Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 18th July 2021

If your name was John, then you were able to fly with me today. With only John Allan and John Smith at the airfield today it was going to be a fairly leisurely day for me. Depending on which forecast you looked at it was either going to be a no flying day  or as the ever optimistic pilots a good chance to fly from about 11 O’Clock. After the first shower arrived it looked like the former, but skies started getting brighter as it passed, so game on. A brisque southwesterly wind left the single seaters at the hangar and the two K13’s towed to the east end launch point.

Optimistically the aircraft out of the hangar

First into the K13 was John Allan for three circuits followed by John Smith. Both gained valuable experience coping with conditions of higher winds and more turbulence than usual. Each had further flights later in the afternoon.

First visitor to arrive was Matthew Findlay who flew with Hugh Gascoyne.

Matthew Findlay and Hugh after their flights.

Hugh’s next visitor was Peter Starcevic who was soon briefed and was off to enjoy his flights.

Peter Starcevic with Hugh.

Kelvin Rusling, a power pilot was next to arrive. After a recent illness, Kelvin was on a fact finding visit to see if he would be able to fly the K13 with a view to joining as a new member. After a quick flight with me unfortunately it was deemed that the physicality of control positions and access it would not be possible for him to fly with us.

Kelvin Rusling after his flight.

The steady stream of visitors continued with the arrival of Steve Tupper. Richard stepped into the back seat to fly with Steve.

Steve Tupper with Richard.

The final afternoon visitor was Suzanne Doidge who arrive with her family. A bit of an adrenalin junkie, she was soon briefed and was off on her first flight with Hugh.

Suzanne Doidge getting settled in the K13 by Hugh

Several showers were seen passing the airfield, but luckily we were able to keep flying. Malcolm and Phil decided to have a flight in the Twin Astir and disappeared for 29 minutes to claim flight of the day.

During the afternoon the modified pick-up was brought back on line with the new cable release mechanism.

The new cable release mechanism.

Although the trial proved successful, a few minor changes were identified. Scratch and Phil will work on these over the coming days to complete the modification.

Mike Jardine arrived to fly with the evening visitor Mohammed Khouribich who after a couple of delays left happy with his flight.

Mohammed Khouribich ready to fly.

All visitors were ferried from the clubhouse, briefed and looked after by Gavin Short. Thank you and well done Gavin for the sterling work. Also thanks to everyone who enabled flying to be done, although the day started with the likelihood of no flying.

Peter Howarth