Dartmoor Gliding News–Wednesday 21st May 2014

A prompt start, and full marks to all those private owners who led the charge to get the club kit ready before looking after their own interests.

It was a beautiful gliding day; warm and sunny, with 10 gliders campaigning from the west end launch point, and thermals from start to finish up to a  5000 ft cloudbase.

Mike Gadd's view of Roadford Resevoir ( including canopy reflections )

There was plenty of soaring (as well as some valiant attempts). Best flight of the day was by Mike Gadd in the Open Cirrus who completed a 107 km triangle Holsworthy-Crediton-Brentor; getting back in time to help at the launch point during late afternoon - then buy beers for the night shift.

Mike Gadd's logger trace

Disappointingly, there was yet again a poor turnout of club solo pilots - and for the second Wednesday in a row as I recall, Alan Holland found himself earth-bound as he got stuck into technical chores on the club's behalf, rather than grabbing those late afternoon thermals.

ASW20 ready to go

It was good to have Dave Jesty on the field to help with instructing, and he and I were kept busy training our four ab initio students, Andy Davey, John Rogers, Jorg Beasley and Adrian Pike; 'refreshing' Mike Keller (getting him ready for K8 private ownership) and giving recent one day course graduate Peter Lillywhite a taste of a long soaring flight.

ASW20 on the wire

 Apart from giving  from David Johnson a trial lesson, Steve Lewis spent most of the day working on an electrical problem on the Jantar with his syndicate partner Trevor Taylor  (the latter seldom seen at the club midweek and cursing the fact that he had to forsake any thoughts of soaring in favour of doing a school run). Another rare midweek flyer was Martin Smith seeking to get checked out for solo flying prior to attending a vintage rally in Denmark.

David Johnson ready for his trial flight - an 80th birthday present

Thanks to Phil Hardwick and John Howe for delivering some splendid launches.

Phil Hrdwick with syndicate partner Andrew Beaumont and their Astir

Bob Pirie