The winter solstice greeted us with low cloud which according to RASP would be around all day. Despite this there was a degree of optimism as the ground equipment was all out ready to deploy when required. With no trainees at the club today, duty instructor Mike Jardine had no ground work lectures to do and could join in with the tea drinking and conversations.
 |
| Christmas greetings at the clubhouse. |
Two old faces arrived at the club today. Don Puttock and side kick Roger Applecrumble (should be Applebloom, but a tribute to Martin Cropper changing his name). Don is visiting a number of gliding clubs as part of a survey he is conducting.
 |
| Old faces Don and Roger |
After a rain shower that wasn't in the forecast, the cloudbase could be seen rising and some blue sky appearing. A K13 and K8 were liberated from the hangar and towed to the east end launch point. First to fly with Mike was Mike Bennett to progess general flying skills which included a cable break. The recovery was well executed and showed Mike B was well prepared for any eventuality.
 |
| Mike(S) waiting to launch. |
 |
| Festive headwear as seen by Mike J. |
Next to fly with Mike Jardine was Robin Wilson to continue his hopeful route back to solo status.
 |
| Robin off on one of his flights. |
 |
| Low clouds around the airfield. |
 |
| A wet airfield and low cloud over the moors. |
The solo pilots at the club each took turns for a circuit in the K8 to stay current. Most circuits were of similar times, the longest of which was 8 minutes equalled by Peter Howarth and Malcolm W-J. Mike Jardine took time out for a solo flight in the K13.
 |
| Roger ready to relive flying at DGS. |
Last to fly with Mike Jardine was Steve Fletcher. Steve is enjoying some time in the back seat to further his flying skills. One flight was a straight ahead launch failure which was well executed.
 |
| Steve didn't get the dress code memo this week. |
Whilst the flying continued, Colin Boyd and Adam Hoskin progressed the ARC on K13 FSD. Also Dave Bouchier was called into action to undertake some remedial work on a jamming cable crimp press.
Thank you all who were at the club today. Only 15 launches on a day that looked like there wouldn't be any flying. Winch driving was shared by Phil Hardwick and Andy Davey, thanks.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Peter Howarth
No comments:
Post a Comment