Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 1st August 2015

Full of hope that a new month would bring exceptional soaring conditions, despite  a forecast that said otherwise, the normal Saturday stalwarts were up and about early.

DMX fresh from its Annual and once again back in flying condition needed its normal monthly maintenance. Rick thus started the day wet, from washing the glider, a state that would ultimately prove a norm for the day.

With 7 introductory flights booked in the day and new member Simon Collier hoping to continue his training both K13s would be in use.

Getting DMX on line meant a slowish start to the day, with Ged doing the test flight as the day’s first launch at 11.00. After stalling, spinning, recovering from a spiral dive, achieving Vne. and finishing with a nicely executed sideslip landing, all in less than 4 minutes, DMX was announced fit to fly.

Peter Harvey and Adrian Irwin achieved a couple of short flights in the K8 and Zug respectively with not much evidence of lift and a lot more evidence of rain!

Visitor Hayley Rose

Visitor Howard Lloyd

Julie Castleford with Ged 

Visitor Rhys Griffiths

Vicky Henderson flew with Fred Marks in K13 G-DDMX

The launch hut’s met station told us the sun was shining, Adrian’s rain app told us rain was imminent and mk1 eyeball told you that it was pouring outside! Which should we believe?

Despite the conditions all the introductory flights achieved at least one flight, with all but 2 getting their full share, inevitably delayed by the rain. But by 2.30 all aircraft were firmly on the ground and flying for the day was abandoned at 3.30 when it seemed pretty clear that conditions weren’t going to improve.

The end of the flying day as viewed from the launchpoint

We then found K13 HXP had a flat tire so Rick and Ged finished the day by trying to fix that and ensure the aircraft was back online for the following day.

Particular thanks should go to Steve Raine for driving the winch all morning, Geoff Cragg for doing cable retrieve all day, and fighting a losing battle with the encroaching sheep and Simon who ferried our visitors around all day. None of them got airborne. There’s always next week!

Peter Harvey