Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 28th April 2024

A forecast for a light/moderate breeze from the west, no rain and thermic conditions improving through the day things looked good for a enjoyable day flying. The unfortunate cancellation of the Women Go Gliding weekend caused a relatively low turn out of experienced members. But we did have five trainees on the field to continue their training.

First to fly with me was Sean Westrope. A good circuit and practice launch failure saw him cleared for a couple of solo flights in the K13. Hopefully more to follow on his route to conversion to the K8.

A happy Sean ready for another solo flight.

Sean's first re-solo was delayed by an un-forecasted hail shower. This delayed flying for about an hour.

Ed caught in the hail shower.

After Sean had completed his flights, Toby Irons was next to fly with me. We looked at the zig-zag circuit to improve judgement and also stall speed increasing with g. The judgement came in handy late in the day on a hangar flight when we got low in circuit and had to do a much modified circuit. Well done Toby.

Another training flight launches.

We were joined today by holiday makers who came in to see what we were up to. Due to the previously mentioned cancellation, we were able to fit them in for a couple of flights each. Joanne Marshall and Alex Apps who are engaged and down this way enjoying some cycling in the area. Duty BI obliged with a couple of flights each in the Puchacz.

Joanne and Alex receiving their certificates.

Training continued with both David Moorley and Val Kiely both flying with me. David making steady progress with approaches and landings. Val was getting back into the swing of things after the long period of bad weather.

Val happy to be back in the front seat.

New member Viktor Skochko also joined the Sunday Soarers and had three flights in the Puchacz to progress his general handling skills.

Viktor waiting for his instructor.

Our solo pilots enjoyed some good flying. Steve Fletcher had a couple of circuits in the Open Cirrus. Ed Borlase after a long stint on the winch had a couple of solos in the K13. The second included a climb to 5016ft which should enable him to finally claim his silver height.

Ed's view of the expanse of Dartmoor.

John Allen had a flight in his Mini Nimbus visiting Roadford, Launceston, Plymouth and Meldon to claim flight of the day with 2 hour 27 minutes.

John's view of Plymouth.

The local Councillor for Mary Tavy, Robert Oxborough came on a pre-arranged visit to see what we do with possible support for some grant applications. Steve Fletcher took the opportunity to take him for a flight.

Robert and Steve getting ready.

Toby's mum Sarah was also treated to a flight and experienced what her son so enjoys.

Sarah being shown around the glider by Val.

Thank you to all at the club today. Some good personal achievements and some good flying enjoyed by all.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 27th April 2024

Today was meant to be the first day of the "Women Go Gliding" weekend which is a national BGA initiative.  The weather (Ed: Of course!) had other ideas with a band of rain forecast to cover a large part of UK from the south west to the north east.  Detail from the Met Office about the weekend had been very limited throughout the week.  What the forecasters could agree on that there would be heavy showers across the country.  With a heavy heart and much analysis of many different weather forecasts our event organisers made the difficult decision and postponed the event to the weekend of 8/9th June.

Second guessing the weather in UK can be a thankless task.  When I arrived at the club it looked OK but the northerly wind was bitingly cold.  When Malcolm arrived he reported that Bodmin Moor was "socked in" with cloud and it was raining heavily.  During the day we received reports of heavy downpours in St.Austell, Launceston, and Okehampton.  Glide and Seek showed no glider activity at our sister club, Devon and Somerset GC, at North Hill (Ed: Subsequently we found out that they didn't even open the hangar doors as the airfield was enveloped in cloud).

Perversely for, and to taunt, our event decision makers it didn't rain, apart from a few "spits and spots", at Brentor today.  However, at times the air was turbulent and unforgiving.  So in retrospect the right decision had been made as it definitely wasn't a good day to showcase our sport.

None of the above stopped the Chief Flying Instructor in his plans to get the best out of a mediocre day by utilising the small numbers of members on site.  With that the GRP gliders (Puchacz and Astir CS77) were taken to the launch point at the west end. The wooden gliders were left behind (Ed: This is a DGS first).  After a weather check by Rick I was up in the Puchacz for Basic Instructor re-validation checks; three flights to cover the effects of the elevator, the ailerons and the rudder as Rick plays "Bloggs".  Of course it never runs like that with the order being juggled and an awkward height launch failure engineered on the second launch.  Success!  I got his signature in my log book and I am cleared to fly visitors, in both the Puchacz and the K-13s, for another year.  These sessions may appear to be formulaic but the observations and tips from the CFI during the three short flights are invaluable to finesse one's flying.

The view to the East with a training glider returning to the launch point

Then it was Viktor's turn to fly with Rick to progress his training (Ed: I think Victor really likes the Puchacz).

Trainee Viktor conducts his pre-flight walk around observed closely by the CFI

Club members made use of the Astir CS77 to practice circuits.  Little lift was to be found.

Scratch readies the Astir CS77 for flight (Ed: While Mike gets the butties in!)

