Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 25th November 2023

 A weak ridge of high pressure offered a respite from the seemingly endless bands of wind and rain of recent weeks. Early on it was cold with a ground frost. The winds today were forecast to be light and variable. In fact the various forecasts all disagreed as to which direction it might come from but it was so light it didn't really matter and the airfield was set up to launch from the east end.

The blue sky became increasingly obscured by high clouds

Another cloud view

The gliders were out early with canopies exposed to the sunlight to help clear the misting which occurs when the weather is like this. The club was very busy today. Alongside the normal training activities, the Puchacz would be busy with the Instructor cadre familiarising themselves with this "new to us" aircraft and the solo pilots would be trying out the Astir CS77. 

Puchacz and Astir waiting to go 

Who would let these 2 fly together?

Off goes the Puchacz again

We welcomed 3 scouts returning to fly with us after the weather defeated them a few weeks ago. We were also visited by Callum Barnes, an RN Engineer, joining us to fly as part of our newly strengthened relationship with the Royal Navy.

Henry was first up for the Scouts

Alfie flew with Steve ....

.... As did Olivia ( who seems very relaxed here)

Connor waiting for me

Early on the Puchacz trailer was washed a readied to be returned to the location of the second RM Puchacz by Jamie Steel. DGS will be using our own twin-axle AMF Trailer for our Puchacz.

A clean looking Puchacz trailer.

Off to be reunited with the other Puchacz.

An exciting, busy day with 37 launches despite some organisational frustrations.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 29 November 2023

Today, I think November wanted to make amends and prove that it wasn't as wet as October.  Whatever the reason the Wednesday Wavers took advantage of the calm conditions and went flying.

A number of other activities were underway. Firstly, I addressed the inevitable snag list for the two new GRP gliders. Nothing major, just things to be worked through such as producing a weight and balance chart in kilograms for those members who have left the counting schemes of the last Millennium behind them.

Secondly, Scratch was rebuilding the yellow cable pull-out trailer after it sustained some damage on the potholed track recently (Ed: Yes, folks its getting near to track repair time again).

Thirdly, Phil got both winches out so that he could continue trials on the manual Supacat winch.

With that the gliders were pulled out of the hangar, inspected and taken to the launch point except the Puchacz (Ed: Miłosz told me that I have got the Polish pronunciation of the glider all wrong - Its pronounced as two syllables but the "c" is silent.  On further investigation I discovered that I have been pronouncing his name wrong as well. The Polish ł is a "w" sound. On behalf of the club Miłosz please accept our most profound apologies). 

So with this we segue into a fourthly.  Eagle-eyed Peter (Ed: Did you see what I did there with our "Eagle Owl" glider?) noticed during his daily inspection of the Puchacz that only one of the elevator trim tabs was moving.  A small team quickly identified an improbable problem. Under Colin's supervision normal operation of the trim tabs were restored and the glider was taken to the launch point. That allowed Colin to resume his work on CCY's starboard wing rectifying items identified in the annual inspection.

The maintenance team deal with an improbable problem

Fifthly, David Archer was fettling.  He was replacing the non-operational wind-powered ventilator with the latest Flettner ventilator in his new (Ed: New to him!) trailer.

The forecast was for light airs which normally means that we would fly from the east end. However, a few forecasts had the wind filling in from the east.  So reluctantly we flew from the west end and tolerated the associated slower launch rate.

First to fly was John Smith with the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine.  Mike initiated a practice launch failure. John managed it well and was cleared to fly the K-8.

Next up was our only trial flight of the day; Dane Williams who is in the process of relocating to Harrowbarrow, Cornwall from Wiltshire.  His sister had bought him the voucher as an encouragement to return to gliding. He had been a junior glider pilot many years ago (Ed: As ever adult life gets in the way of having fun).  He very much enjoyed his flights and is determined to return to the fold once he has completed his move (Ed: We look forward to seeing you back in the air soon).

