Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 26th January 2022

From my kitchen window I was unable to see Brentor due to the hazy conditions. But as I drove to the club visibility was getting better. With the cloudbase higher than predicted by rasp, we set about getting ready to fly. A K13 and the K8 were towed to the launch point.

First into the K13 with me was Robin Wilson. Six flights during the day saw him improving his general flying on his journey back to solo status.

Robin getting sorted.

Our visitor, Lawrence Barnes arrived from Tavistock. After explaining the visibility was not beneficial and he would get a lot more from his experience another day, he agreed to re-book. We hope to see him again soon.

The two club gliders were joined at the launch point by  K6 G-CFUB. After a quick flight in the K8, it was turn of new syndicate partner, John Allen to get acquainted with the K6. Four flights during the day saw John comfortable in flying the K6.

John Allen ready for his conversion flight.

K6 syndicate members Mike Bennett and Hugh Gascoyne also made use of the benign conditions for their first flights of the year in the K6.

Solo pilots Malcolm W-J, Phil Hardwick, Gavin Short and Steve Lewis all took turns in the K8.

K8 off on another flight.

Steve Fletcher took over the back seat of the K13 for some more practice in flying from there with me in the front seat.

After the flights, a well deserved break for Steve.

With my instructing duties done, I was offered a flight in the K6 which I accepted. A quick familiarisation brief by Hugh saw me settled in the K6 for a circuit in this well finished example of a K6.

Strapping into the K6.

Dave Bouchier appeared from his chores in the hangar for a quick flight in the K13. Hugh Gascoyne stepped into the back seat to fly Dave around.

Only a small attendance today, but for a January day we achieved 25 flights and all had a good day at the airfield.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News-Monday 24th January 2022

A phone call from Richard late Sunday evening told me that there was a late change of plan. Instead of coming  to pick up the engine from the old ML winch on Monday afternoon they wanted to pick it up on Monday at 9.00 am! Everything had been arranged for Monday afternoon, 

Unfortunately Scratch couldn’t get there before about 1030 and Dave Stacey had agreed to get there at 1300. I arrived at the club at 9.00 as the truck from the buyer arrived behind me. I managed to find Dave on his farm busy tractoring at 9.30 and he came up straight away. Dave and the truck driver under specific instructions from me helped me open the hangar and get the K8 out of the way. Using the Manotou the engine was picked up and placed on the truck in no time. Then we carefully put the K8 away. Scratch arrived at 1030 to find us all finished so he then single handedly put the radiator back on the red tractor and got it all working. 

The ML winch engine finally on it's way

Just another working day at Dartmoor gliding!

Steve Fletcher

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 23rd January 2022

For once conditions were benign today: a pinkish-bluish sky with a light south-easterly greeted us on arrival at the airfield, whilst the last few days without rain had allowed the field to dry out.  Our visitors were father and son team Ian and Ben Mansfield, who flew with Gavin Short.  Son Ben, a Stage Lighting Director from south-east London, was first to make use of our two-flight voucher option, followed by Dad Ian, who spends his time (whilst not flying with us) looking after wooden flooring in the South Hams.  They both pronounced their flights a great success, as our photos reveal.

Visitor Ben Mansfield, from London, is ready to fly with Gavin Short.

Ben’s Dad Ian, who live in the South Hams, also looks happy to get airborne.

And looking even happier on their return having earned their certificates!

We then welcomed our first ‘walk-in’ of the year – a what a walk-in: three generations of the Stacey family – Mike being grand-dad, our neighbouring farmer and great friend of the club, with son, and grandson William, whose 15th birthday was today!  So what else to do but give William a happy birthday flight, duly delivered by Gavin Short in today’s beautifully clear skies.

Local farmer and friend of the club Mike Stacey’s 15 year old grandson
William about to be given a happy birthday flight by Gavin.

And away they go, into a beautifully clear Dartmoor sky.

Today’s trainees were Freddie Colton and Ray Boundy (yes, opposite ends of the age spectrum): Freddie making great strides: firstly flying with Peter Howarth in the early morning ‘red-eye’ snifter flight, then with Martin Cropper exploring how not to fly the K-13 in slip and skid exercises, before returning to fly with Peter Howarth in final approach rate of descent exercises which, strangely, culminated in him actually landing the glider (cunning foxes these instructors!)  Soloists Andy Davey, Phil Hardwick and Peter Howarth made use of the K-8 to keep their hands in; longest flight of the day being Rich Roberts with a well-earned 18 minutes.  As the afternoon drew on, and the dew point flirted with the surface temperature, one moment producing lowish cumulus (which proved highly entertaining for Ray Boundy), the next clear blue skies, and with all pilots having flown, we decided to call it a day: 16 launches within 4 hours – not bad!

