Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 22nd October 2022

 The poor weather continues. Low cloud, blustery winds and frequent showers meant that this was always going to be a non flying day.

Low cloud - Dartmoor is completely missing

The club was busy though. Lots of our trainees had attended to take advantage of the lectures promised by CFI Rick Wiles.

Ground school

Attentive audience

Elsewhere all the myriad of other projects were moved forward by those not involved with the lectures.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Thursday 27th October 2022

I drove to the club with "It's the final countdown" (with acknowledgement to the 1989's Swedish rock band, Europe) ringing out loudly to celebrate the final appearance of the "Thursday Tinkerers" (Ed: You don't have any in car entertainment so does that mean you were singing!  I trust that no sheep or cattle that you were passing were hurt by your morning antics).

The forecast looked good for tinkering: Strongish, humid, cross wind from the south, very low cloud base all day (Ed: The latest RASP forecast was for the cloud base to be1,000 feet above sea level).  But not so good for flying.  Still there was plenty of wood in the wood store for the wood burner if we got cold (Ed: Unlikely with the warmth coming up from Spain).

The morning view of the moors to the east.  Later they would become completely obscured

That left the AMF trailer to work on and accordingly the Fleet Manager's truck (aka the MGC GT) was carrying lengths of box steel of various profiles and gauges, wire brushes, Kurust, Hammerite (Ed: I have never seen that colour (muted clay) Hammerite before, did it fall off the back of a lorry?), and lots of 1/2 inch paint brushes.  The plywood floor in the trailer had been lifted and Scratch was at the "Alert 5' with the grinding and welding gear.

Sticking with the day's Swedish theme Phil and I went to the east end and brought his "Swedish" trailer (Ed: It is a unique shape) back to the west end and placed at the top of the glider rack.

A Swedish trailer that houses a formerly Swiss-registered glider, now residing on Dartmoor (Ed: Very multi-culty!)

Meanwhile Scratch was busy cutting out plenty of rusty steel from the AMF trailer.  He came up for air and told us that the AMF would be a bigger project than anyone expected.  Time for a mug of tea and a rethink.

Meanwhile Colin and I, discussed the recent BGA audit, which was favourable.  The report is currently in draft but we have a way ahead for all the pickup points.  The maintenance team is due to meet on Saturday to agree the DGS response.

Colin set his able helper, John Smith, to prepare and apply dope to CCY's wings and elevators prior to painting them.

Where is the Church?  The cloud base was definitely lower that 1,100 feet QNH of the top of the church.  RASP had the forecast nailed

Mike Jardine arrived and handed me a Borgelt B400 electronic vario.  The club is purchasing this vario from the Standard Cirrus syndicate to replace the defective Cambridge Aero in the panel of K-8, FXB.  When I got home I tested the vario; it was working correctly.  To test a pressure transducer vario you switch on the backup battery pack, connect the external loudspeaker, and run up and down the stairs.  I was rewarded by gleeful bleeping, the 20 second averager lights, and the needle following my movements.  That's how sensitive a modern design variometer can be (Ed: I take it your family hadn’t arrived home to witness your antics?).

After lunch the CFI, Rick, arrived at the club to listen to our Assistant Category Instructors practice their ground school lectures: landing; spinning, and approach control in preparation for a five-yearly assessment that will be held at our sister club, the Devon and Somerset Gliding Club, at North Hill (Ed: Good luck guys).  I sat in on some of the lectures which was good preparation for the BGA Teaching and Learning Zoom seminar that I am participating in over the next three nights, which is the first step in my journey to become an Assistant Category Instructor… Whoo hoo!

