Saturday started with a promise on RASP, of good soaring weather further
evidenced by the number of members rigging their own gliders. It was
good to see CFI Mark visiting (just checking up on us) - on the road to
recovery after his recent heart surgery.
Steve Westlake, Duty
Instructor, took the first launch of the day with Josh Howlett (new to
DSGC but who flew many years ago at Nympsfield) using some of the morning
thermals achieving a flight time of 30 minutes. As there weren’t many
students onsite and low demand for the K21s, Josh later in the day took a
4th launch finding more thermals with a 50min flight.
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| View from the winch (Rob Hender) |
Peter Smith, after a few weeks away, also instructed, flying with Karen King. Pundit of the day was Eric Alston in an ASG29. From a winch launch Eric was up and away for over 2 hours, although there was a rumour that Rich Roberts had made it to Crediton and back. Pete Startup was the morning Duty Launch Marshall meaning he had a late launch possibly leading to the land out later in the day? (aerial shot by Ian Mitchell from the Falke,other photo/comments courtesy of Pete).
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| Another day, another field (Pete Startup) |
Simon Jordy looked after our Trial flight visitors after an Instructor renewal check. James Flory was tugging until a warning light came up on EuroFox, but luckily Alan Rappaport was able to take over tugging duties in Bumblebee.
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| And another (Rob Hender) |
Rob Hender did another long spell in the winch but when not needed spent the time taking photos.
Although the RASP forecast wasn't as accurate as hoped it was a pretty
good day helped considerably by being able to launch from the east end of
the airfield, and, due to the quietness of the day, a lunchbreak giving
all the chance to warm up on a chilly Spring day (special recognition to
Vikki's sausage casserole which fed many grateful cold glider pilots!) -
Karen King
