Wednesday's Gliding Club News - 17th May 2023

 With a large number of Wednesday flyers away on the Club’s expedition to Aston Down and ‘No Resident Instructor’ it was always going to be a quiet day. Eight of us turned up. Originally Peter Howarth was planning to come to the field which would have allowed Solo pilots to fly whilst he was on the ground but unfortunately Peter woke up with a sore throat and feeling awful so was unable to attend. Unfortunately neither John Smith or Steve Lesson got the message before setting out for the club. Step forward the hero of the day Malcom Wilton-Jones who offered to give them both a passenger flight in the Twin Astir. 

Lined up ready to go

The Rasp forecast was promising but Notams showed that both Wilsworthy and Merrivale ranges were active. Watching the sky showed the best looking clouds were over the ranges! Eventually a small cloud to the south east of the airfield appeared and we launched Malcolm and Robin in the twin Astir.  Reaching the cloud it was clear that they were gaining height and so I, followed by Richard, took a launch. Conditions low down were quite hard work but once over 1500 things picked up. Malcolm returned to the airfield after an hour to fly first Steve Lesson for an hour and 17 mins and then John Smith for an hour and 7 mins. During both flights Malcolm pointed out the best clouds for thermals and the ones to avoid so that both John and Steve L got some very valuable soaring advice whilst able to sit back and take in the scenery.

Approaching Plymouth

Meanwhile I set out for Roadford. But found the clouds were getting a bit ‘ragged’ the further north I went, as the day went on the cloud base rose from around 3000ft QFE to 4600ft QFE and the thermals strengthened enabling me to reach road ford and then track over to Meldon reservoir before turning south to Plymouth. It got a bit troublesome coming back from Plymouth towards the airfield with large areas of 6 down sink and no thermals until I reached Tavistock again with some relief I pick up a weak thermal enough to get back to the airfield where I picked up a strong 8 up thermal all the way to 4600ft. This enabled me to fly over the Milton Abbot to take a picture of the village for a friend before retiring to the airfield after 3hrs and 9 mins. In the picture of Milton Abbot you can clearly see the old airfield used by the Flying Duchess of Bedford in the 1920’s and 30’s who also had Endsliegh house built. A remarkable lady who flew to India and South Africa in biplanes of the time.

Milton Abbot and the old airstrip

A big thank you to Steve Lewis and Andrew for helping to launch us but didn’t fly.

We had just 6 flights in all totalling 6hrs and 50 minutes but all went home happy.

Steve Fletcher