Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 27h April 2022

 Due to other commitments of dropping vehicles off at garages and collecting loan cars, we arrived at site a lot later than normal (10am (ish)), lots of private gliders we’re already rigged and the club fleet was on the apron having daily inspections carried out.

Today was the last Wednesday we will be flying as a club day until further notice. But the good news is this is because we are flying Thursdays instead for now, to increase and manage the available instructor cover.

The instructor of the day was not arriving until1300hrs (also due to other commitments) however with the weather actually doing what the forecasters said it would,  ie. it was thermic before 11am we hatched a cunning plan.

The field was readied, Licensed  pilots got the toys on the launch point and one by one where pinged into the air and didn’t return to earth in a hurry.

Scratch was the first away in the Std Cirrus and the photo below shows the fantastic view from cloud base at 3000ft. After landing Scratch then commented he had visited Launceston, with a couple of low saves on the way back. Well done Scratch good work.

Scratches view looking from west to east with the runway top centre

Andy disappeared off to the north in his Libelle, while myself and Peter H followed in our gliders, heading north east and west independently. 

Andy off on a flight of discovery

Peter said this about his flight-

“A launch to 1500ft and shortly found my first climb, 2-3knts to 3000ft. Spent most of the flight staying high between 2000ft and cloudbase at 3200ft between Brentor and Sourton. Last climb was with the Open Cirrus before slowly descending and landing after 1 hour 49 minutes.”

Peter’s view of the Open Cirrus below

Rick arrived on site at 1300 as the duty instructor ,and the club flying got underway.

Rick and John ready to go

Training progressed well with upper air work being completed during soaring flights.

Paddy and David are progressing well and enjoying each opportunity they get to have longer flights as the weather warms up

The wind was gusting in the morning, but then seemed to steady itself in the early afternoon. This gave pilots of the single seaters like John in the K6cr the opportunity to go soaring in the afternoon.

All flights varied between a few minutes and a few hours.

We also had air experience flights today for Emma Fellows and David Salmon.

Emma flew with Hugh

Dave was a lapsed glider pilot of some 45 years, having originally been sent solo by Derek Piggott at Lasham. Arriving at Brentor from Plymouth with his partner Wendy, I briefed him that conditions were not ideal but would do my best. He was a joy to fly with, unphased by the choppy thermals. I was able to grant his soaring aspirations with a couple of climbs to 2000ft - he was well chuffed with his 22 minutes of soaring. His partner Wendy Hodgson had the 3pm slot, but Dave suggested she return on a warmer day. With his gliding appetite truly whetted, I believe Dave will be making the most of his three month temporary membership.

Emma was familiar with skydiving so the parachute brief was a formality, although she was more concerned with how to exit the aircraft! I assured her jumping out of the glider was not part of the syllabus. By the time of her flight, soaring conditions were diminishing, but we clung on gamely to 1000ft to extend the flight to 11 minutes before landing.

Everyone flew and returned to earth…… all except one managed to return to the airfield!!

Andy in the Libelle struggled in the Okehampton area while soaring, and carried out a text book field selection and landing. Steve F then helped to carry out the ground retrieve with Andy.  Well done on your first out landing Andy.

Landed safe and sound, great field 

So a good day for all. Thanks to those who winched, helped, logged, unpacked and repacked everything today.

See you all Thursday, summer is here?

Richard Roberts

Dartmoor Gliding News – Long Mynd Expedition 18 – 21 April 2022 – Another view

 This was my first trip away on several counts - first trip away with the club, but also the first trip away towing our syndicate owned K6 (FUB), and first time at the Long Mynd.  After a delay of an hour or so whilst Mike Bennett and I fixed a brake cable issue that developed as we hitched it up, we got under way.  Our route was over the Severn Bridge, and up the A49 after discovering that the toll charges were dropped in 2018 which proved to be a very nice easy drive.  My VW Passat achieved 46 mpg, which is a better MPG than when carrying two bikes!!

I had carried out a Google street view simulator run of the approach up the Burway onto Long Mynd.

  (Ed: The Burway has its own web page on an interestingly named Dangerous Roads Website )

It all looked fairly exciting but fine unless we met someone - steep single track road with a massive drop, and small passing places - we met two cars at the steepest point.  Both dived into the passing places on the wrong side of the road to avoid being on the outside - Wimps!!  The view to our right was very much like that on a winch launch!!!

