Dartmoor Gliding News–Sunday 1st September 2013

It was to be a quiet, soaring with friends day, where I was to swap with Martin Broadway on the winch after a couple of flights so we went for the French approach: get all the gliders (including privateers) rigged as the day warmed up,  have lunch (baguette, brie or camembert, bottle of wine) and once the clouds started popping, go fly. Except there was no camembert, or brie, or wine and, as luck would have it, having cancelled two trial lessons, three more turned up! 

And so, with Bob's blessing, there was nothing else for it but to fly them, one having travelled from Wareham, another having had to rearrange due to weather etc.  And so, with a light westerly  and forecast 100% sun, which rapidly turned into some thin cumulus at about 2,500ft, we made them most of what Allan Holland described as 'chopped up' - strong but very narrow - thermals.
 

This photo is of Dave Smith, from Brentor village, with his partner,  prior to his 19 minute flight with us today.

 Unfortunately, this also led to Martin Broadway becoming marooned on the winch as I flew with the aforesaid Paul Lofts, from Wareham, Dave Smith (N Brentor village) and 6ft 6in Edward O'Neill until he was rescued by our own Grace Darling, Sandra, at something past 4 o'clock (she was supposed to be departing at 3 to prepare for a dinner party - maybe she got in contract Carter-ers - ho ho).

Ed O’Neill, from Coryton,  with Mum and girlfriend celebrating Ed’s 21st birthday voucher flight at Brentor.

Martin couldn't have been too down hearted for he promptly put in 21 mins in the ASW 20 (having had a further wait for Bob to land after a 'half hour' flight that lasted 43 mins (sluggish minute hand on his watch...)).  Allan Holland managed 20 mins, scratching away from 500ft and Roger Applebroom 14; Alan Carter hangar flew the Zugvogel (almost arriving at the hangar door having forgotten that the club aircraft doesn't have a wheel brake!). 

Many thanks go to Martin B for his stalwart winching, and to Bob for providing instructor cover.  We also welcomed a potential new member Nigel, from Torrington, who has already lost 3 stone - just in order to fly with us! - and has promised to return when the scales co-operate a little more..

Martin Cropper