Saturday May 5th 2012 – Open Day

Take a friendly, traditional-type gliding club operating from one of the UK’s most scenic gliding sites - determined not only to grow, but to do so as part of its local community.

Unleash the energy of its CFI,  its Chairman and a few dozen members aged from 16 to around 80  - augmented by some enthusiastic ‘imported’ talent, including off-duty Air Cadets, model helicopter and hang glider addicts (complete with their ‘toys‘), and a jolly fellow prepared to give trial lessons in his gleaming motor glider. And persuade ‘Mrs CFI’ and her team of volunteers to keep the workers fuelled with tea, bangers and sarnies.

Lay on a dry airfield, and a perfect flying day, with wave to 3,000 ft in the morning and wall-to-wall thermals in the afternoon. And you’ve got yourself the basic ingredients of  a successful Open Day.

But then add to the mix trial gliding lessons for members of the public at rock bottom prices…  multiple low passes by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF)…the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Tavistock… and a couple of hundred or more guests of all ages who responded to the publicity. And you’ve got yourself a winner!

No, not the Farnborough Air Display, but Dartmoor Gliding Society's Open Day.

So often, pictures are more effective than words - and it was even better to have been there in person. It was a wonderful Open Day, and after nearly 80 launches achieved efficiently and safely with zero aggro, as well as some nine hours of smiling, explaining and fulfilling various roles to keep the event running, I think everyone who contributed can deservedly sit back over their cocoa this evening and reflect on a job well done by all who contributed to this memorable event.

The Mayor of Tavistock, Councillor Philip Sanders and the Mayoress, Mrs Hilary Sanders, are welcomed by one of our youngest members, 16-year-old Joe Morel and Chief Flying Instructor Don Puttock.

Finally, special thanks to the external organisations and individuals who came along and supported us, including:
- The pilots of the BBMF
- The ‘off duty’ cadets of 2174 (Plymouth) Air Cadet Squadron
- Chris Newby and Matthew Pressie from Newton Abbott Heliclub
- Mark Nichol and Alan Hughes of South Devon Paragliding and Hang Gliding Club
- Ian Mitchell and his superb Motorfalke motor glider

BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane lining up for a flypast.

Photo reconnaissance Spitfire with 5 bladed prop and Griffon engine.

The Hurricane looked ( and sounded ) beautiful.

It was only thanks to the efforts of Ian (a professional glider engineer based at Dunkeswell) and a retrieval team of our own club members led by Ged Nevisky and Chris Matten, that we got the K7/13 back to the club late last night following its annual inspection.

Our club’s status as an accredited Junior Gliding Centre was reinforced ‘in spades’ today by the high proportion of young helpers - some not yet in their teens - who contributed to today‘s success.

And finally congratulations to Will Wilson, who managed to achieve a Bronze C leg today amidst all the other distractions, and to Barry Green (one of our 'more senior' members) for having recently completed his Silver C distance (and badge) while flying out of Aston Down.

Here’s to the next time!

Bob Pirie

To view the Open Day in pictures please click one of these links

Open Day Slideshow 2012

Open Day Flypast 2012 Slideshow