The Burway which leads to the Midland Gliding Club

Mike Bennett and I arrived in beautiful sunshine, and found our way around the site.

Flying was pretty frustrating during the first two days - we needed to get nine people checked off to fly, or cleared to fly trainees.  It made sense to have those that would pass the checks easily, and then could then start flying trainees, done first.  That meant a first flight at after 1700 hrs, on a day with booming thermals.  My first check flight was described as an arrival, rather than a landing, the second flight was a little better but I still required a cable break the next day, to be cleared.

The next day we had to start again as everyone needed to be checked with a new wind direction.  I sneaked in a quick pre-check-flight in our K-13 with Gavin Short, which provided a timely reminder that there were patches of huge sink at high key, making us close to the 500 ft floor that his IFP approval gave him - mental note don't ever turn there again!!! - Gavin took control and demonstrated a perfect landing regardless.  Ed Borlase kindly provided me a video of his landing with Gavin as well, so when I finally had a check flight and I thought I'd nailed the landing the Long Mynd’s Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) said just turn right and clear the runway!!  So being careful to keep the wings level I duly applied right rudder and swung us into the wind – “You are cleared to fly”  Hoorah!! - Those words made my day and my frustrations vanished.

Wednesday dawned with more easterly conditions, but was considered OK so we could all fly under our existing check flights.  The field felt windy, and with some apprehension - I sensed this in others in our group too - I carefully watched our senior pilots land their first few flights with about 2,000 hrs hours experience between them, and wondering if my 45 hrs would be enough.  

But yes, some turbulence on the way down due to curl over from the nearby trees, but landing on the 36 Left landing strip would increase the distance from the trees and be marginally better.  After careful observation it didn't look so much different from a typical winter crosswind day at Brentor.  The gradient of the airfield didn't worry me, as I'd visited Bowland Forest the previous week, where they approach in similar style.  I asked for help to move the K6 on line, and I got into the launch queue.  Rose the CFI, helpfully reminded me to keep wings level on the ground - which lasted about one glider length and then I was airborne.  A quick circuit and landing and I was back on the ground. 

During the rest of the day I had a few circuits but also two amazing flights over the easterly bowl, which kicked off some nice little thermals to carry me up 2,000 ft, being helped by three kites (the feathered kind!).  I was able to circle around one as it stayed on constant heading in the middle of the rising air.  It's these amazing flights where it all comes together that addicts us to the sport.  I still can't believe I can fly a plane on my own!!!  

Best of all, our training at Dartmoor works and it allows us to travel to other gliding sites, where they consider our training has been good enough to fly other clubs’ gliders.  What a fantastic privilege it is to be part of this gliding community.

You also have to avoid Sheep on landing!!

(Ed: View from the rigging apron in front of the hangar.  The electric fence is to deter the sheep from investigating gliders that are left rigged on the apron overnight.)

View of the sunset from the Midland Gliding Clubhouse

Sadly the next day the wind was due to be windier, so we packed up and came home, hoping for some wave conditions at the weekend.....

John Allan

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 24th April 2022

 Why do we bother looking at forecasts? Today they all seemed to be different, so the only thing was to head to the airfield and see what would happen. Unfortunately arriving at the airfield, the forecast that predicted early rain nearly got it right. Instead of light rain it was a lot heavier, so after early morning coffees and teas, it was decided to correct the leaning tower of DGS. The control tower at the west end had developed a lean over the winter. A combination of deflated tyres and sinking into the soft ground was the problem. Some blocks were found and after jacking the control tower up these were placed under the wheels and luckily the tyres were able to be re-inflated.

Blocks in place and tyres being inflated.

Withe the skies brightening it was time to get the toys out and go flying. The only trainee present today was David Moult. David has been struggling to coordinate his turns. Understanding the importance of looking over the nose to set the turn he was soon improving his coordination. This was proven later in the day when he thermalled up to 2500ft with only verbal inputs from me.

David preparing to fly.

The solo pilots took turns in the K8 and when this was staying airborne, Richard brought the SF27 to the launch point for a flight. These included John Allen 27 minutes, Phil Hardwick 23 minutes and Ed Borlase 1 hour 4 minutes.

Richard ready in the SF27.

K13 Approaching and K8 in circuit.

