Four stalwarts rose to the challenge of providing a really early start to a full flying day, and by the time other members started to appear, having encountered icy roads and fog, they found the winch and control caravan already in place at the right ends of the field, and the gliders DI’d and at the launch point.
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DI-robics? Jeff Craggs gives the K8 a thorough DI. |
Although it wasn’t soarable, it was a fantastic day, with blue skies, spectacularly criss-crossing airliner con-trails above and fog remaining in the valleys. To paraphrase what John Howe said: “We’re so lucky to belong to a club in such a beautiful place.”
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| 'Fixed price to solo' student Richard Morgan is congratulated by instructor Bob Pirie after going it alone for the first time |
Flying started on a high-note, with fixed-price-to-solo student Richard Morgan soon doing his first solo (Congratulations, Richard!),. Then trial lesson student (and one-time Kelley College pupil) Richard Cooper was introduced to the joys of gliding by Ged. All the Wednesday regulars as well as some weekenders (Dave Longden, for example) were on parade, undergoing training, having check flights or just keeping (or getting) current. It was good to see Robin Wilson completing further flights towards his Bronze Badge and, by the way, “Welcome back” to our recently-absent ‘yachties’,Martin Broadway and Chris Fagg..
Everyone pitched in splendidly, achieving 37 launches (not bad for January!), and special thanks to those who carried out the pre-C.of A. de-rig of the Zugvogel - without any interruption of flying activities. After sunset - and an equally spectacular rising of the moon over the moor, the customary stoking of the woodburner and ‘abuse’ of the flight simulator took place.
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| New temporary member Richard Cooper gets a site briefing from Chris Fagg |
Today was not all good news, however, because the Club has fallen victim to Air Southwest’s departure from Plymouth Airport. Our resident Dash-8 captain, Alan Bamford, announced that he is being reassigned to Aberdeen, where he will be converted to command Eastern Airways’ SAAB 2000 turboprop airliner. We wish him and his girlfriend, Haley, every happiness in their new home - and Allan every success on his next step up the airline ladder. (Hmm. I wonder if we can claim a transfer fee from his intended new club at Aboyne?)
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| Moonrise over Dartmoor |
Bob Pirie
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