DGS News Sunday 26th May 2013

Safe in the knowledge that Appleboom was away on one of his motor biking jaunts, a not inconsiderable sense of confident satisfaction filled me as I rounded the corner to the club.  Surely 'flight of the day' would be mine today?  The forecast looked good, RASP was encouraging and there was a queue of trial lessons to be flown, and even if these didn't deliver there was the prospect of the Zugvogel - whose lightly loaded big wings were bound to waft me to glory, weren't they?

So, buoyed up by the great news that Ged Nevisky had completed 300kms to Chicklade yesterday, and that Mike Jardine had dropped in on our neighbours at North Hill, we got the launch point set up at the east end, whilst I chuckled silently that victory today would be mine.  Guaranteed. 

But what's this appearing over the hill? Robin Wilson with his (pristine) K-6?  'No, Robin, you'll never make it to North Hill, not with those clouds, just potter about a bit mate.'  And then that sharp white pointy thing - surely it can't be Bob Pirie with his ASW-20?  Robin launches, and promptly shoots up to 4000 feet plus, shortly followed by Bob who disappears in a westerly direction, not to be seen again for 3 hours, during which he rounded most of Devon - twice! 

Well, you can dream - but if people will insist on turning up with their gliders, ready to go - it's back to the Bocian for you, my boy!  Where Henry Flowers was ready to go for his One Day Course, and having been 'encouraged' to learn his pre-flight checks at his last visit (when we were unable to fly) showed us all that he had - CB SIFT CB as well as the final E! At 14 years of age, Henry is shaping up to be a good prospect for solo at 15. 

Dave Parker sizing up the Zugvogel

A target which was not available to Don's squad of Dave Parker and Jerry Wellington when they started to fly.  Dave was converted to the Zugvogel by Don (and his later confession made interesting listening!) whilst Jerry got in valuable crosswind circuit practice as part of his Fixed Price to Solo.

Luke Botham and Mike Keller managed flights in the Bocian before 'previous engagements' called them away, and our trio of trial lessons included Tim Smith, from Plymouth City Council, Justin Nichols, who was visiting from London, and Justin's father-in-law Alan Wright, whose previous flying experience was in Fleet Air Arm Tiger Moths from Roborough.  He proved that he hadn't lost his touch! 

Tim Smith

Justin Nichols

Alan Wright

With Robin's descent from Silver Height (75 ft the right side - now that's worth a small fee to the OO, I would have thought?)  and Bob's return from his milk round it was time to put the gliders away and reflect upon a day - not only of dashed dreams but of many smiling faces as well - and not one of them Appleboom's!

Martin Cropper