The promise of a super cross country day persuaded a strong contingent of private owners, plenty of trainees and a few solo pilots wishing to fly club single seaters to get on the road to Brentor earlier than usual. Mike Gadd led the charge with his Open Cirrus rigged and ready for a 300km attempt while Phil Hardwick and helpers had also got the winch and launch point set up by the time the majority of members were arriving.
The day was characterised by good humour and teamwork, with everyone chipping in to help each other and sharing all the tasks associated with getting - and staying - airborne with great energy and enthusiasm. (Might this have had something to do with some boxes of delicious cakes which awaited us in the clubhouse, thanks to an anonymous benefactor?)
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| Some of the the DGS grid today |
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| Bob, in instructor mode, with returning member Dick Masters before exploring the spinning capabilities of the K13 |
The Guslaunch winch in the hands of a whole succession of experienced winch drivers - propelled most gliders to heights of 1,300 feet or more to the delight of instructors, trainees, solo thermal-hunters and circuit-bashers.
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| Bob Sansom with his K8 routinely launched to 1700+ feet today. |
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| Mike Gadd practicing flying the K13 from the back seat. |
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| Three generations of Hardwick |
Politely declining an invitation to come and fly, John spent yet another day in the workshop, assisted by David Bourchier, repairing the remaining historic damage which had been discovered within recently-acquired K7M CLT's wings. Completing a hangar flight in the ASW, I was greeted by a happy but exhausted John, who reported that not only had he completed the internal work, but that he had re-covered and re-painted the access holes. Therefore it seems to be a case of 'job done' as far as that much-missed two-seater is concerned, and it should be on-line again either this weekend or shortly thereafter.
But that's not the end of the 'service above and beyond the call' story. In recent weeks, as the sole two-seater, K13 DMX has worked long and hard for the club, but the rocky and rutted ground (despite levelling efforts by members last winter) had taken their toll on this glider's tail wheel and tyre. Once we had put all the other gliders and vehicles away and were heading homeward, Alan and David - in the manner of an F1 crew (or maybe Santa's Helpers?) - were last seen hard at work on the offending component in order to ensure serviceability for this weekend. While they managed to repair the wheel, a new tyre and tube has been ordered to ensure a long life once more.
What more can one say but a big 'thank you' to you three, Colin Boyd ( who put in a lot of work into K7m G-DCLT ) and all the others who work behind the scenes to keep us flying
Bob Pirie
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