Today dawned with a clear blue sky. A normal day in March for most of the south west but a special day for DGS. We might be able to go flying. After a miserable three winter months including no flying at all in February (Ed: This is believed to be a first in the forty years that DGS has operated) members were certainly eager to aviate.
We had two sets of trial flights booked today but the duty Introductory Flight Pilot, Hugh Gascoyne, had to hold them off when they phoned in whilst we awaited the Duty Instructor's verdict on the state of the airfield. Many of us got on with other jobs as the waterlogged runway had become a standing feature and we thought we knew what the verdict on the "pitch" would be.
But no, Mike Jardine declared that we could go flying and so whilst we got the toys out Hugh telephoned our visitors to say "game on". Tentatively at first with just a single K-13 and to use the centre track as much as possible so as not to churn up the grass.
The south easterly wind meant that we would be operating from the West end. So part of the fence was taken down. The gap presented pilots with an interesting aiming point later in the day as the crosswind built in strength and they had to crab in over the fence.
A large lay off into the crosswind would be the order of the day as the winch was parked on the centre track rather than the upwind corner of the runway as is usual.
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An incredible scene at DGS; not a cloud to be seen, no precipitation, and we are going flying
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Some privateers took advantage of the pleasant weather and opened up their trailers for ventilation and a little pre-season fettling.
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Club trailers arranged at the club house
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It was a chance to empty the hangar and air the gliders that weren't going to be used today.
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Mike ready to check Peter out
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"Take up slack"
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"All out! All out!"
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Meanwhile back at the hangar the annual inspection of K-13, FSD continued. The fuselage had previously been given a clean bill of health but awaits a new Centre of Gravity release hook from TOST in Germany. Today the inspection of the wings continued. Colin gave them a clean bill of health; apart of from a little paint touch up there was little to do. The tailplane and elevators need a little more checking before FSD becomes the "hot spare" (Ed: With the arrival of the Puchacz we now only have enough space for two K-13s in the hangar in addition to two single seaters).
Our first trial flight visitor was local Matt Stockman from Chillaton, who
arrived with his partner. She had bought him a flight voucher as a gift. He had attempted to fly with us back in November but
the weather had had other ideas!
Hugh reported: "The gusty South Easterly wind did not make for
ideal conditions; it was pretty choppy especially on the approach. We launched to 1,200 feet and enjoyed a short
non-soaring flight where I pointed out the local landmarks. On the
second flight I attempted unsuccessfully to make use of some weak
thermals at the southeastern end of the airfield."
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Hugh with our first trial flight of the day; Matt Stockman (Ed: With his partner looking on from the fence line. She is smiling honest!)
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The SF-27A receives it final preparation prior to collection by it new owners on Saturday
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This is more like it. Shadows on the ground cause by cumulus clouds
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Mike's view of the hangar and clubhouse (Ed: I know, I know, Sean Westrope's new Libelle is still parked alongside the fence!)
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Gavin contemplates the very concept of flight
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Our second visitor was Ross Mitchell who was accompanied by his wife Lauren. They hail from Truro and had recently been taking part in the annual St.Piran celebrations (Ed: He is regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall).
Hugh commented "I did not get the opportunity to have a long chat with Ross but he thoroughly enjoyed his flights. The second launch resulted in a
cable break at about 600 feet forcing a go-around. Surprisingly for a
visitor who had never done gliding before he seemed to enjoy this
experience. My Eventualities monologue in the cockpit before launch had
obviously struck a chord with him! He thanked me personally by text
message later in the evening which was a nice touch. I believe he will
make best use of his three-month membership and I look forward to
flying with him again."
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| Hugh and second trial flight visitor Ross Mitchell in jubilant mood |
We had a further visitor (Ed: Surely that should be a returning visiting pilot?) Paul Davie who flies with the London Gliding Club at Dunstable. He enjoyed three flights, and an aborted take off (Ed: Just to keep you on your toes!). Since he last flew with us he has moved to Budleigh Salterton and is looking for a gliding club to fly with in the area (Ed: Paul you and your two wooden gliders are most welcome. We hope to see you again soon).
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London Gliding Club Paul Davie runs through his pre-flight checks with Mike.
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With the cloud cover developing the temperature started to drop: Dave Archer and Mike are suitably prepared.
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28 flights today; check flights, some launch failure training, a returning visiting pilot, and two sets of visitor flights. Since the Duty Instructor is our new treasurer there was an impetus to keep the launch rate up and for all to receive their check flights.
An early March day but there was little lift to be had from the warmth of the sun as our "Men of the Match" Hugh Gascoyne and Steve Fletcher showed with a dizzying flight time of eight minutes a piece.
Pilot's log books would be updated with the check flights made today by Mike Jardine, Peter Howarth, Hugh Gascoyne, Scratch, Phil Hardwick, Mike Bennett, Richard Roberts, Steve Fletcher, Gavin Short, Paul Davie, and Dave Archer. Eleven pilots becoming current in one day after the washout that was February. Impressive.
Gavin Short
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