Hugh and his trial flight candidate, Dane Williams, getting ready for his flight

And off they go

With that Hugh was dragged away to fly with the Duty Instructor to test the manual winch. Two aborted take offs later Phil had proved that the manual winch's fuel system needed some more work and Hugh was current on launch failure practice (Ed: I always maintain that the instructors are devious souls).

Then our only trainee of the day, David Moult, enjoyed Mike's undivided attention as David made three flights, with little input from Mike, as they enjoyed the silky smooth conditions of the day.

David Moult, almost unrecognisable with out his bright orange toweling soaring hat, shares a joke with Malcolm W-J prior to his third flight.

David Moult correctly trimmed and ready to practice his scan cycle (Ed: Ignore the confusing blue hat!)

An interesting sky

A watery winter sun in a west country sky photographed while wafting under a wall of cloud (Ed:  I know Mike didn't provide a caption for this photo but that is completely over the top)

Hugh and Peter returning in the Puchacz after a conversion flight

With that the solo pilots enjoyed flights in the K-8 (Ed: It was obviously a K-8 day as the Astir CS77 was left basking in the sunshine after the Fleet Manager had completed his snagging).  Mike Bennett, John Allan, Malcolm W-J, Martin Broadway, John Smith, and David Archer (Ed: Having completed his fettling) all tried their hand. Man of the Match was John Allan with 8 minutes.

Old and new; wood and glass

Meanwhile, Hugh was getting the Lion's share of the flying today by taking a set of three type conversion flights in the Puchacz with the Deputy CFI, Peter, finishing with a fourth flight which was an inevitable launch failure. Hugh obviously acquitted himself well as he was cleared to fly the Puchacz.

 

Phil and Hugh (hidden behind the starboard wing) manoeuvering the Puchacz around the puddles and the boggy bits at the launch point

Having made two flights in the front seat Hugh is delighted to be in the back seat

Even the Eagle Owl logo wasn't spared some mud splatter when retrieving the Puchacz back to the launch point

Mike Bennett prepares a strop with a red weak link to launch Hugh and Peter in the Puchacz

After flying David Bourchier, Mike Jardine strapped himself in the Puchacz for his conversion flights.  As they were preparing I noticed condensation forming on the wings. The air temperature was dropping as the afternoon progressed. Sure enough when they were ready to launch and closed the canopy it started misting up. So with that the day's flying ended after a modest 20 flights.

The conditions were calm (Ed: See the windsock) so what was causing this cloud formation?

Back at the apron glider wheel boxes were washed out to clear accumulated grass and mud before we packed the hangar.  We were impressed by the determination of our very own "All-Weather Biker" to get soaked while lying on the wet apron.  Hugh justified his keenness by stating that since he had the most flying today, nine flights, (Ed: That was true. The Duty Instructor had only managed a paltry six flights today) he must have produced most of the mud in the wheel boxes.

The hangar was quickly packed, members getting used to the new packing scheme.  They managed to avoid the wet paint on the tail and wing tip dollies of the Astir CS77 sat on the bench which received their first coat of red paint today (Ed: For better visibility and safety for items that must be removed before flight).

Hangar packed including the original trailer and the CFI's new tyre trailer (Just like a Betterware catalogue.  This you never knew you needed in life until you saw it in the catalogue)

With the hangar door shut, the ground equipment and flying gear put away members, dispersed into the night.

So had November redeemed itself by not being as wet as October?  We weren't convinced but will admit we did enjoy the summer's day conditions today (Ed: You mean apart from the temperature difference!).  We await the Met Office rainfall figures for the month.

As we move into December it will be colder which may help the still damp airfield. To get our pilots in to a festive mood there may be some snow too.

 

Eurasian eagle-owls are frequently at home in harsh wintry areas.  (Ed: Maybe a taste of the winter weather to come?)

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 18th November 2023

The weather leaving Plymouth was poor with low cloud drizzle/showers. At the airfield it was a little better; at least it was not raining. The runway though was too wet to fly unless some of the gliders could be fitted with floats.

