Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 14th September 2024

The day started with mostly blue skies with just a few cumulus over the top of Dartmoor. The wind was light from the south, So we would be launching from the east end. We fielded 2*K-13s, Puchacz, Astir and a K-8 from the club which were joined by Dave Archer's K-6 later.

Right from the start there were a few thermals about, enough to keep the K13 soaring which topped out at a dizzying 1300ft in the blue. The cloudbase rose fairly quickly, and eventually some cumulus clouds formed making the task of finding thermals a bit easier. The light southerly strengthened somewhat and veered gradually finishing as SW by the end of the day. 

Light crosswind on a very blue day

The solo pilots obviously decided that today was a K-8 day and mostly ignored the Astir to record flights of 24 min, 24 min, 18 min, 1:02 hr ( longest flight of the day by Alasdair Barclay ), 54 min ( you had Alasdair worried Malcolm ), and finally 10 min for the hangar flight at the end of the day.

The 2 seaters were not left out though recording lots of flights in the 15 to 25 minute range. Considering that the accompanying instructors were delivering their chosen lessons at the same time this was a good result. Spotting an opportunity, CFI Rick Wiles took the Puchacz and trainee Jamie Young up for 34 mins during which they gained enough altitude to begin Jamie's spin training. The sight of the Puchacz spinning is quite impressive from the ground.

K-13 ready to go

An off they go

Our visitors today were Graham Stearman - One Day Course, Dan O'Sullivan and Philip Judge - Air Experience flights and Jason Davies who was returning after his One Day Course a couple of weeks ago.

Dan O'Sullivan

Gavin and Phillip

One Day Course candidate Graham with me

After running out of time last week club member Sean Westrope completed his Bronze Flying Tests with CFI Rick. Well done Sean, Cross Country endorsement next.

Sean and Rick

After flying the Committee held the regular meeting in the clubhouse.

A busy day.

Steve