Although the airfield was not flyable today - with passing wintry showers and the ground very boggy in parts it simply wasn’t safe - members will be pleased to hear that the drains were working overtime and that the hangar was notably dry and free from ingress.
 |
| ‘You will be pleased to hear… |
 |
| …that the drains were working overtime’. |
 |
| : Wintry shower scampering over Nattor Down. |
 |
| Was there a crock of gold to be found in the launchpoint? |
Wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful New Year.
Martin Cropper
Although the forecast predicated sunshine and showers, a pitch inspection at around 1000 showed that, despite the reinforced area at the east end being capable of supporting launching and landing, the rest of the field was too waterlogged for safe operations, both equipment (principally the winch and people).
 |
| Although showers skirted the airfield the ground was too waterlogged for flying. |
Nonetheless, we pitched-in to help Colin get started with the CofA for K-8 FXB, preparing the fuselage and removing the instrument panel for calibration.
And so it only remains to say Merry Christmas to our Sunday readers - Instructor cover will be available on 27 December - let’s hope we can get flying as soon as possible following the festive season.
Martin Cropper
When I arrived at the club the duty instructor was coming back from his morning inspection of the airfield only to report that the centre track was awash, a veritable river. This wasn’t unexpected as the culverts draining the airfield, and the hangar apron, into the ditch alongside the road were in full spate. So today was to be a non-flying day which was reinforced by some regular heavy showers throughout the day to remind us.
However, despite the appalling weather early this morning, despite blockages on the A30, despite fallen trees, and despite copious amounts of standing water on the back roads that engulfed windscreens with spray, the hangar elves turned up and engaged in a myriad of activities on the site.
 |
| How many elves can you spot in the hangar? |
The glider instrument holdings were rationalised and the excess will be carefully packaged and sent for evaluation and sale.
The SF-27's belly was coated with a snazzy white gel coat and the repair to the pared-back wheel box continued apace (in a previous life the FS-27 had been a racing glider and had a lot of performance improving modifications that are not required on Dartmoor!). However, copious use of a heat gun was required to raise the ambient temperature in the hangar to be able to work the glass fibre. Plans have been formulated for a GRP tail dolly to improve the ground handling of this heavy-tailed glider.
 |
| The Chief Elf mixing up some magic potion for the SF-27 |
K-13 wheel hub was shod with an inner and outer tube and added to the tyre cabinet as another spare.
 |
| These busy elves declared themselves not tyred (Ed: Groan!) in the slightest. |
 |
| The blue K-13 receiving sparkle dust from an elf. |
 |
| What do you mean you want to go home? |
Gavin Short
The first problem today was the weather forecast. All of our usual sources had something different to say with wind strengths somewhere 8 and 20 knots with maximum gusts between 15 and 35 knots???? Most agreed that there was the possibility of showers. The second problem was the somewhat saturated airfield. The decision was to leave the K8 in the hangar in case the higher wind forecasts proved accurate and to field two K13's, CCY and HXP. These would launch from the hard pad to the south of the east end and land one to the north and one to the south close to the east end boundary to avoid the wet areas beyond.
 |
| Dartmoor majesty - even with the shower |
 |
| Gavin taking some backseat practice with Mike |
 |
| We are all used to seeing people behind perspex these days. John Allen waiting for his training flights |
The day was filled with circuits, punctuated with showers ( more like monsoons ) and rainbows. It was also cold leading to various cold weather overalls and woolly hats. The flights consisted of a mix of training flights, rear seat practices for the more experienced or currency flights - these are important at this time of the year - we want to remain ready in expectation of some easterly winds and wave flying.
 |
| CCY launching again. |
 |
| Rainbows to the left of them... |
 |
| Rainbows to the right of them... |
 |
| Into the valley of winter flew the 600 ( poetic licence with that bit ) |
 |
| Recovering CCY at the end of the day |
 |
| Socially distanced and sartorially inellegant. The reality of winter gliding 2020 |
Thanks to everyone who helped make this day a success especially Heater who spent the whole day on cable retrieve again.
