A variation on the theme of grotty weather today with no crosswind (in fact hardly any wind at all) but persistently low cloud, with occasional glimpses of brightness, and frequent bouts or rain and drizzle. No comment is needed about the state of the airfield. Luckily we have a warm and dry simulator, which always helps to get one in a positive mood on such occasions.
Upon opening the hangar doors, we were amazed at the precision and care used to accommodate the Bocian, as well as our other four gliders.
It was flyable - just - with the few members at the launch point kindly allowing three young visitors from Culdrose to at least get a feel for our site via simulated launch failures, early releases due to cloud and a landing on the stub runway. Jake Matthews and Jordan Richards (both 19) and Shaun McBride (18) are all solo glider pilots who have their sights set firmly on Dartmouth and hopefully a seat in the next generation of carrier-borne jets. Jordon has a Silver C already; Jake is working towards his Bronze and Shaun, having soloed with the Air Cadets, is now close to re-soloing at Culdrose. While on the subject of younger pilots, rumour has it that our own Richard Williamson has been successful in scoring a place on FlyBe's flight training scheme in New Zealand, which is great news. (Well done, Richard, if this is true. How about some info from the horse's mouth on the Forum?)
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| Our Culdrose visitors |
Just as we had decided to throw in the towel when more persistent rain set in, a call came from the 'base team' back at the hangar demanding the return of DMX in order to wash it, de-rig it and put it on the trailer ready for Robin Wilson and Mike Gadd to take it to Dunkeswell for C of A tomorrow morning. (A big 'thank you' especially to these two guys, but also to everyone who resisted excuses not to come to the club and therefore made it all happen.)
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| DMX is derigged ready for it's travel |
The final challenge of the day was fitting the laden trailer into the hangar, so that Robin and Mike could simply hook up and go.#
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| DMX on trailer is towed into the hanger |
Elsewhere at the Club, Sandra was in overdrive preparing for the Open Day, and Martin Broadway mended a water pipe on the Perranporth winch, from which I infer that the beast is now almost ready to roar.
Bob Pirie
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