Dartmoor Gliding News-Aston Down Expedition 2022 Part 5

 June 10th  2022

The final day had an end of term feel. Packing up, loading cars, discussion of plans for the day.  These ranged from big tasks, local soaring, to aerotow training, to going home mindful of supporting those who had instructor/IFP duties tomorrow (Saturday) at Brentor.

Rooms were vacated by 1000 to allow the incoming national's (competition) pilots to access the accommodation. The airfield had been filling up yesterday with Caravans, motorhomes, Winnebagos, cars towed behind the same, and glider trailers. (Ed: This meant that some competitors were arriving with up to three tow vehicles in their group).

We watched as gliders were rigged and water hoses applied to water ballast these high performance ships, counterintuitively to make them go faster.

I left at 1040 without flying (non-flying life getting in the way!). It was overdevloping at Taunton Deane services and it was blowing a howling gale at Brentor.

Overdeveloping at Taunton Deane and a few raindrops.
A howling gale at Brentor.

The mown grass looks nice. Well done Peter.

What of those who stayed awhile?  Rick and Scratch enjoyed some local soaring up to the cloudbase at 3,000 feet. John had two flights, again in the local area.  The first was an introduction to aerotowing in the CGC's K-21. Then he enjoyed 1hr 44 minutes in FUB.

The aerotow line up

The Brentor boy getting ready to head for Birmingham

A Std. Cirrus pilot without his toupee, ready to launch

Scratch ready for launch

Rick launching in FCN, Std. Cirrus

Unfortunately Phil's plans to go cross country didn't materialise; after a relight he too soared locally. Andy fared better and made it as far as Gloucester but the wind was steadily increasing so he abandoned his cross country task and soared locally for a long flight. The thermals were aligned south west -  north east, in streets, which worked well.

At Cloudbase

Sharing a thermal with the K6

Thank you to Rick for organising the Expedition and to all the others who played their part in making it a success.

Gavin Short