There was so much going on that it's hard to know where to start with writing a blog post for Saturday. Huge thanks must go to Mark Courtney and Stuart Procter for their epic 10-hour instructional stints starting just after 8am. Thanks also to James Flory, Simon Minson, Steve Westlake and Lisa Humphries who also helped with instructing, as well as the ever present Rob and Sally Hender who worked hard all day to help people get in the air.
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| Busy launch point (Mark Layton) |
The flying list was already building by 8am, and all four club two-seaters and a Junior were DI'd and walked up to the north west corner (later joined by the other Junior). Duty Instructor Mark Courtney briefed the socially distanced groups of six and the first launch went off at 9:36am. By 10:30 it became soarable and by 11am some lucky pilots looked down on Devon from over 3000 feet. The afternoon just got better, with consistent "off the clock" lift taken us effortlessly even higher.
Ruth enjoying her flight with Stuart (Stuart Procter)
Many currency and launch failure checks were carried out and so many rusty and semi-rusty pilots got back solo that your writer simply lost count. Congratulations to Charlie Stuckey who achieved his two hour flight for his cross-country endorsement and possibly his silver height (pending trace confirmation) in Ka6 DRE.
SM over Exmoor (Simon Minson)
Several private owners rigged and went off cross country. They can tell their own stories.
There was also a late afternoon change of ends, a morning launch point visit from the Tea Lady, Motorfalkes going off on adventures, and probably lots more that your writer either missed or forgot...
An amazing and throughly exhausting day! - Ruth Comer