K-13 FSD near the hangar apron

Another lonely wooden glider languishing at the hangar apron rather than the launch point

To maximize the usage of the aircraft we had at the launch point I flew with Malcolm in the Puchacz.  I managed to climb to 1,500 feet QFE and then Malcolm climbed a further 100 feet.  I was sorely disappointed that the "Liftmeister" could not find lift and show me how it should be done  (Ed: So much of a learning exercise for you).  We struggled for 36 minutes before returning to earth.  We were often taunted by Scratch flying about 500 feet above us.  He too seemed to be struggling to find usable lift which he confirmed after his flight.  John Allen and I managed a tawdry nine minutes and that was all the soaring to be had today.  In addition, considering it was the end of April there was very little sunshine to take the edge of the biting north wind.

K-13, FGR in the hangar after adjustment of the air brakes by the maintenance team.  Now ready to return to service (Ed: I am sure you know that the air brakes are unlocked in the picture).

In the club house David Archer "fettles" his instrument panel  (Ed: Dave it is possible to fly a glider with very little instrumentation at all!)

Apparently the work required much concentration as it took two attempts for him to look up. 

At the end of the day the Supacat winch is brought back to the Motor Transport hangar (Ed:  You still haven't mastered reversing the tractor with the winch on the back have you?)

The hangar packing team in action.  K-13 and a Puchacz so far. Next another K-13 please.

So we didn't get to run the first day of the "Women Go Gliding" weekend today. With a minimum crew, and only our two GRP gliders ranged at the launch point, what did we achieve?  In 17 flights we managed a Basic Instructor re-validation, continued with Viktor's training, and acquainted two more members with the Puchacz.  Scratch, Mike, Rick and John flew the Astir CS77 with Scratch gaining the "Man of the match" with a flight of one hour nine minutes.   Not, of course, forgetting the maintenance team who brought FGR back on line and Dave who continued to fettle his much beloved Ka6-CR, G-DHEB (Ed: If you were going to make a scurrilous comment at this juncture.  Don't!).

Gavin  Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 24th April 2024

This was the third consecutive flying day at DGS this year where we flew.  Are things returning to normal?  A light northerly was forecast (Ed: It was cold in the wind) with the day becoming thermic, some blasts of sunshine, but mostly cloudy.  Plenty of members were ready for refreshers, conversions to glass, and continuing to make solo progress.

In the hangar today there was plenty of activity too in preparing the third two-seater ready for the "Women Go Gliding" event that we are hosting this weekend (Ed: If the Met Office forecasts will let us!)  This involved turning the fuselage of FGR the right way up after its new skirt was fitted.  A refurnished release hook replaced the existing one (Ed: these are periodically changed as part of routine maintenance and sent back to TOST in Germany for overhaul).  Later in the day a call for hands allowed the glider to be rigged and CCY derigged to make space in the hangar (Ed:  Whose idea was it to have four two-seaters in our inventory - a bigger hangar anyone?)

An initial check flight was the order of the day for Hugh Gascoyne.  David Moorley started his training with Duty Instructor Mike Jardine.  Steve Fletcher flew the Puchacz with Phil Hardwick before Phil got his Twin Astir out of the T-hangar.  Meanwhile Peter Howarth held the K-8 aloft for 25 minutes.

Peter's view of the airfield and Blackdown Moor

The Peter grabs a hasty snap of the Twin Astir (Phil and Robin) passing underneath him

Inspired by Peter's flight John Allan flew in his Mini-Nimbus for 55 minutes. After David Moorley had racked up a total of six flights with the Duty Instructor it was time for Alasdair to fly in GDK.  Then, after a bit of instructor re-validation in the Puchacz for Mike (Ed: I think that's whom was evaluating whom!), Peter turned his attention to John Smith who wished to make some conversion flights in the Puchacz

We were visited by recent DSGC (Ed: North Hill) member Andy, who hails from Lydford.  He wanted to explore our set up and he was interested in flying with us under the reciprocal club scheme (Ed: Andy you are most welcome. We look forward to seeing you again soon).

John Smith prepares for some conversion flights in the Puchacz

Wings level

Airborne

And up he goes

When John Smith finished sampling the delights of the Puchacz Steve Fletcher and David Archer took some solo flights before Dave tried the Puchacz.

David Archer gets acquainted with Puchacz while Duty Instructor Mike enjoys the fleeting sunshine

Hugh Gascoyne prepares to take David Moult aloft as part of his rehabilitation programme

Alasdair relaxes before his second launch in K-8, GDK (Ed: Another solo flight for his log book)

John Allan's Mini-Nimbus contemplates the darkening sky (Ed: What's wrong with this picture? Answers on a post card to the CFI, please)

I came up to the launch point after finishing in the hangar to find that we were on the countdown to the end of the day.  The Puchacz and K-13, FSD, had both been launched for hangar landings. The final cables had arrived and been allocated for the K-8 and the Mini-Nimbus.  All I had to do was watch the last launches of the day then FSD landed....at the launch point.  Hugh had misunderstood the plan so another cable was summoned from the winch.  Hugh, keen to get his hours up and practice from the rear seat needed some front ballast.  So I enjoyed the unusual experience of being a non-handling pilot in the front seat of a K-13.

