Dartmoor Gliding News Wednesday 28th June 2023

 With a review of the days RASP indicating a low cloud base due to lift to around 1,000 feet later in the morning but with rain predicted, Hugh Gascoyne our duty IFP had to make to calls to our three trial flights to cancel their flights to be rearranged for a better day.

A few optimistic members turned up and all took the opportunity to take a flight.

Robin was first in the air with a 1,000 foot launch but was to find himself having to find a route between the clouds.

Conditions didn’t improve but opportunities for K8 flights were taken by John Smith, Martin Broadway , Malcolm W-J and Hugh Gascoyne , it’s good to keep current.

An optimistic launch

1,000 foot cloud base 

Robin navigating the cloud base 

The cloud base never improved

John Smith heading back to the airfield in the K8

Around 2pm the rain arrived and the gliders were towed back to the hanger after being dried off.

A short flying day but if we can we will. Well done everyone 

Mike Jardine

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 25th June 2023

Day 3 of the 40th anniversary celebrations arrived. By the time I arrived at the airfield the barbeque and clubhouse had already been tidied up and rearranged as if nothing had happened. Having checked the weather at home I was expecting a south westerly wind at about 10knts. Instead I was faced with a scenario all DI's hate. A 10-15knt southerly wind which had the windsock dancing around the pole, One minute we had a steady easterly component and the next had changed to a steady westerly component. So which ever end I chose there was a good chance of launching with a moderate tail wind. A cold front was due to pass over the south west late morning so we waited to see a more settled wind.

Based on the forecast the winch was retrieved from the east end and brought to the west end. The aircraft were DI'd and towed to the launch point and we waited some more. Eventually the wind seemed to be settling down so Sean Westrope and myself took a weather check flight. A launch to just over 1000ft just clear of cloud. Proved training could at least commence.

First in the front seat was Matthew Stone. After a couple of weeks away it was time to look at stalls with wing drop. With the exercises complete we were able to go soaring on the third flight with an extended flight time of 21 minutes. This prompted a couple of privateers to take a launch. Phil Hardwick (DG300) and Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus). Phil only managed a circuit, but Steve stayed up for 11 minutes.

Matt climbing well during his 21 minutes.

The cold front was now above us as the cloud base had lowered and rain was seen on the canopies. So we stood down for about 1½ hours.

Should we launch this way

Or this way....

Finally we resumed flying at 14:02. David Moult in the front seat had three good flights with general improvement in his approaches and landings. The privateers started to launch again. Phil, Steve and Malcolm W-J. Longest flight of these three was Phil with 31 minutes. After a stirling effort on the winch. Andy Davey took a launch in his Libelle. The afternoon progressed with Sean Westrope and Freddie Colton flying with me. No solos for Freddie due to the gusty conditions, but he did manage a 31 minute soaring flight.

Looking down on the winch.

And the launch point.

The wind had calmed a little so the K6's decided to launch. Ed managed a flight of 23 minutes and Adam 1 hour 52 minutes.

Ed's view of Tavistock and beyond.

Ed's view of the K13 (yes it is there below him).

A delayed start and a short break saw us packing the toys away at about 7pm. Thank you to all at the club to end a very successful 40th anniversary weekend.

Peter Howarth

Saturday's Gliding Club News- 24th June 2023 DGS 40 Years Celebration

Today started with the usual briefings which suggested a blue sky day with a south easterly breeze. There was a possible soarable from mid day on. So very much business as usual. 

As today was our 40 year day the visitor flying programme was on hold to allow members access to "Friends and Family " flying although as it turned out only one family member flew. Oscar Lesson ( son of Steve ) flew for 25 minutes with Scratch.

The club training programme continued as usual throughout the day with CFI Rick Wiles.

Rick briefing Guy Balmer

A K13 launches into the blue sky.

By 1pm the forecast thermals kicked off with led to a scramble from our private owners to get into the air. Phill Hardwick was first and recorded a 55 minute flight in his DG300. He was followed by Steve Fletcher ( Open Cirrus ) with a flight of 1hr 13min. Not to be left out Andy Davey launched in his Libelle and clocked up the longest flight by far with just 5 minutes short of 4 hours.

Andy studying the instruments in his Libelle

Mark Elliot unusual photo of Brentor church

The flying programme was curtailed a little early to allow everyone to be free for the evenings events.

Our very own nocturnal member

Taking the gliders to the hangar

The fleet at rest in the hangar

By 6.30pm the club was busy with members and guests all taking advantage of the BBQ in Celebration of Dartmoor Gliding's 40th anniversary. This was followed by live music from Colin Boyd and his band. The party went on well into the evening. Great fun.

It was a lovely balmy evening outside the clubhouse

Not quite standing room only

The band set up in front of the motor hangar

We all owe Mike Bennett our thanks for his efforts in organising today's activities and cooking the BBQ.

Mike and BBQ

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Friday 23rd June 2023

Friday the first of three flying days to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club. So the weather gods would reward us with a 5 star rating and a moderate wind straight down the strip. Well not quite. 10-15knts from the south and low cloud greeted the early arrivals. Little enthusiasm from the privateers to rig resulted in some initial tea and coffee drinking.

