Dartmoor Gliding Society Club News: Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 23rd October 2021

The forecast wind direction today was southerly going south westerly but strengthening. Initially the airfield was set up to fly from the west end under the 8/8 low cloud cover but after the first 8 launches the decision was made to change ends. This caused a delay of 30minutes while the airfield was reorganised. Just 30 minutes!! almost like a Formula 1 pit stop.

CCY waiting for a new wheel and tyre.
No they were not try to fit that car tyre in front of the glider

Dave Bourchier fitting the new tyre to the wheel

We started out with just K13 G-CHXP and the SF 27. Removing K13 G-DCCY from the hanger it was apparent that the main wheel tyre need changing. A simple task you would think but the aircraft had different ideas and some ingenuity and hard work by several members guided by Fleet Manager Gavin was required before CCY join us at the launch point, Well done chaps and thankyou.

Strong cross winds under a grey sky

The 8/8 low(ish) cloud cover gave no hope of soaring and that's how it turned out; just extended circuits at best. Gavin's was the longest at 7 minutes, flying solo in a K13.

We welcomed 2 One Day Course Candidates today. Lisa Clemo and her partner Darren Sandover managed 2 flights each before the wind strengthened beyond limits for Course flying. They will return another day. Lisa was initially very apprehensive so took her first flight in the back seat of the K13 but after this was happy to fly in the front seat. This took real courage. Well done.

Lisa in the back seat for her first flight

Darren just waiting for an instructor

The ever strengthening winds put an early end to all flying but not before Mike Bennett, John Allan and Dave Archer had tested themselves in the K13 with Rick in the back seat.