Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 19 May 2024

Some of our more chronologically astute readers will have noticed that the normal weekend blogs from last weekend were missing.  With two DGS bloggers, who can publish, on the Aston Down expedition that left our third publisher at home.  Unfortunately, our Chairman was seriously disposed (Ed: Get well soon Steve. We hope that you can be discharged from Derriford Hospital soon).  So here is the tale of the Sunday Soarers, who didn't venture north to Aston Down.

Gavin Short

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The day's RASP forecast indicated north easterly winds, cloud base up to 4,000 feet and a four-star rating for soaring.  Things were in place for a good day's flying.

With the Aston Down expedition setting off from DGS today, the first task was to get the two K-13s out and the K-8 for the day's flying, in which we were helped by the Expedites before they set off north.  Unfortunately, there wasn't the time or manpower to allow us to derig the Puchccz two-seat trainer to allow Colin, our BGA inspector, to investigate the air brake circuit.  That would have to wait for the Wednesday Wavers later in the week.

But there was a small team ready and able to look after the three trial flights today and the three trainees.

With David Moult looking after the flying log, solo pilots John Smith, Malcolm Wilton-Jones, and Ed Borlase took turns on the winch, launching gliders, and flying the K8, GDK (Ed: Sounds a perfect symmetry - Well done).

Steve Fletcher, as the Duty Introductory Flight Pilot, was busy with his visitors, the first being Stephen Crosher.

Stephen Crosher, all smiles, before being taken aloft by the duty IFP, Steve Fletcher

The initial conditions were variable, with some rotor as wave was evident, and thermals in the morning which extended to 2,500 feet AGL.

Mike Jardine's back seat view of the runway

After a few thermals, Mike's view from a higher vantage point

Steve Fletcher remarked:

"Although a small group, we worked well as a team. I flew three trial flight passengers and made a friends and family flight".

As the day progressed, the lift steadily improved, with pilots reporting strong thermals and at one point wave over the airfield.  Flights were made up to 5,000 feet AGL and there were lots of smiling pilots to attest to their exploits. 

Jamie Young, our newest junior member, and junior Toby Irons flew with Mike achieving some great progress in their training.  David Moult flew after a long lay-off and Elliot Vorster returned for another flight. 

David Moult returns to flying status (Ed: Who could have forgotten his distinctive headgear?) with junior Jamie Young ready to hook the cable on.

The day's conditions improved and, if you could find the thermals, some good soaring flights were achieved.  By late afternoon, a training flight with Toby Irons saw 10 knots, yes 10 knots, on the vario which enabled him to soar to 5,100 feet.

Toby Irons climbing through 2,600 feet AGL in strong lift

Those instructor views are getting higher

And at 5,000 feet AGL (Ed: Congratulations Toby. If you can do it again soon without the "talking ballast" in the back, you will have gained your Silver Height award)

And what of our established members?  John Smith, Malcolm Wilton-Jones, and Ed Borlase continued to take it in turns throughout the day to make good flights in the K8, GDK.

In summary, it was a fantastic day, albeit quite hot, and a good day's flying was had by all; everyone was able to fly and were able to take advantage of the good conditions. 

"Man of the Match" today goes not to the member making the longest flight today, but to Toby Irons for the greatest height gain (Ed: I estimate he achieved a height gain of almost 4,000 feet) and of course catching the strongest thermal of the day.

(Ed: To put Toby's achievement into context. Typically, a man can run at 13 kph, which is 7 knots. So Toby was climbing vertically in the K-13, with two pilots, one and a half times faster than a man can run!  Mother nature is truly amazing).

Thanks for everyone’s contribution today.

Steve Fletcher and Mike Jardine (with Gavin Short as the sub-editor!)