DGS News–Sunday 23rd June 2013

Arriving at the club a little after 9:15 it was clear from the faces around the table that a great deal of effort had gone into – breakfast!  And a great deal of satisfaction derived!  Thus, as the (empty) pans hit the sink (the watery kind), it was impossible to discover whether today’s ‘no-fly’ decision was the outcome of an over breakfast discussion between ‘valour’ and ‘discretion’, following yesterday’s land out, or simply the result of looking at the F214 on which winds of 35 and 40 knots were predicted for 1 and 2 thousand feet amsl. 

And so the opportunity was taken for Dave Parker to retake his Bronze C exam (in which he achieved a ‘competition’ finish), Heather Horsewill and Colin Boyd to power wash anything that didn’t move, and Roger Applebloke and Henry Flower to incinerate anything that did – well almost. 

Having safely passed the rubicon of the ante-meridian, it was deemed time to sample the victoria sponge and scones baked by Dave Parker in preparation for today’s trial lesson honeymoon celebration (sadly cancelled) – if only the bride knew what she was missing! 

And he got a knighthood for it?’  Roger is unimpressed by the Dyson’s ability to suck the remains of Neath from the bottom of the K-8’s fuselage, whilst Martin attempts to assist by ‘powerlifting’ the Dyson to a new elevation (not flight level).

The afternoon was almost more exciting, as we decided to open the treasure chest that was Colin Boyd’s trailer containing the K-8 from Neath.  Therein was found two very tidy looking wings and a very racily liveried fuselage, together with a placard so full of anomalies that the whole issue just screamed ‘weigh me’! 
So it would appear that, with its compatriot K-7M, G-DDAK, last week’s caravanserai to Neath has netted us two gliders of quite positive potential. 

As a final lecture from Don about chocolate being very tasty (he does tend to state the obvious...) reminded some that solids of cocoa are occasionally a useful passport on completion of the return leg, it was time to depart before the shops closed, and to register our new acquisitions with the CAA

Martin Cropper

DGS News - Saturday 23rd June 2013

Forecast for strong gusty winds, low cloud and rain. Sounds like a summer day then.

The early drizzle and low cloud kept the gliders in the hanger and the assembled members busied themselves with the myriad of tasks in and around the site. A hardy group fitted a new set of cables to the ML winch. The last set had definitely lasted well thanks to the care taken by tow out drivers and winch drivers alike.

In the club house, Don was supervising the training efforts with various briefings and use of the simulator.

In the hangar, apart from looking at the “new” K7m , the work on the Pirat continues. All tasks are now complete with the exception of some minor plumbing work for the instruments. So it should be ready for test flying soon prior to re-joining the club fleet.

Picking up the old cables ( in the rain? )

 After lunch the cloud had lifted a little, so K13 out and off to the launch point. Today BI instructor Sean Parramore did some site appreciation flights so that he can help out on the instructor rota. Junior Peter Clifford and trainee pilot Jerry Wellington both took some flights with Don.

Is the winch too powerful? No,  just another field landing

With the wind 240 at 30 knots at flying heights another flight in the “Dartmoor Ridges” project seemed to be in order. Cox Tor was working well but the return trip was always going to be the main event. The plan was to push back to the airfield and, if they fell below the glideslope, just to drop back to Cox Tor to soar up and try again. Good plan except that a line of heavy rain was approaching rapidly and would have enveloped them if they had turned back to Cox Tor, leaving the only option a field landing in the large field on the south side of the airfield. More derigging and rigging practice then.

Collection the K13 from it's field

We got the very best out of the day.

Steve

DGS News–Wednesday 19th June 2013

Today provided a welcome break in the weather, with sunshine, thermals, shorts, sandals and the inevitable crosswind challenging the skills of winch drivers and pilots alike; many of the latter taking the opportunity to use the stub runway.

We are once again grateful to the early birds who responded to yesterday's rallying call via the Members' Forum yesterday urging everyone to get the kit and field ready early. This set us on the road to achieving 35 launches - which could have been more had there not been a few minor operational glitches. However, with Steve Lewis and Colin Boyd in particular taking time out between flights to focus on launch point efficiency, not too much time was lost and the day proceeded safely and enjoyably. A happy event which occurred mid-morning was the arrival of a delivery of a stock of new winch cable, which - provided we treat it carefully - should help to reduce cable breaks and improve our launch rate.

