Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 26th October 2024

Today is the last day of British Summer Time 2024. Time goes quickly when you are having fun.

The weather forecast was suggesting clear skies, a light to moderate breeze initially from the SE veering S then SW. This would lead to a possible change of ends sometime in the afternoon. The wind actually stayed SE throughout the flying day. RASP was forecasting a little soaring in the middle of the day. 

Early on - Blue sky over the launchpoint

Another launchpoint view

2 seaters sharing a thermal - note the wispy cloud above.

With the launch point at the west end flying was soon underway. Approaches were a little bit lively at times which is usual for this wind direction. Early on soaring was challenging. At times the air seemed to be full of extremely small thermal bubbles so that better progress was made flying wings level and pulling into the lift rather than the more traditional circling technique.

K13 off into a nice loking sky

Followed by the Puchacz

K13 on approach

The thermals did eventually improve and there were even some scrappy cumulus clouds the mark their presence. By the middle of the afternoon there was even some streeting to amuse the pilots. Longest flight was Malcolm Wilton-Jones in the K8 at 1hr 5min closely followed by John Allan flying the Astir for exactly 1hr. During his flight John was spotted flying along a street over a rugby pitch in Tavistock. Honourable mentions to both Scratch and Steve who managed half hour flights while delivering their Air Experience and One Day Courses respectively.

Malcolm's view of the airfield from the east end

This photo was sent from a rugby spectator where the Astir was spotted.
I cannot find the glider in this photo though

Visitors today were Mike Peck ( One Day Course ) and Caron George,  Colin Woodgates and Joanne Schofield ( Air experience flights ). All seemed to enjoy themselves and left with smiles on their faces.

Mike Peck

Johanne Schofield

Colin Woodgates

Caron George

Often club blogs concentrate on the flying but that is just the cream on the top of the activities. We could not fly without all the support given by the club members who are not flying. The winch drivers need a special mention today having coped with the crosswind throughout the whole day. The other sincere thankyou must go to Alison and Nicky, the mothers of two of our junior members. They drove the retrieve the whole day between them.

It was dark by the time the hangar was repacked.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 23rd October 2024

As the seasons change from summer to autumn, my mind turned to John Keats (1795 –1821) and his poem "To Autumn".

 "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,   Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;"

Which summed up the weather this morning as I drove from Cornwall to Devon after taking a diversion to avoid the broken down school bus at the exit of my village. On the vantage point of the A390 at St. Ann's Chapel I was greeted by a watery sun peeping through the mist on the higher ground whilst the Tamar Valley was shrouded in cloud.  Skysight 's forecast predicted a low cloud base all day, too low for flying, so I was surprised to see the winch out of the hangar ready to be deployed to the east end when I arrived.

However, despite the keenness of the Wednesday Wavers the gliders remained in the hangar as the two flight instructors inspected the field and ruminated on the weather.  It was just us today, as strangely there were no visitor flights booked, so there were no phone calls to the clubhouse to field.

It's school half-term, so we were joined by Juniors Matthew and his younger brother Hugo who were eager to fly.  In the clubhouse, I filed the paperwork documenting the recent fitting of new brake shoes to K-13s FSD and FGR.  I also unpacked a parcel from Navboys which contained the components needed to improve the FLARM installation and display in the Puchacz.  Basically, we will match the installation of the other club gliders by mounting a simple FLARM LED displays for both the front and rear pilots.

A FLARM LED display

Over teas a discussion on FLARM started, and it was clear that whilst we waited for the weather it was an appropriate time to deliver the FLARM lecture.  Afterwards Mike Jardine asked me to brief on the RASP forecast which can be summed up by "the temperature difference of 2C between the air temperature and the dew point indicates that cloud base would initially be 400 feet above the airfield rising to 800 feet by mid-afternoon".  Prophetic words, but they didn't deter the Wednesday Wavers for trying.

