Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 1st August 2021

This morning’s staycation destination was definitely ‘Weight-on-Sea’, as a quick scoot to the east end revealed that the cloudbase was dipping beneath the airfield in the Tavy valley.  But the portents were good for the afternoon.  A variety of tasks were undertaken, including Andy Davey showing Martin Broadway how to rig their new Libelle prior to the upcoming exped to Aston Down.  Some members convened an inaugural meeting of the Brentor wing of the RSPB (ie. Royal Society for the Protection of Backbones) by filling two mainwheel stopping burrow-holes previously found to the north of the centreline track.

Inaugural meeting of the RSPB (Brentor wing).

The shower confidently predicted for 1100 having failed to turn up, we decided to get the kit out.  At which point it rained: only a few drops at our level but becoming quite heavy over the moor, thus demonstrating the close proximity (lack of social distancing) between dry and dew point temperatures.  First to fly was John Allan for a check ride with Martin Cropper.  Given his recent promotion to solo status, this had no chance of reaching the top of the launch as winch driver Rich Roberts cut the power (John should be getting used to this by now…)  Tick in the box achieved John then went on to greater things (see later).  

 K-13 HXP on finals for a crosswind landing.

In the single-seat line Mike Bennett took the club K-8 on a sniffer flight, finding something (it was by now lunchtime), but nothing substantial, to keep him aloft.  Enough, however, to inspire Peter Howarth who, in view of our plans for the glider, took the K-8 to see if: ‘a’ conditions were soarable (they were ‘-ish’, for 13 minutes) and ‘b’ the increasing N/NWly wind was manageable (it was).  A little later Rich Roberts achieved 18 minutes in the same glider, thus obtaining the Flight of the Day award.  

And so, after days of reading, briefing, sitting in the cockpit (and being told to get out again), it was time for John Allan to convert onto the K-8.  And…it went perfectly! (Something must have sunk in…)  John then eagerly took another launch, thereby making two carefully planned and competently executed flights, for which he was duly presented with his glider pilot’s wings by Instructor Peter Howarth (see photo).  Well Done, John!

John Allan surveys the sky in preparation for his first launch in the K-8.

 John Allan’s first launch in the K-8.

 Instructor Peter Howarth presenting John Allan with his glider pilot’s wings.

Trainee Geoff Coles moved from elevator to aileron (which, more accurately, is elevator and aileron), Simon Vallance practiced his crosswind circuits, approaches and landings, and we unexpectedly welcomed returning One Day Course student Jake Stabb, who was in the area with his family visiting Lydford Gorge.  Although there was time for him to partake in only one flight, it added to his currency in preparation for a course at DSGC in two weeks’ time.  Returning to solo pilot Ray Boundy was our fifth trainee, working on his speed control and turn co-ordination to good effect, particularly in delivering a ‘spot’ hangar landing.

Returning One Day Course student Jake Stabb being briefed.

Simon Vallance enjoying a joke with Martin Cropper.

 Returning to solo trainee Ray Boundy launches K-13 HXP into a less than promising sky.

In essence, a day on which the prevailing low-pressure system made conditions difficult to predict but, with patient tenacity, all our members flew.  Our glittering achievement undoubtedly being John’s transition onto the K-8, thanks go to winch drivers Mike Bennett and Rich Roberts.

Martin Cropper