DGS News Wednesday 10 April 2013

Today was characterised by (a) a distracted group of our 'seasoned' pilots (more intent on getting BVB rigged and/or preparing their own gliders for a cross country course at Nympsfield next week), (b) an unexpected influx of youngsters eager to get into the air, and (c) an accurate weather forecast, promising and delivering rain by late morning.

How many glider pilots dpes it take to rig a K7M?( answers on a postcard please )

Once we'd got the wings onto BVB, with vital 'insider assistance' from Ged Nevisky with his head and shoulders buried in the fuselage, it was off to the winch for John Howe and Mike Gadd, while the rest of us either pursued other chores, or headed out to the launch point to help Steve Lewis get two of our youngest would-be glider pilots airborne.

Ged inside the K7m fuselage to fit the rear drag pins to the wings

In the short weather window available today, the club really lived up to its credentials as a Junior Gliding Centre, with my my grandson Freddie Fricker (11) and new junior member Dominic Emerson (15) each getting a couple of flights in before the rain rolled in and we called it a day. Then, just as we were preparing to put the kit away, another potential junior member, Theo Hall (16), who lives locally, rolled up with his mother and little sister. Sadly, Theo was disappointed on this occasion due to the weather, but his sister had a big smile on her face as she tackled a colouring book in the clubhouse, kindly provided by our club secretary, Sandra Buttery.Meanwhile Dominic was hard at it on the simulator, benefiting from the wisdom of Mike Gadd and Colin Boyd.

Dominic and instructor Steve in the glider being supervised by Freddie.

Vice Chairman Colin Boyd instructs Dominic on the working of the cable release while Freddie and Steve look on.

Thanks to all of you who turned out today, helping to rig BVB and to look after our young visitors, and good luck to Ged, Andrew Beaumont and Phil Hardwick as they prepare to embark on their cross country soaring course.

Bob Pirie