking your glider at t'other place!"

Earlier in this report I mentioned one day course member lapsed power pilot Terry. During the day another ex-power pilot, Roy Young, came along to give us a 'once-over', and from discussions Ged and Steve had with both these gentlemen he will be back for a One Day Course soon. With the cost of power-flying, combined with the closure of Plymouth Airport, hopefully more disillusioned or deprived power pilots will gravitate to Brentor.  "Bring 'em on!", I say.

Bob Pirie