DI Mike Jardine was seen up on the field looking skywards and out to the south west. Eventually Mike declared we would give it a try. With a low turn out, one K13 and the K8 were towed to the east end. First to fly with Mike was trainee Guy Balmer. After two launches of 800-900ft it was decided to stand down to see if the cloud base would rise.

Guy Balmer getting ready.

After about half an hour, Guy finished his training flights and Scratch had a couple of flights in the K8. Due to the cross wind it was decided to stand down the K8.

CFI Rick Wiles arrived to carry out 5 year instructor checks with Mike Jardine and Peter Howarth.

Rick and Peter ready to fly.

Rick and Mike ready to go.

Four flights each saw both Mike and Peter complete their checks. Although the sky looked better the K13 wasn't staying up, but ever the optimist, Malcolm W-J was seen towing the Twin Astir from the T-hangar. Malcolm and Phil took a launch, but were soon back on the ground. Their second launch was more successful with climbs to a staggering 1500ft resulting in flight of the day of 26 minutes.

Malcolm and Phil ready for their longest flight.

Mike resumed training with Steve Fletcher (IFP training), Mike Bennett and Steve Lesson acting as safety pilot for each.

K13 lands.

K13 hangar landing.

So, not the best day's flying, but two instructors revalidated. Thanks to all at the club including Andy Davey who started the day winching. Hopefully the weather may improve for days 2 and 3 including the barbecue and band.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 21st June 2023

The summer solstice is here. No druids at the club, but the members would split into two groups. The Wednesday Winchers would work on reinstalling the refurbished gearbox into the new winch and the Wednesday Waiters would well,,,,,, wait. Despite there being no rain in the forecast several heavy showers crossed the airfield preventing us getting the aircraft out of the hangar. So we waited and drank tea and coffee.

Eventually the cloud started to lift and some brighter skies appeared to the west of the airfield. Two K13's and the K8 were taken to the launch point. First flight was DI Mike Jardine and myself for a weather check. Predictions from 600ft to 800ft for the cloud base were soon dismissed when we achieved a full launch of 1000ft AGL. So game on.

Launching to 1000ft AGL.

Clouds to the north.

Duty BI Richard Roberts would have a busy day. Two double trial flights and a one day course to get under way. Course student, David Rickard arrived and was briefed by Richard. David had flown with us pre-pandemic and was bought the one day course as a present. Although a little tense on the controls, after his flights with Richard and myself, David left having thoroughly enjoying his day at the club with just over an hour in the air.

David and Richard.

Mike started his training schedule with Guy Balmer. Guy is steadily progressing through the training programme.

Guy ready with Mike.

Trial flight visitors arrived in quick succession. Junior (15) Ernie Brown arrived with his mum. Ernie loves all things to do with aviation and has flown in light aircraft before coming to the club to sample the engineless form of flying.

Ernie keen to be off into the air.

The next visitor, Georgina Newland had been given the voucher as a present for a significant birthday. She really enjoyed the flying, although was not quite so keen on the approach and landing.

Georgina all smiles ready to fly.

Mike's training continued with David Moorley who concentrated on general flying skills and circuit planning and judgement.

David Moorley getting ready.

Next into the front seat was returning member Phil Cockran. Phil was friends with Georgina and wanted to share her experience with a couple of flights before jetting off on holiday.

Phil not quite jetting off yet.

Hugh Gascoyne returned from the winch to fly the K8. Two flights including flight of the day for 44minutes rewarded him for the extended stint on the winch.

Hugh in the K8.

David Archer and Robin Wilson both flew with Mike. After a 26 minute flight, David then had two flights in the K8. Robin enjoyed some good flying on his journey back to solo.

View of airfield looking north.

David climbing well.

The Wednesday Winchers appeared from their toils. A small problem with a selector shaft foiled their efforts to complete the installation which will soon be rectified ready to complete the installation. Following a full service the winch should soon be appearing ready for use. Good work.

Scratch and Steve Lesson took one of the K13s for a flight and hangar landing.

Steve waiting to be flown around.

Thanks to all at the airfield, particularly those who worked on the winch (you know who you are). 29 flights and a good days flying.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 18th June 2023

The Sunday Soarers were today the Sunday Swifts. Early arrivals started setting the field up and getting the gliders ready for the days flying. After a quick brief at the launch point, David Moorley and I got ready for the first flight. We launched at a very respectful 09:43.

David Moorley getting ready.

Six flights throughout the day saw David regain familiarity with coordinated turns and understanding the difference between undershoot and overshoot.

Susan Mortimer arrived for her one day course. After the necessary briefings and paperwork Susan started her flying with Richard. She thoroughly enjoyed her day with us and finished her flying with a hangar flight with Richard.

Richard with Susan.

Next to fly with me was David Moult. His six flights saw him improving his general judgement and also fly his first launch failure.

David Moult getting strapped in.

