With 100% humidity and the dew point equal to the surface temperature what do you get? ( answers on a post card please ). FOG. Although we hoped that there would be a clearance later this did not happen.
Was there any flying? Well yes, the simulator was busy all day teaching all manner of flying lessons. Phil’s young son and his friend flew together learning to fly loops. Bob Jones and I practiced intermediate ridge soaring and cloud flying.
Bob Pirie lead a group on some gorse clearing to work off some of the season’s excesses. Their work made a real difference to the appearance of the fence opposite the hangar
Myself and Bob Jones with later assistance from Bob Pirie and Robin removed the scrap winch cables from the side track which have been buried under the snow for weeks.
Another successful day.
Steve
Tuesday 29th December 2010
A fog bound airfield did not stop useful activities around the club house. As the woodburner slowly fired up, Alan Carter got to work mending a hole in the floor while Ged, Martin, Chris, Karon and myself moved an impressive pile of wood into a useful storage area at the back of the club house to dry out.
Don gave some very useful training in the simulator to Alan and his son, Andrew and then re-lived his youth by demonstrating ridge soaring at Talgarth.
Meanwhile Ged found the chainsaw and we moved some more wood after lunch.
The day ended nicely with some tasty mulled wine, courtesy of Karon, and mince pies warmed on the stove.
Sandra
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| And today we will be flying at 1 foot. |
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| Safety Officer Ged has obviously removed his PPE for photogtaphic purposes |
The day ended nicely with some tasty mulled wine, courtesy of Karon, and mince pies warmed on the stove.
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| Mulled wine and mince pies anyone? |
Wednesday 22nd December 2010
With Bob snowed in at home in North Cornwall and a relatively low turnout is was decided that this would be a non flying day.
Ged was on hand to offer bronze lectures, soaring discussions etc. but he did not have any takers.
Many thanks to all those members who made the effort. Better luck next time.
Next flying day will be Tuesday 28th
Steve
Ged was on hand to offer bronze lectures, soaring discussions etc. but he did not have any takers.
Many thanks to all those members who made the effort. Better luck next time.
Next flying day will be Tuesday 28th
Steve
Sunday 19th December 2010
Again I am amazed at the ability of members to get to the club despite the awful conditions on the roads.Winds were 050/10(ish), so a quick change ends then straight down to the fun bit.
The wave switched on and off all day, the Wiley Henry Ford showed us all how it is done by returning the best flight of the day, and Martin Cropper took another Henry (Jacobs Friend) for a great soaring flight.
Early flights were dogged with 900ft cloudbases and the odd flurry of snow, but conditions improved significantly by the afternoon.
It was good to see some visitors from Northill (Henry Ford and entourage). Northill have been hit badly with very big snow drifts, which make it impractical for operations.
Well done Matt Wiles, another bronze leg and first flights in the K8. Bad luck to Jacob Knight for another "nearly" bronze leg.
Another great day, albeit a tad on the cold side.
Merry Christmas to everyone
Don
The wave switched on and off all day, the Wiley Henry Ford showed us all how it is done by returning the best flight of the day, and Martin Cropper took another Henry (Jacobs Friend) for a great soaring flight.
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| On Circuit to a snowy runway |
It was good to see some visitors from Northill (Henry Ford and entourage). Northill have been hit badly with very big snow drifts, which make it impractical for operations.
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| K6 & K8 being prepared for another wave flight. |
Another great day, albeit a tad on the cold side.
Merry Christmas to everyone
Don
Saturday 19th December 2010
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| The airfield approach road would look good on the front of a Christmas card |
The sky was blue, the westerly wind very light, and the views aloft were stunning.
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| The runway from the north west corner |
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| Brentor church from the air looking west. |
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| Cold on the outside, warm on the inside |
Steve
Wednesday 15th December 2010
Today was a rare window in the weather before the forecast storms and a hardy bunch of pilots used the opportunity to keep current.
The solo pilots kept the K6 and K8 busy. Richard Mogan had the K13 and instructor Bob to himself until Gareth Matos arrived from Kelly College to fly. It was almost an exchange visit as Bob and Ged had taken their Open Cirrus down to the college as an exhibit for their fun day.
The day ended with everyone assembled in the warm clubhouse.
Bob
The solo pilots kept the K6 and K8 busy. Richard Mogan had the K13 and instructor Bob to himself until Gareth Matos arrived from Kelly College to fly. It was almost an exchange visit as Bob and Ged had taken their Open Cirrus down to the college as an exhibit for their fun day.
