Dartmoor Gliding News–Wednesday 31st July 2013

Today's warm front was true to its word, bringing rain and low cloud, but failing to deter the usual team of regular members who were intent on tackling some of those 'down-to-earth' chores which tend to build up during a busy soaring season. We were joined by temporary members Adrian Pike and John Rogers who, after briefings in the clubhouse on cockpit checks and launch failures, participated in the work programme with energy and good humour.

Gliders in the Mist

Today's achievements?

First of all, the hangar was emptied of aircraft and swept, while our 'pack' of various spare fuselages and wings currently stored there was shuffled, to make more room for our fleet of operational club gliders.
Then the workshop was subjected to a similarly enthusiastic dose of housekeeping, to make space for the recently acquired K8 to be surveyed by our engineer, John Bolt, in order to determine what work needs to be done to get it on line. John got stuck in immediately, and by mid-afternoon he and fleet manager, Ged Nevisky, were showing signs of relief - and enthusiasm for getting what appears to be a fairly small amount of remedial work underway. But, as ever, that will depend on practical support from the club membership.

In last Wednesday's blog I acknowledged the disgruntlement of some of our solo pilots concerning the inaccessibility of the Zugvogel.  In response to this, when we came to re-pack the hangar, we put the Pirat (renovation of which is reportedly now nearing completion) at the back, followed by the Zugvogel and then our two-seaters.

Because of the appalling weather, we were forced to cancel today's one day courses, but it was reassuring to have our trial lesson and one day course bookings 'guru', Mike Keller, on hand to ensure that they are rescheduled in a timely and efficient manner.

Bob Pirie