DGS News – Sunday 21st July 2013

With waving branches of trees signalling a 'brisk' wind from early morning it was clearly going to be a day when good precautions would be necessary, but blowing from due East was just too inviting an opportunity to be missed!   

With just the K-13 and Roger Applebesom's K-6 at the west end launch point we set off in search of wave.  And strangely didn't find it - or not until later, when Jerry Wellington managed 39 minutes, no higher than 1400ft in the traditional beat between the winch and sugar factory.  Other contacts were fleeting, although it did prove possible to give new joiner Mike Vosper a 35 minute first flight site acquaint!

However, once Martin Broadway appeared in the super sleek ASW-20, the wave responded by spreading out in a wide area to south of the site, enabling Martin to fly for over an hour and up to 2,000ft. 

Visitor Robert (Rupert) Seward

We welcomed VIP biker Robert (Rupert) Seward, who arrived with half a chapter of Angels on the bikes, who was given a 39 minute treat over St Michael de Rupe church to the scrap yard (secondary wave) un to 1600ft, in which he discovered that gliders are much more sensitive to fly than bikes are to ride! 

New member Robert (Bob) Goodall

Another new joiner, Robert Goodall, took a couple of flights but by that time the wind, which had moderated over lunchtime, really picked up, making it difficult to give any 'hands on stick' time - however, his mother-in-law will visiting again soon and so, I suspect, will Bob!  

Thirteen year old Henry Flower got some useful experience in the increasing wind, however, and Daniel Leek go some ticks in boxes on his Training Card.

Martin Cropper