Looking towards the South East and the scudding clouds
(Ed: So this is where the monolith has ended up)

At 1530 we had some late visitors arrive for a junior two-flight air experience at 1600.  Unfortunately they hadn't phoned the club beforehand to check that we were flying today.  The cloud base was now just above Michael de Rupe church and low clouds were scudding across the airfield, while the moors to the east were barely visible through the murk.  So I didn't have to explain very hard why we weren't flying today.  So you would expect us to promptly turn them away.  Not a bit of it; I gave a guided tour of the site and the facilities, an introduction to the glider and its controls, and answered probing questions about water ballast and the different types of lift glider pilots can exploit (Ed: It’s amazing what you can learn from YouTube).  Euan Train we look forward to flying you when you have rebooked.

After saying farewell to our visitors, the instructors concluded their briefs, and locked up the club.  We said a final farewell to the "Thursday Tinkerers" on a slightly subdued note as despite having achieved much in the day, there had been no flying. 

Finally, in case anyone hasn't got the message; from 1 November mid-week flying is reverting back to Wednesday.  I am looking for a new group name for the midweek fliers.  So far I have had one nomination: The "Wednesday Wavers" (Ed: That's an optimistic name, for sure).  What have you?  Answers on a postcard please.

Gavin Short 

Dartmoor Gliding News - Thursday 20th October 2022

I was at the club on Wednesday afternoon to let the Chairman of Bowland Forest Gliding Club park an open trailer on our site ready to load up K-13, G-CHXP, in the morning.  I am glad we didn't have to load the trailer then as it was blowing a veritable gale with the trees whipping around and the hangar doors rattling (Ed: The forecast said a fresh breeze so let's not get carried away eh?).

A newly created map of the area, especially for glider pilots

This is where the Dartmoor pixies fly

In sum, we have sold HXP to a club that was in need of a serviceable K-13.  So DGS is back to its normal holding of three K-13s: FGR, FSD, and CCY.  DMX has been retired and is held for spares.

So the main task for the morning was to load the components of HXP on to the open trailer.  With lots of helping hands we made good progress (Ed: This is the penultimate outing of the Thursday Tinkerers as from November mid-week flying at Dartmoor Gliding shifts back to its normal Wednesday).

HXP’s fuselage out of CCY’s trailer.  Scratch and Phil take a final look.

Ian Bannister (Bowland Forest GC Chairman) manoeuvres
his club’s open trailer into position to accept HXP’s fuselage.  John Allan assists!

And it’s on and quickly followed by the tail plane (Ed: The elevator has 487 launches before its next inspection and the next ARC is due on 12 February 2023 – What a bargain!)

John Smith prepares the wing root clamps whilst
Peter looks as though we got him out of bed too early.

Wings on; Canopy on; Tail board on: Lights connected, but as ever some work on the electrics was required even though they were working yesterday (Ed: I see a matching, proper number plate for the trailer.  That’s Posh!)

Fortunately, we got a tarpaulin over the top of the trailer just as a rain shower passed through.  Cue a tea break!  Then after the shower, which was surprisingly heavy, and the final checks, including the trailer's lights were completed we bade the Chairman of Bowland Forest GC, and of course, HXP farewell.  Many members have fond memories of how sweetly HXP flew.

This one won’t become a DGS monolith

Final trailer and light checks

Farewell HXP; we will miss you (Ed: There wasn’t a dry eye in the house)

Thanks to all the loading crew for their assistance especially to one of our members who came up solely for that reason and not to fly (Ed: You know who you are.  Thank you).

Spurred into action by the trailer activity: The jockey pole on the AMF twin-axle trailer was fettled (John Allan); the chassis was surveyed for the amount of fresh steel that is needed for the repairs (Scratch); and the lights were checked - the left indicator took some intense effort to get it working (John Allan).

A pixie in the AMF trailer fixes the pesky left indicator (Ed: I thought indicators were meant to be intermittent.  Groan!)

At 1130 the sun showed its face.  (Ed: I trust that it was a proper Teletubbies Sun Baby face and not some Netflix remake desecration of the ever-loved Sun Baby).  Gliders were extracted from the hangar and inspected.  The winch and launch point positions were selected for a forecast pesky southerly crosswind.

