Dartmoor Gliding News – Wednesday 19th February 2014

Today was another Wednesday washout with low cloud, fog and eventually rain. But you don't have to probe too far among all the mud and crud of Brentor to find something resembling a silver lining, which today took the form of a healthy turnout by more than a dozen of our most enthusiastic members intent on resolving some of the technical challenges associated with our launching equipment, which threatened to keep us grounded - whatever the weather.

All action at the workbench in the hangar. The GusLaunch gets some urgent repairs

I arrived to find that Colin Boyd, Steve Raine and Dave Rippon had already dismantled the Guslaunch winch's cable roller mechanism out on the airfield. They then lugged it back to the hangar and, with the arrival of Allan Holland and the assistance of several others, most of the morning was spent filing out grooves, fitting new bearings and then returning the whole assembly to the winch.

Meanwhile another team consisting primarily of John Rogers, Jorg Beasley and John Howe set about curing a serious disability which had beset the cable retrieve trailer. Then finally, Phil the Farmer fired up the tractor and we towed the recently-deceased grey Land Rover Discovery from pride of place at the front of the hangar to a less prominent position out the back.

"One wheel on my wagon?". Not with these guys on the job

So, all in all, ''Job well done!' And here's hoping that the team's efforts will be rewarded by some decent flying this coming weekend - and maybe the odd pint from grateful weekenders..

What other news? John Howe, obviously suffering following the recent death of his brother-in-law, raised our spirits by bringing along a nice 'thank you' letter from the Plymouth charity to whom the club recently donated a load of warm clothing. The arrival of Bob Sansom with a Transit-load of dry firewood was a most welcome sight, and it was good to have Andrew Beaumont back on-side following his winter migration to sunnier climes. For a change John Bolt was not freezing his fingers off in the bowels of a K-13 in the workshop, but performed well as Duty Stoker for the log burner.

Just as the rain set in, John Blaskett arrived with a working party consisting of his son-in-law and grandson, intent on fettling his glider and trailer.   But after a stint of trailer-washing, they called it a day and joined us in the clubhouse for tea and tall stories.

John Blaskett ( centre ) supervising his work party.  

Just to get us all thinking about improving safety and efficiency when we once again start doing some serious flying at Brentor, I gave a talk on Ground Radio Procedures. (You'll find the notes among the training materials for members on the club's website,and I do urge all members to read them.)

Bob Pirie