Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 20th April 2024

The forecast for today looked great. No rain, wind light(ish) from the east going around via north to eventually settle to the west. This would mean a change of ends but in the event the westerlies did not arrive while we were flying so flying was from the west end all day. RASP was very encouraging. The only possible downside was that the day was almost certainly going to remain blue; ie no cumulus to mark the thermals.

Blue sky to the NW

The view to the east from the launchpoint

We had 4 visitors today. Phil Proyer, Julie Nottig, Don Gillbarty, and Judith Starks all of whom had soaring flights with our assembled instructors,

Judith and Scratch flew in the Puchacz

Don flew with me in CCY

Julie flew with Rick in CCY

Right from the off it was bouyant. It was the usual scratch away from low down with thermals steadily getting bigger and stronger the higher you went, with 6 knot+ climbs available to about 4000ft QFE (4800ft above sea level). The solo pilots made good use of the conditions with lots of soaring flights best of which was John Allan 3 hours 52 minutes in his Mini Nimbus. Other notable flight were Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus) 1:39, Malcolm Wilton-Jones flying the clubs Astir CS77 2:17 and Adam Hoskin in his bright yellow K6 1:33.

Rick's view of Tavistock from 4000ft QFE

Back seat view from the Puchacz still climbing at 4000ft

John's view of Burrator Resevoir and ...

... his view of the NW corner of Dartmoor

Adam took this view of the Tamar Estuary and Plymouth

Elsewhere the refurbishment of FGR's undercarriage moved on with just the new vinyl skirt to refit. FSD had it's new hook fitted and was rigged and taped ready for a test flight and to rejoin the fleet.

The day finished with the committee holding their routine meeting.

A great day

Steve