An encouraging turnout today of members, visitors and one new member. An earlier start would have been nice but our progress was impeded initially by a snarled drum on the ML winch (a hangover from Sunday?), and a couple of minor problems with club gliders which needed attention. Thanks to everyone who pitched in - even to the detriment of their own personal flying.
We were busy with trial lessons, including the Frost family of five from Oxfordshire, and John Barker from Fowey. Thankfully Ged and I were helped by that 'Maginficent Man in His Flying Machine', Don. (Talking of venerable aircraft, we've been providing overnight accommodation in the hangar to a Bleriot monoplane replica from the Brooklands Museum, which is being used for filming at Morwelham Quay.(Bob Jones will tell you all about it.)
Our ranks were further swelled today by one visiting glider pilot, Henry Ollis, who flies at Haddenham, near Thame, and one new flying member for DGS. Welcome aboard to Alan Bamford, who trained at Lasham and was Captain of Imperial College Gliding Club until graduation about six years ago. Opting for aviation rather than biology, he pursued an airline career and is now a Dash8 captain with Air Southwest, based at Plymouth. So now, in addition to 'Phil the Farmer' and 'Dave Ripoff', we've got a 'Dashin' Cap'n'!
We enjoyed super soaring and training conditions, with the usual suspects pitting their wits against what some perceived as being elusive thermals. Finally, the day ended on a high note for Bob Sansom, who was a little surprised, after some refresher flights, to find himself re-soloing after a lay-off of almost a year. Bob, we hope you'll now prove to us that you really do have a concours condition K-8 in that trailer.
We had hoped to organise a solo flying day tomorrow, but were unable to assemble sufficient people. Next week maybe?
Thanks to everyone who turned up and flew; who drove things, mended things and in various other ways helped others to fly.
Bob Pirie
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