DGS News Sunday 28th April 2013

Anyone with a modicum of intelligence takes the precaution of obtaining a weather forecast before flinging themselves into the third dimension - in case of predicted inclemency - and let's face it most of the 'Sunday Soarers' do have a modicum  of intelligence - between them. 

So with the Met Office, XC Weather and local radio all warning of increasing wind from the SW and rain by lunchtime, they could have been forgiven for keeping the gliders in the hangar whilst waiting for the impending gale and horizontal rain. Except that the Sunday Soarers and made of sterner stuff who, a bit like 'Catchphrase' 'Say what they see' - and what they saw was a breeze from the South (90 degrees cross) and grey, but unthreatening cloud.

So with David Jesty leading the charge to the launch point, Dave Parker keen to consolidate his winch driver training and (the welcome return of) Nigel Williamson (to deliver said training) it was up into the skies we went, and 'sod the weather forecast'.

Thirteen year old Luke Botham managed his first flight of the year, Jacob Knight returned to re-solo after a break from last August - now aiming to complete his Bronze, and Jerry Wellington converted onto the Bocian ('it's different..!'; he said, but the fact that his landings took up a decreasing proportion of the airfield was clear evidence of progress made). 

Later in the afternoon, with rain and gale still failing to run up, Daniel Leek arrived with Dad for a trial lesson and, following a 6 minute flight in the Bocian, promptly decided to join!

Daniel Leek being presented with his membership
card by Martin Cropper after his trial lesson.   He then continued to start
'proper' flying training with David Jesty.
David Jesty had 'fun' with Darren Wills and Sandra Buttery attempting to out do each other by landing on the stub runway (which was directly into wind), following which Sandra was so pleased with herself she went on to drive the winch for the rest of the day!  Thanks, Sandra.

Oh, and flight of the day went to (it's difficult to type:) Roger Appleboom, who spotted a
scruffy cumulus over the launch point and just didn't seem to descend! 

So it all just went to prove the auld aviator's adage: 'Never cancel a day's
flying on the basis of the forecast..!' 

PS.  The rain did eventually arrive, but not until 8 in the evening.

Martin Cropper

No comments: