The Fifth Dawn of the Celestial Odyssey
At the hour of nine, as the fifth day of the C3 summer saga began to unfold, the morning whispered of skies unmarred and the promise of endless ascents. The heavens, having been consulted the day prior, held true to their word. With the first light, the air was filled with anticipation, and all were poised for the day’s lofty quests and the honing of their aerial craft.
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| Course Members, Instructors and Helpers (Martin Cook) |
KEK, HCX, and Junior were readied with skilful precision, and soon the horizon gleamed with the arrival of more club members, each bringing forth their radiant and unique vessels of flight.
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| Launch grid (Dominic Mercer) |
Following the council of the morning, a resolute choice was made to establish the Launch Point within the bounds of section E, with the Winch positioned in noble opposition at section A, and the Aerotowing station nestled near the heart of section E. The weather, a benevolent guardian, graced us with its gentle touch, revealing a sky of breath-taking beauty. The air was alive with the promise of rising thermals and the steady caress of tailwinds, growing from 4 to 6 knots as the day matured. Above, the clouds floated at regal heights of 3,000 to 5,000 feet, as if inviting us to soar amongst them.
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| Winching into the inviting skies (Dominic Mercer) |
Throughout the day, the air buzzed with a myriad of challenges and marvels, each designed to sharpen our gliding prowess. A series of trials unfolded, from the meticulous art of securing towing ropes to gliders of diverse temperaments, to mastering the graceful ascent by Aerotow. The evolution of every soul was evident, as knowledge deepened and skills flourished, transforming precise practices into steadfast habits, ensuring that each glider launch was executed with safety and grace.
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| Graceful ascent by aerotow (Dominic Mercer) |
As the sun journeyed across the sky, our abilities were further tested through simulations, such as the sudden silence of a winch engine's failure, demanding that we land with unwavering composure and skill.
An additional marvel graced our day, beyond the steadfast winches—the Aerotows, which could swiftly elevate anyone to heights where the majesty of our planet unfolded beneath us. The day brimmed with awe, as we honed our skills, deepened our bonds with fellow club members, and forged a profound connection with the ethereal beauty of gliding. All this unfolded in the exceptional company of our fearless and patient instructors, whose unwavering encouragement and passion for the skies inspired us to continually refine our abilities and embrace the boundless love that comes from soaring through the heavens.
An additional marvel graced our day, beyond the steadfast winches—the Aerotows, which could swiftly elevate anyone to heights where the majesty of our planet unfolded beneath us. The day brimmed with awe, as we honed our skills, deepened our bonds with fellow club members, and forged a profound connection with the ethereal beauty of gliding. All this unfolded in the exceptional company of our fearless and patient instructors, whose unwavering encouragement and passion for the skies inspired us to continually refine our abilities and embrace the boundless love that comes from soaring through the heavens.
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| Watching the clouds (Dominic Mercer) |
I humbly seek pardon for any unintentional missteps that may have found their way into my words. My deepest gratitude extends to all who have made this journey so extraordinary, and to the remarkable souls who ensure that out experience and skills continue to flourish with each passing moment. - Dominic Mercer (new member and first-time blogger)
Cross-countries
KP - NHL - DULVERTON - CHARD - TAUNTON - CREDITON - NHL 164kms
"Cloud base improved after a while. Initially planned on Dulverton Taunton and back, but was better than I'd hoped but couldn't make Taunton the first time as it looked very blue. Had a second go later after Chard." - John Allan
230 - NH2 - MOLTON - BEAMINSTER - CREDITON - NH2 213kms
"Conservatively set and conservatively flown. Ok in Devon with a mix of Cu, haze caps and blue. Totally blue east of the Blackdowns. Went way off track to the North of Dunkeswell to avoid the sea air coming in from the South coast." - Pete Startup
