In east Cornwall the morning dawned clear and frosty. At Gulworthy Cross daffodils were in bloom and birdsong was audible when I opened the gates at the club. Has Spring sprung already?
Unfortunately the clear skies had changed to high cloud cover but a watery sun was still visible. Later, when Malcolm arrived he reported that he had driven through rain for most of the way from Newquay. Shades of bad weather to come perhaps?
 |
| A watery sun was visible through the high cloud cover to the east |
Unsurprisingly the airfield was still wet so the customary single K-13 and single K-8 would be used with vehicles sticking to the centre track where possible.
To day was going to be Flarm day. A major push to update the firmware, normally an annual occurrence, to version 7.40 which doesn't have an expiry date. Cue the Fleet Manager delving in to the innards of the K-13 and K-8, after their Daily Inspections, to insert the SD or micro SD card and upload the firmware. We had a long wait as the update was evidently a big one. The K-13 was then taken to the launch point. The K-8 followed but at the launch point the firmware update had not taken so it was time for me to retire to the clubhouse and download the firmware again for a further attempt later in the day.
With that flying commenced albeit with a later start than usual, with the first launch at 1050. Are the Wednesday Wavers loosing their mojo? What was missing from this picture? Perhaps it was that Andy was hors de combat with a bad cold. There were no other obvious reasons.
 |
| Today's launch point |
Back in the hangar the maintenance team made a big push to get K-13, FGR back in service following its annual inspection; a small amount of paint on the aileron tips, fitting of the new 3D-printed battery box, measurement of the control surface deflections, an ensuing adjustment of the wheel brake, and of course the all important fresh ARC (Airworthiness Review Certificate) to be stuck in the cockpit. In our post EASA (
European Union Aviation Safety Agency) world no aircraft shall fly unless its paperwork is complete, but you knew that didn't you?
 |
| Geoff flies his downwind leg while Mike enjoys the view |
Mid-morning showers caught out both the maintenance team and the Wavers; tarpaulins were deployed over the open cockpit of the Puchacz on the hangar apron and a pause in flying and a retreat to the east end launch point (bus) respectively. |
| Hangar queens out on the apron? No, they are are "seeking the sky", for a GPS fix, as part of the Flarm Firmware update. |
Showers dissipated and flying recommenced. Trainees Neal and Geoff continued working with the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine, whilst the pundits tried their hand in the K-8. Neal's training has moved on to practice launch failures which he conducted satisfactorily from low and high level.
 |
| Geoff and Mike ready to launch |
 |
| "All out, All out" |
 |
| And away they go into an overcast sky |
Later Robin flew with Mike for some refresher flights. Afterwards, with little demand for the K-13 Mike made a solo flight and then Neal and Geoff took a further flight each.
The forecast had predicted some light thermals and our resident "Liftmeister", Malcolm soared, or perhaps scratched, in FXB for 19 minutes. He only narrowly won "Man of the Match" award as John Allan flew FXB for 17 minutes on the next flight. As I mentioned earlier Spring may have sprung (and thermals are appearing) despite the gloomy overcast.
 |
| The K-8 in the circuit after passing the distinctive landscape of Black Down |
Then the K-13 was used for refresher flights from the rear seat for those who fly our visitors;
Steve Fletcher and Scratch took turns in providing "ballast" in the front seat so that the other could fly.
 |
| First, Steve's turn to fly |
 |
| How's it going Scratch? Note the K-8 that has just landed. |
 |
| Steve returns the favour |
Earlier there had been a request to replenish the weak link tool box with blue links (used for the single-seaters). This was an unneeded precaution as John Smith flew the K-8 later in the day and the launch cable and strop returned to earth with the weak link attached. At the end of the day John did have the good grace to say that it was a first for him, not breaking a weak link, so he must, finally, be getting used to the K-8's launch characteristics.
 |
| The Duty Instructor's perennial view from the back seat |
After Colin helped Phil with a canopy problem on his syndicate's Twin Astir, he flew with Mike in FSD.
At the end of the day Neal (he loves it doesn't he?) flew with Scratch as "ballast" and Dave Archer clocked up some more flights in the K-8.
After 28 flights the toys were returned and the hangar packed after the Flarm firmware was successfully uploaded to FXB. Not a bad launch total considering the late start on a gloomy day in early February.
A final aside; the maintenance team in the hangar was oblivious to a drama that occurred at some point during the day. Neal was in the club house using the facilities when the plumbing decided to give him an impromptu (very) cold shower. All credit to Neal; he stopped the leak, mopped up the water, and then called for the plumber (Aka Scratch) to make a permanent fix. Yet another day in the life of a glider pilot but perhaps not one for his log book.
 |
| This is the nearest anyone got to seeing Neal battle the plumbing in the club house as he took an involuntary cold shower |
Hangar packed, farewells made, the Wednesday Wavers wended their weary way home. Until the next Wednesday then.Gavin Short
No comments:
Post a Comment