Dartmoor Gliding News - Monday 19 May 2025 - Aston Down Expedition Day 1

Waking up at 5 am with the bright sunshine streaming into my room, I discovered that the curtains in bunk rooms aren't that effective!

At breakfast time it was clouded over, but the forecast was for a gentle easterly wind.  We would be launching on the cross runway. That didn't deter Mike Bennett's breakfast club getting stuck in to a tasty start to the day.

Morning Sunshine!

The brief for DGS and Cotswold GC members was at 0900. Skysight on a big screen, which gave Phil ideas for DGS briefing at Brentor using a club subscription for Skysight.

The uninspiring view from the clubhouse

The plan was to start the training flights on Runway 08.  When it got thermic the nine cross-country pilots would be launched on runway 02 with the Eurofox.  Then, later the winch queue started again.  Most managed to stay up on the first attempt, but some, me included, need a relight.

ASH 25 Mi (a self launcher) sets off for a cross-country task

And off into the grey sky

But before then it was a case of waiting and waiting.  A chance for some glider fettling.  I gave me a chance to calibrate the fluxgate compass by swinging the glider through 360 degrees several times.  This amused Peter no end and compared me to a horse trainer.

Gavin dancing with his Standard Cirrus.  Around and around we go.

Phil at the launch point

Peter's Kestrel after his short flight

The launch point on 08 viewed from the parking area

So the scores on the doors for today:

Steve 2 hrs 31 mins

Adam 4 hrs 40 mins

Mike 38 mins

John 12 mins - In his defence, he landed by the clubhouse as instructed.  Rather than go for a relight he packed up and went to the kitchen to prepare for dinner - Good man.

Val and Scratch 38 mins after an initial very short circuit

Gavin 2 hrs 13 mins after a short circuit too.

Rick 34 minutes

Andy 42 mins

Peter 8 mins

So Adam was "Man of the Match". He admitted that he only came down for dinner!   The sky was still working until late.

 Phil and Sean didn't fly.  Resting for a big day tomorrow.  Neal too was pacing himself.

A busy launch point

Adam's view of the Severn Estuary

Proof that Snoopy was there

The Severn as seen from further away

Gavin's view of the Severn Estuary

Approaching Nympsfield gliding airfield

Adam and Gavin rendezvous to the north of Aston Down

A little closer to Snoopy

Nympsfield airfield.  Look closely, and you can see a sole glider; an Aston Down cross-country pilot who didn't make it back home.

Conversation over dinner (Chilli con Carne followed by rhubarb crumble and custard.  Thanks, John) focussed on the boomtastic conditions for Tuesday and where people were going to fly.

A photo addendum from Val: 

In the winch launch queue

Val's view from the front seat of Aston Down's DG 500

Are you ready for a cable madam?

Val and Scratch join the club K-21 in a thermal

Gavin Short