Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 31st August 2024. DSGC Expedition Day 2

The forecast was for winds from the east. The soundings suggested some wave was possible but there was an abrupt change of wind direction above 5,000ft which might upset the wave formation.

At this time of the year these conditions can be troublesome. The wave breaks up the thermals and the thermals break up the wave. One way to avoid the worst of this is to launch early and escape into the higher wave before the thermals have started. Two pilots decided that this was the way to go today. Andy Davey ( Libelle) and John Allan ( Mini Nimbus ) launched at 8.32 and 8.40 and disappeared into the 5,000ft wave system for 4hrs 10min and 4hrs 38mins, very enterprising.

John had this to say about the flight:

Andy launched first at 0830hrs, and I followed 9 minutes later.  It was quite a bumpy launch, and near the top the weak link broke, but I had the cloud base at eye level.  Wheel up, and flaps set for an efficient fast glide straight under the wave cloud, went quickly through heavy sink, then hit the wave lift and went up at 4-6knots.  Unusually the wave was extremely bumpy and turbulent, and I only occasionally came across areas of weak wave that were smooth as silk, further upwind of the primary wave.

I had a great time travelling back and forth playing with the clouds, between Yelverton and Sourton Cross, near Okehampton.  Later around 1300hrs the wave system gradually collapsed and turned into a thermal day, so I was able to find a nice climb whilst waiting for a convenient time to land after both winch cables had been used.

The wave clouds approaching the airfield

Strange wispy bits breaking off the clouds

Definitely not smooth looking wave clouds 

This looks more wave like

As does this

The Libelle flying away along the wave bar

The Libelle flying underneath

Back on the airfield it was business as usual with the club fielding two K13s and the Astir. Our visitors, Devon and Somerset Gliding Club, fielded their K21.  The Twin Astir also made an appearance.

After the morning briefings the day became a busy with various training flights from both clubs.  Add to this the two One Day Course candidates Stephanie Crosse and Jason Davies and the launch point was a busy place. Many flights were soaring in either thermal or wave ( or both ).

The Devon and Somerset K21

Stephanie with Scratch

Jason waits for his instructor

K13 returning again

By the end of the day we had completed a total of 43 flights. A creditable number whilst flying from the west end where ever landing aircraft delays the launch.  Many thanks to all those who helped to make this happen.

Was this the end of the day? No, after flying it was time for the end of summer BBQ organised once again by Mike Bennett.  A very superb evening with great food and good friends.  What could be better?

 

A great day.

Steve