There was a keen contingent at the club early today, with the Launchpoint set up pretty quickly.....
However, the same could not be said about the winch! As it got stuck in mud on the north side while being taken to the west end! Even the grass cutting tractor couldn’t get it out, and with the Massey with a flat battery, the decision was made to aerotow only.
The field was set up at the east end, but after just one launch, the crosswind seemed to indicate flying from the other end would be more appropriate, so while Duty Instructor (for the whole day! Thank you) Peter Smith, enjoyed a 41 min flight with Alan Turner, we switched ends and the gliders were walked up the far end! Also, not wanting to take the heavy Launchpoint vehicle up the airfield, cable retrieve was used for logging.
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| North Hill looking lovely in the sunshine but still a bit soggy in places (Peter Smith) |
The private owners started appearing on the airfield, ready for what looked like a good day ahead. Dan Hender took the first single seat launch in the trusty K6, DRE, (having lost the DG202 to Gordon at Portmoak, about time Gordon got to fly it too!). Followed by Pete Startup (230), Wyn Davies (W7), Phil Morrison and John Pursey (DD3), Andrew Logan (FMS), Eric Alston (G29) and Rowan Smith (CLM). Who I’m sure have their own stories to tell….
DD3 Phil Morrison & John Pursey
NHL - OKE - BRT - IVY - PSH - NHL 254 Km
"Brilliant flight with John Pursey. A romp around Dartmoor. Undeclared but we did say we'd fly round Dartmoor before departing :-) Plus I exercised my new FRTOL to the benefit of Exeter Radar. Beautiful scenery around Dartmoor and back along the coast". Phil Morrison
230 Pete Startup
NH2 - WHD - BAM - NTA - NH2 162 Km
NH2 - KNO - NTA - NH2 100 Km
"A smallish task based on the forecast turned out to be woefully underset! Never mind, still nice to have some proper soaring conditions at last. Tagged on the Club 100 at the end- slightly messed up the final glide". Pete Startup
G29 Eric Alston
NH2 - WHD - BAM - NTA - NH2 162 Km
"The day turned out to be better than forecast. No low points, just a straight forward task. Must remember to wear a hat and take drinking water next time". Eric Alston
CLM Rowan Smith
NH2 - EAG (nearly) - BAM - WIM - NH2 114Km
"Arrived late to the party due to parental duties in the morning. Day looked booming from the ground and didn't reflect RASP or Mason's predictions. Although a relatively low cloudbase at first it was nice to be up in a sky that delivered, was consistent and didn't deceive. It worked when you thought it should and didn't when you thought it shouldn't. It was nice to blow the cobwebs off. Although I thoroughly enjoyed myself I note the slightly foolhardy line of going to the North coast. Let's put that indiscretion to the first xc of the year". Rowan Smith
DRE Dan Hender
Some lovely pics from DD3 in the romp around Dartmoor
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| Exeter & Exe estuary (John Pursey) |
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| Plymouth Sound (John Pursey) |
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| Teign Estuary (John Pursey) |
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| Exmouth (John Pursey) |
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| Bridport and West Bay (John Pursey) |
Flying continued, Tom Sides flying all three Trial lessons successfully, and we had some very happy customers. Peter and Simon finally finished a long day at 5pm, just in time to watch the Grand National, to find out who had won the sweepstake I was running! Thank you to everyone who graciously bought tickets from me, a great way to raise funds for the DSGC Charitable Trust and, if nothing else, keep the K6 flying.
The winners were…
First place: James Hood
Second place: Nick Jones
Third place: Ivan Roulson
Last place: Mark Courtney
First faller: shared between Rowan Smith and Chris Woodward (not sure how I’m splitting the wooden spoon!).
Congratulations to Connor Williams who passed his Bronze flying tests with Simon Minson, well done on your next step along the way in your Gliding journey. - Sally Hender
