Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 19th September 2017

Firstly I would like to apologise if this blog is not up to the usual eloquent standards of the usual author. I turned up at the airfield slightly later than usual to be greeted by a small group of perplexed glider pilots who asked are we flying today as the airfield is quite wet after yesterday’s rain. The decision was yes, but we will limit traffic on the field to the retrieve disco and the quad bikes for glider retrieval. So with a north easterly forecast we set about changing ends and getting the gliders ready for flying. With both the K8 and Zug being CofA’d we were restricted to the two K13’s. First flight of the day was achieved at a respectable 10:27.

Today’s ODC was James Bidlake who had a couple of Introductory flights with Roger Applebloom and later completed the rest of his flying with me. By the end of the day he was successfully flying the K13 around with a little prompting from me. He thoroughly enjoyed his day and expressed his interest in taking up flying sometime in the future. His commute from Hong Kong where he works will make it difficult for the time being.

James Bidlake

Another two of our visitors were Evelyn Gartside and Mark Jarman who flew with me. Evelyn was down on holiday and wanted to fly at our club. She usually flies at Lasham and enjoyed her two short flights. Mark has recently moved to Devon and has been flying at Sutton Bank. After a year away from flying he is hoping to join us and re-solo with us at Dartmoor.

Evelyn Gartside

Mark Jerman

Roger was also kept very busy with our other visitors, Phil Archer,Peter Phillips, Penny Tillyer and Johnathan Harris. All went away happy and smiles on their faces. The airfield was quite crowded at times as our visitors all seemed to turn up with numerous friends and family.

Phil Archer

Penny Tillyer

Peter Phillips

Club flying was limited due to the lack of aircraft. After his recent break David Westcott was pleased to get back into the air with two full flights and a quick cable break practice to shake the cobwebs off. Towards the end of the day our recent soloist Ed Borlase took to the air with me. After a quick couple of flights to reacquaint him with flying from the west end, he consolidated with two solo flights and perfect landings. Well done Ed. Jo Nobbs also had a quick couple of flights with Roger to help keep currency. Robin Wilson flew his K6 to achieve the longest flight of the day 37 minutes. Leith added to the club coffers with his usual enthusiasm.

A big thank you must go to “The Voice” Dave Downton, who chose to winch all day and not to fly. Also Adrian Irwin who helped out on the field without flying. Thank you both and everybody else who helped achieve a successful days flying of 32 flights.


Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 16th September 2017

Rain and more rain today so maintenance was the key word.

Colin directed the many hands to de rig the K8 ready for its ARC.

Colin directing the troops

And into the hangar please

The Gus launch was back on line following maintenance work and had three successful test launches of the K13 in between the showers and the fitting of a replacement wheel.

K13 wheel change prior to some test launches with the Gus Launch winch.

Then back to the clubhouse to a warm dry environment to discuss the work required on areas of the airfield to improve the site and for some there was simulator training.

Simulator training

Despite the weather we had a good social day.

Mike Jardine

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 10th November 2017

With the crescent of an occlusion cutting a swathe across the SW peninsula on the Met Office F215, and a cloudbase of 800ft agl at 0900, there was little difficulty in persuading the hordes of members in the clubhouse that: a. a cup of tea was in order, and b: that to take a K-13 up to the launchpoint only to risk it to getting wet by about 1030 was a very risky enterprise and hence that we would be better off keeping our feet on the floor.

And so we set about the tasks left for us by the Saturday Swingers: had they worn out the battery in the secondary quad bike (you know the one, that goes slower than the rotation of the earth in first gear), could we cut the grass on the airfield and strim opposite the clubhouse, and could we sweep up the shavings that had been left on the floor of the hangar? Disappointed that we'd missed the prize fight, we tackled the quad bike first. An enormously fiddly task (battery, battery box scarcely bigger than, lots of cable interference) we eventually proved that the battery was dud, and called for reinforcements...

We then addressed the grass cutting: a traditional gliding club amusement; no instructions, guidance on the equipment or clairvoyance to tell us how to a. attach the supposedly universal PTO shaft onto the PTO coupling of the tractor (it wouldn't fit, until we reversed it, and then it did...), and then get the PTO drive of the tractor to work (it's the lever on the left hand side of - forget it!) following which the Zetor was despatched to go where no sheep have gone recently.

‘Precision Pete’ Harvey and Zetor

And finally, having got one of the strimmers in the Genny hut working, we set about the grass opposite the clubhouse. After about 10 minutes Pete (time and motion analyst) Howarth decided upon a more efficient solution. Calling in 'Precision Pete' Harvey in the Zetor, we got the strip of grass cut with two swathes, the cutters being deftly handled to pass within an 'nth' of the notice at the top of the track. Such accuracy by 'Precision Pete' saved us more than at least 30 mins strimming, for which we (and our ears) are forever grateful.

