Dartmoor Gliding News–Saturday 12th April 2014

The dawn broke with blue skies and seemingly endless sunshine. But this was not to last. The sky had 8/8th cloud cover by the time the flying programme started. The wind was 8 to 10 knots from the west, straight down the runway, and it was cold. I had started the day with shorts and tee shirt but this was very quickly exchanged for warm trousers and two fleeces.

Andy Small with CFI Don Puttock between flights
We welcomed back One Day Course candidate Andy Small who started his course a couple of weeks ago with a wave flight with Ged and a lesson on the simulator with me. Today he completed his course with CFI Don Puttock. We also welcomed visitor Jonathan Gliddon who had booked in for an Air Experience Flight. This was duly delivered with a couple of flights in K7M G-DDAK.

Air Experience visitor Jonathan Gliddon
Then Debbie Howarth arrived. She was also booked in for and Air Experience flight. It was Debbie’s birthday and she had left home not knowing that she was on her way to the airfield. She took all this in her stride and really enjoyed her flights.

Birthday girl Debbie Howarth
 Club flying continued throughout the day with our Air Experience Instructors under training Mike Jardine soaring in his Astir and Rick Wiles soaring in the Pirat. Junior member Peter Clifford was on site and continued his training.

Rick Wiles practicing his rear seat flying with Justin Clifford in the front seat
A trip to the hangar revealed a small group  working on Sean Parramore’s Skylark 3. It’s C of A will be finished soon. Ray Swinfield was also discovered in the Pirat trailer having spent the day rewiring the electrics. We all owe you some thanks for your efforts Ray.

Skylark 3 undergoingit's C of A
Interestingly, a group of cyclist had dropped in and were having their picnic launch on the grass opposite the clubhouse.

Visiting cyclists finishing their picnic.

The day finished in the with chat and a beer in the clubhouse.

Steve

No comments: