Dartmoor Gliding News-Monday 27th May 2019

With RASP predicting a low cloud-base (1,400ft amsl) until well into the afternoon, the Met Office showing 20kt westerly winds and with no Trial Lessons or One Day Courses booked, all was set for a delightfully dull day pottering around the clubhouse. Until, on arrival at the airfield, the cloud-base was clearly over the tors (ie >2,100ft amsl), the wind was 7kts (windsock at 45 degrees) and the news was that the CFI was expected at 1030 to conduct acceptance tests for two new BIs. So socks, up: PULL - let’s get this airfield ready to aviate..!

With the benefit of a strong team of early arrivers we got the first launch away just after 1000, and by 1045 had struck luck with our first soaring flight, by Pete Howarth in the K-8. The earliness of that event gives a hint of today’s instability: the cloud developed quickly, packed with lashings of energy, but then overdeveloped and in cases collapsed into showers before clearing and the whole process recycled. So for those who wanted soaring (such as Malcolm Wilton-Jones and Andy Davey) it was there to be had, but timing was of the essence and you had to work hard to stay in narrow bands of lift or get much above 1,600ft agl.
Rich Roberts and Roger Green on the wire prior their acceptance flights –
no pre-exam nerves there then..!
But what of our BI brethren? After some hasty behind the scenes negotiations, it was decided (?) that today was the only day on which Rich Roberts, Roger Green and CFI Mark Courtney could meet for Mark to carry out the acceptance checks necessary for them to become Basic Instructors at Brentor. After an intensive period of coaching and examination at DSGC North Hill, Richard and Roger could not have been better prepared for this final furlong: three launch failure exercises and a simulated trial lesson apiece that finally won them their spurs. They have asked for a message of sincere thanks to be sent to all those involved in their training at North Hill, for their generous provision of facilities and time to deliver a comprehensive training package. And to which we all at Dartmoor Gliding Society would like to add our thanks – this is great news for the club!

CFI Mark Courtney with BI trainee Richard Roberts about to launch.
CFI Mark Courtney with wannabe BI Roger Green.
With the acceptance checks completed, Mike Bennett then took the opportunity for some soaring with Mark, before Malcolm Wilton-Jones capped the day with its longest flight: 1hr 2mins in the K-8, as rain approaching from the west caused us to put the toys away dry, rather than wet.

Mike Bennett straps in for some soaring training with Mark.
There was another accomplishment today: a little over a year since requalifying as an Assistant Category instructor, Peter Howarth notched up his 500th hour of gliding on his third flight of the day. Well Done, Peter!

Thanks go to all those who helped today, but most particularly to Dene 'Scratch' Hitchens who, having arrived early to carry out some vital welding on the Guslaunch, then went on to deliver flawless launches for the BI trainees before ‘disappearing’ early (some people put it another way…) without flying. Thanks, Scratch.

Today was a day when many and varied efforts were well rewarded and - did I forget to mention? - the wind was up and down the runway, all day. Now you don’t see many of those around here, do you..?

Martin Cropper

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