Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 14th May 2023

Today flying was somewhat delayed due to the hangar pan being littered with trailers, cars and members getting ready to depart to Aston Down for a weeklong expedition.

Trailers ready to depart.

Once we had seen them on their way, the small group on Sunday Soarers set about getting ready to fly. The forecast was for a light north westerly with conditions improving during the day and some possible soaring in the afternoon.

After an initial flight with Matthew Stone where we looked at nose drop stalls, I deferred his other flights to later in the day when it was hoped to be soarable so we could go through a couple of upper air exercises. Next trainees to fly with me were David Moult and then David Reckitt. Bothe have been away for a while and their aim for today was to get back to where they were previously with their training. On his third David Moult was able to fly the whole flight with little prompting. David Reckitt was turning the glider and we added trimming to his skills.

David Reckitt getting comfortable.

We liberated Richard from the winch to fly with our first visitor Nigel Gifford. Two short flights saw him leave with a happy smile.

Nigel and Richard waiting for a cable.

John Smith brought up some friends and family to see what he gets up to. Heidi Baines was the only one of the family that was going to fly with us today. She enjoyed a 20 minute flight with Richard.

Heidi and family.

John Smith about to fly.

The training program continued with Zen Kanwar whose ambitions are to fly fast jets as a career. Three flights saw him making progress with his training.

Zen ready to go.

Although Richard had somehow managed a soaring flight, the day wasn't developing as promised. So when it was Matthew's turn to fly again we had to change plans. We took the opportunity to demonstrate and fly a couple of go around launch failures.

Ed Borlase decided to mount a camera on the wingtip of the K8 and have a couple of flights to see what would be captured.

K8 flying the downwind leg.

Our final visitor Ashley Cuckett arrived to fly with Richard and enjoyed two short flights.

Richard briefing Ashley.

The final two trainees to fly with me were Riley and Ollie. Both managed to fly the whole flight on their second flights and were then back to where they were before going to college last year.

Ollie and Riley keen to fly. (Ed - No they didn't fly together,
the club isn't ready for that yet)

So although Richard did manage to do some soaring, generally the local DGS heat source wasn't. Had it gone to Aston Down as well? 34 flights achieved today it was time to pack the toys away.

K13 on a hangar flight.

Thank you to all at the club today. Progress made all around and some happy visitors were talked about over a well deserved beer in the clubhouse.

Peter Howarth