Steve
A light variable wind made the decision to set the airfield to fly from the east end. As always this gives us more options for flying if needed. To minimise movements on the airfield and only the K13 and K8 needed we decided to adopt Sunday’s field layout. The K8 taking off and landing north of the track and leaving the K13 pilots to do as they please on the south side. First launch was at 11:06. The only real question was when would the rain arrive during the afternoon.
 |
| K8 & K13 in position. |
 |
| John getting ready to re-solo. |
 |
| Elbow bump congratulations. |
 |
| K8 off again.,.. |
 |
| ....And returning. |
 |
| K13 on approach. |
Thank you to everybody who were at the airfield today and Heather for retrieving including a couple of trecks into the adjoining field to retrieve cables after the cable break practices.
Peter Howarth
‘Misty’ was today’s trademark. No, not the 1959 Johnny Mathis pop hit, or the 1971 Clint Eastwood film, but misty canopies which delayed the start and presaged an end to today’s flying. Which was a shame, as the northerly airflow circulating around an emergent ridge of high pressure generated gin clear, but cold, conditions topped by a few whispers of tempting cumulus as the day developed.
 |
| Despite a gin clear sky, Phil Hardwick and Malcolm Wilton-Jones had to battle against mist on the canopies to get us going. |
 |
| Returning solo pilot Ray Boundy turns K-13 HXP onto the diagonal leg. |
 |
| K-8 on finals to land between the centreline track and launchpoint. |
 |
| Club K-8 fin and rudder detail. |
Strangely, for a low achieving day, there were plenty of smiles as members departed – must have been the sun on their faces generating much needed Vitamin D. Let’s hope it continues…
Martin Cropper
The first day after lockdown 2 brought an eager group of solo pilots to the airfield. We were greeted with low cloud and drizzle as the weather had not read the script. The forecast was for a bright start and gradually deteriorating during the afternoon.
Although the equipment had all been checked over the last couple of days, one of the quad bikes refused to start. Scratch set about diagnosing a blocked needle jet and get it running again.
 |
| Scratch in his element. |
 |
| SF-27 being prepared for de-rigging. |
 |
| Fuselage into the hangar |
 |
| Wings safely in the trailer. |
We set the airfield and then got a K13 and K8 out of the hangar, DI’d and taken to the launch point. At 14:18 I took the first launch in the K8 to assess conditions. After I landed Scratch took Heather for a flight in the K13. Steve Lewis replaced Scratch and also flew Heather around.
 |
| K13 launching |
 |
| K8 launching |
 |
| .... and returning |
 |
| Our new human windsock |
Thank you to everybody who were at the airfield and helped get everything done.
Peter Howarth
After weeks of heavy Rain, on the day before lockdown we all needed to maintain currency and the day was perfect.
I started on the winch and quickly found that the wind from the North was stronger than expected with the first cable dropping in the trailer park, followed quickly by the second when the Ka-8 laid off to the South!. After lunch Phil came to relieve me on the winch and it was almost my turn to fly, as yet nobody had found any lift despite the good looking sky, but what do we expect in November.
 |
| K13 being retrieved |
 |
| K8 waiting for the runway to clear |
 |
| Barry waiting to fly while Colin provides the entertainment |
 |
| K13 waiting for the K8 this time |
 |
| Final checks |
 |
| Ready to go |
 |
| End of the flying day |
Malcolm Wilton-Jones
After the recent unsettled weather, the day dawned with an early morning frost. The forecast was for light winds east of north and no rain for a change. A good day for the gathering pilots to maintain recency(currency) prior to the start of lockdown the following day.
 |
| Autumn has arrived at DGS. |
 |
| John Smith getting ready to fly. |
Next into the K13 with me was John O’Connell
 |
| K13 with John and I returning to the launch point. |
 |
| Mary Tavy and Dartmoor. |
After his stint on the winch Malcolm returned to the launch point and it was soon his turn in the K8. After launching into what looked a more promising sky, he was seen slowly climbing away near the church. He managed to stay aloft for 46 minutes to claim flight of the day and remained the only soaring flight of the day.
Gavin requested a flight with me to undertake a cable break practice in the K13. Unknown to him I managed to get the winch driver to initiate a power failure. This was not what he was expecting, but flew the exercise well. Motto, be prepared for anything to happen.
Solo pilots, Richard Roberts, Phil Hardwick, Steve Fletcher, Roger Green, Martin Broadway, Barry Green and Gavin all too turns in the K8, but could not emulate Malcolm’s successful flight.
 |
| Richard and Phil enjoying the autumn sun. |
 |
| Alan & Colin at the launch point. |
 |
| Steve and Heather all masked up. |
 |
| Airfield from Cox Tor. |