Gavin delivers a lecture on FLARM and how to use it effectively

Stripped, battered, and bruised DMX's fuselage ready for is final flight to the scrapyard

We weren't ready to fly, so the fuselage of DMX was removed from the twin-axle AMF trailer, which was fortuitously parked alongside the clubhouse.  Almost all useful items had previously been removed, but the skid needed to come off.  A few other items, such as cable release balls, were carefully removed.  The fuselage was then taken to behind the trailer park ready for cutting up and its final disposal.  The CAA will be informed that DMX has been scrapped, and the glider will be deregistered.  The tailplane and wings have been retained as spares.

Mike and Hugh rig their Club Libelle while Phil offers sage advice

Then the starting flag was dropped by the Duty Instructor. We got the gliders out of the hangar and deployed them to the west end to accommodate the southerly, backing south-easterly, wind. The winch was set up at the east end.

John Smith conducts a Daily Inspection on an autumnal looking K-8

While the daily inspections were underway, Colin arrived and continued work on the repair to Sean Westrope's Port wing, just forward of the air brake box.  He is at the stage of applying fine surface filler prior to applying fabric.

Colin continues the repairs of Sean Westrope's K-6e wing

As there were still projects continuing in the hangar and clubhouse, a skeleton crew (are we getting near Halloween?) launched Geoff and Mike for a weather check.  After a circuit, they landed and the Duty Instructor stated that the cloud base was not high enough to operate, so the Wavers returned to the clubhouse for an early lunch.  The weather confirmed the decision by starting to drizzle, followed by light rain and then rain.

Wisely, no member got between the Duty Instructor and his (late) lunch

As we enjoyed an early lunch (which was a late lunch by the Duty Instructor's standards) I set up the projector and afterwards we enjoyed some training videos by Mike Fox (The former BGA training standards manager).  We watched a demonstration on maintaining the correct separation in thermals, then spin avoidance including why not to over-rudder the final turn to the airfield, and a general gliding video.

After lunch, it was still inclement, and so the decision was taken to pack up and put the toys away.  Meanwhile, the simulator was being worked on by John Allan as part of the improvement project.  Before that could happen, the operation of all the controls needed to be checked.

The controls of the simulator get some attention

Following on from the early FLARM discussion, Hugh registered his FLARM ID on Flarm.net and the Open Gliding Network.  Later, David registered his K-6.  This will allow their registrations, G-DDVM and G-DHEB, respectively, to be displayed on aviation Apps such as Guide and Seek, and Flight Radar 24.

Chairman, Steve Lewis, and John Allan discuss plans for the simulator refurbishment

After the simulator work, Steve and John engaged in deep discussions on what we really wanted, or needed, from the Solar set in the clubhouse.

With the gliders still wet the Duty Instructor called it a day and so we packed away the toys.

The gliders return ready for hangar packing

Although not brought to the launch point, the Puchacz need to be put back in position in hangar following investigations into battery connections and their security.

Dave Bourchier hard at work inspecting and improving the glider battery connectors.
"I love the smell of solder in the morning!"

Hangar packing can commence following checking and testing of the battery
connections in the Puchacz. 
 Note that Colin is still working on Sean's wing.

After the closing the hangar doors, members derigged privateer DVM under a glorious sky

Today, we didn't match Saturday's launch total of 50 flights but, we went through the motions; got all the kit out, flew a test flight, and put it all back again.  The Wednesday Wavers shouldn't be disappointed a lot of work was completed, or progressed, on tasks around the site that will pay dividends on a flying day.

 

With that, I'll let Keats finish off today's blog:

 

"While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, and touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;""

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 19th October 2024

Today was literally the calm before the storm. The first named storm of the season ( Storm Adrian ) is due to arrive overnight tonight into Sunday morning. The winds were light westerly. Initially there was low orographic cloud everywhere and the atmosphere was very moist so early on canopy misting might well be a problem. RASP was giving a little hint of possible thermal activity later in the day.

A shower cloud in the distance early on.

