Dartmoor Gliding News–Saturday 15th November 2014

Setting out for the airfield under a glowering sky with frequent showers things did not look too good. However, the forecast was for light(ish) winds from the southeast and there is always a chance of some soaring in this kind of unstable airflow.

Getting the Zugvogel out

On arrival it was obviously going to be a quiet day. Rick Wiles had already changed ends so after getting the gliders out we set about the task of removing the west end picket fence.

Ionut and today's instructor, David Jesty

First to fly with today’s instructor David Jesty was Stefi who was cleared to fly solo in the K8 after a couple of successful check flights. Next up was Stefi’s boyfriend, Ionut Florica, a professional helicopter pilot from Romanian who is also a keen glider pilot who was also cleared to fly solo.

We had one air-experience visitor today, Adam Rasmussen who enjoyed a couple of flights with Rick.

Visitor Adam Rasmussen waiting to fly

Down at the winch, we continued with the effort to continue the training of a couple of new winch drivers. This is an important skill – no winch driver – no flying.

Ionut took the photo while soaring the K8

And what of the soaring. Well, visitor Ionut, soared the K8 for 16 minutes, only landing as he thought that an approaching shower was going to engulf the airfield. As it turned out the shower never arrived. Following closely on his heals was Dick Masters who managed two 13 minute flights in the Zugvogel.

Sun, showers and cloud summed up the weather.
This view is taken from the south side of the airfield looking north at Mary Tavy and Gibbet Hill

The view south was more threatening but the sun was still shining on Whitsand Bay.
The cloud to the right looks like it marks a line of weak wave. 

During the afternoon the committee held a meeting in the clubhouse which seemed to end amicably enough judging by the smiling faces on show when we arrived back at the clubhouse after flying.

When we repacked the hangar, we used the new packing sequence, planned the other day, to ensure solo pilots have easier access to the Zugvogel.

Steve