DGS News Wednesday 3rd April 2013

Stonking lift in the form of (mostly blue) thermals and wave, lots of rotor and a lumpy crosswind were the order of the day; the sort of conditions relished by DGS-trained pilots when current and on top of their game.

And there were plenty around to join in the fun. But where were the rest of you? And where were the ab initio students who, had they been there, could have had almost unlimited access to two two-seaters and three instructors? (I stress 'almost', because in the absence of students and solo pilots seeking to regain currency Ged Nevisky, Martin Cropper and I had ourselves a ball joining in the fun with the rest of the gang.

Inspector Martin Smith giving the tailplane of the Bocian some close scrutiny after a query was raised at the DI
(insert your own thought bubble)

The Man in Black is… Trevor Taylor ( on the glider nose ) – caught being uncharacteristically helpful in getting the gliders out in the morning.

 Conditions were no means easy - especially launching and on final approach - and with eight gliders at the launch point every member of our small team was kept busy helping one another, or scanning the heavens to identify which 'white dot' was the highest. In the final analysis, the 'white dot of the day' award went to the K8 flown by Chairman Martin, who climbed well above 7,000 feet during a flight of two hours or so. Several of us achieved flights somewhat shorter - and lower - but respectable nonetheless. And some took the opportunity to venture slightly further afield than normal.

Brentor Airfield from 3,000ft.

K-8 DWG’s altimeter seems to be working correctly at 7,000ft (time – about 1145 – before lunch!)

Unfortunately not all pilots managed to contact, let alone exploit, the fantastic lift, but that was more a case of the luck of the draw than any lack of competence or enthusiasm.

The main thing is, we all had a safe and fun day's flying in exciting and challenging conditions.  (But, on reflection, enduring an hour or two at 4,500 feet crammed into the sub-zero luxury and sound effects of the Zugvogel's cockpit must be almost as masochistic as reclining in a bathtub full of cold baked beans in aid of 'Comic Relief').

As ever, our combined enjoyment depends so much on mutual efforts to help each other get airborne, and in terms of today's flying operations, I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to Dave Rippon who, despite a severe cold, drove the winch before retreating homeward to attend to his Field Treasurer duties; also Heather (for cable retrieving) and Barry who, having Di’d three club gliders and had a shortish flight in the Zug, spent most of the day driving the winch.

Bob Pirie

Pilot Trevor Taylor reported reaching 7600 feet above the airfield in the Jantar 1, but if the K8 was somewhere close then my money for Ace of Base is with the K8 Pilot Martin Cropper. The K8 has half the glide angle of the Jantar and probably twice the sink rate.

Steve