Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 17th July 2021

Saturday's briefing started at 9.30am, with the club gliders ready at the west end launch point as the days wind was predicted light N / NE less than 10 knots, RASP indicating 3500 feet cloud base but a higher boundary layer so hopefully some good thermals. Ready to fly were a number of club solo pilots , two One day courses and one trainee, so short on numbers but not on optimism for the days flying ahead.

Briefing over and looking at a promising sky three launches in and Mike Bennett found the thermal to take him to 1700 feet to put his Bronze training into practice.

Dave Kent waiting for Rick

Next was the first of the one day courses Dave Kent with Rick in DMX.  After that was Haydon Biddle with me and the launch was watched by his family.  It wasn't until the afternoon that both Rick and I found the lift to give both courses the extended flights of 46 and 38 minutes to give both Dave and Haydon the opportunity for some good hands on training which they both handled very well.

Haydon and Mike

Visiting us for the day from Trent gliding club was Colin Metcalf who took a half hour familiarisation flight with Rick in DMX.

Colin Metcalf

Continuing his training was Dave Archer who's flight took us to 3800 feet providing great views over the moors.

Dave Archer climbing well

The skyline improved over the Tamar valley as the day progressed during which time Steve Fletcher in his Open Cirrus and Ged with Phil in the twin Astir went off for an hour and a half's local soaring.

Steve's Fletcher's view of the Tamar looking down the river Tavy
with Lopwell Dam at the near end and the "17 Arches" Rail Bridge at the other

Time for Scratch to launch the syndicates new purchase a Standard Cirrus and take it away for a good extended first flight. Then it was the turn for Rick to have a couple of launches in the Cirrus, thumbs up from both of them.

The "new" syndicated Cirrus - All Out

And off into the blue

After Heather had run retrieve all day Steve Lewis now having completed the ARC on his own glider decided it was time to take Heather for a 48 minute tour of the area as a thank you.  Smiles all round.

Heather enjoying the view while trying to listen to Tour Guide Steve.

So a great day's flying was enjoyed by all, thanks as usual to the winch drivers and ground crew.

Mike Jardine