Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 11 June 2025

A very pleasant day was forecast for the Wednesday Wavers.  Easterly or south-easterly wind, depending on who you believe, increasing in strength throughout the day and warm air temperature.  The Skew T forecast didn't predict wave though.  All the firing ranges were active, so we would be staying west of the A386 and not exploring the moor today.  That shouldn't be a problem as the thermals were expected to be fairly weak. The RASP forecast barely mustered one star.

As the Daily Inspections were being conducted, I did my bit for nature in trying to turn our new big earth berm into something more attractive.

Me atop the berm, scattering wildflower seeds.  Let's see what happens in three weeks.

We would be operating at the west end, so one K-13, CCY, the Puchacz, a K-8, GDK, and the Astir CS 77 were fielded.

But first, during the Daily Inspections, it was time to get busy with the Henry and hoover the glider cockpits.  In addition, John Smith did an outstanding job cleaning the Astir CS77 top to bottom, including the canopy.  Robin did a lovely job on the Puchacz too.  The fleet has to look its best for the forthcoming BGA Quality Assurance audit on Friday, 13 June.  Suspicious of the date, moi?  Non!

David Osment gets ready to fly with Mike Jardine, the Duty Instructor

Summer must be coming as most of the Wavers were in T-shirt attire despite the wind.

David was first in the air today with a 12 and then a 25-minute soaring flight

John Smith took the Astir CS77 up for 18 minutes. The conditions were surprisingly soarable.  Was RASP being pessimistic?

Gliders at the ready viewed from the west

Peter's view in the K-8 while soaring to crank the flight time up to 26 minutes.

The Twin Astir syndicate, Phil and Robin, decided to have a go for all of a five-minute circuit.  Then the two Mikes (Jardine and Bennett) went up for an extended circuit.  Was the sky cycling?  To prove the sky watchers wrong, visiting instructor, and DCFI at Seahawk Gliding Club (at RNAS Culdrose), Steve Moore took the Astir CS77 up for 14 minutes.  Determined Phil and Robin went up again and soared for 32 minutes.  The record so far.

The Twin Astir viewed from the K13, looking for thermals

Then it was Raymond Staines's turn to soar for 27 minutes in CCY.  Mike reported that the new TOST hook in CCY, fitted on a very rainy Saturday last, enabled launch heights of 1,400 to 1,500 feet.  For most of the day, this was the height of the cloud base.

Ray goes through his pre-flight checks while a remarkably relaxed Duty Instructor looks on

We had one visitor today, Ian Warren, who came with a two-flight voucher.  IFP, Steve Fletcher delivered two extended circuits.  Unfortunately, Ian had to leave the field promptly on completion as his partner and their dog were waiting for him in the car park.  Ian, I hope you enjoyed your flights.

Mike Jardine stepped up Ray's game and subjected him to a brace of simulated launch failures.  Mike then stepped out of the rear seat and spoke those long-awaited words, "Ray, would you like to try that again, on your own?"  So he did.

It appears that the Saturday and Sunday Duty Instructors have been having a little competition to see how many juniors they can send solo.  So Mike decided to get in on the act and send our Wednesday Waver junior, Raymond Staines, solo.  Ray returned to Earth after an extended circuit after Dave Archer led the way for a circuit in the K-8.  Congratulations, Ray.  Welcome back to the fold.

Raymond about to try that again on his own!

Meanwhile, Malcolm had clocked up three flights in the Twin Astir and enjoyed a soaring flight.  Then it was Neal's term, after several weeks of layoff, for a set of three flights.  Scratch returned from the east end, having worked on replacing a guide wheel on the tractor's grass-cutting deck.  His efforts were rewarded with a 24-minute flight in the Astir CS77.

Neal back in the seat to practice circuits

Regrettably, I spent most of the time in the clubhouse poring over the glider documentation, ready for Friday’s inspection.  I did take breaks, though.  We had a stream of walk-ins; a previous lapsed glider pilot and former DGS instructor, a North Hill pilot who had never been to the airfield and thought he should since he was holidaying only ten minutes away, and a resident of Brentor who after 20 years of watching us fly over his house decided that he wants to come and try it.  I enjoyed being in the sunshine and warm air, but flying would have to wait for another day.

We also welcomed David Moult back to the fold after yet another visit to see family in Australia.  Then, knowing that Malcolm would be in the air forever in the Twin Astir (48 minutes) Robin flew with Mike in CCY for over half an hour.  They reported rotor on the approach, which made sense as the wind strength had increased and the slight south of east air flow would be setting of the Mary Tavy "Hydraulic jump".  Steve Fletcher took the latest flight for Mike for a practice launch failure to ensure his currency as he is due a revalidation check of his IFP endorsement presently with the CFI.

Malcolm will be up there forever.  Let's go and join him.

