Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 28th July 2019

In what was probably his longest flight ever from Brentor, Leith Whittington today spent over an hour, reaching 2,700ft agl, over Dartmoor today. But more of that later. The RASP forecast predicted a light north-westerly with, in stark contrast to the east of the UK, prolonged sunshine and cloudbase rising to 3,500ft by mid-afternoon, giving a star rating of 3.5.

BI Rich Roberts is ready to fly with visitor Steven Morris.

Visitor Linda Hanbury with Rich Roberts.

Today we welcomed Colin Watt, CFI at Lasham, who had kindly agreed to take Martin Cropper for renewal of his EASA Instructor’s licence, and a host of visitors. These were mostly flown by one of our two new BIs, Rich Roberts (it’s official – see page 71 of the current Sailplane & Gliding) supported by Peter Howarth and Martin Cropper. Rich first flew with Steven Morris, and then Linda Hanbury whilst Peter flew with Laurie Sutton. Husband and wife team Michael and Gill Till then split a two flight voucher, whilst Gemma Phillips also flew with Peter.

Visitor Mike Till is ready to aviate.

Mike’s wife, Gill, gets in on the act.

On the instructing side Dave Downton made steady progress towards re-soloing, while Roger Appleboom, Phil Hardwick, Martin Broadway and Dave Westcott kept the single seaters aloft, some to greater effect than others. The truth of the matter was that, despite the usual markers in the sky, usable lift appeared to be confined to a narrow corridor at the east end of the field (the launchpoint end). It was here that Leith, in company with Rich Roberts, first contacted their lift and where they remained for most of their 1 hr 9 mins aloft, gradually moving downwind (south-east) over the moor, thus being able to survey the queues of holidaymakers attempting to squeeze into the Cox Tor car-park, or scuttling into Tavistock market for a coffee.

Visitor Laurie Sutton.

Visitor Gemma Phillips and family.  Gemma flew with Peter Howarth.

Thanks go to Phil Hardwick and Allan Holland for their winching, and to all those who helped fetch, carry and make our visitors welcome. A day when the forecast and the weather experienced were in accord!

Martin Cropper