Waiting for the orographic cloud to clear

Still waiting

The clubhouse was being used for Bronze "C" exams so the briefings were completed outside the clubhouse on the patio area. Some kind person had even provided a laptop outside to drive the briefings graphics.

Initially we fielded the Puchacz, K13 FSD, a K8 and the Astir. K13 FGR joined us a little later after Adam had installed it's new brake linings.

Once the cloudbase had risen to a sensible height it was on with the day's flying list. Early training flights were supervised by Mike Jardine while CFI Rick adjudicated the exams. I am pleased to say that the 4 Bronze candidates all passed with flying colours ( pun intended ). See our seperate blog here

We welcomed 2 One Day Course Candidates, Rob Butler and Michael Hallahan. Both enjoyed a little soaring and the chance to try out our sport.

Michael receiving his certificate

Rob getting ready to fly

The cloud cover came and went throughout the day. Several showers passed by but the airfield remained dry. From time to time a passing cloud would offer a little thermal action up to the dizzying 2000ft cloudbase. Because the thermals tended to be solitary things with the next one out of gliding range the flights tended to be similar in times. Andy Davey ( Astir ) was the longest at 37 mins closely followed by flights of 34 mins ( K13 ) and 32 (K8). There was also a further handful of flights in the 20 to 30 min range.

4knots up at 1100 ft just off the wire

There was lots of training going on with the 2 seaters kept busy. It is interesting to see the progress that everyone is making. The last flight landed at 6pm after we had completed a total of 50 flights.

Elliot getting ready to aviate

Trainee pilot, Valerie, ready to launch and...

.... off she goes

Not all the training was going in the air, The winch was also a training ground today. I was particularly interested to see Elliot's dad doing winch training. Well done and thankyou.

Informal training as John explains flight planning software to Zack 

At 6pm the committee commenced their routine meeting discussing all the new potential projects.

A great club day

Steve 

Dartmoor Gliding News - 19th October 2024 - Bronze medals all round

As an adjunct to flying on Saturday the clubhouse had been prepared by the CFI for another activity.  Access was limited to the back door only so that teas could be made whilst the normal preparations and morning flight briefings happened outside.

The reason?  Four of our members were sitting the Bronze Theory exam today.  After months of study, lectures, videos, and practice papers they were ready.  It's a multiple choice paper so it would seem straightforward.  Not really.

Ten sections, each with 12 questions, on: Air Law; Human Performance; Meteorology, Communications; Principles of Flight; Operational Procedures; Flight Performance and Planning; Aircraft General Knowledge; Navigation Part One; and Navigation Part Two.

Rick, the CFI, must been keen for them to do well as he made teas for the candidates as they settled down to start their papers.

After two hours the unfolding and folding of charts, use of rules, wielding of marker pens, and trips to look at the the chart pinned on the clubhouse wall (to carefully study the chart's legend) indicated that the candidates were on the last section; Navigation Part Two.

After handing in the papers there was a chance for some fresh air in the sunshine whilst Rick marked the papers.  Then the candidates were called in individually for a debrief and a talk through the questions where they had got the answers wrong.

Alastair, who as an early solo pilot was sitting the bronze for the first time, achieved the required 75% pass mark.  Congratulations.  It's an important step in his progress to getting a Sailplane Pilot Licence (SPL) and to become a licensed pilot.

The other three candidates, Scratch, Phil, and Gavin were sitting the paper again, after many years since taking their last one. This was to establish the level of their knowledge prior to starting the training to become a Flight Instructor (Sailplane), FI (S), or Assistant Category Instructor in old speak.  This was a little more challenging as the pass mark is increased to 80%, but even more challenging that the 80% pass mark had to be achieved in each of the ten sections, so there was not much room for error or silly mistakes!

The good news is that all three achieved the requirement and passed.  Then it was a matter of Rick and the candidates signing the respective page in their BGA Assistant Instructor Course Programmes and to look forward to starting Part 1 training.  A Part 1 course is scheduled to take place at our sister club, Devon and Somerset Gliding Club (DSGC), at North Hill this autumn and winter.  DGS is providing three candidates and DSGC is providing four candidates.  Extensive use is planned of DSGC's much improved simulator, their motor glider, as well as their gliders when the weather allows.

