It was the lull before Storm Benjamin arrived from France. The wind, although light, was already from the south backing south-east, but the forecasts varied, so to be conservative, we set up at the east end.
With one visitor today and just two trainees, we fielded a K-13, a K-8, and the Astir CS77. We needed to get going, and for our visitor to arrive in time, before the forecast rain arrived. Again, forecasts differed with the rain arriving at 1500 through to 1700.
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| The sky looked quite good for the end of October and the cloudbase higher than forecast |
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| With only two trainees and a single visitor today, a single K-13 plus the single-seater gliders would suffice |
So what else was going on at the club? I will borrow a phrase from my wife's late grandmother, who would always declare "You know, the usual" in answer to any question, from what was going on to what she wanted for tea.
"You know, the usual" summed up what was happening at the clubhouse and hangar: DB was fitting a different, and hopefully stronger tail dolly wheel for the Astir CS77; the Twin Astir Trainer was out if its box and Andy was making sone minor GRP repairs on the inside of the fuselage; Colin arrived and contemplated how to solve the tatty microphone wiring and improve the battery shelf; DB straightened the belly dolly stays; Alasdair was devising a Scottish engineering solution to hold the trailer doors open (i.e. one that doesn't cost anything) and fit better number plate brackets; I researched panel-mounted microphones and spoke to the suppliers; I also offered up the new Flarm LED displays and mounting brackets; safety cushions were discussed and the reupholstering if the seats was planned; John Smith was busy felting the chicken coop (sorry, I mean the Simulator extension to the clubhouse); and finally Neal was working on the lighting in the parachute store, and fitting the PIR sensor, before hoovering and cleaning the tables (Shhush, don't tell his wife).
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A tatty white patch on the nose will be sorted by Les Clarke in his
workshop and spray booth later in the year |
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| The aerotow hook surround needs a bit of tlc too. |
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| Steve and Colin get to grips with the rear shelf and battery boxes that need strengthening. |
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| DB contemplates 46 years' worth of additions and modifications to the Twin Astir Trainer's wiring loom. |
So in a phrase, "You know, the usual" at DGS.
Flying commenced with Ian flying with the Duty Instructor, Mike
Jardine. On Ian's third flight, he flew the launch, the circuit, the
approach, and the landing with barely an utterance from the back seat. Congratulations. After Mike Bennett took a check flight (mandatory now
under the SPL recency rules) with Mike Jardine, these flights were
interspersed with K-8 and Astir CS77 launches by John Osment, Peter, Malcolm,
Alasdair, John Allan, Mike Bennett, and John Smith. Of course, the sun
broke through the overcast when Malcolm got in the cockpit, and
inevitably, he had to be called down after 35 minutes, thereby achieving
"Man of the Match".
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| Alasdair conducts the daily inspection the Astir CS77 under a enticing-looking sky. |
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| The "three amigos" wait for the runway to be clear before taking the Astir CS77 to the launch point |
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| Malcolm releases the cable at the top of the launch. We wouldn't see him for a while, so it was clear for the amigos to take the Astir CS77 to the launch point. |
Then it was Ken's turn for his three flights with Mike. Ken achieved the longest K-13 flight of the day, so Malcolm had left a little bit of lift for others.
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| Ian and Mike share an interesting-looking sky on Ian's third flight |
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| Note the wisps of cloud over Tavistock, lower than the K-13's height |
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| Mike and Mike encounter low clouds on Mike Bennett’s check flight |
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| Mike B demonstrates to his instructor how to thermal in 3.5knots of sink |
Back at the clubhouse, my sole visitor of the day, as the duty Basic Instructor, arrived. Bob Bryan is just shy by a few days of celebrating an important milestone in life. I would fly him under the friends and family scheme. Bob and his wife, Chris, are fellow MG enthusiasts with the Tamar Valley MG Owners Club. They have visited DGS before during the club's navigation exercises. Sadly, I couldn't bring my 1968 MGC GT today as I needed the Twin Astir Trainer seats, new glider parts, and tools that were in the back of my daily driver. Colin thinks I need a Berlingo van, like his, as the Fleet Manager, but I think I will stick with what I've got.
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Alasdair ready to launch, Ian runs the wing, and Mike Bennett is the launch marshal.
DGS teamwork at its best.
"Ochh, stop yer blether" was heard from the cockpit! |
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| And away Alasdair goes into an almost totally overcast sky |
After helping Bob and Chris set up the clubhouse for a post-flight afternoon tea, Bob's band of supporters arrived, and we all moved to the East end in a couple of trips in the Volvo. Our driver was Peter, the DCFI. An honour indeed!
Mike and Ken had just finished flying, so FSD was ready for our use. After a parachute and safety brief, Bob and I flew. The first flight was an orientation flight to show Bob the differences from the Chipmunk he used to fly a long time ago. The second flight was a tiny bit longer as we encountered a few tantalising bits of lift while Bob tried his hand at the controls during the elevator and aileron demonstrations. Warming to gliding rapidly, on the third flight, he took the controls from after the launch until we were back to near low key. Even though the day was in full overcast, he had a great time and was warmly supported by his friends and members alike.
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| Bob Bryan and Gavin get ready for their first flight |
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Bob and his neighbour John Smith, who Bob didn't know was a pilot,
share a joke before Bob's third launch |
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| A welcome sight in the clubhouse for our visitors and the weary Wavers |
With that, the team retired to the clubhouse, where the wood burner was going and a fantastic spread was laid out before us. There were even glider-shaped homemade shortbreads. Meanwhile, at the launch point, FSD was pressed back into training mode with short flights for Dave Archer and Alasdair (all good recency flights, chaps. Make sure you get them signed off in your log books) and another flight for Ken. The Wednesday Wavers brought the gliders back, packed the hangar and put the kit away before joining the tea party. I am pleased to say that the Wavers stepped up to the task and ensured that Chris's fantastic spread of food and drink was duly consumed, which made clearing up a lot easier.
We said farewell to our guests. Some Wavers remained behind to discuss gliding issues in our pristine clubhouse (thanks, Neal!) until the drumming of the rain got too much and it was time to wend our way home.
Today in the lull, 23 flights were achieved before the rain set in and the onslaught of the edge of Storm Benjamin. I received thanks and praise from my visitors after discussing what could be achieved in our sport. Bob, Chris, and Bob's supporters had a great day. They kindly made a generous donation to the club for the use of the club's facilities. In reality, having a welcoming, warm clubhouse with tea, sandwiches, and cake after a day's flying on Dartmoor was a treat for the Wavers too.
It turned out to be a great day, for which "You know, the usual" didn't quite cover it.
Gavin Short
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