There were plenty of members around to help with the work programme to reorganise the hangar, rig the new aircraft and park the new trailers.

First up K8 CDK was derigged and moved to the spray booth. K13 CCY fuselage was moved to the spray booth waiting for the completion of the C of A work to it's wings.

Next up was the rigging of the Puchacz which took a little longer than expected due to our inexperience with this glider type. We even referred to the Manual once or twice, The Puchacz was put into the hangar in position 3 but this did not look comfortable so it and a K13 were removed form the hangar and then refitted with the Puchacz in position 2 and the K13 in Position 3. Excellent.

Peter in supervisory mode
or is he making sure it doesn't blow away?

Obviously a team sport

Uncomfortable in position 3

That's better

After lunch it was the turn of the new Astir CS77. As several members have been Astir syndicate members this went together easily and it was installed in the hangar in position 5 with the remaining K8 in 4. 

A busy clubhouse

The sleek Astir CS77

All safely in the hangar

There was plenty of other work going on with Scratch working on the Jeep which has decided not to start. Colin and Adam were working on CCY's wing in the workshop.

Refreshments in the clubhouse rounded off the days events after a short meeting of the Directors.

Steve 

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 22 November 2023

The forecasts of a lowering cloud base during the day put paid to the Chief Flying Instructor's plans to convert the instructor cadre to our new two-seat trainer, the Puchacz. So he wisely cancelled that plan on Tuesday.

Still the Wednesday Wavers assembled to witness a frenzy of activity as Scratch fitted a new starter motor to the Jeep.  A simple task you might think. No, it's buried deep in the back of the engine bay.  Eventually the engine would start but frustratingly not continue to run.  After much further work this overly complex vehicle was returned to service.

The Duty Instructor arrived a little later and decided to give flying a go.  With no trainees on site a K-8 and the new Astir CS77 were inspected and taken to the west end of the airfield by a small team of Wavers. Others stayed behind as there was work to be done on ensuring the the new Puchacz could be fitted with batteries.

Mike Jardine enjoyed the novelty of taking a check flight in a K-8. A good launch saw him in amongst the broken clouds. He estimated the cloud base was at 1,200 feet.  He authorised general flying with the caveat of watching for the expected lowering of the cloud base during the day.

Weather check flight.  Can I remember how to fly this thing?

The new Astir channeling its inner KT Tunstall and Suzi Quatro with "Shine a light on me".

Things then happened quickly with John Smith taking a short flight, it started to rain, and the gliders and the field equipment were returned to the hangar and motor transport hangar respectively.  This included the newly-acquired dinky trailer to transport tyres around the site (Ed: This sounds like something out of a Betterware catalogue or Sunday newspaper supplement: Essential items that you never new you needed).

The Wednesday Wavers are a hardy lot expecting to fly in this.

A disappointing day? Not so much. The Wednesday Wavers had managed to fly on two successive Wednesdays in November. This is despite the continuing run of wet weather that seems hell bent on making November wetter than October (Ed: If that is possible. So where has Global Warming been in 2023? Not on Dartmoor that's for sure).

Meanwhile Dave Archer I had been painstakingly tracing electrical systems in the Puchacz and confirming the polarity, switchery, and other installation foibles, until we were confident enough to connect the newly-constructed battery leads to the batteries and to the glider.  After a few gremlins had been eradicated we had an LX S3 electronic variometer working in the front panel and also in the rear panel.  Then the Flarm mouse and Flarm View display were working (Ed: Note to the Fleet Manager: Find a manual for the Flarm View to find out how to brighten the display, and find a micro SD card to load the latest version of the Flarm firmware).  We also checked out the connections for the 8.33 kHz spacing radio from when it comes back from repair.

In the glider rack there was activity with Colin, ably assisted by Andy Davey and Martin Broadway, who was conducting an annual inspection and airworthiness review of their Libelle, JEU (Ed: Andy and Martin were pleased when it received a clean bill of health).

