Mon 28th April

 Despite the forecast for sunny blue skies and flyable weather the Clubhouse was rather quiet first thing.

With the arrival of our visitors from Dartmoor Gliding Society to continue their Instructor training alongside Shaun Dayman from DSGC, and with no immediate plans to start flying, primarily due to limited numbers, Mark Courtney was soon putting our visitors through their paces - with Gavin Short from DGS being given the opportunity to complete the Daily Briefing to those present.

Gavin giving the Daily Briefing (Mike Sloggett)

The morning continued with theory briefings being demonstrated to / completed by / discussed with Shaun, Gavin, Phil Hardwick and Scratch Hitchen to Mark and other DSGC members and with the simulator soon also being brought into use.

 

Theory Briefings (Mike Sloggett)

With an expectation of more members arriving to take advantage of the good weather both K21s and a Junior had been brought out of the hangar and canopy covers put on to protect the instruments in the now warm sunshine. Alan Rappaport had also brought the EuroFox out of its hangar with it being evident that if any flying took place it would likely be aerotow only. 

Aerotow only (Mike Sloggett)

 At lunchtime, there was enough interest to get flying underway, the only question then was whether to launch from the East end and avoid a long walk to the East end - despite the best handkerchief skills being used the wind direction was a tad challenging to work out. So the first few launches were completed from the East end and then with the wind having evidently more East to it the remainder of the launches were undertaken from the West end.

 

Dave had a couple of flights (Mike Sloggett)

Dave Perriam (DG1) took the opportunity to take his glider for a couple of flights and Ashley Thomas flew the Junior whilst Mike Sloggett and Andy Pincombe completed some currency and training flights. Martin Woolner provided Gavin with the opportunity to practice his aerotow training patter.

Alan kindly allowed Mark to regain some currency by flying  with Ian Mitchell in the EuroFox for some circuits and then gave the tug up for the rest of the afternoon allowing Stu Procter to do the final tow of the day.

Not as many flights as one might have expected in this fine weather but as ever the most was made of the day  others for getting us in the air (you know who you are)! - Mike Sloggett