Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 2nd December 2023

Luck seems to be on our side with a weak ridge of high pressure giving a "quiet" spell weather. The forecast was for light variable winds with a southerly drift initially, gradually strengthening and backing to the SE. The blue sky was gradually obscured by high cirrus until late afternoon when the next  made an appearance with solid cloud cover. It was cold all day.

The early view from the east end launchpoint

The thin cirrus obscuring the blue sky

We had 2 visitors today. David Baker flew with me and Katherine Steer flew with Phill Hardwick. 

David waiting to fly

Katherine and family

The Puchacz was kept busy with instructor familiarisation flights. This and some check flights meant that it was a day with a lot of practice launch failures. The southerly breeze turned this into a day with a lot of cables landing over the northerly fence. A special mention and thanks must be due to the winch drivers who took this all in their stride. This and the change of ends early afternoon somewhat suppressed the launch rate.

The Puchacz was kept busy

The view south was somewhat ethereal with the sun shining on the sea

The Astir CS77 was kept busy as the solo pilots were trying out this "new to us" glider.

The Astir on approach

The late afternoon west end launchpoint with the arriving front overhead

Looking down the airfield from the east 

A bonus flying day.

Steve