Dartmoor Gliding News-Aston Down Expedition 2022 Part 3

June 8th 2022

Today's quandary was which forecast to believe. There would be plenty of wind but would there be showers or just rain. "To rig or not to rig, that is the question", to paraphrase the Bard. All forecasts were proved wrong as the wind was much stronger than forecast and it was gloriously sunny.

View from the clubhouse showing wind had picked up overnight

Slava Ukraini

The K-21 heads up for a weather check.

The Std. Cirrus syndicate struggled to get their wheel brake working. There were no spare brake cables on the airfield so they had to travel further afield.

“You told me you had put the wings in the trailer”

“Found them!!”

Whilst Scratch and Rick were away, after a full brief by the duty instructor on the conditions at the time,  John "the DGS crash test dummy" went up first for a well executed circuit. Meanwhile, the instructor in the K-21 reported 4 knots of lift.

DGS pilots readying for launch

John takes to the sky in the K-6.

Subsequent DGS pilots reported conditions as "hectic" in the stiffening breeze and the need to maintain 70 knots between thermals to penetrate into the wind. Phil, Andy, and Hugh managed 28, 23,and 37 minutes respectively.

Hugh brings the K-6 back  for a very tidy spot landing

Hugh Gasgoyne making a perfect landing in the K6,
 after an hour in turbulent thermals.

Andy, now with his canopy cover removed, is ready for a launch.

Andy launches his Libelle

Back from the, successful, brake cable hunting duties Rick took a launch in his Std.Cirrus for an impressive 44 minutes in the very strong wind conditions giving him "DGS man of the match". Scratch arrived shortly afterwards to render assistance to the winch. (Ed: I note that DGS are running the airfield again).

Wind conditions were such that privateers stopped launching as did the K-13, as it was proving difficult to hold down the latter on the runway. The CGC K-23 was about to launch for a hangar landing as the course instructor landed the K-21 after 1hr 21 minutes with his student. The  Ventus 3 then landed after 2 hours 15 minutes aloft.

The elliptical 18m wingspan of the Ventus

Ventus 3 FES being brought on line.

The Ventus soars heavenwards

Following instructor discussions on the wind conditions the K-23 and K-13 were hangar landed. Meanwhile the course continued with the instructor reporting that a local hotspot was working at 6 knots!

After two more flights the K-21ended the day's course and the Ventus hangar landed" via the ridge at Nympsfield.

Mike "the human tyre" Bennett

Chinese cuisine accompanied by homemade egg fried rice was on the menu tonight. Mmm! Delicious.

Gavin Short