During the day family Osment  (John and son David) had been working with Colin on the annual inspection and ARC of K-6, FUB, in the hangar with their trailer ranged on the apron.  The poor range performance of the Flarm was sorted....the aerial needs to be vertical, not horizontal!  DB had been working on a K-13 tailwheel with a split tyre and unknotting a winch drogue shock rope.  Thanks to all the efforts of the maintenance crew.

The view of Tavistock with the cumulus building in the afternoon

So, who was the "Man of the Match" today?  It wasn't a glider pilot pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved in the conditions of the day.  No, it was a winch driver. or more specifically, Andy, who had driven from his home at Barnstaple just to winch.  He winched all morning and then headed home after lunch.  Andy, thank you. Your altruism is much appreciated. 

The hint of rotor on the last few flights reinforced the saying "Never say never " to the possibility of wave at Dartmoor.

The gliders were brought back to the hangar and then packed after CCY had been hoovered out again.  A clean fleet ready for Friday.

Twenty-six fights on a very pleasant June day.  It was a beautiful day.

Gavin Short 

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 8th June 2025

With no flying yesterday, the journey to the club contemplating a busy day was in trepadation. On arrival all was well with initially four trainees which rose to five by the time we started flying. A K13, Puchacz, Astir, Twin Astir, Libelle and a brace of K6's were readied and taken to the launch point.

During the day we were to receive three visitors. I must now appologise as our usual photographers were otherwise occupied and we missed photos of Julia Collins. Julia enjoyed her flights including a 22 minute soaring flight with BI Phil Hardwick.

Malcolm Clackworthy enjoyed a 20 minute flight with Phil and stayed for a while watching operations.

Malcolm Clackworthy chatting with Phil.

The third visitor Carl Knight had three short flights with Phil and left happy.

Carl ready to go.

Carl Launching With Phil.

The training started with Ed Nicholson with three extended circuits in broken lift. He learnt the changing effect of the rudder near the stall which resulted in a small yelp from the front seat. A valuable lesson. Next was Freddie Purkiss. First flight a launch failure practice followed by a soaring flight finishing by being put out of position where he made the right decision to land in the opposite direction safely. Back at the launch point he was told we might fly again later!

View to the south past Tavistock

Airfield bathed in sunshine.

The day progressed with trainees Aiden Hughes, Connor Redburn and Ray Boundy. All steadily making progress.

Ray waiting for cables.

Solo pilots today took launches when the conditions looked favourable. Ed Borlase (K6 EWO), John Osment (K6 FUB), Sean Westrope (Astir DNE), Andy Davey (Libelle KCM) and Malcolm W-J (Twin Astir DSL). Longest flight of the day was claimed by Andy with 1 hour 46 minutes.

Ed in K6 EWO

John in K6 FUB

With still time to fly Freddie was given the chance for a couple of flights. The first was very short as it was a demonstration of the ultra-low launch failure. The second was not much longer as he suffered a slow power loss by the winch. Again well flown. Only one thing for it now, send him solo. After the relevant briefing and allowed to prepare in his own time it was time to put all the training into practice on his own.

Briefing for the first solo.

Off he goes.

Safely back 11 minutes later.

Congratulated by dad George

Freddie receiving his wings.

With one cable left George Purkiss was setled into the front seat of the K13 for a celebratory flight with me and a hangar landing.

Very proud George Purkiss.

An excellant day at Brentor Gliding. Another Junior joining the ranks of solo pilots. Thank you to all at the club today, 30 flights and one very happy Freddie.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 4 June 2025

Today could be described as "compact and bijou".  Fewer Wavers than normal, no trainees, and just one visitor due to the conditions: a southwesterly airflow, showers, sometimes heavy and improving soaring conditions as the day drew on.  Intriguingly, Skysight forecast convergence hot spots all across our area but with no obvious cause. Very strange.

We reduced the visitors to one as the Duty Instructor was uncertain whether the conditions would support more than a single One Day Course.  It was the right call as the forecast of regular, and at times heavy, showers materialised and slowed proceedings.

Forecast - rain showers with blue sky just out of reach but first, the field needed to be cleared

Herding the "lawn mowers" off the field

First up was Steve Fletcher with Duty Instructor Mike Jardine to keep himself current with a "Go around" launch failure.

Steve keeping current from the back seat in CCY on a subsequent training flight later in the day 

Rain on its way

Back at the clubhouse and the hangar, "Operation Clean up" was underway before our BGA Quality assurance audit (gliders and airworthiness) on Friday, 13 June.  Mike Bennett and DB made two trips to the scrapyard with metal, drums of old winch cable, and a plethora of old lead acid batteries.  Their efforts netted the club £140.  "Every little bit helps". 

