Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

Saturday 28 March

At the 9:15am briefing we were warned of a possible ‘blue card’ day ahead, due to wind strengths. The Launchpoint and airfield were already set up, so the first four launches were before 10:00am, which is unheard of. With only ten people on the two-seater list, and a large contingent of instructors (Mark Courtney, Simon Leeson, Dan Hayday, Martin Woolner, Steve Westlake, James Flory and John Pursey) supporting duty instructor Stuart Procter we had a fighting chance of completing the list.

Many Instructors (Sally Hender)
Many Instructors (Sally Hender)


A blue card was duly put up after the first couple of launches, with a strong North westerly wind and associated gusts. A number of pilots got over an hour in the air, longest flight of the day being Wyn Davies (W7) with 281mins. After winching for most of the day between them Rob and Dan Hender took the DG505 out to Wimbleball via Honiton for 116mins! Paul Summers kindly taking over winching duties.

DG505 visits Wimbleball and Clatworthy Reservoirs (Rob Hender)
DG505 visits Wimbleball and Clatworthy Reservoirs (Rob Hender)


Lots of lengthy flights, and although very blustery conditions with challenging landings a great day was had by all.

Cloudburst over Exeter (John Pursey)
Cloudburst over Exeter (John Pursey)

We were all packed away by 4:45pm, when John Pursey finally landed! Thanks as always to everyone that helped on the ground. – Sally Hender