Dartmoor Gliding News – Sunday 12th January 2014

Wall to wall grey cloud sweeping up from the south and a threatening forecast quickly led to discretion winning out against valour today, even if for a period in the morning the rain held off, the 90 degree crosswind and low cloudbase meant that there would be little to be gained from a few launches. 

Low cloud and strong crosswinds
The discussion therefore turned to how to ascertain the crosswind limit for each type of glider in use – not an easy question to answer since, whilst the Flight Manual for the Pirat gives a figure of 10kts, there is nothing to be found in the manual for the K-13.  So whilst stalwart members Roger Applepip and Leith Whittington pored over this conundrum, Jerry Wellington kept his hand in with circuits on the simulator, and John Bolt surveyed the repair to Martin Cropper's K-6.

Martin's K6e current waiting for repair.
Colin Boyd also introduced a potential new member (with a 'powered' past) to the simulator and as the rain arrived around lunchtime so did Roger Green, with yet more tales of derring-do about the latest sailplane purchase from Germany.

As the rain set in however by about 3 o'clock it had to be conceded that home was really where the heart was and so we decided to call it a day. 

With thanks to those who travel significant distances to get to the club, hopefully next week will provide a ridge of high pressure that will give both the cloudbase, and us, enough lift to make flying possible.

Martin Cropper

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