Wednesday 13th July 2011

After a run of 'under-subscribed' Wednesdays before I went on holiday, it was refreshing to arrive to find a full clubhouse, with more people arriving by the minute. Trouble was, rain appeared to be setting in, and my fear was that disappointment for most might be the order of the day.

With the simulator humming in the background, and Ged briefing our weekend course family (Mark Small and his Mum Laura Ford, accompanied by her husband Douglas) and three visitors from Culdrose, the rest of the team performed an act of faith by preparing the equipment and getting the glider fleet to the launch point.

Following a belated (and damp) start, a full day's flying was achieved (36 launches), including lots of pre-solo training, a couple of early soloists (Mike Gadd and Chris Fagg) improving their skills, and a lucky few enjoying some soaring during a fairly brief thermic slot in the afternoon. For me it was a particular pleasure to fly for the first time with two of our newer members, Rodney Helme (ex-Royal Marines helicopters and former gliding instructor) and Andrew Wilkins (currently Airbuses and lots of other powered aircraft) and, from Culdrose, Nigel Richards (early solo/Lasham trained(!)) and Jordan Richards (18-year-old Bronze C pilot).

A rare K13 moment for our Chairman, Steve Lewis

One bitter sweet moment for came at the end of the day, when I grabbed a flight in the Pirat in what turned out to be totally still air (bitter!), then on hangar landing, looked up to see one of our earliest solo pilots, Mike Gadd, who had taken the next cable in the K13, winding his way up to nearly 2000 feet (sweet - for him at least!).

Instructor Bob grabs a brief (too brief!) solo flight in the Pirat

Everyone ended the long day a bit knackered - but with smiles on their faces. However, it just wouldn't have happened without a hard core few who worked 'above and beyond the call' in return for very little flying.
Sorry if I've forgotten anyone, but I single out John Howe and Dave Rippon (winch), Richard Clarke and Keith Wilson (retrieve), and Martin Broadway (pilot in charge at the launch point), with Bob Sansom alongside him helping to ensure that not a single launch opportunity was wasted. Thanks to Phil and Andrew for their dedication in leading the charge to get the club kit our before rigging their own glider - and to John Bolt, who never appeared at the launch point, but I am told spent most of the day in the hangar with Bob and Steve completing the renovation work on the K8.

John Howe (right) mentors Andrew Beaumont in the winch

Rodney Helme spent much of the day in the control tower

Bob Pirie