Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 11th October 2014

At first glance the weather forecast look dire. There had been heavy rain and thunder storms overnight but looking carefully at the details in the forecast there was more than a good chance for a soaring day. There was about a 50% chance of rain with the wind generally light and a little south of west but often when the forecast is like this Brentor will miss the showers altogether and the unstable air will provide some entertainment for the soaring pilots.

K8 G-CGDK and Zugvogel G-CHKV waiting for the weather to improve
 Today proved to be exactly like this. Early on there was a lot of low cloud but this steadily improved. We saw lots of showers passing both north and south of us but the airfield remained dry all day. The airfield was quiet as less well informed members stayed away on the strength of the forecast, but those that did turn up would be well rewarded for their efforts.

Today we had a visit from a group of Explorer Scouts from Saltash. They were attending the airfield for a Gliding Course. We have flown scouts from this troop before and as ever they approached their task with enthusiasm. By the end of the day, all five scouts had learned about gliders and how we handle them, had helped launch the gliders as wing holders and launch marshals and had completed a couple of flights each. This will enable them to claim their gliding badges. Great fun.

The Saltash Scout Group
The Scout Leader Roy, Rick and the scouts share a moment in the launch hut
The scouts helping to launch the K13 supervised by Stefi
And what of the club flying? Well, instructor David Jesty did a couple of check flights with Dick Master and Stefi Guiu after which Dick flew the Zugvogel with a day beating flight of 25 minutes soaring along the edge of a cloud street. Stefi, who has just returned to us after flying most of the summer at home in Romania, immediately claimed the K8 for a couple of flights. Stefi is really becoming attached to this glider. Perhaps we should put her name on it. If it was good enough for Maverick and Iceman …?

Stefi and David in the K13
Stefi in the K8
"Ace of the base" Dick Masters with the Zugvogel.
Special thanks today to Ged Nevisky  who drove the winch all day and Rick for organising the Scouts course.

Steve

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