Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 15th May 2021

 Sometimes gliding can test the patience of a saint. Step forward St Gavin,St Rick, St Mike *2, St Ged, St Scratch ( probably going too far here - Editor ) and so on. Let me explain. The forecast was for westerly winds  - good  - with 90% chance of rain OMG. Did we give up and retire to the clubhouse? Not a bit of it. The gliders were out and inspected and then it rained. The gliders were dried off, taken to the east end launch point and it rained. The gliders were dried off and the pilots got in and .... it rained. Eventually the rain stayed away long enough to allow a few circuits.

Rain showers all around the airfield

Showers to the SE

And then, with a call from the winch driver, we discovered that the newly refurbished GusLaunch winch had decided it didn't want to play anymore. On inspection it was discovered that the alternator was seized solid after countless years of faultless service. Why today ???? Step forward a couple saints once more. The now dead winch was returned to the equipment hangar and the Supercat was prepared to return to service. Keen readers will already know that the Supercat is waiting for spare parts for one of it's drums but we can manage with just one drum can't we?

HXP launches into a dark sky

CCY ready to join HXP

By now it is the middle of the afternoon and the enforced gap in proceedings had hidden the fact that since the first flights ( all circuits ) and now it had become soarable. Malcom disappeared in the SF27 for 1hr 3 minutes, the longest flight of the day, returning to allow others to fly After which the aircraft made several more flights in excess of 30 minutes. This included a type conversion by new member Adam who had a circuit followed by a flight of 31 minutes. Excellent.

Adam pleased with his type conversion

Soaring in amoungst the showers

Sometimes flying very close to the rain

Heading south.

Were the K13's left out of the fun? Rick was working with our more experienced pilots who are preparing themselves to become IFP's ( Introductory Flight Pilots ) while Mike concentrated on our trainee pilots. Most flights were at least extended circuits with several flights exceeding 30 minutes as they played in the lift around the numerous shower fronts passing through the area. 

Rick and Phil ready for an IFP training flight

New member Mark ready to fly with Mike

From a very unpromising day, we ended up with a lot of soaring accompanied by a lot of smiling pilots with a few challenges on the way to keep us honest.

Steve