The day ended with everyone assembled in the warm clubhouse.
Bob
Sunday 12th December 2010
The day started with a big breakfast in front of the roaring fire. Clear skies and easterly winds brought a number of people out to play.
The wave was unreliable and confused all day (or was it us that were confused), a few flights managed to contact the wave---probably as it came into phase. Jacob and I climbed to over 3000ft sometimes in off the stops lift/rotor.
Martin Smith gets the wooden spoon for the day by taking a negative climb in the Zugvogel into a field in the valley. Seriously though, a bit of bad luck but a good field and simple retrieve. Thanks to Chris Kaminski for going to fetch him.
Hopes for silver height claims and bronze legs came to nothing , but as they say, we should always travel hopefully.
Everyone had a great day, with the whole fleet out of the hangar.
Don
The wave was unreliable and confused all day (or was it us that were confused), a few flights managed to contact the wave---probably as it came into phase. Jacob and I climbed to over 3000ft sometimes in off the stops lift/rotor.
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| Jacob Knight climbing nicely in the wave |
Hopes for silver height claims and bronze legs came to nothing , but as they say, we should always travel hopefully.
Everyone had a great day, with the whole fleet out of the hangar.
Don
Saturday 11th December 2010
The low cloudbase today was always going to control the flying activities.
Don conducted bronze lectures with a largish group in the clubhouse while they waited for conditions to improve. Then, it was out to the airfield for some flying. The cloudbase was still low so practice cable breaks / abbreviated circuits were the order of the day. The cloudbase lowered even more, so back to the clubhouse for tea, mince pies and bronze lectures.
We welcome some visitors from North Hill who made good use of the simulator which by then would have been the only glider flying anywhere in the South West.
Special thanks today to Rick for all the work he is doing on the club computers to repair and replace the somewhat unreliable system.
Steve
Don conducted bronze lectures with a largish group in the clubhouse while they waited for conditions to improve. Then, it was out to the airfield for some flying. The cloudbase was still low so practice cable breaks / abbreviated circuits were the order of the day. The cloudbase lowered even more, so back to the clubhouse for tea, mince pies and bronze lectures.
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| Alan Carter talks junior Simon Thornton through a DI of the K13 |
Special thanks today to Rick for all the work he is doing on the club computers to repair and replace the somewhat unreliable system.
Steve
Wednesday 8th December 2010
Clear blue sky. wind mostly northerly and strengthening throughout the day.
Many thanks to Don for standing in for Bob at short notice, Bob has the most shocking cold but is determined to be back next Wednesday.
The north ridge promised a lot but delivered little today, just extending flights by a few minutes. But it was fun trying and everyone took the opportunity to stay current.
Steve
Tuesday 7th December 2010–Matt’s 16th Birthday
Today is Matthew Wiles’ 16th birthday and today he flew his first solo. On his 2nd solo flight Matthew stayed airborne in wave for 34 minutes to record his first Bonze Leg. Excellent
Matthew is the 10th pilot to solo (or re-solo) at DGS this year. This would be a good number for a club many times our size . Excellent
Many thanks to all the club members including DCFI Mark Courtney who came to the airfield to make today happen.
This is how Matt saw the day..
After a morning of exams, which I'm sure to fail after the thought of going solo a few hours away distracted me. But at 12.20 when they finished my mum drove me up to the gliding club. With Robin Wilson, David Rippon, Bob Jones, Mark Courtney and of course my dad all setting up the airfield ready for my arrival I was ready to go, thanks guys!!
So after a very nervous check flight the task of going solo after 6 years was here. So after the 1400ft launch, I took the chance to go left and get ready for my circuit when I hit a bit of wave which gave me 8 up on the vario!! Could it have been? I kept flying and kept going up. Amazed at my luck I kept flying until I reached 2000ft. So with that under my belt I opened full airbrake and made a decent to do a citcuit. I touched down after 17 minutes.
I got briefed by my instructor Mark to keep an eye on the airfield to make sure I didn't get caught out by fog and then away I went again but this time I was armed with a watch with an aim to get my bronze leg. It wasn't as easy as my flight before, there I was scratching away on tiny bits of wave, but then, I hit the good stuff and climbed to 2100ft once again. At 30 minutes I opened full airbrakes and practised my sideslip down. Then a circuit and land, 34 minutes and bronze leg.