A very heavy downpour at the clubhouse stopped the loading of scrap into Colin's trailer for a while

John Allan's view of the heavy shower at the launch point

Colin and I addressed a number of issues on the Puchacz and K-13, FGR bringing them up to a higher standard.  Colin managed to make a start on the annual inspection of K-8, FXB.  The tailplane was removed from the trailer, and thoroughly cleaned, ready for a detailed inspection both visually externally and internally using an endoscope.

When it brightened up there was some lift about

Just a normal day's flying - what rain?

Meanwhile, I was wading through the glider paperwork, crossing the "i"s and dotting the "t"s, or is it meant to be the other way around?  Unsurprisingly, the BGA auditor intends to look at our new GRP additions to the DGS fleet; the Puchacz and the Astir CS77.  That didn't stop me giving our venerable Schleicher gliders some love.  All the K-13s and K-8 GDK are now fitted with new glider pockets (front and rear in the K-13s).  FXB will be next, and then the Puchacz and Astir CS77 will be addressed.  Nice work with the sewing machine Scratch!

Can you spot the K-8 being "on the wire", while launched from the east end?

Another rain shower marches to the launch point

After the morning brief Scratch welcomed Rhys Greening, our One Day Course candidate and introduced him to the day.  Rhys had flown in light aircraft occasionally before.  Having travelled from Wellington today, he was determined to enjoy the experience.  Scratch took him aloft for an introductory flight and then to demonstrate the use of the primary controls.  Then Rhys was handed over to Mike to take his instruction further.  The highlight was an extended soaring flight in the improving afternoon conditions.

One Day Course candidate Rhys Greening ready
 for his introduction to gliding with Basic Instructor Scratch

Rhys was then handed over to Mike to progress further.

A happy Rhys receives his certificate from his instructors

Very lightly loaded after he finished Rhys' One Day Course Mike took CCY aloft, solo for the flight of the day of 34 minutes, managing 1,850 feet AGL at best, limited by the cloudbase.

CCY flies well without the dead weight of an instructor in the back!

Interesting skies with indications of convergences and cloud streets continued all afternoon

The Wavers made good use of the K-8, GDK; John (thee times), John Smith, Peter and I.  When I landed, Alasdair was ready to take the last flight of the day and asked me some advice on where to go for lift.  "Head up into wind and look out for the sunny bits, that's where you will find lift".  And hey presto it worked and gave him a delightful flight of 32 minutes, but he didn't pip Mike.  However, he found some good lift and climbed to 4,000 feet AMSL for the "highest flight of the day".  Bravo Alasdair.  By the time he landed almost all the kit had been put away.  I was pleased to see that the Astir CS77 received a good clean and dry off before going back into the hangar.  We might have packed up too early as the sky was still working.

Hangar doors closed.  Cue a brilliant soaring sky.  That's the nature of gliding!

Last week’s ground works have come to a close.  On Monday, the final finishing touches to the entrance road were completed.

DGS entrance.  The photo was taken before the final finishing touches were made on Monday.

Further ground work on Monday saw the berm that protects the glider rack from the wind improved. It also hides the trailers from visitors' sight, when looking from Michael du Rupe church.

After the earthworks works there is a massive berm, of which Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard would have been proud.  

Some of the good topsoil was used to fill the holes and dips at the west end launch point, which is most welcome.

The area north of the MT hangar has been cleared and levelled.  An Improved drainage ditch is out of sight to the right to keep the MT hangar floor dry.

Many thanks must go to groundworks contractor Richard Yelland for his great work and to Mike Bennett for taking the considerable time and effort to plan and instigate the work.

As ever, a big thank you to the winch drivers; Scratch, John Allan, John Smith, and Phil.

So a day that was "Compact and Bijou" and one where the Wednesday Wavers made the best of it.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 1st June 2025

The forecast for a moderate westerly breeze that would increase as the day went on, it was a question of how long we could fly today. The K13, Puchacz and Astir were prepared and towed to the east end launch point.

Initial conditions prevented first trainee Misha Skochko from attempting his first approaches and landings. Heavy sink enabled me to demonstrate changing the circuit due to getting low and landing in a different part of the field. All good knowledge for the future.

Following the early flights, we made the decision to cancel our visitors today as the conditions were not suitable for trial flights. Training would continue with Aiden Hughes, Freddie Purkiss and Ray Boundy.

View to the west end of the airfield.

Duty BI Richard Roberts, now with no visitors took Steve Lesson for a couple of flights in the Puchacz. Steve Fletcher also decided to fly the Astir. His second flight was the flight of the day with 35 minutes. Last to fly with me was Viktor Skochko. No solo flight for him due to the conditions, but a successful hangar landing.

East end launch point.

Richard took club member Alan Hughes for a flight in the Puchacz and a hangar flight to end the day.

Richard and Alan launch.

Thank you to Sean Westrope who winched all day and chose not to fly. I must apologise for the lack of pictures today. Our usual Sunday photographer (Ed) was late, arriving just as we packed up. He had been supporting Natalie running a half marathon.

Peter Howarth