K13 landed and K8 on approach.

A break between training flights gave Steve Fletcher and myself to fly the K13 solo. Steve managed 40 minutes and I 39 minutes.

My view looking north over Blackdown.

Ed looking down on the K13.

With everybody flown, only 15 flights, but an average of 21 minutes per flight, mad it all worth while. Thank you to all who were at the field today to make the most of what the forecasts gave.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News – Long Mynd Expedition 18 – 21 April 2022

Outward leg

On Easter Sunday ten pilots, ranging from pre-solo, early solo, budding instructors, through to pundit, and an Assistant Category Instructor operating in stealth mode (Ed: More of that later), headed to the Long Mynd which is the home of the Midland Gliding Club.  Here they joined Andy who had been flying at Lleweni Parc, Denbigh where he claimed his Diamond height by climbing to 19,200 ft in wave.  Congratulations Andy.

We took: one of the club K-13s, CCY; three single-seaters; and a caravan to the Long Mynd (the L/D, or glide ratio, of the caravan was not recorded).  It had been planned to take two Standard Cirrus as well but life and tow vehicle availability put paid to that part of the plan.  Maybe next time.

Richard and I towed CCY in a hired twin-cab pickup on a journey that can be summed up as “interesting”.  The early arrivals had booked meals for us (Ed: Thanks for that lads) and the roast dinners were thoroughly enjoyed after the drive, and for some, a challenging and testing climb up the hill to the Long Mynd.  Accommodation was a mixture of rooms in the clubhouse and the campsite (Ed: Despite what you may think Scratch, caravanning comes under the same category as camping!).

Looking down on the Midland Gliding Club from the North.

Flying day one (Monday):

The morning brief covered launching to the south with a high key to the northwest beyond the paraglider activity for a downwind leg to the east, diagonal and base leg over the gully, and landing to the west on the plateau.  Confused?  We were.  Especially after being told to look out for “right of way walkers”, mountain bikers, sheep, and of course the paragliders.  The technique with the latter is to regard them as stationary obstacles and fly around them.

Richard, Scratch, me, and others, had their check flights in the Midland’s K-13s.  Which then allowed Richard to fly Paddy and then Mark in CCY, Dartmoor’s K-13.  Paddy’s flight was 49 minutes, a personal best.  Mark’s second flight was a soaring flight of 33 minutes before the heavy showers set in.  When the rain cleared Scratch flew a circuit with Mike.  With most of the team cleared to fly things were looking promising for Tuesday.

A brace of K-13s lined up following the showers

Scratch and Phil manoeuvre CCY onto the flight line

Flying day two (Tuesday):

Alas, the wind had other ideas and had backed around to the north east which meant that the launches were to the north and landing was on runways 36L and 36R.  Runways are grand titles for two narrow, downhill strips carved out of the heather.  The briefing on cable break options was involved and complicated.  The cable break options were resolved later by the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) who simplified the brief.

The CFI provides some welcome clarity on cable break options when launching to the North.

She then worked down the list of people needing to cleared fly from the south end of the airfield.  Up until now we had been very good and kept quiet that we had an Assistant Category Instructor with us, as Peter was on the expedition in a private capacity to conduct some solo flying.  But when Rose, the CFI, asked him before his check flight how many hours he had he stated 650 Hrs and then foolishly blurted out that he was an Assistant Category Instructor.  With the “Cat out of the bag” he was popped in the back seat and conducted his check flight from there.  This allowed him to give Mike a practice check flight.  It prepared Mike well as he then had his check flight which included a real cable break from which he recovered instinctively, landed safely and was cleared to fly.  The CFI stated that it was the first cable break that she had experienced in 3,000 launches at the Long Mynd.  (Ed: The DGS cable break influence raised its head later in the afternoon too.)

Rose, the CFI, prepares to give Phil a check flight. 
Note that apart from Rose the whole field is being run by DGS members!

CCY: “Come on you lot.  Get yourselves checked out.  I want to fly.  I know I can do it.”

Mike and I prepare for a soaring flight focussed on thermalling accurately. 
 Note that CCY is Flarm (an anti-collision warning system) equipped in both the front and rear seats. 

After 34 minutes with Mike I then flew with Ed for 43 minutes for some cross-country coaching and decision-making practice.  Ed captured some of our time under the cloud streets that were forming and were to later overdevelop.

