With the forecast giving a light northwesterly breeze and high pressure sitting over us, today would be a blue thermal day. We set up to fly from the east end and club gliders and private gliders were towed down ready to fly. First flight was Ed Borlase with me for a recency check. Successfully flown, Ed was cleared to fly solo.
Our visitor, Lee Richards arrived. He was at the club for a one day course, gifted to him by friends. Lee had previously participated in paragliding and had watched us flying above Mary Tavy. Lee thoroughly enjoyed his day with us which included a 42 minute soaring flight with Richard Roberts.
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| Lee ready to fly with Richard. |
A walk in visitor, Sean Hestrope, kept Richard busy. Sean was a microlight/hanglider pilot who wants a new challenge. Whilst thermalling with Richard, Sean suggested Richard could turn tighter which was music to his ears and lead to a 21 minute soaring flight. Sean will hopefully be joining as a full member soon.
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| Sean receiving a briefing from Richard. |
First trainee to fly with me was Oliver Hunt. Ollie is progressing well and during a soaring flight we visited stalls and recognising symptoms. His third flight was the first whole flight he has flown. Well done.
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| Ollie happy with progress. |
Next to fly with me was Riley Powell-Thomas. Riley is progressing at a similar pace to Ollie and on one of his flights went to his highest point (3000ft) and longest flight (28 minutes). Riley was also introduced stall symptoms, nose drop stall and stall increasing with g. (Oh to be able to spin these K13's). Riley also completed his first complete flight. Well done.
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| Riley happy with progress. |
After a not so successful day last Thursday, Steve Fletcher was hoping to go on holiday to Botswana happy after a good flight. He took off in his Open Cirrus and was soon climbing away. He eventually returned after 3 hour 20 minutes with a very happy face to claim flight of the day.
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| Steve's view of Tavistock. |
Adam Hoskin also managed 2 hour 36 minutes in his K6 (BVR). With the light winds, today was an excellent day for John Smith to finally convert to the SF27. After reading the flight manual, getting acquainted with the cockpit and being suitably briefed, he was off on his conversion flight. Only a circuit this time, but this was soon followed by a soaring flight of 1 hour 4 minutes.
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| John Smith in the SF27. |
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| K13 off on another flight |
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| And returns |
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| Airfield from 2000ft |
Mid afternoon the thermal activity was suddenly curtailed by a sea breeze front which was proven by only circuits by the K13's, Andy Davey (Libelle) and Ed Borlase (K6). With a few people having to leave due to commitments and the lack of soaring a slightly earlier finish ensued. Last flight landed at 16:22. Thank you to all at the airfield today for a good days flying.
Peter Howarth
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