Final trainee to fly with me was Freddie Colton. His first launch resulted in a real failure which was handled very competently. Four other flights during the day including getting out of position resulting in a downwind landing and another practice launch failure showed that Freddie was ready for that big step. When we returned to the launch point I briefed Freddie ready for his first solo flight. Checks done he was soon off into the air.

Freddie ready for his first solo.

K13 launches.

Freddie returns.

With flying over, the toys were packed away ready to go home. Before we did Freddie was presented with his wings. The first step towards his RAF career when he finishes university.

Freddie getting his wings.

The only other solo flight was Ed Borlase in the K8 who managed 13 minutes for flight of the day. Another solo pilot joins the DGS ranks. Thank you to all at the club today, particularly Phil who winched for a large part of the day without flying.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Thursday 15th June 2023

We've done it.  We have started corporate evening flying again.  This used to be a regular occurrence at Brentor, often on a flying day when the kit was already on the field some members would stay later, or join later, to run the field.  The flying session would be from 1800 to 2100 or until our visitors had had their fill. The groups that we flew could be friends, work groups, and even on one occasion, as flown by Alan Holland and I, a group of ten young ladies from the YWCA.  Some groups opted to have a BBQ at the clubhouse on completion (Ed: What a pleasant way to end a English summer's evening).

Our visitors today, two young Royal Navy officers were scheduled to arrive at 1730.  So a stalwart team comprising Peter, Steve Fletcher, Hugh, Robin, Colin (Ed: Yay!) and I planned to arrive at 1600 to set up the field.

K-13, FSD, stands ready to "Fly Navy" once again (Ed: Stop winding our, ex-Army, CFI up)

Peter had taken the opportunity that we were flying in the evening to come up earlier and mow the airfield (Ed: Just about the whole bluddy lot - a gargantuan effort).  Steve and Hugh were already there when I arrived and were getting the gear out.  Hugh set up the winch.

But before that Peter set a challenge to our prospective IFP (Introductory Flight Pilot), IFP, and prospective Assistant Category Instructor (namely Steve, Hugh, and I); which end would we fly from?.  On driving through the gate I noticed the strong sea breeze from the south and Steve and Hugh were watching the wind sock oscillate at the head of the cross track.  I checked the weather forecasts (YR.NO, RASP and Skysight).  We all opted to launch from the west end but Peter overruled us and selected the east end.  He explained that we could have one aircraft launching and landing on the north side and one doing the same on the south side.  Each would be independent and with a bit of spot landing we wouldn't interfere with each other and hence keep the launch rate up.

A pristine pitch to welcome our naval visitors

With the gear laid out and while waiting for the arrival of our naval guests Steve took an IFP training flight with Peter.  The flight confirmed our expectations that the strong crosswind resulted in an unspectacular launch height of 850 feet.  Once Hugh got in the the groove on the winch and when to cut the power, and with pilots laying off considerably, we could achieve launch heights of 1,000 feet (Ed: Oooh err!)

Liam Downes and Daniel Esteve arrived the naval regulation five minutes early and I took them into the club house to fill out the paperwork and give them a quick brief.

We then headed up to the east end in the Jeep with Liam following on a quad bike after a quick introduction to its operation (Ed: Did I mention that we were quite short of people).  After a parachute brief by Steve (more IFP training) many hands made for light work and soon Daniel and Liam were strapped in FGR and FSD with Peter and I behind them respectively ready to go.

We then flew.  As expected there was virtually no thermal activity in the stiff sea breeze.  The upside was that the air was as smooth as silk and despite the low launch height Peter and I managed to deliver the lookout, and the effects of the elevator, aileron and rudder exercises whilst achieving a launch rate of eight launches an hour (Ed: See! It can be done).

Daniel, Liam and Peter about to aviate (Ed: Appropriately FGR and FSD are ex naval gliders, originally flown by Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club which operated from Lee-on-Solent)

Peter and Daniel aborted their fourth launch when the winch jumped out of gear (Ed: Hugh, put yer boot on it!) adding a frisson of excitement to Daniel's flights which he took in his stride.  So the glider was brought back to have another go.

By 1930 the sun was getting lower in the sky and with the absence of almost any clouds made landing to the west (Ed: i.e. into sun) an increasing challenge.  So we "drew stumps" and Peter and I treated our visitors to a hangar landing each (Ed: Landing at the west end by the cross track so the gliders could be put away in the hangar quickly).

After the toys were packed away and photo opportunities taken we retired to the clubhouse for a beer or a "goffa" and spun a few gliding tales.  Liam and Daniel evidently enjoyed their five flights a piece with us.  We bade them farewell and we hope to see them again to use their three-month's temporary membership if their busy schedule of professional studies allow.

Flying complete, Liam and Daniel receive their certificates from Gavin (Ed: I swear naval officers, like policemen, are looking much younger nowadays!)

With that we left the site (Ed: Robin didn't lock Hugh in again!).  Many thanks to Peter, Steve F, Hugh, Robin, and Colin for turning out and making our first evening flying session in a long long time work.  Twelve flights in total.  Let's do it again.

Roll on the weekend.

Gavin Short