Yesterday's poor weather start to the day caused the Women Go Gliding day to be changed to today. Forecast for light winds, clear blue sky and some possible soaring, it looked like it could be a busy day. A K13, Puchacz, K8 and Astir were taken to the east end launch point. They were joined by privateers Mini Nimbus, Twin Astir, Libelle and K6.
Before it got busy the day started with a couple of launch failure practices. One for Jamie Young and one for Viktor Skochko. With two well flown eventualities it was time for them to reap their rewards. Jamie was given a thorough briefing and the approved weights by the maintenance team fitted in the K8, it was time for his conversion flights.
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| Jamie happy to finally fly the K8. |
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| Jamie concentrates on his launch. |
After a successful first flight, to prove he was already well acquainted he went soaring for 1 hour 7 minutes to gain his 1 hour flight as part of his Bronze C. Well done Jamie. As for Viktor he was rewarded with two additional solo flights to add to his previous solo flight.
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| Viktor all set for another solo flight. |
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| Safely back again. |
The first of the three visitors as part of the Women Go Gliding day arrived. Both Alison and Val spent the day greeting and looking after the visitors. They even sat through the briefings making sure all were relaxed and ready for their flights explaining any questions asked. Great ambassadors for the club and sport both of you, thank you. The first visitor was Claire Lemasurier from Tavistock was settled into the Puchacz and was ready to fly.
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| Claire, Steve and Val. |
Later the next visitors arrived. Donna Robson and Sasha Turki. Following their briefings, Donna was first to fly eagerly watched by Sasha.
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| Donna all smiles ready to fly. |
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| Sasha settled ready for her flight. |
Whilst the Women Go Gliding was happening, I carried on with training. Misha Skochko enjoyed a soaring flight of 18 minutes and started flying the top part of the launch. David Osment returned from Lasham where he has undertaken his spin training and progressed towards his goal of solo status. After recent incapacity, dad John Osment was glad to get back into the air after 3 months away. Edward Nicholson had his three flights, the third of which was his first complete flight. Well done Ed.
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| Ed Nicholson and me ready to go. |
Finally after a long wait, Freddie Purkiss had his three flights during which we re-visited nose-drop stall and steeper turns.
In between The Women Go Gliding visitors, Steve Fletcher flew his friend Kevin Sumner who enjoyed a 26 minute flight in the Puchacz.
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| Kevin looking forward to his flight. |
Privateers all enjoyed flights of varying duration. Ed Borlase (K6) 21 minutes. Sean Westrope (Libelle) 21 Minutes. Malcolm W-J (Twin Astir) 1 hour 31 minutes. Flight of the day was again claimed by John Allan (Mini Nimbus) 2 Hour 20 minutes. Although this is really overshadowed by the previously mentioned 1 hour 7 minutes by Jamie on his second flight in the K8.
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| John Allan's view to the south. |
Another successful Women Go Gliding day at DGS along with a conversion flight and solo flights. Thank you to the winch drivers, retrievers including Alison for their sterling efforts keeping a steady stream of cables at the launch point. 42 flights saw some tired, but happy pilots finally leaving the airfield after 7 o'clock.
Peter Howarth
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