Dartmoor Gliding News–Saturday 1st March 2014

Blue skies, light SW breeze backing to southerly later. There was even enough warmth in the day to suggest that spring really is on the way. Great.

There was a full complement of trainee and pre-licence pilots to occupy CFI Don and the K13 all day. The K7m G-DDAK was out ready for some air experience flying and the K8 entertained the solo pilots.

Karl awaits his first solo flight. Excellent 

Big news of the day was a first solo flight by Karl Andrews. Well done Karl; a major step towards your licence completed.  He and the other recent solo pilots were all presented with glider pilot wings by Don. It remains to be seen where they will wear them.

Stapling it to your forehead  may well sting a little bit Stefi

Andrew thought he may need to grow a bit to wear it on his chest

Another highlight today was our growing cadre of junior pilots. They kept themselves busy around the launch point, and they certainly kept the aircraft busy. They are a great asset to the club and fun to have around.

Peter with Andrew in the K8 

Stefi watches a soaring glider.

Peter and Don watching a glider in circuit 

The day remained soarable for several hours and enabled our visitor Simon Daniels to experience a couple of soaring flights with instructors Steve Lewis and Ged Nevisky. He is keen to return for some more and begin his flying training. Longest flight of the day was 28 minutes by our youngest solo pilot Andrew Swann in the K8 but most pilots managed some soaring.

Visitor Simon Daniels with instructor Steve Lewis in K7M G-DDAK

Elsewhere, John Bolt  along with Mike Jardine and Steve Raine completed the ARC renewal and C of A on the Astir. Showing great determination to get a job completed, pilot Ray Swinfield made a special effort to come to the airfield specially to check out the Pirat trailer, getting it ready for the coming cross country season. He completed checking out and fixing the electrics so it now has a full compliment of lights, all of which are working. The Pirat trailer fixtures have been rounded up and are in the trailer. We all owe him our thanks.

K8 returns to the hangar at the end of the day

So, lots going on today, all completed with good humour and not a little banter. As has become a tradition the day ended with a beer and chat in the clubhouse in front of a roaring log burner.

Steve