Today's weather forecast shows why any forecast around Dartmoor should be treated with a good deal of scepticism. The various sources were at least in agreement. Nice flying conditions with good soaring potential breaking down to torrential rain by 2pm. In fact the conditions stayed good all day. We saw plenty of showers all around in the afternoon but none on the airfield. Scepticism reinforced (again).
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| The overdevelopment in the early afternoon |
We were expecting a busy day and flying got off to an early start. After a quick practice cable break with me in HXP, Rick got on with his training and check flight tasks clocking up a total of 16 flights today.
Meanwhile, I used K13 G-DCCY to work through our first voucher flights of the year now that Covid restrictions have eased a little. We welcomed Herbert Piper and Leighton Wyness for air experience flights. We were very excited to welcome a new club member, Mark Elliot, who joined us today. Mark flew with me for a couple of soaring flights to get him started on lookout and the effects and use of controls. Mark did very well and flew with Rick as well later in the day, Excellent.
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| Visitor Herbert Piper |
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| Visitor Leighton with me waiting for the cable |
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| New club member Mark elliot |
Once the K13's showed signs of soaring the solo launched and most had a good day with Andy Davy (Zugvogel 3B) recording 1hour 48, Steve Fletcher ( Open Cirrus ) 1 hour 32, Ged Neviski and Phil Hardwick ( Twin Astir ) 1 hour 31, Malcom Wilton-Jones ( K8) and Richard Roberts ( Discus ) 1 hour 8. Most returned with stories of strong thermals in, around, over and even through the widespread showers. Great stuff.
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| The showers were never far away but the airfield stayed dry. |
Often at gliding clubs the organisation would not work without a few members putting in almost unbelievable amounts of effort to smooth the way. This effort ( while not unnoticed ) often goes without comment. Today we had three such unsung heroes. First up was Mike Bennett who arrived at 7.30 to get the airfield set up and ready so that the first flight could be airborne before 10am after which he worked tirelessly around the launchpoint. Second was Heather who started her day by cleaning in the clubhouse until flying started after which she drove the cable retrieve for the whole day. Last but not least come Dene Hitchen ( Scratch ) who went to the winch before 11am and then stayed there for the rest of the day. Unsung heroes usually, but not today. We thankyou all for your efforts. We also thank everyone else who made an effort to make today the success it was.
A good day with lots of soaring, lots of training, the restart of voucher flying and a new club member.
Steve
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