Dartmoor Gliding News- Saturday 29th July 2023

There seemed to be a flyable gap in the weeks of poor weather that we have been suffering. The wind was 12+ knots but straight down the runway. The forecast suggested that this would strengthen later which it did but not to an unmanageable degree but enough to keep early solos in the K13. The cloud base was lowish but high enough to permit full height launches. There was a chance of rain but that did not materialise. 

The wind straight down the runway ( almost)

CCY lifts off into an uninspiring sky

Instructor Rick Wiles kept busy all day with a mix of early solo pilots, trainees and BI training flights. The second K13 was manned by myself and Scratch ( Dene Hitchen) flying todays visitors; Terrence Sheppard, Mark Stear, John Binsley and Vince Sutton all of who had Air experience flights with a little soaring.

Terrance Sheppard

Mark Stear

John Binsley

Vince Sutton

Todays solo pilots made valiant efforts to soar the tricky conditions. Best of the bunch was Andy Davey who managed to keep his Libelle aloft for a creditable 47 minutes. 

John Allan launches his Mini Nimbus

Milosz models the latest "Paddington Bear" hat style

A successful day with a total of 39 launches.

Steve