Dartmoor Gliding news – Wednesday 7th August 2013

Today saw a healthy turnout of full and temporary members, along with a one-day course and four trial lesson candidates. But the most impressive statistic of all was the size of the glider fleet at the launch point. In addition to the club's K13, K7M and Zugvogel, no less than seven 'privateers' were rigged and in action today, these being  Bob Sansom's K8, Phil and Andrew's Astir, the syndicated Twin Astir, the ASW20F, the Jantar and a brace of K6s.

The launch queue waits patiently

Much of the early focus was on rigging and preparing the winch and cables, and then in order to achieve the best possible launches in the light crosswind, we decided to move the winch well into the top field. This meant taking the fence down and in the interests of safety, the whole fence, which was a chore - but well worth doing. Thus the start time for the first launch was 'sub-optimal' (to put it mildly) but we cracked on and by around 7.00pm had achieved 41 launches, and most important of all, everyone had flown.

One Day Course candidate Clive Bareham  enjoyed his flights and soaring with Instructor Ged Nevisky

Visitor Anne Bishop waiting to go

The quality and rate of launches were superb, with few launch failures and only one real glitch when we lost the potential of about half a dozen launches during a quest for a replacement shackle pin for the point where the strop attached to the parachute rope. The worthy few who hung in there until the end of the day to help others to fly, and then de-rig and put the equipment away, were absolutely knackered. But good humour prevailed, and I am pleased to report that despite the frantic activity, the day passed without incident or 'excitement'.

CFI Don briefs Dave Parker before his first flight in his "new" K6

Today's highlights?
- another 'first' for Dave Parker, who after being signed off as a winch driver last weekend, flew his pretty K6 for the first time today (in fact several times).
- Steve Lewis pointed the Jantar towards the 300km 'holy grail' of Chicklade, but probably set off too late and returned to base after more than three hours having been defeated by a 'big blue hole' somewhere over mid-Devon.
- Mike Keller re-soloed at Brentor following a recent intensive session developing his skills at Nympsfield, which included his successful conversion to 'glass' gliders.
- several pilots achieved impressive climbs to 3,000ft, and some to 4,000ft or more.
- Temporary members Adrian Pike and John Rogers (in the capable hands of CFI Don) enjoyed long soaring flights - during the latter flight exploiting the lift provided by a convergence.

Soaring the convergence

It is customary in these blogs to mention those who contribute a special effort in order that others may fly. But today everyone 'played a blinder'. So a big thank you to you all.

Bob Pirie