Dartmoor Gliding News–Sunday 22nd June 2014

Well if it wasn't the 'day of days', it was certainly a day that 'ticked all the boxes' for those who came to fly.  Of which more later. 

But before that it must be said that today was the first Sunday on which it was possible to create a winch roster of 4 or more drivers, each driver spending only 2 hours apiece at the winch, and managing their flying objectives against those of others trying to the air.

But what of the day? Well, if you look at the stats for the solo pilots: Dave Parker K6 1:36; Martin Broadway ASW20 1:30; Jerry Wellington K8 1:07; Roger Applebeezer K6 0:32 and Jeff Cragg 0:30 the 'usual suspects' had a good day (Jeff Cragg's c.half hour having been completed before 1130).

Jerry's veiw of the airfield from the K8 from the south.
The airfield is in the top left

Sharing thermals with a paraglider

Hurdwick golf course from the K8

On the training side, the light easterly wind allowed uncomplicated launching, driftless soaring and turbulence free approaches that were very confidence building, particularly for New member Kit Smith. The nicely buoyant air mass also allowed trainees Adrian Irwin and new Junior Member Elliot Acton to experience soaring flights to 3,000ft (Adrian's all his own work), whilst 'Trial Lesson' student Chris Owen, whose escape tunnel has taken a meandering route from  Southdown to DGS. was able to experience gliding for the first time in 35 years.  In addition, Trial Lesson student Katie Barne (pictured) enjoyed a 20 minute 'early morning' flight to 2,000ft over Blackdown before the solo pilots even got air between grass and skid.

Trial Lesson student Katie Barne (from Widecombe)

New Junior Member Elliot Acton passing 2,900ft on his third flight with the club

Trial Lesson student Chris Owen from Falmouth reacquainting himself with gliding 35 years after flying at Parham

Chris Owen 15 minutes later passing 3,100ft in strong lift over Tavistock (later reaching cloudbase at 4,100ft)

 As the afternoon progressed the light wind allowed a convergence to set up, to the west of the site and most strangely aligned N-S. Unfortunately there wasn't time to explore this, but Tony Deane also reported a N-S energy line to the east of the airfield.

A line of convergence to the West of the airfield in late afternoon

As I landed a little after 5pm a quick straw poll revealed that all those who wanted to had flown, which was much to my relief since the surface wind had by then swung around to nearly west, implying a downwind launch which, however light the wind's strength, would not be recommended.

Thus we all set to with a will to pack the kit away, some of us even volunteering to help the private owners to de-rig.

Every day at the airfield brings something new: today it was the sound of an 11 year old saying (about one of the K6's):  "That's made of wood??!! Dad, that's SO cool...!" Wonders will never cease

Martin Cropper