Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 2nd April 2022

Looking at the RASP forecast for today, things were going to be promising. Looking out of the window the cloud cover was 8/8ths highish with scattered cu lower, so maybe not. The wind was light northerly, which became westerly for a while before finishing the day as a southerly.

The only way to sort out the possibilities of a day like this was to get flying. So this is what we did. After the first couple of K13 circuits Mike Bennett launched in his K6 and promptly stayed aloft for 30 minutes hanging about under the darker parts of the cloud cover. After another K13 circuit, Scratch launched in his Std Cirrus and disappeared for 1 hour 12 minutes. So it's soarable then. 

Looking north over the airfield just after 11am

Tavistock looking picturesque in the clear Artic air

Later flights by Malcolm Wilton-Jones solo in the Twin Astir, a day topping 2 hours 2minutes, and Adam Hoskiin reported much stronger conditions to the north where there was sun on the ground. Adam actually found what looks like a convergence of some sort which allowed him to soar well above the local cloud base. Interesting.

Adam playing amongst the clouds

Another view from Adam in the K8

Malcolm's view of the estuary towards Plymouth

Conditions were stronger to the north.
Malcolm's view over Meldon Reservoir 

We welcomed 2 One Day Course Candidates today. Tom Bunn from Bristol and Martin Jackson both of whom enjoyed a full flying day with plenty of soaring.

Martin waiting to start his One Day Course 

Tom Bunn and family

All through the day, showers were apparent just to the west over the river in Cornwall and further south in Plymouth. By late afternoon this became very light drizzle at the airfield which lead to the end of the flying day by 4.30. but not before we had completed 32 launches 11 of which were 30 minutes or longer. 

The wind was westerly for a while

An excellent club day.

Steve