Dartmoor gliding News-Wednesday 25th November 2015

I have tried close inspection of the all the weather forecasts I can find to no avail; today is not looking good. So plan “B” today is hope.

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never is, but always to be blessed:

The soul, uneasy and confined from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

– Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man

Setting off from Plymouth in drizzle under a very low cloudbase, spirits are a little low, but my first view across the Tamar valley to Cornwall reveals large areas in sunshine. Maybe, just maybe. Crossing the southern side of the moor, I am treated to a breathtaking view of low cloud mixed with areas of bright sunshine. The showers are producing stunning rainbows. The trip suddenly seems worthwhile.

The rain has stopped but there is still plenty of water on the airfield

At the airfield, the rain has stopped but a quick walk up to the runway reveals the reason that the hangar doors are firmly closed; the wind is very strong and extremely gusty.

CFI Don in discussion mode

In the clubhouse CFI Don Puttock is in full flow, with a discussion on thermalling techniques and strategies. Later he goes on to review the training requirements for our potential new instructors.

The simulator has suffered a technical failure. The front seat, left rudder  pedal has broken. Step forward “Simulator Repair Man” in the shape of David Bourchier who knew the location of a spare pedal assembly and then proceeded to fit it. This simple job is made extremely difficult because of the lack of access to the nose of the fuselage, but with the application of several hours of patience, blood, sweat and much swearing ( that was from me ) the task is now complete and the simulator is operational once more.

Hoping for better weather soon. 

Steve