Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 31st July 2021

 Due to the unexpected alignment of planets or something, today was left without a supervising instructor to open the field for general club flying. However, a few self certifying pilots decided to exercise their licence privileges and fly if the conditions permitted.

The airfield was understandably quiet so before entertaining any thoughts of flying there were tasks to be done. Scratch and I needed to deliver a members car to his Cornish home after it was stranded on the airfield last Wednesday. This took us away from the airfield for 2 1/2 hours somehow missing all the holiday traffic. Phew!! Meanwhile, there was plenty of work going on. Colin was in the hangar continuing with the C of A on CCY. Ged was in the clubhouse tidying up all the cardboard boxes and other detritus that had somehow collected around the wood burner. Heather was finishing off her painting around the toilets. Dave was in the hangar sorting out the bench lighting installation. I am sure that there was plenty of other stuff being sorted but, as I was off the field, this remains a mystery.

Not exactly an inspiring sky

After a convivial lunch a look out of the window confirmed that it was time to commit aviation. With only 3 pilots to fly ( and the weather far from certain - how far away was that rain? ) we just got out a K8. We decided to limit any soaring to 1/2 hour each. 

First up was me. After a mediocre launch, I found little bubbles of lift with the odd stronger core. This is the ideal conditions to be flying a K8. This lightweight glider can be turned in very small circles exploiting it's low stalling speed. After scratching up to 1700 ft. I was able to maintain height using the streeting clouds without needing to turn at all. Flight time was 31minutes giving me the Gold medal for longest flight of the day.

Wafting along in lift at 30 knots

Today's view south

...and to the north. Roadford lake just in view

Next up was Steve Fletcher. His 18 minute flight bagged him today's Gold medal for the highest flight topping out at a dizzying 2300 feet above the airfield.

Steve getting ready

Last, but not least, was Scratch. After a 23 minute soaring flight, he then took a second launch to bag Gold for the fastest flight of the day. Launch, circuit and hangar landing in just 4 minutes.

Our thanks go to all those helped out today. Particular mention must be made of Dave Archer, one of our trainee pilots who turned up to help even though he would not be able to fly.

So, a nice club day ( with 3 gold medals - who would have thought? )

Steve Lewis