The successful four (shortly after the exam Phil had to leave early for grandchildren duties)

With that it was time to get back to the normal day's flying on an October day that was shaping up in quite a promising fashion.

I look forward to reporting on the progress of other DGS members who are studying for the Bronze Theory exam.  To paraphrase our very own media star Val Keily "If we can do it, then you can too!"

Congratulations all. 

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 12th October 2024

We were in a quiet gap in the weather in between frontal systems. Forecast winds light westerly going NW later. Cloud base would be high enough for full height launches. So a training day really.

Low clouds over Cox Tor.

Didn't look much better towards the church.

CFI Rick was on duty today and he made progress good progress with his "Saturday Gang" of Elliot, Jamie, Zack and Victor. 

Visitors today were Michael Webber ( One Day Course ) and Barry Harding, Isabella Hall, Johnathon Glanville (Air Experience Flights .

One Day Course candidate Michael

Isabella

Barry

Jonathan

Most flights were circuits today but occasionally a weak thermal would extend the odd flight. These flights were of the order of 17 / 18 minutes with the longest of the day being John Allan in the K8 stretching it out to 22 minutes.

The Puchacz takes off

Towards the end of the day two of our junior's accompanying parents were given flights to help them understand what all the fuss is about.

Zack with mum Nicky 

James ( Elliots dad ) flew with Rick

A good training day.

Steve 

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 13th October 2024

Looking out of the window when I woke up I could instantly see the weather wasn’t following the met office sunny forecast. Although overcast, the cloud base was high so an optimistic crew arrived at the airfield. The RASP turned out to be correct with no real chance of meaningful lift under an overcast sky. Our regular Sunday Duty Instructor Peter Howarth was unavailable today, visiting yet more of Plymouth's restaurants, did someone mention there was a rumour of a food blog?

Mike Jardine stepped in to cover and I was the duty IFP. Mike had 6 members requiring instruction, and I had 3 trial flights to deliver.

It was just 4 degrees C with a little wind chill as well but as the day wore on and the wind picked up it just got colder.

Mike and David DI FGR. Lovely sky captured by Ed Borlase.

John Osment was the star of the day, after being put through his paces by Mike he re-solo’d after a 25 year break, well done John. With so few ‘old hands’ on the field the newer members were in at the deep end running the field which they did perfectly. A big thank you to Sean Westrope and Ed Borlase for each doing 4 hours in the winch.  It was great to see Ray Boundy back at the field and helping out and a big thank you to George Purkiss for driving the retrieve and helping out. The conditions were never going to be great for soaring but they were benign, so good for training.

John demonstrating that the magic touch hasn’t left him.

John clearly looking forward to his solo flight.

John off for his first solo after a 25 year gap.

And off he goes with a wave of the hand!

John still smiling for the rest of the day.

Geoff Cooper, David Osment, Julia Old, Freddie Purkiss and Darren Clark all flew with Mike and made good progress.

Ed chose to fly the K8 and Sean the Astir to keep current. Julia Old managed the longest flight of 12 minutes.

My first trial flight visitor was Annie Howes. I think she enjoyed it judging by the number of times she said amazing and thank you.

Annie Howes ready to be amazed.

My second trial flight was with 13 year old Oscar Ferris who with his brother, had never flown before. Whilst a little nervous at first there were lots of ‘wows’ and smiles in the air.

Oscar being briefed by Steve.

My last Trial flight was 11 year old Seb Ferris, who nervous at first, throughly enjoyed the experience of flying and was still smiling when he left the airfield.

Seb and Steve waiting to launch.

A grey sky, but at least we flew.

28 flights in all on a very cold October day.

 

Thanks to everyone for turning up and thanks to Mike, Ed and David for the pictures.

Steve Fletcher