Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 26th March 2022

With the wind in the east there was every possibility of some wave today. If you haven't come across the term Wave (or Lee Wave) before, when conditions are right and the wind rises over a range of hills or mountains then the atmosphere can bounce forming vertical waves to great heights. Glider pilots search out these conditions. At Dartmoor Gliding the wave is accessible from the top of the winch launch in an easterly wind.

I arrived a little late after work this morning to see K13 G-CFSD releasing at the top of the launch. By the time I got to the launch point Instructor Mike Jardine was on the radio from FSD reporting that he was in wave at 3,500 feet and climbing. A quick look around revealed K13 G-DCCY waiting for me and my visitors later in the day. Also at the launch point was new member Davis Moult who had flown with me on Wednesday for a controls lesson. I quickly got David in the front of CCY and off we went. The rotor (turbulent airflow under and between lee waves) was very apparent on the launch. Releasing at 1,400 feet we were immediately bouncing around the sky as we pushed forward towards Mary Tavy. Luckily the rotor had us climbing on average and very soon we contacted the wave where the lift was smooth (with a capital "smoo"). The lift built rapidly peaking at 7 knots average and a few beats north and south had us at 6,000ft above the airfield. It has to be said that the visibility was poor, the long period of high atmospheric pressure had trapped a lot of smoke and dust under the inversion. The upside of this is the beautiful red sunsets and sunrises that we have been enjoying recently.

David had a great view from the front seat of CCY

The inversion was obvious at 6,000ft

We were were able to explore a little reaching Burrator to the south and Princetown to the east all in zero sink. To the west a little we were joined by the SF-27A that was climbing strongly, but all to soon it was time to go back to meet with today's visitors. The initial decent was uneventful but as we got down to 2,500 ft over Mary Tavy we encountered very active rotor. Our circuit started from there with lots of speed to remain in control and the final turn was made over the top field at 1,400 ft. for a 65 knot approach which is best described as character forming. Total flight time 1 hr 11minutes.

Whispering along at 6000ft

John took this view of David and I in CCY

Unfortunately I had to make the decision not to fly our visitors today, the conditions were just too rough. Mike landed in FSD about 10 minutes later and with the increasing winds and turbulence on the  approach the decision was made to suspend all flying.

John Allan landed a minute later in the SF-27A after topping out at 9,000ft for his Silver Height and a flight time of 1 hr 36 minutes. 

John's View of Meldon Reservoir

Just over 9000ft

John looks pleased with his efforts

So that left 3 gliders aloft. An hour and a half later Richard Roberts landed in his Discus. Instead of going to great heights he had been exploring the extent of the wave system for a flight time of 2 hrs 40 minutes during which he discovered that if he stayed at 5,000 feet or so the wave was strong enough to give him zero sink at 120+knots in the smooth air. I think that is called playing Richard.

Next back was Steve Fletcher after a flight of 3 hrs 34 minutes during with he had climbed to a maximum of 11,800 feet near Okehampton which will hopefully give him Gold Height.

Steve's View over Plymouth

Looking over the inversion

11700 ft above the airfield

The last glider back was Malcolm flying solo in the Twin Astir. During his 3 hr 39 minute flight he planned and flew twice around a quadrilateral course Okehampton, Gunnislake, Burrator and Princetown for 292 km with a maximum height just over 9,000ft QFE.

Looking toward Roadford

The Tamar Estuary fades in the haze

Burrator Reservoir

Just after 4 pm the wind on the airfield suddenly disappeared and the roaring easterly became a mere zephyr. Encouraged by the change Mike Jardine and David Archer took a flight in K13 CFSD, expecting a gentle ride. Mike's report stated that the rotor and turbulence had started at about 30 feet on the launch and didn't let up a all all the way up to 4,000 feet and back. This flight only lasted 15 minutes so must have been very dynamic indeed. After this we washed and put away the gliders.

All safely back in the hangar

This was not the end of the day however. At 7 pm lots of members descended on the Clubhouse for the AGM. After acceptance of Last years minutes and this years Financial Report Ged Nevisky stood down from his role as Director after many years of service. The committee was strengthened with the election of Gavin Short and Peter Howarth as Directors. This brings the total number of directors to 6. Steve Raine was once again confirmed as Treasurer and I was re-elected as Chairman.

So what a day. Only 9 flights but a Silver and a Gold Height claim. Whew! 

Steve Lewis