“Stop, Stop, Stop!” went the cry. What on earth for now? On the day when, with 4 instructors on site, 3 winch drivers, 5 trial lesson/introductory flights and a One Day Course gave the potential to achieve the first 40+ launch day of the year the last thing we wanted was unnecessary stoppages… A swift glance in the direction of pointing fingers revealed the cause: a deer on the runway! So OK perhaps a valid “Stop” call, then… (see photo captured by Sunday Sharp-Shooter Paula Howarth).
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| “Stop, Stop Stop!” A deer crossing the airfield causes the launch to be delayed. |
In fact, our launch total of 35 was unlikely to have been bettered since today was, once again, a game of two halves (and almost venison in two halves..!) Up until exactly 3pm the light north/north-easterly had been producing prodigious convection, with thermals mixing with wave that had Allan Holland struggling to maintain control over the Zugvögel in rotor during his 2 hours flight to east of site, Roger Appleboom having the brake the K-13 all the way down from Tavistock in order to return to terra firma and Roger Green spending a shade less than 2 hours aloft among smooth thermals to the west in his super sexy ASW-20. At three, the windsock suddenly swung on its pole indicating a southerly, and the day died. Just like that. The fact that this was cold sea air cutting in from the coast was confirmed by clouds which continued to move across the field from the north. So farewell, then, to 40 launches plus, but thankfully we had managed 2 half-hours, 3 one hour plus and one 2 hours plus flight before conditions changed.
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| Chris Jones returns in the club’s K-8 G-CGDK after an early morning soaring flight. |
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| One Day Course student Margaret Hannah, from Totnes. |
And a lot of other business was done (not all, unfortunately, recorded on camera). Our One Day Course candidate was Margaret Hannah. Margaret, a retired psychotherapist from Totnes, has previous powered experience and, like many of her ilk, found the rate of turn and angle of bank used by glider pilots quite difficult to assimilate. However she certainly enjoyed her six flights (and visit to the winch) and will be very welcome when she returns to ‘unlearn’ the ways of the propelled fraternity. Our Introductory Flight visitors were Jason Bastin and Thomas Jennings, who flew with Roger Appleboom, Mark Smith, who flew with Pete Howarth (see photo) and relatives Louis (see photo) and Eric Smith. David Jesty completed the instructing team (following an early morning half-hour limber up in the K-8) providing check flights for Jerry Wellington and Barry Green, whilst Caribbean sojourner Martin Broadway also re-qualified for solo flight (with a 300ft launch failure in which demonstrated that he is by no means averse to using sideslip..!) Chris Jones and Jeff Cragg also maintained the K-8’s utilisation rate, whilst also winching and retrieving respectively, and Pete Harvey was able to make his third and fourth solos in the K-13.
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| Introductory Flight visitor Mark Smith with Peter Howarth. |
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| Introductory Flight visitor Louis Smith also flew with Peter Howarth. |
Before concluding, mention must be made of the weather station that David Bourchier has set up at the launch point (see photos). With a digital/pictorial display of wind speed, direction and temperature, this is a great advance that will assist us in making informed decisions, particularly in relation to the crosswind, in future. The by now traditional Sunday thanks are also necessary to Richard Roberts, who certainly had 40 launches in his sights (until the weather changed). Oh and, if space permits, thanks are also due to Peter Howarth who – like many others – is a Sunday multi-rôler, delivering Introductory Flights from one end of the field and then winching at the other – today adding another string to his bow: that of Rice Krispie chocolate Easter egg cake baker – many thanks, Pete, they were delicious!
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| The weather station recently installed at the launch point courtesy of Dave Bourchier. |
Martin Cropper
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