Wednesday 5th October 2011

Undeterred by persistent low cloud and occasional rain, a hardy group of regulars arrived early and got stuck into various tasks which including removing the latest crop of cow dung from DMX’s wheel box, performing the monthly maintenance procedures on BVB and filling some of the potentially glider-breaking ruts which have for so long extended across the south side landing area. (We even found a rubber bumper from the Pirat’s tail skid in the process.)

Not quite keyhole surgery, but Andrew Beaumont uses his surgeon-like talents to clear cow's muck from DMX's wheelbox. 

No, not 'Mad Max', but Phil the Farmer maintaining a low profile as he attacks undulations in the airfield.

However, by far the biggest task was the replacement of the cables on both winches by a hard-working (and ultimately damp) team - thanks partly to the arrival of a delivery of reels of cable and ferrules at 0945hrs.

John Howe and Tony Thorne put their backs into changing winch cables

Ouch! John Bolt gives David Rippon's cable 'the big snip'.

Ged Nevisky and John Bolt tooled-up for action.

Bob Pirie examines the new winch cable.

Unfortunately today’s one-day course had to be postponed until next week, but we were pleased to welcome one enthusiastic potential member, Steve Raine, who lives near Hatherleigh. Steve did some gliding as a cadet many years ago, and later underwent fixed wing training with the Army Air Corps.

Prospective club member Steve Raine with Chairman Steve Lewis.

Once again, the only flying we achieved was on the simulator, with several members taking up the challenge of a race to North Hill. Just as Steve was polishing his laurels with a very respectable 43 minutes, Andrew Beaumont notched up 38 minutes. Around the time I left, Phil Hardwick , surrounded by a panel of experts, had just crossed the start-line, and I am sure we’ll hear about it if he managed to improve on Andrew’s flight.

Bob Pirie

After Bob left, Phil did indeed beat Andrew's time by 30 secs. Not to be outdone I had another go and set a new target to be beaten at 34 1/2 minutes. ( clue: I used the same conditions but changed the aircraft from a Discus 2c to Nimbus 4 and completed the whole flight without turning ).


Steve