Dartmoor Gliding News- Sunday 18th April 2021

Our first Sunday for four months with training/two-seat flying permitted was celebrated in glorious sunshine generating some enjoyable soaring conditions.  Trainees, where the Sunday Soarers are concerned, at present consist of members who, with varying degrees of vintage, are returning to solo and so the emphasis was on easing them back into aviation whilst gently applying a feather duster to blow away the cobwebs.  Thankfully, only minor lapses occurred (eg. face masks not on as the canopy closed) which were met with a great deal of supportive/sympathetic ‘digital assistance’ (ie. finger pointing)!

The forecast was promising, with a light wind due to settle at SSW by about 1000 and cloudbase of 3,000ft agl.  In the event, the wind rarely veered beyond S, giving our trainees the familiar problem of a crosswind, but this was countered by a cloudbase which exceeded expectations.  Other aspects did not, of which more later.  In recognition of today’s special status we got both K-13s out, thus enabling us to make best use of available human resource (ie. instructors).  But first Martin Cropper was required to complete three (at least) check-out flights with another instructor, with Peter Howarth acting as pretend trainee/mentor/judge.  Thankfully, all went well thus enabling us to make use of both two-seaters.

Martin Cropper (back seat) prepares to be checked out
by fellow instructor Peter Howarth.

First up was Dave Westcott whose cogs showed little sign of corrosion, finding lift on his third flight and making good use of it for 20 minutes plus.  Next, Peter Howarth put Colin Boyd through some simulated cable breaks which culminated in Colin being pronounced qualified to fly solo – which he duly did in K-13 CCY.  

Colin Boyd prepares to launch in K-13 CCY
 having requalified for solo flight.

Ed Borlase then stepped into the front cockpit of K-13 HXP for a launch which flung him straight into a 4/6-knotter that went almost to cloudbase at 4,250ft agl (thus exceeding our expectations) – not bad for a first flight in four months!  After which, of course, there was only one way down: a traditional set of stalls, spins and (there being lift in abundance) eventually airbrake.  A couple of simulated cable breaks later and Ed was also returned to solo status.  k.  

Ed Borlase’s view of the world whilst undertaking spin training.

Ray Boundy followed with three re-orientation flights setting him up nicely for launch failures next week

Returning to solo trainee Ray Boundy brings K-13 HXP into land.

In the Astir, Peter Howarth also found strong lift, taking him to 4,600ft agl, but also some milky visibility (which did not meet our expectations) that curtailed his adventurous spirit. After 1 hr 10 mins, however, he returned with Flight (and Height) of the Day.  Syndicate partner Phil Hardwick then took the Astir for a 20 mins flight after a lengthy spell on the winch.

 Hiker and member Steve Fletcher
spotted K-13 HXP soaring over Blackdown.

On a day when RASP unusually underestimated soaring conditions, it was good to have trainees back and able to reacquaint themselves not just with a four-minute circuit, but also with what makes gliding special: soaring.

Martin Cropper