Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 26th October 2014

Those of you who study genealogy will know that there have been some famous members of the Wall family, but not many.  There was Thomas Wall, the ice cream maker of favourites such as Cornetto and Magnum, and Max Wall, the music hall comedian, but few others.  Today we were visited by a double-barrelled branch of the Wall family: Walter Wall-Cloud – who arrived early and did not depart until the end of the day (see photo).
 

The weather was characterised by wall-to-wall cloud

Now, although that visitation pretty much prevented the sun getting through to the ground to cause any convection, the question was would it put paid to a decent day’s gliding at Brentor? It certainly would not!  For despite the less than promising conditions (cloud as above, wind from due south i.e.. 90 degrees crosswind, not 210 degrees as predicted) the early morning period allowed CFI Don Puttock to put Dart 17R owner Leith Whittington through a successfully handled General Flying Test, thus enabling Don to sign off Leith’s Bronze ‘C’ as completed (subject to being sealed over a Speckled Hen) – well done, Leith.

Spurred on by this Don then turned his attention to lapsed instructor Pete Howarth who, as Don put it, is a ‘re-boot’.  This meant that, not only would he be able to go solo K-13 DMX, but that he should instantly move on to the club K-8, thus achieving two first solos in one day.

Pete Howarth after soloing in the K-13, with daughter and trainee pilot Paula

Pete Howarth after soloing in the K-8: two solos, two types of glider - one day!

At this juncture (i.e.. before he was ‘sentenced’ to the winch), let’s just record the fact that longest flight of the day went to Roger Applewindfall, at 10 minutes (narrowly being Dave Parker), in the club K-8 before lunchtime using some darker tendrils which marked gently rising air under the blanket of cloud (see photo).

Roger Appleboom in the K-8 finds lift under the darkest tendrils

In addition to the aforementioned Mr Wall-Cloud, we hosted three very different types of visitor.  First, Adrian Ellicott who – as a birthday present - had been ‘set up’ by his partner for a glider flight as part of life’s ‘bucket list’, but who to the better of the dare by thoroughly enjoying his 8 minutes above terra firma.  Second was recently moved to Cornwall primary school teacher Jamie Studley who, having often thought about it, decided that ‘now was the time’ to experience soaring flight, and also thoroughly enjoyed his 9 minute flight, departing with an ominous Arnie-like “I’ll be back!”  Third was local Tavistock resident Jackie Marker who, having watched the gliders looking from Brentor church, liked the idea but was very, very nervous on the airfield; only to find the launch a little ‘scary’, and the rest being ‘absolutely marvellous’.  She also declared (not quite Arnie-like): “I’ll be back!”

Visitor Adrian Ellicott

Visitor Jamie Studley, with partner (right) and friends, from Caradon

Visitor Jackie Marker, from Tavistock

On the club-side, Paula Howarth had one of those days when ‘everything clicked’ with Don in instructing, Elliott Acton learned how easy it is to fly a glider when in trim, and father Chris experienced ‘life in the fast lane’ with a hangar flight that saw the K-13 at speeds (high) and heights (low) that defy explanation.  

So despite Mr Walter Wall-Cloud preventing any great soaring flights today, the completion of a Bronze C, two Brentor solos and some very positive trial lessons made this a hugely gratifyingly day to be at the club. 

Oh and, we packed the hangar within 15 minutes of dusk creeping in after the last touch down (see photo).out the way home.

All snuggled up: a well packed hangar at the end of a successful day

Martin Cropper