Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 1st December 2013

Today we were saved by three distinct threats not turning into reality: a. the cloudbase not descending below the tops of the moor, b. spots of moisture not turning into rain and c. the wind not veering to the north-east, as predicted. 

The fact that all three of those threats did not materialise enabled us to get a full day’s training in for those who attended including One Day Course student Liz Howse , a farm vet from Holsworthy, who flew seven times with Don and despite that still had appetite enough to fly the simulator once we had put the gliders to bed.

One Day Course student Liz Howse

It was a good day for maintaining currency since the air was smooth, enabling precise manoeuvring, and it was good to see Mike Keller and Martin Broadway doing just that in our universally popular K-8, along with Sunday regulars Leith Whittington and Roger Bloomingdapple, whilst elegantly ageing rock star Colin Boyd also logged his first flight on that airframe. 

With thanks to Allan Holland and Martin Broadway for their winching, it may have been a grey day, but it was certainly worthwhile.  And, talking about worthwhile, Luke Botham’s flying certainly demonstrated the value in maintaining currency using joystick computer games, but they can’t replace reality in those vital few second before landing when peripheral vision and ground rush is needed.   

Martin Cropper