Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 1 March 2023

A call to arms went out on the DGS Soaring WhatsApp group yesterday evening requesting an early start. Richard had disseminated news of Skysight's forecast of wave in the morning.  It sounded very tempting.

I was first on site at 0715 followed hot on my heels by Richard. Between us we got all the gear out and ranged the equipment on the field.  We then got assistance from the other earlier arrivals to take the fence at the west end down.

Looking towards Tavistock, from the entrance of the site, at potential wave clouds

Once that was done we got two K-13s out and helped rig the DG300, the Open Cirrus, and K-6 FUB. Richard rigged his Discus at the other end of the field.  This meant that both Mike Bennett and Hugh could fly in their K-6. As although Hugh was the duty Basic Instructor today there were no visitors scheduled  (Ed: Are our visitors being kept away by the chilly northerly winds?)

The winch driver's view to the west as Richard takes his Discus to the launch point.  Flying is about to start.

First launch was a K-13, nominally for a weather check, with Mike and Steve Fletcher.  Straight into wave off the launch but having to stay clear of the low clouds. Second up was Richard in his Discus who promptly treated himself to a launch failure and a go around before landing safely up the field.

Mike Jardine and Steve Fletcher "Suited and booted" for their weather check flight (Ed: Did I mention that it was perishingly cold in the north easterly wind?)

Looking south from the winch. The edge of the primary wave bar that DGS pilots were trying to connect with (Ed: Throughout the morning it moved progressively east away from the airfield)

As the day went on with the K-13s earning their keep whilst the privateers tried to connect to wave, thermals, indeed anything that might keep them aloft.

Peter returns to the field in his Kestrel

Mike Jardine's training load, as the Duty Instructor, was wide ranging today and included Guy Balmer (pre-solo), Steve Lesson and John Smith (both post-solo), and Steve Fletcher (Introductory Flight Pilot training).

Trainee Guy and Instructor Mike ready themselves for 20 minutes of "straight flying" exercises

Steve Lesson waits for Hugh and Mike Bennett with FSD to clear the launch area after their 24 minute flight

Steve Lesson heads towards Blackdown while hunting for those elusive snippets of lift

Meanwhile Mike in the rear seat  enjoys the view of Tavistock and sunlight glinting on the sea to the south east.

"Man of the match" Phil lands his DG300 after  36 minutes aloft

Having failed to reach launch height in his Kestrel Peter consoled himself by taking two flights with David Bourchier later in the afternoon.

"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" (Ed:  I think you are over egging it here!  Anyway some of our members might not get the 53 year-old quote.)

"Happy hands" Bourchier about to aviate with Instructor Peter

Colin, our BGA Inspector, couldn't make it to the club today but gave me the go ahead to continue working on FXB's wing. Out with the iron to tauten the fabric and a paintbrush to add two coats of dope.  The serene calm of the hangar with Classic FM on in the background was shattered by grinding and welding sounds emanating from the AMF trailer. Scratch was cutting out yet more old rusty steel and letting in fresh steel.  He assures me that he will be ready soon for an army of volunteers to descend on the trailer armed with wire brushes, paint brushes and a big pot of Hammerite paint.

The duty Basic Instructor, without any visitors to fly, flew with Mike Bennett, Malcolm and then solo in FUB; six flights in toto (Ed: Not a bad day with no visitors to fly!).

Duty Basic Instructor Hugh flew with other club members, picture here with Malcolm  - "I can't feel my knees"

"Did you know that your glider is on my foot?"

Bandits ten O'clock high!

Hugh demonstrates a "greaser of a landing"

Beautifully held off

Easy Jet eat your heart out!

Despite Skysight's promise most of the privateers all "fell down"

Except the DG300, now standing suitably aloof from the other single-seaters

Due the early start I didn't have a chance to deliver the planned lecture on airbrakes and spoilers to Guy. So we gathered in the clubhouse as the final flights if the day were occurring.  The lecture was timely as during Guy's 20 minute flight up and down an energy line leading towards Gibbet Hill he had to the airbrakes to avoid entering cloud, so it was a great introduction to the subject.

Steve takes Mike on an IFP training flight on the last launch of the day

On a cold grey day we achieved 24 launches, which included a training flight of 20 minutes and Farmer Phil claiming the flight of the day with 36 minutes.  Not bad at the start of March as we are still in winter.

Gavin Short