Itching to get airborne for the first time this year after an enforced lay-off, it was great to be able to spend several hours at a busy and upbeat Brentor in the company of friends old and new. (And the weather conditions weren't bad either!)
After refresher flights with David Jesty, I then enjoyed a pleasant half hour in the K8 proving that conditions were, indeed, soarable - after which both single seaters were in continuous use. Not sure who had the longest flight of the day, but when I left mid-afternoon Alan Holland was showing no signs of returning to Earth anytime soon.
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| Bob 'back in the saddle' with K8. |
Personally, it was a bit 'odd' not occupying the back seat of a K13, but reassuring to see everything operating efficiently with David at the helm - plus help with trial lessons from Ged Nevisky. Unusually for a Wednesday, Steve Lewis wasn't around to fly our visitors, due to the fact that he and syndicate partner Trevor Taylor were hauling their trailer north to Nympsfield to get some professional 'tlc' applied to their Jantar.
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| Kit Smith poses with quad bike. |
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| Club member Bob Sansom takes nourishment while chatting with Michael Rogers and wife Liz, while fellow-member Kit Smith listens-in. |
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| Jeff Cragg ready for the 'off'' in the Zugvogel. |
It was good to be welcomed by so many Wednesday 'regulars' and also to get acquainted with several enthusiastic 'new faces' on the brink of converting their memberships from 'temporary' to 'full'. The latter included Dave Downton from Plymouth, yachtsman and helicopter pilot Mark Hilpern along with Tina-Maria Lofting and son Haydn from Chagford, and Rob Manuel from Callington. During the afternoon Michael Rogers (accompanied by wife Liz) from Kingsbridge came along for a trial lesson.
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| Duty instructor David Jesty with Rob Manuel. |
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| Steve Raine preparing to lasso new member Haydn Lofting. |
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| Mark Hilpern's hair stands on end (at prospect of flying with Ged maybe?) |
Impossible to name everyone who kept the show on the road today, but Barry Green (winch driver), John Rogers (control tower), Colin Boyd (launch point controller) and Jeff Craggs/Mike Heller (cable retrieve drivers) all deserve a mention. Plus, of course, the hard-working instructors.
For me it was great to be back - and thanks to everyone for that warm welcome.
Bob Pirie
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