Low cloud all morning.
Martin Smith and Martin Cropper had a valiant attempt at clearing the
cloud using a bonfire. Sadly that didnt work.
Bob came out to supervise shifting the winch, without damaging the
field too much, in the end we didnt use it. Cloudbase never really
lifted above 200ft or so.
Martin Smith, now fed up with the bonfire gave a briefing on winch
launch techniques to our newer trainees. This was followed by a series
of talks on met, Fohn effect and Soaring Techniques. Thanks Trevor for some very interesting "expert" tips.
Oh well, we didnt fly, but we drank lots of tea and had an interesting
day.
Don Puttock
Saturday 6th February 2010
Good early start today with all the gliders out and inspected ready to go.
First flight was delayed while the low cloud burned off but this waiting time was well used with some runway repairs and a good lecture by Ged and David on winch launching. Good start to your instructor training chaps.
The intrepid Sandra flew solo again today and, in fact, posted the longest flight of the day until Ged claimed he had flown one minute longer. Did he "amend" the log sheet or was that just a rumour?
Flying finished a little early due to the glider canopies misting up as the evening temperature dropped.
Many thanks to Deputy CFI Mark for helping to make the most of the day.
Steve Lewis
First flight was delayed while the low cloud burned off but this waiting time was well used with some runway repairs and a good lecture by Ged and David on winch launching. Good start to your instructor training chaps.
The intrepid Sandra flew solo again today and, in fact, posted the longest flight of the day until Ged claimed he had flown one minute longer. Did he "amend" the log sheet or was that just a rumour?
Flying finished a little early due to the glider canopies misting up as the evening temperature dropped.
Many thanks to Deputy CFI Mark for helping to make the most of the day.
Steve Lewis
Wednesday 3rd February 2010
The good news is that the temperature has risen 8 degrees. The bad news is that it has brought with it very low cloud and drizzle in the SW wind, so no flying today.
Judging by the amount of hot air eminating from the clubhouse, if we had been flying, a thermal source would have been guaranteed.
Steve Lewis
Judging by the amount of hot air eminating from the clubhouse, if we had been flying, a thermal source would have been guaranteed.
Steve Lewis
Sunday 31st January 2010
The view while eating a burnt toasted Bacon Sarnie.
Ice on the inside of the windows, and the coffee and bacon sandwich seems so much nicer.
The weather was unremarkable except for the occasional snow storm!
Two new trainees joined us, a warm welcome to Alan Carter and Alec Birch, great to have you with us. Both of these guys have flown before, Alan went solo with the RAFGSA, and Alec, a friend of Roger and Barry Green is a hang glider pilot.
Congratulations to Sandra Buttery, first solo today. She seems to do her best flying when no one is in the back!
Roger and Barry Green both completed their Bronze certificate today. How often has a father and son team achieved that on the same day!!
A big thank you to Alan and Heather who kept the cables coming all day---the day would not have been such a success without you.
Don Puttock
Saturday 30th January 2010
The early morning start was made against a backdrop of blue skies and frost covered grass. There were snow showers in the area which could be seen passing to the east and west but the airfield remained sunny all day.
Today was very goood for training with endless visability and the NW 7 knot cross wind adding a liitle challenge for the many training flights undertaken.
Sandra continues her progress towards solo, Steve Bloomer re-soloed after a successful check flight and Alan, a new temporary member, took full advantage of the facilities and put 7 very effective training flights in his logbook.
The afternoon was punctuated by a visit from Roger our ex CFI complete with a jounalist from the Tavistock Times who are covering the handing over of Roger's CFI duties to Don after 14 years on the job.
As for myself, I had the surreal experience of turning finals in a snow shower only to land on the airfield in the sunshine just a few hunderd metres away.
The hangar was repacked as the sun went down but activity continued well into the evening with the committee burning the midnight oil ( well diesel in the generator actually ).
Steve Lewis
Today was very goood for training with endless visability and the NW 7 knot cross wind adding a liitle challenge for the many training flights undertaken.
Sandra continues her progress towards solo, Steve Bloomer re-soloed after a successful check flight and Alan, a new temporary member, took full advantage of the facilities and put 7 very effective training flights in his logbook.
The afternoon was punctuated by a visit from Roger our ex CFI complete with a jounalist from the Tavistock Times who are covering the handing over of Roger's CFI duties to Don after 14 years on the job.
As for myself, I had the surreal experience of turning finals in a snow shower only to land on the airfield in the sunshine just a few hunderd metres away.
The hangar was repacked as the sun went down but activity continued well into the evening with the committee burning the midnight oil ( well diesel in the generator actually ).
Steve Lewis
Wednesday 27th January 2010
Only flyable for the first half of today, but thanks to another prompt start everyone who really wanted to fly flew.
