Unfortunately with two K8’s off line and the SF27 not quite ready for a test flight, we were left with no option but to field three K13’s today.
 |
| Three K13’s at the launch point ready to fly. |
With a steady 10 to 15knt Westerly/North Westerly wind and the prospect of 3500ft cloudbase with a 3.5 star rating pilots were keen to get flying. The weather forecast hadn’t quite read the script and promptly directed a heavy squall directly over the airfield. After waiting for this to pass, the gliders were dried down and the first launch took off at 10:47.
Mark Worsfold and I were off for the first of three circuits. Some good flying along with two later circuits including a hangar flight shows Mark is well on his way to going solo at Brentor.
 |
| Mark with his trusty mirror to lip read me. |
Next on my flying list was John Allen for a quick conditions check flight. A good circuit including adjustment for a congested airfield saw him clear to fly solo again.
The first group of visitors arrived. Quentin Johnson, David Hall and Tony Hawkins, all sailing friends flew with IFP’s Hugh Gascoyne and Gavin Short. Although David only experienced circuits, the longest 10 minutes, both Quentin and Tony had soaring flights of 31 minutes and 38 minutes respectively.
 |
| Quentin happy after his flights. |
 |
| David with Gavin. |
 |
| Tony with Hugh after their flights. |
Another visitor to fly with me under our Friend & Family privileges was Jordan Seward. Jordan a Morrisons delivery driver in the Tavistock area was keen to see his patch from the air. His first ever flight in an aircraft was thoroughly enjoyed after his initial nervousness.
 |
| Jordan Seward with me. |
The final visitor was member John O’Connell’s grandson Sam O’Connell. Sam flew with Gavin for a flight of 46 minutes, which was longer than any of John’s flights at the club.
 |
| Sam & John O’Connell with Gavin. |
Next to fly with me was Johns Smith for another condition check flight. After 22 minutes we returned to the airfield. During the flight John said he was enjoying himself too much to land, with climbs of 4 to 6 knots and one burst of 10 knots who can blame him. However he was allowed to take off again and promptly disappeared for 57 minutes.
Twin Astir syndicate members, Robin Wilson, Phil Hardwick and Malcolm Wilton-Jones flew in various combinations. The longest flights were Malcolm/Robin 59 minutes and Malcolm/Phil 1 hour 12 minutes. Spot the common factor!
The Libelle syndicate of Andy Davey and Martin Broadway both had soaring flights of 1 hour 4 minutes and 35 minutes respectively. Steve Fletcher had a soaring flight of 2 hour 5 minutes exploring the local area.
 |
| Steve’s view of the Ambrosia factory at Lifton. |
After working in the hangar and clubhouse, Dave Bouchier came to the launch point and asked if there was a possibility of a quick flight. Dave enjoyed his flight of 30 minutes, during which he had some time on the controls.
 |
| Barnstable. |
 |
| Plymouth East. |
At one point during the afternoon the club was watched by Martin Cropper on Cox Tor.
 |
| Airfield from Cox Tor |
But one thing that Martin didn’t spot was the rare scene of all three K13’s soaring near Mary Tavy.
 |
| Spot the three K13’s |
A good day flying with some good soaring. Thank you to the winch/retrieve drivers for supplying a good service, including Scratch who winched but didn’t fly.
Peter Howarth
No comments:
Post a Comment