‘Precision Pete’ Harvey cuts a swathe through the grass opposite the clubhouse...

...and this is how close he got the cutters to the sign at the top of the track..!

The rain swept in proper by about 1230, so after a light lunch of satire and setting the world to rights we departed the scene... Thanks go to Pete Harvey for his intrepid driving of the Zetor and grass-cutting.

Martin Cropper

Daratmoor Gliding News-Saturday 9th September 2017

Forecast today was for showers. What was not immediately obvious was what kind of showers these would be in today's westerly airflow. Not for us the gentle, summer showers of previous weeks. Oh no! Today the showers were angry, snarling beasts with torrential rain and winds so gusty and strong that the windsock seemed to have trouble keeping up as it waved and span around in some kind of demented dance. While the showers were overhead it was so dark under the low, black  cloud base that headlights would be required. With this and the fact that the airfield was already extremely wet from previous showers the decision to make today a no flying day was obvious.

The amount of water draining off the runway was unbelievable

The next shower is approaching from the left (west)

Members settled down to some work. Scratch and Rick worked on the winches. Initially making some adjustments on ML2 and then for their main course, reassembled the engine for the GusLaunch  such that by the end of the day it was had been started and prepared to do a trial launch to determine whether the power output issues have been solved.

The water running over the hangar apron

Heather spent her time tidying in the clubhouse, Mike was on the airfield cutting grass and new member David Archer rebuilt the Simulator computer. Colin was in the hangar working on the Zugvogel C of A.

Better weather soon please.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 6th September 2017

Forecast good as the front should have passed - but no flying until 2pm due to rain! Then 20Kt wind straight down the runway.

Ged is recovering from his second serious operation quickly.  He flew the Twin Astir for the 30 minute flight with Phil.

Ged waiting for the rain to stop

Only 6 flights, but they averaged 30 mins each under long streets that couldn't always be reached by the unlucky.

Thanks to Barry winching, and Heather for painting more inside the Clubhouse. Warning to Pilots : keep that kitchen clean, now that it's spotless!

Robin Wilson

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 2nd Spetember 2017

Today started with light variable winds in very usable soaring conditions with the threat of a front with associated rain and strong winds to come. The front did not arrive before the end of the day although it was not far away as indicated by the increasing high cirrus which blocked out the sunshine by mid afternoon. More of an effect was the sea air which swept through from the south at 1pm wiping the thermic conditions away with it leaving us with a southerly wind.

The sea air sweeping the last of the thermal cloud away to the north

Best flight of the day was 51 minutes by Andy Davey in the K8 who flew in the early thermic conditions and airbraked his way down to allow the aircraft to be used by the other members. Perhaps staying up for another 9 minutes should be your goal Andy to give you your 1 hour Cross Country Endorsement flight. There were 2 soaring flights in the sea air. Alan Carter, flying the Zugvogel 3B, found a small bubble of lift over the south field which he managed to work for 24 minutes as it drifted him away to the north to make him the wisest of the Three Wise Men ( otherwise know as the Zugvogel syndicate) today. The other notable flight was 18 muntes in the sea air by Allan Holland in the K8 who stayed up by sheer determination. Well done both.

Phil waiting to launch in his Astir with his ground crew asleep on the grass

Visitors today were Brad Mullarkey, who flew early enough to enjoy a nice soaring flight in HXP with me, Clive Lowe who flew in DMX and Gordon Yates who also in HXP  with Fred Marks as their instructor.

Brad about to go soaring with me in HXP

Clive Lowe wait to fly in DMX

Gordon Yates and Fred share a light hearted moment while wait to launch in HXP

This allowed me a little time to fly my "new" share although try as I might I could not extend the flight beyond 8 minutes in the sea air making me the least wise of the aforementioned Three Wise Men. Still nice to fly this delightful vintage aircraft though.

The least wise man - me in the Zugvogel

A nice club flying day.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Monday 28th August 2017

The last bank holiday of the summer and I think probably the hottest day of the summer on the airfield. With full sun, all day and no cloud to point to thermal activity needless to say there were a lot of short flights.

Our day started with two young guest pilots from North Dorset Gliding Club (NDGC) Thomas and Nicholas Pike accompanied by mum and dad. Both Thomas and Nicolas flew with instructor Rick Wiles before Thomas went on to fly the K8.

Thomas Pike with Instructor Rick Wiles

Thomas's brother Nicholas also with Rick

Peter Howarth our second instructor flew with our one-day course student Mick Allen. Mick learnt to fly a glider in Germany back in the 60’s and was looking forward to reliving the experience of silent flight.

