Dartmoor Gliding News-Thursday 7th July 2022

Blue and breezy was the view from my bedroom window this morning.  Not quite what was forecast; one's better half calling for the bedroom window to be shut before she would get up was indication enough that something different from the forecast was afoot.

Loading up the car it was blue to the west but towards Brentor in the east there were quickly scudding clouds in a northerly breeze.  As I approached the airfield the clouds were curiously obscuring the northern tors.  The afternoon forecast promised some soaring but that the northerly wind would veer.  This later easterly component set us a quandary; set up at the east end and change ends after lunch, or; set up at the west end and accept a lower launch rate, due the shape of the airfield.  To resolve this the western windsock was set up so that we could see the reality on the ground.

Windsock raised, the pundits discuss the northerly cross wind

With no duty instructor until 1300 what would occupy the "Thursday Tinkerers" until then?  If our very own Bluesmeister (Aka Colin) came up to the club we could finally fit canopy vent deflectors to some of the club aircraft.  Although I rather like the un-deflected vent in GDK, our K-8 that's currently on line.  If you fly straight your hand on the stick gets a nice cooling breeze.  If you are slipping or skidding there is no breeze.  Who needs a yaw string?

Out of the hangar and raring to go as soon as the wind abates

In the clubhouse there were jammy doughnuts for breakfast (Ed: Thanks to Mike Bennett for stopping at Morrisons this morning).  So the visitors were put on hold, tea brewed, and we welcomed Paddy to the "Thursday Tinkerers", fresh back from six weeks holiday in Sicily were it was "Scorchio" (Ed: So spending the kids inheritance then, Paddy!).

GDK and CCY after their Daily Inspection ready to be taken to the eastern end

By 1130 there were two K-13s and a K-8 at the launch point at the eastern end.  Many tyres were employed to weigh the wings down as, although it was now sunny, the wind was still whistling around the launch bus.

Two wise sages discuss the conditions whilst the K-13s await their pilots

Hugh, got things off the ground with a weather check with Peter.  Yes, there is some weather up there!  Mike Bennett then went up with Peter and proceeded to stay up.

Hugh makes a stylish approach and landing after his weather check (Part 1)

Hugh makes a stylish approach and landing after his weather check (Part 2)

Hugh makes a stylish approach and landing after his weather check (Part 3)

Then there were the three trainees for the day: Steve Lesson, David Moult, and Andrew Downing ready for the arrival of the duty instructor, Mike Jardine.  Mike put our trainees through their paces, stretching their boundaries and working through their training cards.  Mike reported “The three trainees continued their turning skills, speed control, and use of the trim exercises.  Steady progress by all”  (Ed: Keep it going guys).

David Moult models the latest from the DGS haute couture summer collection;
artisan, hand-made, recycled, and low carbon footprint

“Darling!  The camera simply adores your hat”.

FSD earns it keep by keeping our trainees in the air

Our first visitor, Chris Womack, hails from Newton Abbot and was accompanied by his wife, Karen.  Knowing the east side of the moor they enjoyed seeing the western tors from the air and the ground, respectively.

Chris Womak preparing to aviate

Chris Womak looks happy after his flights with Hugh

And then Chris enjoys a cup of tea and some lunch with his wife

Our second visitor, Chris Willey, came from Plymouth but twenty years ago he had flown at Perranporth.  A perusal of his log book showed some 16 years of gliding experience; A Silver C qualification and time served as an instructor.  So he was duly handed over to the duty instructor to fly.  After his flights Chris conceded that he was a bit rusty (Ed: As any of us would have been after a twenty-year break!)

Chris Willey, back in the saddle after a twenty-year break

Chris Willey after his flights with Mike, the duty Instructor

A returning member, from way back, Andrew Beaumont renewed club acquaintances and flew with Phil in the Twin Astir.  This was after Phil had taken a couple of re-familiarisation flights with Malcolm (Ed: The controls in Phil's DG300 are laid out very differently than the Twin Astir, so a sensible precaution).

A pensive Andrew Beaumont about to fly with his friend Phil

Meanwhile the K-8 was being put to good use by Michael Bennett, Martin Broadway, Peter, Colin, and Gavin throughout the afternoon.

The K-8 earwigs on an erudite conversation on STEM issues
between Andrew Downing and visitor Alex Palmer

Gliding is a team sport!  But, were all these people needed
to get Colin in the back of a K-13?

Our third visitor, Carol Warren, accompanied by partner Alex Palmer, joined us from Crediton.  Carol enjoyed several long flights with Hugh as the conditions improved in the late afternoon.  This doubled the number of flights Carol has flown with us as she previously flew with some seven years ago.

Returning temporary member Carol Warren enjoyed some
of the longest flights of the day with duty IFP Hugh

Carol happy to take a second flight

Carol Warren with her certificate and new temporary membership card

Winch drivers Andy and Colin provided us with good launches throughout the day.  Thank you.

Today we expected that the “Man of the Match” would be Malcolm at 15 minutes (Ed: Doesn't flying the Twin Astir solo give him an unfair advantage?) but Peter snuck in with 16 minutes in the K-8 (Ed: No doubt deploying his secret thermal generator).

Peter explains how his secret thermal generator works t
o onlookers Mike and Andrew

Mr. Blue Sky please tell us why,
You had to hide away for so long (so long),
Where did we go wrong?
(Acknowledgement to the Electric Light Orchestra)

In summary, the day improved as it went on.  All flying concluded we put the toys away and bade our farewells.  Roll on Saturday.

Gavin Short