This was the third consecutive flying day at DGS this year where we flew. Are things returning to normal? A light northerly was forecast (Ed: It was cold in the wind) with the day becoming thermic, some blasts of sunshine, but mostly cloudy. Plenty of members were ready for refreshers, conversions to glass, and continuing to make solo progress.
In the hangar today there was plenty of activity too in preparing the third two-seater ready for the "Women Go Gliding" event that we are hosting this weekend (Ed: If the Met Office forecasts will let us!) This involved turning the fuselage of FGR the right way up after its new skirt was fitted. A refurnished release hook replaced the existing one (Ed: these are periodically changed as part of routine maintenance and sent back to TOST in Germany for overhaul). Later in the day a call for hands allowed the glider to be rigged and CCY derigged to make space in the hangar (Ed: Whose idea was it to have four two-seaters in our inventory - a bigger hangar anyone?)
An initial check flight was the order of the day for Hugh Gascoyne. David Moorley started his training with Duty Instructor Mike Jardine. Steve Fletcher flew the Puchacz with Phil Hardwick before Phil got his Twin Astir out of the T-hangar. Meanwhile Peter Howarth held the K-8 aloft for 25 minutes.
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| Peter's view of the airfield and Blackdown Moor |
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The Peter grabs a hasty snap of the Twin Astir (Phil and Robin) passing underneath him
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Inspired by Peter's flight John Allan flew in his Mini-Nimbus for 55 minutes. After David Moorley had racked up a total of six flights with the Duty Instructor it was time for Alasdair to fly in GDK. Then, after a bit of instructor re-validation in the Puchacz for Mike (Ed: I think that's whom was evaluating whom!), Peter turned his attention to John Smith who wished to make some conversion flights in the Puchacz
We were visited by recent DSGC (Ed: North Hill) member Andy, who hails from Lydford. He wanted to explore our set up and he was interested in flying with us under the reciprocal club scheme (Ed: Andy you are most welcome. We look forward to seeing you again soon).
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John Smith prepares for some conversion flights in the Puchacz
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| Wings level |
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| Airborne |
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| And up he goes |
When John Smith finished sampling the delights of the Puchacz Steve Fletcher and David Archer took some solo flights before Dave tried the Puchacz.
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David Archer gets acquainted with Puchacz while Duty Instructor Mike enjoys the fleeting sunshine
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Hugh Gascoyne prepares to take David Moult aloft as part of his rehabilitation programme
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Alasdair relaxes before his second launch in K-8, GDK (Ed: Another solo flight for his log book)
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| John Allan's Mini-Nimbus contemplates the darkening sky (Ed: What's wrong with this picture? Answers on a post card to the CFI, please) |
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I came up to the launch point after finishing in the hangar to find that we were on the countdown to the end of the day. The Puchacz and K-13, FSD, had both been launched for hangar landings. The final cables had arrived and been allocated for the K-8 and the Mini-Nimbus. All I had to do was watch the last launches of the day then FSD landed....at the launch point. Hugh had misunderstood the plan so another cable was summoned from the winch. Hugh, keen to get his hours up and practice from the rear seat needed some front ballast. So I enjoyed the unusual experience of being a non-handling pilot in the front seat of a K-13.
What of John Allan on the last flight of the day?
He reports "I tucked in under a
nice dark black cloud street to Burrator and back at around 3000ft.
These photos were taken at 1740hrs." John landed shortly after this having had 1 hour and 4 minutes aloft thereby taking "Man of the match".
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John making good progress under the street towards Tavistock on his homeward leg
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John returning to Tavistock after visiting Burrator (Ed: Note 3 knots of climb at 1742. The days are getting longer)
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After a certain amount of hangar juggling all the gliders, including CCY's fuselage and wings, were tucked up safely which allowed the CFI and Flight Instructors to discuss membership issues with David Moult who had submitted a paper on the subject following a survey of our members.
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David "Hipster" Moult reflects on his enjoyable return to gliding
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This was a Wednesday where we flew some 30 launches. Normality is almost restored to DGS. Duty Instructor Mike "Noah" Jardine must be losing his touch and the days are turning to dryness as opposed to wetness (Ed: Hurrah).
Gavin Short
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