Yes, it's a Monday, and we're blogging. So, a word or two of explanation. With the kind cooperation of Devon and Somerset Gliding Club (DSGC), their Eurofox, G-GNHL, will visit Brentor once a month, on a Friday, to provide aerotow services. This will also allow DSGC members the opportunity to fly from a different hilltop site and to fly the gliders in our fleet. DGS members can remain current on aerotow launches, receive training on
aerotow launches, or utilise the opportunity to go high and conduct spin
training in our Puchacz. So, to start us off, the CFIs of the two clubs (Rick Wiles and Mark Courtney) arranged for the first Friday aerotow day to happen on a Monday. Confusing, isn't it?
Monday dawned foggy on what was to be the hottest day of the year. DGS members arrived and set about getting the kit out and welcoming DSGC members: David Perriman, Steve Westlake, Ashley Thomas, and Martin Woolner. Tea and coffee were consumed. All had previously flown at DGS. Unfortunately, the Astir CS77 was unserviceable whilst it awaits a replacement release cable to be fitted.
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| A foggy start at Brentor (it was even worse at North Hill) |
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| Phil arrives with his DG300 in tow from an adventure elsewhere in the country |
The Puchacz, two K-13s, and the K-8 were ranged and inspected. Then there was some waiting. I could see from the webcam at North Hill that the airfield was socked in with fog too, so the Eurofox wouldn't be departing anytime soon. More tea and coffee were consumed (it's a good thing that they are free at DGS)! This generated a relaxed atmosphere as was there was no rush. When the weather gods allow us, we could get started quickly as we are going to operate from the west end. The wind was forecast southerly to south westerly, but light and variable all day.
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| The Duty Instructor, Peter Howarth, briefs a packed clubhouse |
After the morning brief, the fog started to lift. By choosing to fly from the west end, we would christen Zack's Shack. All seemed to work well, but the launch point to winch communications needs improvement. With the tug unlikely to arrive soon, winch launching commenced.
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| Three amigos from North Hill (and Steve Lesson!) |
First up was Martin Woolner, who is a Flight Instructor Coach (FIC), but he needed a site acquaint and refresher session in a K-13 with the Duty Instructor before he could start to instruct. Viktor then took his place for a check flight in CCY before being cleared to fly CCY solo.
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| Victor concentrating on checking the air brakes before taking a solo flight in CCY. Slava Ukrani! |
We welcomed back Ged Nevisky to the club. Ged retired from gliding a while back but confessed to Scratch that he was bored at home. So Scratch brought him up to the club to fly. They took a winch launch in the Puchacz as a warm-up before the tug arrived.
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| Who knew that Scratch could tell jokes? |
After the dynamic duo, it was time for the only ab initio trainee, Connor, to take a pair of flights with Peter.
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| While waiting for the tug to arrive, Peter continues Connor's training |
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Peter's view of the sole cumulus to the north that would build
into a band of, sadly, unreachable convergence |
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| Peter using the opportunity to check the aerotow launch failure options when launching to the east (we are looking to the west): 1) The L-shaped field just forward of the wing tip and along the leading edge; 2) The stub runway; and in extremis 3) the south field next to the runway which lies beyond the L-shaped field. |
So, where was the tug? The fog was worse at North Hill. The pilots launched but had to land again as the fog was still solid from the M5 westwards. Eventually, they
were on their way and were spotted on Flightradar 24.
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| Hurrah! The tug arrives. It's on the downwind leg to land on runway 290. |
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| The tug arrives in CAVOK (Ceiling and visibility OK) conditions |
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The Eurofox backtracks to the glider launch point.
Steve Procter is flying with Mark Courtney in the copilot's seat. |
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| Tuggies and instructors briefing |
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| G-GNHL ready to start work |
Mike Bennett was the first to aerotow launch with Martin in CCY so that Mike could build up his aerotow experience before being cleared for aerotow launches, probably at North Hill (or maybe another session at Dartmoor Gliding).
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| The Eurofox returns after taking Andy to 3,000 feet | |
Then it was Phil's turn, and being a canny farmer, he made the compromise of being towed to 2,500 feet.
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| Phil takes a launch in his DG300 |
I was next in the list for an aerotow currency flight in the Puchacz. Connor had brought his camera gear and was hankering after a flight in the Eurofox, which would normally be possible when the tug is towing a single seater. But it was hot today. The tug pilots (Mark Courtney and Stuart Procter) were only making two flights apiece before handing over and taking a break. But all was not lost. I offered the front seat of the Puchacz to Connor, and he enjoyed his first aerotow. He had a great view of the tug and also later of Viktor taking off with Peter in CCY.
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| Connor's view of the Eurofox and Stuart Procter heading for the pilot's seat |
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| David Perriam brings the retractable tow cable to the Puchacz |
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| Gavin following the tug |
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| We spy Peter and Viktor taking off in CCY |
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| Peter and Viktor gently turning away from Mary Tavy |
After Connor and I returned with the Puchacz Steve Westlake took Ashley Thomas up for an aerotow.
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| Ashley Thomas and Steve Westlake try out the Puchacz. How does it compare with North Hill's Perkoz (both gliders are from the same Polish manufacturer)? |
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| Another aerotow for Steve Fletcher. This time, under the watchful eye of Martin Woolner, not Steve Westlake, but rest assured, we have a Steve running the wing! |
In the heat and the very stable air, the demand for further aerotows was dwindling, but Scratch took Ged up for a second aerotow.
Andy, as ever had been looking at the weather and the Skysight forecast and booked the last launch. The Eurofox would be "two up" with the tug pilots for their return to North Hill. The plan was for them to tow Andy to the convergence visible well north of the airfield and up to 4,000 feet. We bid farewell to the tug but not Andy, as we hoped to see him again!
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| The tail end of the convergence was Andy's target, visible in the distance. More interesting are the Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds closer to the airfield (the undulating ones). This is caused by different speed and direction air masses passing over each other, which might explain why we saw some "wave over cumulus" earlier in the afternoon, even though the wind speed was not enough to set up the normal Dartmoor wave. |
With all having had their fill, in the heat, we started packing up. DSGC members bade their farewells and headed for home. Andy landed at 1700, not having found any lift under the tempting clouds that should have marked some nice convergence. He derigged his Libelle and then headed to the east end to pick up another trailer. I left him to it and headed home. BBQ tonight. The weather was certainly suitable, with the air temperature on the way back was 27C at Gulworthy. Plenty warm enough to sit outside at home.
So our first aerotow Friday of the year. Thirty-one flights; seven winch launches, and 12 aerotow combinations. Mark Courtney (our previous CFI) commented, "A great day". The great day included aerotow experience, aerotow currency, aerotow training, and aerial photography. Was there a "Man of the Match"? Yes, but not in terms of flight duration or escapades. It was awarded to Ged, who came out of gliding retirement to fly with us. Ged, we hope to see you again soon.
So let's have some more Fridays like this.
Gavin Short
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