North-east; North-west? With the forecast predicting a north-easterly (with
the prospect of wave, and the airfield set up for easterly launching), but the
windsock showing north-west, so what to do? In the best traditions of gliding we
went with what we could see ie. the windsock, and changed ends to launch into
the north-westerly.
 |
| K-13 ready to launch from the east end at the start of the day. |
Two launches with Roger Appleboom later, which confirmed
that the cloudbase was anywhere between 800 and 1,000ft agl, and the sink rate
anywhere between 2-8 kts, the windsock settled in the north-east, thus forcing
us to change ends again..! (Perhaps a more sage and patient Duty Instructor
would have sat back with their cup of tea, and waited…)
 |
| Dave Downton and Peter Howarth begin their ground run in DMX. |
So you can imagine that
this did not do wonders for the launch rate or total. That said, everyone flew
who wanted to (a brave bunch of aviators…) To be fair, the cloudbase did lift,
the sun came out and the wind strength did moderate a little as the day went on.
The consistent feature, however, was the vicious sink to windward which,
combined with the brisk wind called for pilots to lay off, monitor the vario and
be on their toes in the circuit to ensure that their final turns did not leave
them halfway towards Tavistock fighting to get back to the centreline.
 |
Martin Cropper and Dave Downton are the first couple
to be voted off in the DG Strictly Silly Hat competition..! |
Which, it
must be said (with grateful thanks), that all pilots did and hence that, in
addition to Roger A, Dave Downton, Ed Borlase and Phil Hardwick should be ‘reet
proud’ of themselves in meeting today’s challenging conditions.
 |
Ed Borlase practices his panning skills as
Phil Hardwick puts his pedal to the metal in the Zetor on the north side of the airfield... |
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| ...in order to capture Ray Boundy and Martin Cropper on approach from the west end. |
We also welcomed
new-to-Sunday trainee member John Allen, one of the sailing fraternity who
regaled us with tales of long soaring flights during the summer (slight temporal
meteorological shift incurred today) and returning member Ray Boundy, who
demonstrated that he has not lost his touch despite an interruption of some two
decades in his flying.
 |
| Prospective new member John Allen in conversation with Martin Cropper. |
 |
| DMX shows a ‘clean pair of heels’ as it gets aloft in the clear late afternoon sunshine. |
By 4pm the onset of misting on the canopies had us scurrying back to the
clubhouse, and by 4:30 the site was silent. Thanks go, as ever, to winch drivers
Phil Hardwick and Dave Downton and all those who put up with multiple
end-changes with cheerful patience…
Martin Cropper
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