What of John Allan on the last flight of the day?

He reports "I tucked in under a nice dark black cloud street to Burrator and back at around 3000ft. These photos were taken at 1740hrs."  John landed shortly after this having had 1 hour and 4 minutes aloft thereby taking "Man of the match".

John making good progress under the street towards Tavistock on his homeward leg

John returning to Tavistock after visiting Burrator (Ed: Note 3 knots of climb at 1742.  The days are getting longer)

After a certain amount of hangar juggling all the gliders, including CCY's fuselage and wings, were tucked up safely which allowed the CFI and Flight Instructors to discuss membership issues with David Moult who had submitted a paper on the subject following a survey of our members.

David "Hipster" Moult reflects on his enjoyable return to gliding

This was a Wednesday where we flew some 30 launches.  Normality is almost restored to DGS.  Duty Instructor Mike "Noah" Jardine must be losing his touch and the days are turning to dryness as opposed to wetness (Ed: Hurrah).

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 20th April 2024

The forecast for today looked great. No rain, wind light(ish) from the east going around via north to eventually settle to the west. This would mean a change of ends but in the event the westerlies did not arrive while we were flying so flying was from the west end all day. RASP was very encouraging. The only possible downside was that the day was almost certainly going to remain blue; ie no cumulus to mark the thermals.

Blue sky to the NW

The view to the east from the launchpoint

We had 4 visitors today. Phil Proyer, Julie Nottig, Don Gillbarty, and Judith Starks all of whom had soaring flights with our assembled instructors,

Judith and Scratch flew in the Puchacz

Don flew with me in CCY

Julie flew with Rick in CCY

Right from the off it was bouyant. It was the usual scratch away from low down with thermals steadily getting bigger and stronger the higher you went, with 6 knot+ climbs available to about 4000ft QFE (4800ft above sea level). The solo pilots made good use of the conditions with lots of soaring flights best of which was John Allan 3 hours 52 minutes in his Mini Nimbus. Other notable flight were Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus) 1:39, Malcolm Wilton-Jones flying the clubs Astir CS77 2:17 and Adam Hoskin in his bright yellow K6 1:33.

Rick's view of Tavistock from 4000ft QFE

Back seat view from the Puchacz still climbing at 4000ft

John's view of Burrator Resevoir and ...

... his view of the NW corner of Dartmoor

Adam took this view of the Tamar Estuary and Plymouth

Elsewhere the refurbishment of FGR's undercarriage moved on with just the new vinyl skirt to refit. FSD had it's new hook fitted and was rigged and taped ready for a test flight and to rejoin the fleet.

The day finished with the committee holding their routine meeting.

A great day

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 14th April 2024

At last another Sunday when flying could be done at Brentor. With a light wind straight down the strip the Puchacz, a K13 and a K8 were readied and towed to the east end launch point. Early flights would be check flights for those that needed followed by training flights.

First flight was Steve Fletcher with me for a re-acquaint of the Puchacz ready for our visitors during the day.

Steve brings the Puchacz smoothly down.

Next to fly with me Adam Hoskin who after a quick launch failure and circuit was cleared to fly solo again. Adam was followed by Ed Borlase who was also cleared after a short soaring flight and launch failure.

Ed's view of the Puchacz sharing a thermal.

The Puchacz view of the K13.

Our first visitor arrived. Steve's neighbour John Siewruk was flown by Steve and enjoyed a 33 minute soaring flight.

John enjoying silent flight.

John receiving his certificate.

Close on John's heels was our next visitor Simon Grainger. Simon came from Copplestone near Exeter to enjoy 2 flights with Steve. The second was a 28 minute soaring flight.

Simon and Steve ready to go.

My next trainee was Sean Westrope. With only one flight in the last 6 months Sean needed to brush off the cobwebs and get back into the swing of things. His first flight was a wake up call. A cable break at 500ft which was well handled in accordance with his eventualities. After a few name calls he realised it was actually a real break and nothing to do with me. Further flights including another real break and a hangar fight at the end of the day should see him back solo on the next flying day.

Sean being launched by enthusiastic junior Toby.

Last trainee for the day was Toby Irons. With his last flights three weeks ago, today was used to refine and polish his launches, circuits and landings. Two complete flights with little prompting sees him well on his way through his training.

Solo pilots Adam Hoskin, Ed Borlase and John Allan all enjoyed flights in the K8. They were also joined by Gavin Short who came to the launch point for a couple of flights after working in the hangar with Colin Boyd.

John's view of Tavistock.

John claimed flight of the day with 44 minutes. Thank you to all at the club today. A successful day getting back into the air with some soaring added in as well.

Peter Howarth