Long Mynd Time Lapse Video

The landings needed care as two bridleways cross 36L and 36R and the round out needs to be after that, clearing to the right, if you can, to allow others to land.  Also the left hand circuit is over higher ground which is forested which creates an interesting perspective on the diagonal and base legs of the circuit. 

I developed a technique where I got the pilot in the front seat to watch the two landing strips (as the view from the rear seat is restricted until after the final turn) and tell me if either were blocked and then on the final approach to provide me with a running commentary on any walkers or mountain bikers crossing the bridleways.

Ed took a video of my approach and landing which he shared with other early solo pilots.

Apprroach and Landing Video

Each night we were treated to fantastic sunsets through the panoramic windows of the clubhouse

This is what the view of the valley to the west, and Wales, looks like in the daylight

Flying day three (Wednesday):

With the wind veering to the north east we launched from the south again which obviated the need for any additional check flights.  The wind was stronger and there was curl over from the high trees on runway (landing strip) 36R to be wary of.  Members took advantage of the presence of a second duty instructor to continue their training in a K‑21.

Many of us were trained up on the retrieve winch.  The function of the retrieve winch is to drag the used launch cable back to the start point which increases the glider launch rate.

Peter continues to try and keep out of the rear seat of a K-13 by driving the retrieve winch.

At the Mynd they break for lunch (Ed: How civilised).  The wind strength meant that tie down strops and metal stakes supplemented the tyres.

The CFI demonstrates a useful function of the K-6

Ed receives a type brief before flying with Nigel, the second duty instructor.

Ed took another training flight, this time in the K-21.  Ed was so focussed that he didn’t realise that he had transitioned to “glass” until after he landed.

In the windier weather Ed test drives the latest “Popemobile” while the instructor walks the wing
(Ed: This habit has to stop when he returns to Brentor!)

Peter dropped his “invisibility cloak” and gave Mark some circuit planning flights
whilst Phil operated the retrieve winch.

…and Peter let Mark land long to demonstrate the need for a good circuit.

“This time I want you to round out over there….”

Deep concentration

As expected, the day over developed and the lift died away.  This was just when I was up to give Paddy a set of three flights which resulted in launches to 950 ft, 1,000 ft, and 1,000 ft respectively which sadly provided Paddy with precious little stick time before we had to enter high key at 800 ft.  The lift around the airfield only improved marginally after that.

Paddy and Gavin consider the options.  “Right we are going to head for that cloud there”
(Ed: Glider pilots are always ridiculous optimists).

Paddy prepares to aviate

While all this dual activity was happening the private pilots were quietly choosing their moments to take a launch and get the best out the day following the overdevelopment.

Andy launches into what appears to be an overcast, unpromising sky

But the camera can lie.  This is the Libelle approaching the top of the same launch with the fluffy cumulus indicating which way Andy should turn.

To keep the launch rate up, and maximise the amount of flying, the CFI allowed Richard to fly with Phil in one of the Midland Gliding Club’s K-13s.

Mark diligently completes the flight log as Richard and Phil prepare to fly Midland’s K-13, CCW, the sister ship to Dartmoor’s own K-13, CCY.

The “DGS” launch queue

Seeing the progress of the private pilots Paddy flew again, this time with Scratch, achieving a dizzying ten minutes aloft.  Later Scratch flew with Ed and then Richard flew Paddy again so the pre-solo and early solo pilots each had a chance to fly with different pilots.

Flowing their extensive check flights over the first few days
Mike and John were determined to get the most out of their K-6

Video of John Launching in the K6

And Video of his Landing

John getting on line ready to go again.

Peter gets to fly his Astir

After his circuits with Peter, Mark flew with the second duty instructor, Nigel, in a seamless transition to “glass”.  After the first flight it was clear that Mark was “eyes down in the cockpit” too much.  So the instructor proceeded to tape over both the airspeed indicator ASI) and the altimeter.  Only a lack of tape gave Mark a reprieve and he flew, perfectly as it turns out, without the ASI visible.  (Ed: BZ Mark!)

Mark, have a good look because this is the last time you will see the instrument panel

Peter and Ed park CCY on the hangar apron for the last time

And then it was time to derig the private gliders and
protect them from the ever inquisitive visitors on the field.