Richard Roberts decides to give it a go – winning FOTD  (Flight of the Day)

Busy launch point mid-afternoon.

Meanwhile, at North Hill, two of our full pilot’s licence candidates – Mike Bennett and Ed Borlase – were hoping to make use of the touring motor glider to receive cross-country navigation and field landing training from CFI Mark Courtney.  Sadly, however, low cloud prevented them from flying so it was ground school only – but nonetheless beneficial for that.  Whilst there Ed spotted a fantastic photo of the K-6CR – G-CEWO – he now owns at Dartmoor.

 Whilst at North Hill Ed Borlase spotted this
stunning portrait of the K-6CR, G-CEWO, the glider he now owns!

Now there’s economy: one chart does for both of our prospective
 licence pilots to make their Navex plans.

Overall, a very productive and enjoyable day – let’s have more of these, please.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 22nd January 2022

Another grey day with 8/8 cloud cover, perhaps a little higher and lighter than the dark grey of the previous days. The wind was light from the NW, forecast to strengthen later. Light(ish) winds from this direction has previously brought some action from the northerly ridge alongside the airfield.

A Grey day with a light NW breeze

The solo pilots certainly made good attempts to use the ridge with Adam Hoskin 15 minutes, John Allan 16 min, Malcolm Wilton-Jones 31 minutes, and later Andy Davey 12 minutes all in the K8 all utilising a small area of lift at the east end of the ridge.

The K8 launching again

HXP sharing the ridge with the K8

Mike Jardine was kept busy all day with club training in K13 G-CHXP. Meanwhile I flew a One Day Course with Alexandre Kasyanov ( Sasha ) in K13 G-DCCY. Sasha made good progress throughout the day.

HXP on the wire

Sasha waiting to fly 

Steve and Phil flying CCY

Approaching from the east

Flying down the North ridge

Meanwhile, in the hangar, the gnomes of Dartmoor continued their maintenance tasks to ensure that the fleet remains in good condition.

All action in the hangar

A good day with 32 flights and some happy pilots.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding Achievement Awards 2021

Well, what an odd year 2021 was!

However, in true Dartmoor gliding style, everyone made the most of the shorter than normal flying year (due to Covid and not being able to fly all of January through to the end of March)

Below is the anchorman of the Sunday flying at Dartmoor, Martin Cropper. He has been flying with the club every Sunday for a countless number of years. The time Martin has given to the club over decades has been immense, and we thank him sincerely. That said it doesn’t stop us…. (with a cheeky smile and a wink)…. asking Gavin Short to award Martin the club “Wooden Spoon” award. 

This year it was awarded for the longest cross country in a club K13. It just so happened to be the shortest, as well as the only K13 cross country. So short in fact, it ended in the next field over from our runway boundary….. 

But they all count!

Below is “the voice of Dartmoor Gliding” Dave Downton. Dave received the club special award during Covid hence no one presenting it. This is given on non-flying related achievement/acknowledgement.

For many, many years Dave has guided our air experience flying visitors through the booking process, in some cases rebooking several times due to weather and skilfully ensuring the instructors are given all the appropriate information at the right time. It is an extremely time-consuming job, conducted at random times of the day/week. From all at Dartmoor Gliding, a sincere vote of thanks for all the work you do. It shows how good Dave has become, as is seems like it all happens by magic.  Thanks Dave.  

Below is Phil Hardwick receiving the “North Hill and return Trophy” from Instructor Peter Howarth. Phil Managed this very early in the year, on 26thMay 2021, he made good progress and completed it in a respectable time, on a day that had plenty of blue holes that caused a detour or two for other pilots that day. Well done Phil.

This is just one of the flights that contributed to 2021 being the best cross country total ever by DGS. As a combined total it was over 2000km in a single season!

Below is John Allan receiving the Spitfire Trophy from Instructor Pete Howarth for great progress. This year the trophy is a shared award.

John joined us at the very end of 2019, he has soloed, progressed to flying the K-8, and then onto the SF27A, he is looking towards his Bronze qualification and has joined a glider syndicate.  All achieved despite Covid!

Below is Dave Archer also receiving the Spitfire Trophy from Instructor Rick Wiles for pilot improvement in 2021.

