Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 30th September 2023

The day started ( and finished ) with a very low cloudbase and some drizzle in the air. This, and the 20 knot southerly crosswind made the decision to make this a non flying day an easy one.

Low cloudbase looking east.

A group got together to remove the cab from the Guslaunch winch in preparation for it's final retirement to the scrapyard. This scratch built winch has served the club well during it's 40 year tenure. Originally built on the back of a lorry by 2 farmers, later converted to a trailer and then much later rebuilt by member Gus Pearce ( hence the Guslaunch name) this winch is probably a bit like "Triggers Broom" in that most parts have been replaced; some of them more than once. With the second Supercat now online the Guslaunch is surplus to requirements and continuing it's maintenance would be a poor use of our volunteer resource. It has served the club well.

Guslaunch

It's not really that heavy is it?

Going.....

Gone

Cabriolet winch anyone?

Our Field Manager, Mike Bennett, assembled a team to clear out the gorse, brambles and long grass that had been growing out from the car park fence line making the Car Park dramatically smaller. By the end of the day the north fence had been cleared and the fence itself repaired as was a good part of the east end. Great work.

Mike getting up close and personal with his work

Gavin with the brush cutter

Attracting cars already

Trainee pilot David Moult made good use of his access to CFI Rick Wiles to get some ground briefings done. They were working on Flying Straight and after the briefing spent quite a bit of time in the Simulator practicing this and the Scan Cycle.

Steve