Tall tales following our last supper –
Well it was curry night and there was a keg of real ale in the hangar!

After supper the group assembled in the bar which allowed Richard to brief the weather forecast for the Long Mynd on Thursday and outline the potential wave opportunities back home on Dartmoor towards the weekend.  In reality the CFI had already made the decision not to fly in the increasing easterly wind forecast for Thursday.  The cable break options in an easterly on the Long Mynd are few and inevitably mean a long glide into the valley and pick a suitable field to land out near Church Stretton!  The office manager had also started making up our bills accordingly.  (Ed: I am amazed that he managed to decipher the bar slate after four nights of DGS pilots relaxing after flying!)

Richard pontificating!

Return Leg

After a hearty breakfast we carefully derigged CCY, with due consideration to the wind, and put it in the trailer.  We could take our time on the hangar apron as the brisk easterly wind would prevent any locals from flying and wanting to open the hangar.

When the bills for accommodation, camping, flying, and of course the bar were paid we were ready to depart.

Mark led the convoy down the Burway warning ascending vehicles that we were coming down… If the K-13 trailer didn’t block their passage then Scratch’s caravan definitely would.

DGS pilots ready for departure – Le Mans style

Richard and I had another entertaining journey home in the pickup, took the wrong road, and eventually rendezvoused with Mark and Phil at U-drive in Exeter to return the hired vehicle.  Mark very kindly towed the K-13 onwards to Brentor.  Once there, and the K-13 and the privateer trailers were parked, we went our separate ways after a successful expedition.

We are looking forward to many more expeditions.  DGS pilots acquitted themselves well at the Long Mynd.  The CFI appreciated that our members were willing to get stuck in with flight operations, that we were efficient, well organised, and flew well on their site.  A senior instructor who came up to watch us fly on the final day remarked that he was very impressed that the DGS pilots were nailing the approach and landing on 36L and 36R every time, a sight he hadn’t seen from many other visiting clubs.  (Ed: Well done DGS.)

Feedback on the expedition from some of our pre-solo and early solo pilots:

“I had a great time.  Thanks everyone.”
Paddy Cosgrove

“The Long Mynd.  Well what an awesome experience this has been for me as a trainee pilot, Flying the (Midland Gliding) club’s K-21 (Ed: A GRP two seat trainer) was cool and lovely to handle so much the instructor said that he would’ve allowed me to fly solo had I already done my cable breaks and spinning.  Wow!

Flying over several consecutive days has vastly improved my flying.

The scenery, the location, the food, the bar, and most of all the friends have made this an amazing experience.

Thank you DGS organisers for this trip.  Looking forward to the next one.”

Mark Elliott

“For my first trip away with the club, I couldn’t have hoped for a better time.  My main goal throughout the week was to gain experience and confidence flying at another site, as well as to take the opportunity to mutually fly with some of our IFPs who I’d never flown with before, as we were all sharing CCY for the duration.

On the first flying day, I had the opportunity to take some check flights in the Mynd’s K-21 with instructor Nigel Lassiter.  It was my first time flying a GRP glider, and holy smokes did I enjoy it!  We found strong lift immediately and after climbing to 3,500ft, Nigel suggested we lose height the fun way, so I was lucky enough to experience my first set of aerobatics - loops, wing-overs, chandelles etc. and now can’t wait for more.

Another highlight that will stay long in the memory was when Andy Davey joined Gavin and me at cloudbase in his beautiful Libelle, and we flew in formation along a clearly defined cloud street.  The view was absolutely spectacular, but we were concentrating so much in CCY that we didn’t think to take a photograph!

I must give a HUGE shout out to Helen and Dave in the kitchen who looked after us all so well - their food was Michelin star restaurant quality!  

Overall, the experience of visiting such an interesting, challenging and historical site with an enthusiastic and merry bunch of DGS compatriots was just what the doctor ordered.  From pitching our tents to pouring our pints, the team spirit remained high all week.  Huge thanks also to Richard et al for all their efforts in arranging.  I can’t think of a better way to spend several days in Shropshire!”

Ed Borlase

So from all on the expedition many thanks to the organisers, and particular thanks to Richard for the vision and determination to get us flying at the Long Mynd.

And finally a special thanks to CCY seen here basking in the sunshine. 
Voted the smartest K13 on the Long Mynd.

Gavin Short