Have you ever stopped to wonder what makes a happy Instructor (apart, of course from a willing team of pilots and trainees)? No? Well, I can tell you that, at Brentor, when the wind is aligned with the runway, and the winch 'right up' in the top field (see photo), guaranteeing launches to 1,500ft plus, you get a very happy instructor! No crosswind, no laying off, no crabbed approaches and launch failures where the winch driver is easily able to recover the cable… Plus, with a moderate to fresh breeze (the K-13 was off the ground within 3 steps in the afternoon) trainees were able to get decent flight durations without having to soar.
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Wow! The large gap between winch and launchpoint is readily apparent
as the retrieve vehicle passes the K-13 on tow-out over the brow of the hill |
So that's great for our trainees, but what about the solo pilots? Well despite the fairly fresh wind at ground level, it was surprisingly benign at height, thus allowing people to scratch into the core and climb away without being whipped away from the airfield (see photo from 1,800ft over Peter Tavy). Cloudbase, at 2,200ft agl, was relatively easy to reach and, at times, cloud streets developed ever so temptingly into Cornwall... So whilst no-one flew beyond soaring range of the airfield, it was good to see Roger Appleboom, Martin Broadway, Adrian Irwin, and Leith Whittington (Dart 16R) log some decent times today.
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The village of Peter Tavy from 1,800ft
(the critical feature being the Peter Tavy Inn, nearest the wing root in bottom right hand corner). |
Our visitors for introductory flights, both of whom flew with Roger Appleboom, were Bob Watson, from Florida, USA (having travelled up from Padstow with wife and son for his flight), and Steve Stokes, who was supported by a large family contingent.
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| Visitor Bob Watson, from the USA, who flew with Roger Appleboom. |
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| Visitor Steve Stokes, who also flew with Roger Appleboom, looks ready to go! |
We were also visited by Sean Parramore, checking out his (unique?) Skylark 3F, and by David Jesty for the last time prior to his move to Gloucestershire. Both have contributed greatly to the club by instructing (and in David's case also being Safety Officer) and, whilst Sean remains a full member, David’s return is likely to be less frequent but nonetheless welcome.
With the help of Barry Green on winch, Heather Horsewill on retrieve, and Kit Smith (with Martin Broadway) on radio/launch control, we managed in excess of thirty launches today – so a huge vote of thanks goes to all of them. A good day today and one which, I hope, the trainees found productive and the solo pilots found challenging and enjoyable.
So that’s it. Except there’s a spare photo…oh yes, and Richard Roberts went solo! Richard, who took a break from the club 18 years ago, and was previously part-owner of a Jantar, has been attending in a supportive role since February, and restarted flying in early June. Having ticked (almost) all the boxes in rapid succession, his reaction at being sent solo today is readily apparent in the photo here…
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Richard Roberts, looking mightily (and rightly) pleased with himself,
re-soloed today after a break of 18 years. Welcome Back! |
Martin Cropper
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