Dartmoor Gliding News Sunday 12th July 2020

Peter Howarth conducting pre-flight checks of K-13 DMX.

Who called Twin Astirs the ‘Concrete Swan’..?  Our twin Astirs totalled 4hrs 26mins airborne today – hardly what you’d call ‘concrete’.  But the most significant event was the return to two-seater flying, the relaxation of coronavirus regulations allowing us to fly trainees for the first time on a Sunday since 23 March.

Peter Howarth and Martin Cropper preparing to aviate in K-13 DMX.

A very happy Ed Borlase about to re-solo in the club K-8.

This gave instructors Peter Howarth and Martin Cropper the opportunity to practice their launch failure reactions on each other, before getting club members Ed Borlase and Ray Boundy reacquainted with being airborne for the first time in four or five months.  In benign, buoyant conditions both achieved their aims: Ed to re-solo and Ray to get back in the saddle – a great tribute to both for their support whilst not able to fly due to ‘lockdown’.  Other members who wish to make use of the front cockpit should book with Rick Wiles for a (weather permitting) return to aviation (it’s not a crime..!) – face masks and cleaning materials are available at the clubhouse, launchpoint and winch (and there is, of course, a form in the clubhouse to be signed before you fly).

 Phil Hardwick on approach in Astir 571/FCJ.

 The former RAF Harrowbeer at Yelverton taken by Steve Fletcher.

So, what of the twin Astirs?  Well, the best news of the day was that at 1145 Dene ‘Scratch’ Hitchens, in Astir FCJ, broke radio silence with the unnecessary but encouraging announcement that “It’s really difficult up to 1,500ft – only ½s, 1s and 2s, but once you get above that it races away to 4s,5s and 6s; I’m now at 2:2 and still goin’ up like a train…”  This invigorated our solo cadre to get into the air, and between 1140 and 1240 we launched them all: Peter Howarth flew his newly acquired share of Astir FCJ for 1hr 37min before handing on to Phil Hardwick, Rich Roberts made a tour of local reservoirs, Hugh Gascoyne (re)achieved Silver Height and Steve Fletcher went south to Yelverton, obtaining some stunning pictures of the Bere peninsula along the way.

 Burrator Reservoir, one of four reservoirs visited by Rich Roberts in his Discus today.

 Hugh Gascoyne in K-6CR FUB looking deservedly well pleased at having achieved 4,100ft agl...

…as confirmed by Hugh’s instrument panel!   

 At the end of the day we had logged 20 launches, including five simulated cable breaks, and close on 11 hrs soaring (almost 50% of which was contributed by the ‘Concrete Swans’…)

Steve Fletcher’s stunning view of the Tamar gorge and Bere peninsula.

Thanks go in particular to Andy Davey who, after his stunning 300km Gold Distance and Diamond Goal flight from NHL yesterday gave ground support throughout the day, and to Hugh Gascoyne who took over from him on the winch.

Martin Cropper