A brightening sky, cloud base rising, and indications of thermal activity

Hugh Gascoyne was scheduled as the Duty Basic Instructor for today but had to cry off for family reasons, so Phil Hardwick, Richard Roberts, and I stepped in to fly our three visitors (Ed: DGS now has the luxury of five BIs).

With the Launch Point and winch set up, now at the right end (Ed: Really?), Richard emerged, blinking in the sunlight, from his two-hour work ZOOM meeting, from the Tech Office (Ed: The lengths some people will go to scrounge a free WiFi connection).

Peter Howarth took a solo flight in FSD to check the conditions then I flew our first visitor, Rob Evans, who hails from Tavistock.  Rob had recently taken early retirement from his long-term employment as an NHS mental health practitioner.  There was a naval connection, albeit a long time ago; Rob started his career as an aircraft mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm.

Rob Evans and Gavin ready to fly

Rob receives his certificate after his two flights
(Ed: Shorts and no fleece in October – it must have been warm)

While I was flying with Rob Evans, John Allan flew the K-8, GDK, for 44 minutes.  Mike Jardine started the day’s instruction with David Moult (Ed: Resplendent, no doubt, in his bright orange towelling flying hat).  David was rewarded on his final flight of three with 14 minutes of soaring.

Richard Roberts flew our second visitor, John Roberts, who was also an ex-Royal Navy man.  He was accompanied by his partner.  She was also ex-RN (Ed: I think you are deliberately trying to wind up the CFI with all this navy talk).

A classic instructor pose: Richard explains to visitor John Roberts the mechanics of the winch launch and how the cable will back release at the top of the launch.

Come on Richard get strapped in!  Visitor John is raring to go.

Instructor Richard Roberts presents a gliding Certificate to visitor John Roberts

Meanwhile Colin and John Smith continued to work on CCY's second wing in the glider workshop container.  Both wings are now ready for paint.  (Ed: Calling DGS members.  Do we have anyone with spray painting experience to assist Colin in painting CCY's partially recovered wings white?).

Peter Howarth took Mark Elliot up and subjected him to couple of practice launch failures before clearing him to fly the K-13 solo again for a further two flights.

Mark Elliott “Does my bum look big in this?”

Launch failures were obviously in the air as Mike Jardine subjected Steve Lesson to a practice launch failure.  Later David Archer subjected himself to real launch failure and landed successfully closely observed by Mike Jardine in the back seat.

Steve Lesson contemplates life, Mike Jardine contemplates retirement, and Peter Howarth contemplates DCFI thoughts, whilst waiting for the other gliders to return to the launch point

Dave Archer wishfully thinks ”I am in date for cable breaks so I am going to have a smooth uneventful launch”.

Meanwhile John Smith had arrived at the launch point and cracked out three flights that turned out to be extended circuits due to a touch of soaring here and there.  He couldn't match Malcolm's “Man of the match” busting flight in K-8, GDK, of 1 Hour 3 minutes (Ed: Bravo Zulu!  Note to self: We must get the radio installed in GDK if we are to ever see GDK again on a flying day!).

A young buzzard has been observing our progress over the last few flying days (Ed: Mostly with distain, but he does seem to take greater interest when Malcolm steps in to a cockpit)

Malcolm returns from an hour aloft (Ed: In late October!)

John Smith attempts a mind meld with “Lift Meister” Malcolm to gain some soaring tips

By 1600 the sea breeze, assisted by the southerly wind brought the cool air of the sea breeze over the club.  Although Malcolm said it was still working, the conditions were relatively benign.

K-13, FGR, flies over the boundary fence for another landing

Phil flew our third visitor, Jo Richmond-Coggan, who hails from Okehampton, for a pair of flights to honour her "Into The Blue" voucher (Ed: Indeed it was turning blue when she flew).