After lunch, and a repacked hangar, Dave and I could turn our attention to the battery arrangements in the Astir CS77. We were joined by John Allan. Meanwhile Mike Bennett worked on fettling the Astir's 1970's purple-dominant seat covering and ensured that it's stuck down in the right places (Ed: You could see that Mike was at home in the Astir. Apparently the garish-patterned fabric matches his curtains at home!).

We were joined by instructor Jamie Steel who came to check that Puchacz trailer was ready to go back to Les Clark and the Vale of White Horse Gliding Club on Saturday (Ed: Jamie, thanks in advance for the help). He checked that the measuring and photographing of the trailer was complete so that the DGS AMF trailer could be fitted out to accommodate the Puchacz (Ed: I hear that the AMF trailer is some 50cm shorter than the Puchacz trailer!).

The Puchacz trailer ready to return to the Vale of White Horse Gliding Club

As the Wednesday Wavers dissipated into the increasingly gloomy damp afternoon Jamie gave those remaining some useful operating tips on both the the Puchacz and the Astir CS77.  The small team of workers assisted by the inevitable observers managed to get two batteries, with two new battery leads installed, and all the instruments brought to life. Intriguingly one is a solid state artificial horizon. While we had access to the innards of the instrument panel the superfluous electronic temperature monitor was removed which was sited too close to the cable release for comfort/safety (Ed: The chances of filling the Astir's wings with water ballast, hence the need for a temperature gauge to avoid freezing flight levels, in what is now a club aircraft, operating from Dartmoor, and being winch launched, are virtually zero).

Two workers (Ed: John Allan is out of shot, kneeling by the cockpit) and two observers

With the panel shroud and canopy back in place the Astir was slid back back into the hangar, wings dried from the drizzle, and the hangar doors closed.

The final four stalwarts retired to the clubhouse for a well deserved beer, or cider, on the Fleet Manager's tab (Ed: I thought you said there was as much chance of that happening as flying the Astir with water ballast from Dartmoor?).

Roll on some better weather for Saturday and a chance to fly members of our local Scout troop (Ed: Or even fly the Puchacz or the Astir CS77. We didn't get them to act as gate guardians you know!)

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 15th November 2023

With all the other news items happening at DGS (Dartmoor Gliding Society) can the Wednesday Wavers deliver anything else. A low turn out in the brisk westerly breeze and recent unsettled weather, the duty instructor carried out an airfield inspection. The decision was for one K13 and one K8 to be readied and taken to the east end launch point.

First flight of the day saw Robin Wilson set a day winning time of 13 minutes whilst flying with Mike Jardine.

Robin ready with Mike.

Robin climbing at 2000ft,

Two further flights by the K13 deemed conditions out of limits for the K8 with the hope that the wind would abate as the day progressed.

Our first visitor arrive for duty IFP Steve Fletcher. Julie Moss arrived with her family and enjoyed three flights with Steve.

Julie all smiles with Steve.

After three previous attempts to fly with us, Mike Poustie arrived for his flight experience. Three flights saw him leave saying the wait was well worth it.

Mike receiving his certificate from Steve.

Having taken a weather check flight in the K8, Mike cleared the K8 for general flying. Phil Harwick, Joh Allan, Malcolm W-J, Colin Boyd, Hugh Gascoyne, Dave Archer and John Smith all took their turns for a circuit. Malcolm was today celebrating 60 years since he started flying gliders, but was unable to claim flight of the day.

Hugh had previously had a couple of check flights with Mike to get back up to speed after a few weeks without flying due to the weather and other commitments.

Airfield part covered by cloud shadow.

Last flight takes off.

