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.


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.


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



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
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