Mick Allen with Instructor Peter Howarth

Peter also took up our other visitor for today Ruth Bushell who enjoyed the whole experience.

Ruth with pilot Peter Howarth

We had a total of 25 flights with all those who wanted to take to the air doing so. Flight of the day went to Pete Howarth who managed 23 minutes followed by Alan Holland with 14 minutes, both in the K8.

What some people will do for a bit of shade

Thanks to our winch drivers Barry Green and newly signed off Andy Davey who will be well utilised in the future, well done Andy.

Thank you to the retrieve driver’s Heather and Dave, and our ground crew who work under extremely hot conditions. I played crafty and spent the whole day in the launch hut checking them out and back in again.

Probably the best bank holiday of the year.

Dave Downton

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 27th August 2017

Any glider pilot knows that high pressure can mean good gliding conditions, which, this year, can be counted on the fingers on one hand. But today was just one of those occasions, the Met Office F215 showing the high centred off East Anglia, plus a light westerly, and clear visibility: a rare event indeed!

Right on Cue: the first cu popping off at about 1030…

To make the most of this was clearly our aim and duty, and hence we set up both K-13s for One Day Course students Colin Ballard and Scott Smith, whilst the single-seat 'pundits' hung back waiting for conditions to 'improve'... (They needn't have bothered, second cable of the day found lift to 1,500ft for a 14 min first flight for one of our visitors.)

One Day Course student Scott Smith with Instructor Pete Howarth.

Marks out of Ten?  Super cool instructor Pete Howarth lands with Scott Smith.

Peter Howarth presents One Day Course student Scott Smith with his Certificate.

Halfway through the ODCs we were interrupted by 'walk-in' visitor Steve Thompson, from Bovey Tracey, who was duly flown by Rich Roberts (thus giving him an opportunity to get a feel for conditions before putting his Discus on line).

Trial Lesson visitor Steve Thompson looks happy to be flying with Rich Roberts...

Colin Ballard and his wife had travelled from Bridport in Dorset for the privilege of flying with us, whilst Scott Smith had the slightly shorter journey from Saltash. After a final, 22 min flight with Martin Cropper, Colin commented most favourably, not at the skill of Martin's tuition, but at the banter* he had enjoyed around the club during the day, saying "You don't get banter when you're retired..." (his day job had been as a Royal Blue coach driver between London and Penzance - "best job I ever had..!")

One Day Course student Colin Ballard with Martin Cropper just prior to launch and...

...five minutes later, they're off!

Martin Cropper presents One Day Course student Colin Ballard with his Certificate

Finally the single-seat 'boys' heaved their mounts up to the launch point: Rich Roberts being the first away, for 5 mins(!) but then, following a re-light, getting away, finally ending some 20kms north of us in a field near Beaworthy. Close on Rich's heels was Adrian Irwin, who took the club K-8 away for a romp around the clouds of exactly 60 mins - clearly evidence of the precision of an ex-RAF Jaguar pilot (or was it just a memory of the amount of fuel they used to trickle into the tanks..?!) Dave Downton then managed his longest flight ever, 50 mins to 2,500ft in his K-6Easyjet whilst Bob Sansom, a rare show on a Sunday, and a pilot who likes to contemplate the sky before flying, took his K-8 up for 41 mins. Jo Nobbs then came down from the winch for a couple of flips in said K-8 to maintain currency.

 K-6Easyjet being brought back home by 'Captain Speaking' Colin Boyd.

View from the cockpit of Rich Roberts’s Discus
at 2,500ft on his way to Beaworthy.

Roadford Lake from the south, seen from Richard’s Discus.

So as we were packing the gliders away without incident we could all reflect on a good day that was had... but wait a minute, didn't something else happen? Could it be?? Could it be that, after almost 2 years loyal attendance, Ed Borlase went solo.?? It certainly could!! Three times, in fact. On this near perfect day, Peter Howarth took Ed aloft for three cable break exercises and tine tuning of his approaches and landings, followed by a 44 min flight in which they managed to pack in 4 spins/spiral dives, leaving Ed with nowhere to go but up – on his own! Anyone who follows Ed on Facebook will know how elated he was (“like a seven year old”) and that he has an awful, awful lot of friends..! A tremendous vote of thanks is due to Peter Howarth, who devoted a great deal of time and effort in getting Ed over the final hurdle, and also of course to everyone on the field who assisted with all the other jobs associated in fetching and carrying a two-seater that just doesn't seem to want to get to the top of the launch! And of course finally thanks are due to Ed for his loyal support to the club, his helpfulness and stamina in not giving up on his goal! Well Done, Ed!

 “What no back seat driver??!”  Ed Borlase about to set off on his first solo.

...just look at him now!

Martin Cropper