Dave has shown great commitment through a difficult time balancing work commitments, followed by the training interruptions caused by covid. Throughout he remained upbeat and smiling. His approach control has improved so much from his early attempts. So much that I miss the opportunity to look out for the ‘S’ line approach, while he was trying to line up on finals. Improvement is rewarding for Dave’s progress, but much less entertaining for those watching from the ground!

Below is Mr Mike Jardine who on 23rd June joined a very elite club. “The Caterpillar club” where members go to a great deal of trouble to go to just to save £20 on repacking a parachute.  

However, it does prove what a calm, methodical pilot he is. We all now want him as our wingman when needed. Looking forward to the debrief over the winter.

Our thanks to all the people awarding and receiving the awards.   

Wishing everyone at DGS best of luck for 2022. Onward and upwards for new season.

Richard Roberts

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 15th January 2022

 With what looked like a very low, grey overcast hopes were not high for a flying day. However, on careful inspection of the cloud over the higher tors to the east there appeared to show sufficient cloud base to allow full height launches. Only one way to be sure so 2*K13 and a K8 were taken to the east end launch point. The winds were light southerly, forecast to veer  to the SW and strengthen a little. The first launch confirmed that the cloud base was well above launch heights. Sometimes appearances can be be deceptive.

We welcomed two One Day Course candidates today, Graham Foster and Stephen Ball who both ended the day with smiles on their faces. Their initial briefings and familiarisation flights were conduct by Scratch (Dene Hitchen) after which they flew with me for the rest of the day.

Graham with Scratch ready to start the flying day

Stephen waiting patiently for me (taking the photo)

Graham and Scratch "take up slack" and ...

...off they go

Followed by a safe return under the grey overcast sky

Graham receiving his certificate from Gavin who deputised for me 
( I was flying at the time )

Stephen received his certificate from me out side the hangar
after our final flight landed at that end

Rick was busy all day in the other K13 delivering a mix of pre and post solo training. 

The K8 and K13 at the launchpoint

Another training flight ready to go

The solo pilots took advantage of the K8 to maintain currency and of course search the local area and sources of the elusive rising air. Malcolm seemed to find a little ridge lift to the SW of the airfield which gave him a day topping extended circuit of 9 minutes.

We made the best of the day with a total of 34 launches.

Steve

Dartmoor gliding News-Wednesday 12th January 2022

A bright clear blue sky with light winds, could this really be Brentor in the middle of winter. With the weather playing it’s part, the only thing was would the airfield play ball. A quick inspection revealed that although soft in parts, with careful management we would be able to fly. Aircraft would be retrieved along the track and vehicle movements on the airfield kept to a minimum was the order of the day.

A K13 and K8 were taken to the launch point ready to fly.

First in the K13 with me was Paddy Cosgrave. Paddy was returning after his recent illness. Six flights during the day saw him quickly back to the stage he was at before his absence. A broad smile showed how happy he was to be back flying.

Paddy happy to be back.

Next into the front seat was Robin Wilson. A straight ahead launch failure and circuit continues his progress back to solo. Hopefully with some regular flying Robin will soon be back amongst the solo ranks.

Robin manoeuvring to start his circuit.

Whilst I had some lunch, Jamie Steel took over the K13 and flew with Hugh Gascoyne. Hugh wanted to do a couple of exercises to start preparing for a possible Instructor course.

Jamie with Hugh.

Mike Bennett, John Allen, Phil Hardwick, Richard Roberts, Gavin Short, Steve Fletcher, Martin Broadway, Andy Davey, Steve Lewis and Malcolm W-J all took turns in the K8 for circuits of various lengths. The longest of which was 9 minutes.

Hopefully there was a pilot in there Richard.

The K8 launches again.

And returns.

Late in the afternoon, Colin Boyd appeared from the darkest depths of the hangar where he had been continuing work on one of the new K13’s which should soon be ready for a test flight and enter the fleet. In the setting sun Colin jumped into the front seat of the K13 for a couple of flights.

Colin getting sorted.

With all the toys safely packed away, those who wanted to enjoyed a beer in the clubhouse to talk about the day. A day where we achieved 26 flights and all leaving the airfield with happy smiley faces.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News-It Would Be Churlish Not To Fly.

 In mid December a party of four headed to North Wales to collect a pair of new (to us) K-13 training gliders.  It was a two day trip but Richard Roberts had an idea up his sleeve that we should try and fly on Sunday morning.  Despite unpromising conditions when the Chris Gill (Lleweni Parc CFI) turned up he declared that there was wave and that we would go flying.