Jo Richmond-Coggan safely strapped in and ready to fly with Phil

And receives her gliding certificate from instructor Phil

The sea breeze approaching from the south (right of picture) clears the cumulus from the sky while John Smith anticipates the retrieve of the next glider to land

By now the sky was a clear blue.  The sun was still warm despite it being 1700 and the shadows lengthening.  What a wonderful autumn day it turned out to be.

The afternoon sun highlights the contrast between Blackdown and the moors behind (Ed: The notorious and grisly Gibbet Hill is just out of picture to the left)

After flying with David Archer Mike Jardine turned his attention to new member Matt Stone who had two flights.  They enjoyed 1,400 feet launches which allowed Matt plenty of opportunity to develop his coordinated turns in a gin clear sky (Ed: Keep making good progress Matt).

New member Matt Stone prepares to take the last pair of
flights of the day with Instructor Mike Jardine

Prior to his flights Matt, who works for Open Reach, explained the process of laying fibre, that has been taking place all this week, in the lane leading to the club and how we should be able to gain access to it.  Very useful information for those who make use of the simulator in the clubhouse and wish to fly with others virtually

Matt Stone and Phil help Mike Jardine bring K-13, FSD, back to the hangar at the end of a great day’s flying (Ed: Mike: Remember, one more Thursday flying day until retirement)

The day's total was 27 flights.  Commendable considering the morning's grim weather, low cloud and rain, which meant that the first launch wasn't until 1239.  Thanks to the winch drivers, retrieve drivers, launch point operators, quad bike drivers, and launch marshals for keeping the launch rate going (Ed: All should be aware that Richard is taking a close interest and is analysing the launch rate as a step to improving the club).

The gear returns to the hangar and Motor
Transport hangar ready for another day

Finger's crossed for good weather for the final outing of the Thursday Tinkerers (Ed: No, Peter I don't mean that kind of outing, thank you!) next week.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 15th October 2022

With a gusty southerly cross wind the decision to cancel the booked Air Experience Visitor was taken early. There was still flying to be done as our trainee and solo pilots practiced their handling skills in the lively conditions.

The crosswind under and uninspiring sky

The winch was set up at a jaunty angle

Milosz hoping for some driving lessons?

Steve completing the external checks before getting in

David complete with warm coat

FGR takes off again

Scratch in the front seat during his best of the day 8 minute flight

Hazy view

The bus was a popular shelter from the breeze

A chilly day, with just 18 flights, no soaring but plenty of training

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 16th October 2022

When I arrived at the airfield all the ground equipment was out and set up ready to fly. The forecast for a calm start to the day and the wind to steadily increase, it was just a question as to how long we could continue flying. The two K13's were extracted from the hangar and given their daily inspection and towed to the launch point. The only thing stopping us flying was misting canopies.

A misting canopy on the K13

First launch at a very respectable 09:40 was Steve Lesson and myself. With a quiet airfield there was only one option to progress Steve's training. A demonstration of a go around launch failure followed by one flown by Steve.

Steve Lesson getting ready.

Our one day course student, Stephen Maxwell arrived from Okehampton. It was hoped that we would be able to complete his six flights before the expected deterioration of the weather.

Stephen and Richard looking forward to flying.

After only four flights conditions had worsened and Stephen's course was curtailed and he was asked to return to complete the rest of his flights.

Dick Masters stepped into the front seat to start his progress back to solo. Three circuits saw him starting to iron out some of those rusty skills.

Dick Masters doing his pre-flight checks.

Dick being briefed ready to fly.

With not many at the airfield today we stopped for a quick lunch after which Steve Lesson was up for some more flying. He was rewarded with a 30 minute flight to claim flight of the day.

Steve's view of the other K13 below.

K13 returns.

With the wind steadily increasing and the approach becoming more turbulent due to the crosswind it was decided to call it a day and return the toys to the hangar. Only 11 flights and one soaring flight, we made the most of the window of opportunity. Thank you to those at the airfield today, especially Andy Davey who winched/retrieved and Gavin who kept the launch point going.

Peter Howarth