The forecast was for low cloud early in the day clearing towards lunch time and a moderate easterly wind. So driving to the club across Roborough Down it was a surprise to be able to see the tops of the tors. The main hope was that the easterly wind would not be too turbulent for launches and approaches.
Early arrivals were starting to get the airfield ready, but a stubborn tractor refused to start. A little head scratching and tinkering did not cure the problem. I decided to jump into the driving seat and give it a try. For no apparent reason it burst into life on the press of the starter.
So with the airfield set up, morning briefing complete, it was time to start flying. Gavin was left in the clubhouse to complete paperwork and brief One Day Course student Josh Wehner, new members Vandy Kanwar and son Zen Kanwar. After the first training flight with Sean Westrope I decided that Gavin should fly the new members first for their introductory flights and then move on to the ODC when the visibility improved later in the morning.
Sean was flying the top part of the launch, improving his turns in the circuit and looking at stall symptoms. Next to fly with me was Danny Surgeon. Moving on from the primary effects of controls, Danny was soon able to coordinate controls to enter and leave turns with ease.
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| Danny looking forward to his flights. |
Gavin started working through his workload with introductory flights for Vandy Kanwar and Zen Kanwar.
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| Vandy Kanwar with Gavin. |
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| Zen Kanwar. |
Vandy's other son, Auro was keen to have a flight. Later in the day we were able to fly him, but as he is only ten years old and very light, he had to have this flight from the back seat. He is keen to also learn, but we advised mum that it would be better to leave it for a few years for him to grow and gain a little weight to be able to sit in the front seat.
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| Kanwar family receiving certificates from Gavin. |
Andrew Downing was next to fly with me and continued his training flying the whole launch and general flying including the approach and landings.
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| Andrew ready to go. |
Last on my list was newly soloed Steve Lesson. A couple of check flights saw him cleared for another couple of solos. Steadily increasing his totals towards converting to the K8 when it comes back on line.
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| Steve ready for another solo. |
Meanwhile Gavin introduced our ODC student, Josh to his gliding course. By the end of his six flights he had amassed 48 minutes and was starting to use coordinated controls.
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| Josh Wehner ready to fly with Gavin. |
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| Josh receiving his certificate. |
Although there was no sign of lift, solo pilots were starting to get itchy feet. Having patiently helped around the field to enable trainees to fly, we stood down K13 CCY and a few solo machines appeared at the launch point. Richard Roberts in his Discus, Phil Hardwick in his DG300, Ed Borlase and John Allen in their K6's. All managed some extended circuits in what was thought to possibly be weak wave south of the airfield.
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| Richard and his Discus. |
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| Ed with K6 EWO. |
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| DG300 returns. |
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| ED's view of the DG300. |
Thank you to all at the club today. Efficient running of the airfield achieved 34 launches with no real hitches other than the stubborn tractor which repeated it's antics when we were trying to pack up. Just another day at DGS.
Peter Howarth
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