So with a celebration of 60 years flying, the navy Puchacz on site and the imminent arrival of the Astir a good day flying was enjoyed by all at the club today.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 15 November 2023 - The Astir CS77 arrives

This is an addendum to the normal Wednesday Wavers' blog.  Richard and I went on a mission today.  It was a leisurely 1000 start from Richard's house, compared to my early morning start yesterday to collect the Puchacz. We headed to Nympsfield which is home of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Gliding Club for a 1300 rendezvous with two of the syndicate partners who were traveling from south Wales with an Astir CS77 single-seater GRP glider for us to view.

The team from Wales arrived 30 minutes early and after introductions we drove to the club's, very POSH, glider rack and rigged the Astir for inspection (Ed:  Nympsfield has a glider rack with well spaced trailer slots, some sitting on a small patio (flag stones), electrical hook ups for dehumidifiers and battery charging amongst other amenities that DGSites can but dream.  Although I didn't note a Costa Coffee outlet either in the rack or at the clubhouse so it wouldn't suit some).

Apologies for no photos of us rigging of the Astir CS77 (Ed: Did you really think they were going to take photos and risk invoking the CFI's and Safety Officer's ire for being distracted during rigging?  You have got to be joking!)

After derigging and placing the glider back in its box we retired to the clubhouse.  The cafe wasn't open but the seller had brought coffee makings with him so we enjoyed those whilst Richard and I perused the paperwork.  All was in order.  After finishing our coffees a deal was done and hands shaken.

After going back to the rack and hooking up the trailer to Richard's car I excused myself to go and shamelessly ogle the gliders that had just landed. Two Discus 2 C Turbos and one Discus 2 C FES (Ed: Front Electric Sustainer.  They were all very beautiful 18 metre ships and were a reminder to buy my Euro millions ticket this week!)

Richard had moved his car and the glider trailer out of the way of the pilots derigging. When I finished my ogling I saw that he and the sellers were busy checking their phones to see if the payment of the balance had gone from and to the respective bank accounts (Ed: This must be our first glider purchase exclusively by WhatsApp and mobile banking).

With that, after the obligatory photo call at the Nympsfield gate we were on the road.  The trailer seemed to tow well.  On the motorway Richard set the speed for 55 mph and later progressively increased the speed to find the sweet spot that proved to be just under 60 mph.

The white combo was so long I had to cross the road to take the departure shot.

So for those of you eager for a preview:

This was the advertisement on giderpilot.net that caught Richard's and my eye.

The trailer had been extensively rebuilt 10 years ago with new metal work from shoulder height down.  The floor had been 3/8" plywood but the seller wasn't happy with it and replaced it with 1/2" plywood this year and also remade the tracks, guides and fittings.  Some three month's work.  Scratch will be happy (Ed: I am sure that you can find something for him to do!).

The new floor is fitted

Trailer fittings start to go back in

The outside of the trailer was painted on the hottest day of the year (Ed: Are you sure this is Wales?)

Even the wheels look spiffy (Ed: A rarity amongst glider trailers)

The shiny bits ready to go back into the re-floored trailer (Ed: Good to see the glider still sporting the original Grob paint scheme)

The cockpit featuring the original 70s era decor (Ed: They did things differently in Germany then.  Modern safety dynafoam has been fitted underneath in lieu of the original Grob cushion material)

The pilot's view.  (Ed: The panel has been recut, rebuilt, and professionally wired up)

In its natural element

G-DDNE has taken part in competitions and many cross country flights (Ed: So who is going to fly it to North Hill for their 50 km award and part of a silver badge?)

Warning: An unattended open canopy (Ed:These three photos were not taken at Nympsfield.  So which runway/club is this?)

The glider is safely located at Brentor having positioned it next to the fence in the dark with the use of head torches. We just have to wait for the weather so we can derig a K-8, rig the Astir, and accommodate it in the hangar (Ed: You might want to fly it too!).  We also have to ensure that the Astir's battery connections are compatible with the rest of the DGS Fleet, its batteries, and the charging station.

This was second exciting step for DGS in two days (Ed: I have still got that Debbie Harry song reverberating around my head).  A big thank you to Richard for driving today.

Gavin