Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 22nd November 2014

Originally today was planned as a solo pilot only flying day but with the availability of David Jesty a full training programme could be flown as well.

Kit and David in the K13

Rick Wiles had arrived early to change ends and then continue with his planned tasks today. So K13 and K8 were taken to the east end launchpoint and it was on with the flying. Interestingly, Instructor Ged Nevisky was also on site but he decided to spend the day training winch drivers instead of flying.

Another K13 flight climbs into the air

First in the K13 was Karl Andrews who flew several successful check flights before flying solo in the K8. Kit Smith was next and he continued working his way through his pre-solo training card; stalling today. Next up was Adrian Irwin who is completing a programme of differences training after a lifetime of commercial and military flying. Judging by the exercises ( launch failures ) he must be close to solo.

Visitor Mark Bray with Introductory Flight Pilot Mike Jardine 

Today’s visitor was Mark Bray from Truro. His two flights were unfortunately separated by wait of over a hour while as we waited for a line of very low clouds and showers to blow through.

Dramatic cloudscape over Dartmoor's western flanks

The K8 was kept busy all day with all the solo pilots flying it but try as they might, nobody found any soarable air.

Stefi in the K8

Better luck next time

Steve