Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 9th November 2024

The gloomy high pressure continues. There is an end in sight though with a cold front due this evening followed very closely by an occluded front so it will probably be misty tomorrow. Winds were light south easterly. These conditions were very unlikely to provide much soaring but much valuable training can be done.

The days briefing was delivered by Gavin as part of his instructor training

A busy launch queue under a grey sky

We welcomed two One Day Course candidates Shannon Argue and Dolan Foy. The calm conditions provided very smooth air aloft which is ideal for training. The relationship between the movement of the controls and the aircraft is very easy to sense when there is no external movements ( turbulence ). Both left with the customary smiles.

Dolan

Shannon and Scratch

Me modelling the latest entry in the silly winter hat competition.
This one ( loaned to me by Zack ) is Darth Maul - a Star Wars Character

At midday. the glider canopies were suddenly misting up whilst aloft which caused an hours delay to allow conditions to improve during which everyone returned to the clubhouse for a civilised lunch break.

K8 launches again

Followed by Andy's Libelle

Only to return a few minutes later

The club training was handled by CFI Rick Wiles. The trainees today were juniors Freddie, Zack and Jamie plus the slightly more senior Valerie. 

Today's view from the circuit taken by Malcolm

Andy rehearsing an aerobatic routine and providing amusement for Zack

We flew until dark with a total of 38 launches. Pretty good total considering that we were launching from the west end ( gliders land long here and so delay the launch rate ) and we had an hour off for lunch.

Steve