Today Skysight forecast wave to the south east of the site. The
big question was would we be able to connect with it as the base of the
wave was predicted to start at 2,500 ft AGL. (Ed: Never say never at
Dartmoor Gliding. The conditions at Brentor can often surprise one). On
site, the conditions corresponded to the forecast with the wind from
the north-north east veering to the east at altitude.
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CCY heads to the launch point
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| No wave action today for FXB due to the expected strongish crosswind |
With
a chilly start we got the gear out and the newly inspected K-13, FGR,
was test flown by the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine. That first launch
of the day, to 1900 feet, signified that today would be special (Ed: Who
said you can't kite on a Supacat winch launch?)
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Mike Jardine test flies FGR and conducts a weather check
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Mike
reported rotor on the start of the launch and also on the down wind
leg. Consequently, it was decided that the K-13s would be flown dual
today which added to a fun family group feeling to today's flying).
After
that first launch a lone sheep was discovered on the field which was
quickly shepherded back into the top field before we could resume
launching. (Ed: That's life on Dartmoor for you).
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| Moving that errant sheep into the top field |
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| A wintry runway |
On
the next launch Mike Bennett and Mike Jardine encountered one knot of
lift in wave and that the rotor on their downwind leg was not severe.
The game was on! CCY was bought on line. Soon both gliders were in
wave up to 4,000 feet AGL and 6,300 feet AGL. The latter was the flight
of the day in both length (57 minutes) and height achieved by Malcolm and Richard.
In
amongst the fun Colin and I managed to measure the control deflections
on K-13, FSD in the hangar which is currently off line for its annual inspection and
Airworthiness Review Check. Later Colin enjoyed a 32 minute soaring
flight with Mike Jardine.
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FSD about to have its control surface deflections measured (Ed: Ohh err missus!)
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Gavin's view to to Peter Tavy and the south east
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All
thirteen members on site flew in the wave conditions and enjoyed
extended views over the moors. The moors to the east had been lightly
dusted with snow. But to the west it was clear that Bodmin moor and most
of Cornwall that was visible had received much more snow.
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Tavistock and snow in east Cornwall
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Pushing into wind at altitude. The wind at height was from 050 (Ed: Glide and Seek showed speeds over the ground as low as 10 knots due to the strength of the wind!)
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During the day the
medium and high cloud cover exhibited no indications of the wave that
was happening beneath it. But the visibility was clear in the wave
conditions, but on the south coast and the north coast less so. Hugh and I
couldn't determine if the water level in Roadford Lake (reservoir) was
recovering or not, as it was that hazy. We had a great flight, notable for the final turn
onto the approach at 1,250 feet AGL (Ed: High energy approaches used in
wave conditions give a strange perspective of the landing area).
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Looking East
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It
was cold today! The winch driver spent as much time as possible in the
retrieve vehicle warming up with the powerful heater. With the long
flights today there were plenty of such opportunities.
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Hugh and Gavin having fun in the wave
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Richard and John
Allan landed the last flight of the day nine minutes before sunset
after a 28 minute soaring flight (Ed: I had to check my watch to
confirm that really was the 14 December and we were soaring).
At the end of the day the hangar was packed so that FSD could be accessed during the remainder of the week and prepared for de-rigging on Saturday.
In
summary, 6 hours 8 minutes of flying across 13 flights and lots of
smiling faces overcoming their cold toes and fingers. #WinterFlying
#Dartmoor.
Gavin Short
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