Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 8th September 2019

At one point this afternoon we had four gliders sharing a single thermal, between 1,000 and 1,700ft (cloudbase), in one of which was our One Day Course student, Pip Scrivin who was thrilled at the sight of gliders ‘all around’ – what a superb advert for our fabulous sport. Sadly, we don’t have photographic evidence of the event since our in-house photographer, Ed Borlase, was in his K-6 at the bottom of the stack!

One Day Course Student Pip is congratulated by
instructors Rich Robert and Martin Cropper at the end of his day with us.

Along with Pip, whose previous gliding experience (like so many) was with the Air Training Corps were Alan Staddon, a groundwork company manager, and Ted Stanford-Huskin, retired, both of whom thoroughly enjoyed their flights with us.

Visitor Alan Staddon with daughter after his flights.

Ted Stanford-Husking receives his Certificate after his flights with Martin Cropper.

Seeking entertainment in the sky were Malcolm Roberts and Phil Hardwick in the Twin Astir, Steve Fletcher in his Open Cirrus, Rich “I Must Rig” Roberts in his Discus and Jo Nobbs, Pete Howarth and Alan Holland flying the club K-8. Steve Fletcher won the prize for paying attention to the forecast – by launching at 1348 he benefited from the predicted peak in the Stars Rating and, remaining aloft for 48 minutes obtained the much coveted Flight of the Day award. Those who hung back, however, hoping for something better (as ever) witnessed the sky gradually clouding over, which prevented the sun from providing its vital heating of the ground.

Malcolm Roberts and Phil Hardwick in the Twin Astir on approach at the east end.

Joe Nobbs and Allan Holland survey an interesting sky.

That’s not to say that the day was a disappointment: far from it. Trainees John O’Connell and Dave Downton obtained great benefit and confidence in launching on the new Supacat winch, as did their solo brethren. The winch has its idiosyncrasies – some say they could be a symptom of our site being convex, thus causing a release of loading once the cable leaves the ground fully, and hence the winch to reduce power, but we are learning to cope without over-reacting.

John O’Connell launches in K-13 HXP and...

...Pan Perfect: John O’Connell touching down in K-13 HXP.

Thanks go, as ever, to Dave Downton and Phil Hardwick for their winching (and tuition), to Pete Howarth for ’rookie’ winching, and to Jo Nobbs for turning up so early that we had all the gliders DI’ed by 1000!

Dave Downton preparing to launch in the K-13.

Sheep shearing champion Rich Roberts
seen in search of his £200 prize for appearing on ‘You’ve Been Fleeced’!

Martin Cropper