Wednesday 23rd May 2012

Apart from summer arriving, today was in many ways similar to last Wednesday. More or less the same group of hardcore enthusiasts...  a similar gaggle of gliders operating...  a few new (and equally enthusiastic) faces to keep the instructing team busy... and John Howe and Phil Hardwick contributing more than their fair share of winch driving. But despite some promising cumulus at either end of the day, opportunities for soaring were sparse.

G-DBVB with Ged in the back seat, Mike Gorber in the front . Outside Mike Gadd (left) and Mike Jones

While Ged, Dave Jesty and I kept BVB busy with a constant stream of training flights, today it was DMX's turn to spend most of the time earthbound, receiving some essential TLC. Once again a small team of volunteers (Steve Lewis, John Bolt, Alan Carter and Dave Bourchier) spent most of the day working on the glider, in order that others could fly. Thanks to their efforts, I was able to get the glider test flown and back to work in the late afternoon.

Meanwhile 'back at the ranch' our club Secretary, Sandra, was busy preparing for Saturday evening's SGM; dividing her time between office work and wielding a dustpan and broom.

Today's highlights? The temporarily lack of a second two-seater was a pity, but our new members were patient, and some efficient winch driving and cable retrieving - with two gleaming new cables - helped to minimise delays.

It was good to have one of our more advanced trainees, Richard Walker, back with us after a six months' layoff, and we also welcomed Mike Jones, a friend of Mike Gadd, for some trial lessons.

The Twin Astir was back on line, enabling me to undertake some type conversion flights with Robin Wilson while regular backseater Ged was instructing with One Day Course candidate , Mike Gorber. We're now hoping that Mike will take the plunge and sign-up for fixed price to solo training.   David Horne, who signed up for  our Fixed Price to Solo deal last Wednesday, was back with us today not only getting in his own flights but also immersing himself in all those operational activities which are so essential to the safe and efficient operation of Dartmoor Gliding Society.    

Bob Pirie