An optimistic note of the likely weather for today resulted in a very full Clubhouse, and no surprise a long flying/training list.
Fortunately just after the morning briefing had started Ron Johns arrived followed by Simon Minson which provided additional instructing resources and allowed a plan for the K21, Perkoz and DG505 to be brought out of the hangar together with a Junior.
An early check of the wind direction and strength identified that aerotows would likely be out of limits for the EuroFox so the morning’s First Flight visitors were informed suitably that their flights would need to be postponed to another day.
Once the two seaters had been walked down to the other end of the airfield winch launching was underway mid morning and the flying/training list was soon making progress with some flights finding some autumnal thermals and others finding heavy sink – fortunately the wind direction was providing launches in excess of 1500’ to allow extended circuits if nothing else.
With Richard Lean demonstrating very efficient DLM skills member resources were being well juggled across the various ground operation tasks needed to get gliders into the air and retrieved after landing – also enabling flying to continue through the lunchtime period and keeping the flying/training list progressing well as a result.
The Junior was also taking to the air allowing pilots to maintain solo currency.
Congratulations to Arthur Lean who passed his SPL theory exams with flying colours.
By early afternoon the wind had abated enough to allow aerotows to be considered and the afternoon First Flights were completed by Paul Summers with a visitor, celebrating his 80th birthday (and accompanied by a number of family members!) and an aspiring young pilot at the other end of the age spectrum.
With help from Josh Howlett and John Burrow by late afternoon everyone on the flying list had flown and hangar flights were underway.
A really good day where great teamwork and general enthusiasm made the most of what, for mid October, was a rather nice flying day. – Mike Sloggett
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