The wind remained light from NW, but the forecast cloud arrived earlier - and lower - than expected (providing a few seconds of excitement for Barry Green in the K8).
Two of our budding assistant category instructors, Ged Nevisky and David Jesty, practised ‘togetherness’ in the K7/13 as they ran through their patter prior to an instructors’ course later in the year.
Jeff Craggs had a good workout (both dual and solo) in the K13. Then after a check flight, Phil Hardwick flew the K8 (briefly) for the first time since before Christmas.
Today’s ‘Ace of the Base’ was John Howe who, with a little help from Steve Lewis driving the winch, bullied the K8 to 1500’ before releasing and playing in some weak wave over Mary Tavy, achieving 17 minutes. (Surprising, really, considering the wind conditions.)
Just before the cloud rolled in, it was tantalising to see clear skies and lenticular clouds well to the North - but Brentor can’t always bask in great conditions like they were last weekend (while I shivered and was frustrated by low cloud at Lasham).
Bob Pirie
Sunday 24th January 2010
"Hangar doors were open at 8.30, and then we waited for the cloud to lift. This gave us time for a quick cuppa.
The weather wasnt quite as forecast, the top cover was replaced by 3 knot thermals and wall to wall cloud streets for about an hour.
Trevor couldnt resist it and rigged the Jantar. Alan H played in the K8.
A very useful day with more bronze GFT work done and some instructor prep.
Tea afterwards was made in the dazzling clean kitchen, thanks Heather. As usual there was loads of good work going on behind the scenes, thanks everyone."
Don Puttock
Saturday 24th January 2010
The weather was very pleasant for the time of year. The wind was about 8 knots from the north west , blue sky with scattered low cloud.
A very good turnout with lots of members at the club early ensured the equipment was out ready to go in double quick time.
After a short delay whilst the very low cloud buned off, flying started with enthusiasm. There was a little bit of ridge soaring on the north edge of the airfield; Chris Matten even managed to find a thermal.
There was a lot of training flights with several members working on the General Flying Tests for their Bronze
"C" badge.
On the ground several members continued with their winch training. Thanks Bob for spending most of the day as winch instructor.
The equipment was eventually put away as the sun went down followed by tea and biscuits in the clubhouse.
Steve Lewis
A very good turnout with lots of members at the club early ensured the equipment was out ready to go in double quick time.
After a short delay whilst the very low cloud buned off, flying started with enthusiasm. There was a little bit of ridge soaring on the north edge of the airfield; Chris Matten even managed to find a thermal.
There was a lot of training flights with several members working on the General Flying Tests for their Bronze
"C" badge.
On the ground several members continued with their winch training. Thanks Bob for spending most of the day as winch instructor.
The equipment was eventually put away as the sun went down followed by tea and biscuits in the clubhouse.
Steve Lewis
Wednesday 20th January 2010
Today started with all the equipment out by the time I arrived, and Ged and Dave B. grappling with the grey Discovery’s water pump.
The airfield was sodden (despite impressive drainage work by Bob Jones and others) - and there was still some snow on the moor. Flying from the east end, we managed to operate relatively ‘cleanly‘ by landing on a narrow, hard(ish) strip of grass beside the centre track - retrieving gliders on the track.
The day became flyable late morning with a sometimes gusty x-wind from NW, some light showers, cloud base variable and sometimes low over the field, but some good gaps, enabling launches to 1400 feet agl. Three cheers for the Gus Winch - and all who drive it!
We achieved 17 launches - mostly K13, which a few in K8 - until everyone had had their fill. This gave time for a respectable retreat in daylight, with glider wheelboxes etc. hosed down ready for the weekend.
Not a big turnout but we had just the right number to operate.
Phil the Farmer, Dave Rippon, Martin Broadway and Robin Wilson all had a good workout with check-flights - the latter two in a brief ‘window’ before they retreat to sunnier climes.
Our sympathy to Dave, who appeared to be suffering from ‘field treasurer’s finger’ (a large bandage - meaning he could only grip the stick with one hand - only joking!), and well done Phil for making the first tentative steps towards driving a winching machine rather than a milking machine.
Bob Pirie - Wednesday Instructor
Sunday 17th January 2010
A lightish westerly wind and almost clear skies. The views of the Dartmoor orographic cloud were stunning.
Hangar doors opened at 8.30, Sandra Chris and Karon got things moving first thing---thanks everyone.
Canopy misting was a problem first thing, which meant we had some delay before we could safely fly. Once that cleared, we had a great day---people getting and staying current was good to see, pre-solo and post solo training was the order of the day.
A cloud street parked itself over the airfield for a short time when it became soarable. Fun for those who were there.
Tea and chocolate cake in the clubhouse to finish-----perfeck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)