The start to the last day of the course began shortly after 10am, most being circuit flights. With a few course members missing Kai Mudd joined in and flew with Mark Courtney spin training in the Perkoz. Chris Cooke and Simon Leeson took many flights in the morning, so much that some people forgot he was here!
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| Kai Mudd with Mark Courtney (Jack Sewell) |
Tara flew with Steve and Mark with a few soaring flights. Andy Pickrell managed to get away in the Junior for the rest of the day. Jack Sewell and Steve Westlake went for a bit of stall training and finished of with a few loops.
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| Jack checking out the back seat (David Sewell) |
A great day with thermals getting better throughout the afternoon, with Dan Hender JDP and Simon Minson SM taking spare cables for an afternoon whiz to Salisbury and back.
Thank you to all the Course Helpers and the Course Instructors Mark Courtney, Steve Westlake and guests - Jack Sewell
Course Summary
What a week! Grounded on Monday due to Storm Floris, so a good opportunity for some theory in the classroom and practice on the simulator. Then summer weather returned – a strong crosswind and rough thermals on Tuesday, kinder lift Wednesday, not much Thursday (and showers after lunch) and a cracking day on Friday.
A huge age range of attendees – the youngest not old enough to do a paper round and at the other end me, seventy something. And a vast range of experience too including Andy Pickrell (quickly cleared for going solo in the Junior), the youngsters with near vertical learning curves and my shall we say much more modest gradient.
Sorry that young Tom Bennett-Dixon and Paul Dixon had to pull out due to illness after a good start. Tara Ashwood made great progress gaining many more ticks on her card. Jack Sewell and friend Kai Mudd were outstanding. Andy Pickrell disappeared out of sight solo, and I was very happy to have so much time aloft coached by very patient and learned instructors in the back seat. Which proves a course at DSGC is fun and so beneficial for students of any age and ability.
Huge thanks to instructors Mark Courtney, Steve Westlake, Peter Smith and Simon Leeson and vital helpers Tim Petty, Shaun Dayman, Brian Knight, Kevin Fairburn, Chris Coville (and a few others who did a shift or two). No flying without the helpers!
And of course Vicki and young Layla in the galley. All your time and experience is very much appreciated (especially when rather low a long way out from North Hill!).
Late Friday afternoon Simon Minson and Dan Hender each returned from solo out and back cross country flights of well over three hours, performing over the airfield like swallows arriving in spring before landing. What a sight! And particularly fitting that the very last launch of the week was Simon Leeson taking Layla for a flight.
Next year’s goal? Do a Dan! Out to Salisbury Cathedral and back!! Dream on …….
Chris Cooke
