Dartmoort Gliding News-Saturday 21st June 2019

Arriving at the airfield the sky was a brilliant blue , sunny with a moderate S/E breeze. Duty Instructor Rick Wiles confirmed at the mornings briefing that RASP indicated the prospect of a good soaring day, game on then!

The club K13 HXP and K8 GDK were readied and duly dispatched to the launch point. Shortly followed by the privateers Phil the farmer with Astir FCJ , Ged and Malcolm with the Twin Astir DSL and my ASW20 FRW.

First launch was at 10.30 am .Rick conducted a couple of training flights with Mike Bennett. Mike then launched the K8 into a sky with cumulus forming and went soaring. I soon followed in my ASW20 keen to try out the recently acquired LX NAV V7 vario. The vario worked well although adjustments are required. The stall warning indicated a stall as the glider rolled to a standstill on landing, but wouldn't indicate a stall in flight!

I flew with Gary Sprauge from Okehampton the first of todays trial lessons. Gary was taken with the amazing views in the excellent visibility the North Cornish coast and the Hamoze on the South coast were clearly visible. Gary is a keen cyclist and knows the area, so it was interesting for him to see the moor from a different perspective.

Visitor Gary Sprauge

Rick was kept busy with training and currency check flights with Steve Raine, Robin Wilson, Karen and Chris Matten and Angie Liversedge an ex DGS pilot from 20 years ago, I recently flew with Angie on 9th June . Good to see you back Angie.

I also flew with Jennie Gardinier from St Dennis Cornwall the second trial lesson today. Jenny is an HGV1 lorry driver.Jennie enjoyed her two flights .Hopefully she will come to fly with us again.

Visitor Jennie Gadinier

Todays notable flights were Ged and Malcolm in the Twin Astir 3 hours 7 mins, Phil the farmer 2 hours 6 mins, Joseff Knobs 1 hour 14 mins in the K8 and numerous other soaring flights. The second K8 was liberated from the hanger such was the demand for single seaters.

It was good to see Ex DGS member Alan Carter on the airfield today. Alan carried out a functional test on a blue weak link whilst launching the K8 and can confirm it worked perfectly !

Thanks to all who drove the winch and cable retrieve, pushed and pulled gliders etc and kept the airfield running.

A very enjoyable day.

Roger Green