Lleweni Park- "We will be flying" - Really?

It was planned that I would be the first to fly with Adam (resident Assistant Category instructor) in the Duo Discus and so it was placed in front of the Arcus M.  Chris (the CFI) had to fly the tug and launch the pure gliders before he could self-launch in the Arcus M.  Plans at Lleweii Parc changed rapidly throughout the day; a visiting instructor and student from the Wirral launched first in the K21. 

Low cloud and rain on the ridge

The conditions were gloomy in the morning light with orographic clouds halfway down the ridge behind us and rain on the hills to the west.  Then it started to drizzle and it was decided to launch the single-seaters; an LS4 (piloted by Mike Fox the BGA's training standards manager) and an ASW 20 rather than the Duo Discus in the rain. Watching these launches was clear it was going to be a challenge to keep on the 4 metre-wide tarmac runway with the strong cross wind - Don't go on the grass was the mantra!

LS4 ready to launch...

....and off he goes.

Our turn came and although the drizzle had stopped both of us were damp and misting up was severe a problem. I flew the whole flight but as we cleared the boundary fence Adam took control, as planned, to allow me to get a good look at the landing fields, as part of my site brief, should we have a cable break.  What landing options?  The fields were small, hedge bound, and invariable damp and boggy.  I was yearning for the wide-open paddocks around Brentor, or at least the" L-shaped field", provided Martin wasn't in it first.

Arcus M behind the Duo Discus

I took control again as we climbed out through the rotor and some pretty heavy turbulence.  It's been a while since I was aerotowed and Adam helped me back in position several times.  Then at 2,000 ft AGL things settled down.  The tug reported that he was climbing in lift and we terminated the planned 3,000 ft tow at 2,500 ft.

The wave was unlike that at Brentor.  No wave bars or lenticulars were present just clumps of cumulus which appeared like soft ridges.  And ridge soaring we went.  Climbing back and forth heading into the wind.  Sometimes the lift and the wind direction would move but by 5,500 ft we were above the clouds.  The key ground features was Rhyl and the River Conwy, which lie to the north of Denbigh.  As we climbed in a steady 3 knots, once peaking at 6 knots, the Llandudno peninsula became visible.  I wanted to explore the different parts of lift and jump between the different wave clouds rather than going for absolute height, but we did top out at 7,700 ft.  Although it was cloudy in Liverpool Bay the mass of wind turbines stood out and we could see west to Anglesey and then north to Liverpool, Blackpool, and at the end of the flight we could just make out the Isle of Man.

Climbing through 6500ft

The K21 with a good View of Liverpool Bay

The Arcus M in it's natural element

Although the Duo Discus was as smooth to fly as I remembered keeping a good lookout was a challenge due to misting during the first half-hour.  all combinations of nose vent, DV vent, and DV panel were tried.  In the end, it was the heat of the sun that finally cleared the canopy.  Then it was time to head down.  Choosing a gap in the clouds where you could see the ground was difficult as the contrast between the bright sunshine the clouds shading the features on the ground was significant.  Once I found my descent hole I flew in circles at some 90-100 knots to try and burn off height.  The Duo Discus is very smooth and in its element at those speeds.  However, the lift was working everywhere and we agreed that I needed to crack open the air brakes and then a healthy 10 down was achieved.

Looking down at the airfield

As I did my pre-landing checks Adam reminded me of the turbulence lower down so I made an extra tug on my safety straps.  The high key is normally at 1,000 ft and I entered it at 1,100 ft.  My planned approach speed was 65 knots but I was erring on 70 kts.  On reflection, I should have descended steeper to better make my reference point (which is the cross-track).  I held off nicely but maintaining position on the narrow runway whilst using the rolling speed to get to the end of the tarmac, and not stop other gliders landing, involved a very high workload.  In the crosswind, I ended up over ruddering and put the main wheel just on the grass on the upwind side in the last five metres of the ground run.  The landing was safe, no damage was done in the boggy ground, and the site Land Rover ignominiously pulled us back on the tarmac.  Only the pilot's pride was dented and payback was grovelling on the ground picking out clumps of mud and grass and hosing the wheel and brake disc down.

The Duo Discus with a wheel box full of mud

I was met by Steve who had finished his flight in the Arcus M and Richard who was eager to get the Duo Discus back to the start point for his flight.

In summary, all the driving to and from Denbigh was worth the chance to go wave flying!

Gavin