DGS News Monday 6th May 2013

It was a beautiful warm sunny morning with a blue sky and little wisps of wave smiling provocatively in the distance. The K13 was already on its way to the launch point when we arrived with “Sunday Soarer” Roger Appleboom getting his K-6CR ready to show to his wife Lindsey.

After a couple of launches from the east end, with the wind direction being South/South East it was decided to change ends and launch from the west, although that persistent cross wind continued, giving some challenging conditions.

Don Puttock, David Jesty and Martin Cropper got to work on trainee pilots Roger White, Jerry Wellington and Dave Parker. We welcomed Trial Lesson student Mark Ohlsen who enjoyed two flights with David Jesty. Jeff Cragg knuckled down with some check flights and Sean Parramore dropped in just to say hello and enjoyed a flight in the K8.

Alan Carter's SF27 with newly refurbished wings

And then, appearing from the hangar, it arrived at the launch point, like the phoenix from the ashes, the wings gleaming in the bright sunshine …. it was of course Alan Carters' SF27! Having finished refurbishing the wings and being freshly signed off it was ready for its first flight and a well earned jolly for Alan after a winter of scraping, sanding, filling and painting in a cold, dark, damp corner of the hangar. At least he had a smile on his face after enjoying an exciting flight as the SF's 'new' wings slipped through the air like a well oiled machine!

Meanwhile, Scratch tirelessly operated the winch all day only stopping when I took over for a short time so that he could do some back seat flying to regain his currency for his friends and family flying.

Returning to the launch point, I found the Sunday Soarers enjoying a pot of tea and hobnobs around the quad bike which doubled as a very useful table. Then they were off to the sky again to play in the evening sunshine.

Another enjoyable day with friends taking advantage of the extra Bank Holiday flying.

Sandra