I was extremely lucky to get this day, who would have thought it? I certainly didn't!!
Then it was time to go to the clubhouse, warm up and drink a cup of tea and to bug Mark to sign off my first bronze leg. All of this could not have been acheived without the help and support of the whole club.
What an amazing birthday present!!
Thanks all!
Matt
I think he said it all.
Steve
Matthew is the 10th pilot to solo (or re-solo) at DGS this year. This would be a good number for a club many times our size . Excellent
Many thanks to all the club members including DCFI Mark Courtney who came to the airfield to make today happen.
 | |
| Matthew is congratulated by his family |
After a morning of exams, which I'm sure to fail after the thought of going solo a few hours away distracted me. But at 12.20 when they finished my mum drove me up to the gliding club. With Robin Wilson, David Rippon, Bob Jones, Mark Courtney and of course my dad all setting up the airfield ready for my arrival I was ready to go, thanks guys!!
So after a very nervous check flight the task of going solo after 6 years was here. So after the 1400ft launch, I took the chance to go left and get ready for my circuit when I hit a bit of wave which gave me 8 up on the vario!! Could it have been? I kept flying and kept going up. Amazed at my luck I kept flying until I reached 2000ft. So with that under my belt I opened full airbrake and made a decent to do a citcuit. I touched down after 17 minutes.
I got briefed by my instructor Mark to keep an eye on the airfield to make sure I didn't get caught out by fog and then away I went again but this time I was armed with a watch with an aim to get my bronze leg. It wasn't as easy as my flight before, there I was scratching away on tiny bits of wave, but then, I hit the good stuff and climbed to 2100ft once again. At 30 minutes I opened full airbrakes and practised my sideslip down. Then a circuit and land, 34 minutes and bronze leg.
I was extremely lucky to get this day, who would have thought it? I certainly didn't!!
Then it was time to go to the clubhouse, warm up and drink a cup of tea and to bug Mark to sign off my first bronze leg. All of this could not have been acheived without the help and support of the whole club.
What an amazing birthday present!!
Thanks all!
Matt
I think he said it all.
Steve
Sunday 5th December 2010
"Clear blue skies and light northerlies. The gliders were icing and canopies misting during the early part of the day. The views across the moor were stunning.
The early solo pilots took advantage of the day to maintain currency in the K6 and K8. Well done Mike Kellar for flying the K8 for the first time, for those who don’t know Mike, he is the ex Army helicopter pilot who laid the slabs for the woodburner.
Our pupils today included "Shrek" (we call him that because we cannot pronounce his correct Polish name), Shrek travelled down by public transport from Perranporth. He is now considering buying a car---good idea.
Thanks again to all the experienced hands that made the day possible.
Don
Saturday 4th December 2010
Overcast sky, very light variable wind and temperature an almost tropical 6C.
Hangar doors open at 8.30 as usual. Don started the day with the pre bronze pilots by demonstrating how and where on the internet to get Notams and weather charts.
After a very slick change of ends flying commenced. However, after the first few launches the forecast rain arrived with a vengeance. So back to the warm clubhouse.
The last to arrive back was junior Matthew who had drawn the short straw and had walked back from the far end hold the K13 wing. He could not have been wetter if he had been swimming. Thanks Matthew.
A good try for some flying.
Steve
Hangar doors open at 8.30 as usual. Don started the day with the pre bronze pilots by demonstrating how and where on the internet to get Notams and weather charts.
After a very slick change of ends flying commenced. However, after the first few launches the forecast rain arrived with a vengeance. So back to the warm clubhouse.
The last to arrive back was junior Matthew who had drawn the short straw and had walked back from the far end hold the K13 wing. He could not have been wetter if he had been swimming. Thanks Matthew.
A good try for some flying.
Steve
Wednesday 1st December 2010
The wind today was NNE and 12 knots on the airfield. The temperature never got above freezing which although a little uncomfortable at least meant that the runway was not muddy. Is this the DGS version of permafrost?
The pilots all got some soaring on the north ridge while trying to connect with the wave system, generated by the north edge of the moor, which was evident from the lenticulars downwind of us. This wind direction also gave the opportunity to practice circuit planning in the tricky crosswind conditions.
Many thanks to CFI Don who took on the Wednesday duty at short notice and helped everyone with his extensive ridge flying knowledge and experience.
Steve
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