Early morning at DGS. Driving the sheep into the top field

Weather-wise, after a grey start with low cloud, the sun appeared and some healthy cumulus clouds started to develop, enabling Ged get to the first trial lesson underway and me to help members at the top of the training list to select, sometimes lose, and then regain and use, embryonic thermals. Mike Gadd set off early in the Open Cirrus with South Molton in his sights, but then a wedge of sea air carved its way south from Bideford Bay, leaving cumulus both to the east and west of us, but clear and 'dying' air over the field. Mike scampered back to base, while the rest of us lamented what looked like becoming an early end to our soaring ambitions.

While Ged and Steve Lewis took over the back seat of the K13 (not together of course!), as an act of faith, I ventured into the blue in the Zugvogel, only to discovered that soaring conditions were recycling, eventually resulting in several of us having decent local soaring flights in what became strong and turbulent thermals.

John Bolt.  80 years young and a re-solo.

Today we celebrated a number of 'firsts', including John Bolt's return to solo flight (in the Zug) after a long layoff and his 80th birthday last week; our resident TV personality Jeff Craggs' return to the air after his exploration of the countryside in the Bocian a couple of weeks ago, and Scratch Hitchen's maiden opportunity to exercise his 'family and friends' privileges from the back seat of the K13.

Then, as usual, several newcomers to our sport experienced their first glider flights by taking trial lessons. Today's 'VIP visitors' were Simon Lindfiled, Adrian Pike and  David Fillbrook.

Simon Lindfield

Adrian Fox

David Fillbrook

As the day drew to the close, there was an underlying 'buzz' concerning tomorrow's marathon road trip to Neath, in Wales, by a small team of our more dedicated members to collect the latest additions to our fleet, a K7M and a K8. It's going to be a long journey - and a long day. We wish everyone involved a safe journey - and thank them for their efforts on behalf of their fellow members.

Bob Pirie

DGS News–Sunday 13th June 2013 Cows and Cream Cakes

Grey and gloomy over the A30 turned to grey and drizzle over the A386 after Sourton, so it was no surprise to see Brentor Church shrouded in misty rain; not a gliding day for the faint hearted, or as it turned out, a gliding day at all.

But it is for this weather that the DGS Sunday Sizzler was created; this week, Lincolnshire sausages with black pudding, bacon, beans, freshly laid duck eggs, and home-baked chilli bread fried in goose fat, washed down with mugs of hot tea. A convivial and leisurely feast, which gave CFI Puttock plenty of time to reflect on todays chores and briefings.

First up, Dave Parker and the Bronze exam, always best sprung on an unsuspecting someone after a hearty meal, so with dishes washed and stowed, Dave was sat with Sunday Papers he hadn't been expecting.
Which left Don free to deliver an impromptu briefing on meteorology using his newly acquired PPL biased CD-Roms; computer based pilot training which is interactive, informative and fun. This flowed seamlessly into briefing number 2; an in depth analysis of one of Don's flights yesterday to Cox's Tor, examining the likely air flows and thermal activity along the Eastern edge of Dartmoor in a moderately strong Westerly; all part of the 'opening up' of the Dartmoor ridge for soaring; Brentor to Cox's Tor, along the ridge to Sourton, back to Brentor, with 'get out of jail' fields plotted along the way; an exciting and tantalising prospect.

With Don's enthusiasm, determination, and current meticulous planning, this could be likely as a training cross country route in the near future.

One of our Caledonian neighbours

The clubhouse activity was obviously much too intriguing for one of our neighbours who was seen sauntering through the trailer park towards the hut; Hamish the wandering Highland heifer looked to be joining us for lunch, but was headed off, and lunch was postponed for an hour or two while he was returned to his bovine mates, and the perimeter fencing inspected, and strengthened courtesy of Colin Boyd.

And that left just enough time to run through Dave's completed Bronze Exam - narrowly  failed just one section - and have a final Puttock briefing on 'speed to fly' and gliding an energy line, over home made Victoria Sponge and home made scones laden with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Looking at photograph of the cream tea in progress, the geezer in the red jumper seems very 'hands on'........wonder who that could be?

I wonder which CFI this is?

All in all, and on more than one level, a mouth watering day.

Roger Applebloom

DGS News–Saturday 15th June 2013

Low cloud, mist, drizzle and increasingly strong winds seemed to suggest a no flying day, but this was to change.

Danger - Men at Work

 A willing group continued the work on the Pirat and by the end of the day the aircraft was nearly finished. It had been assembled ready for measuring the control deflections, fitting the canopy, instrument panel and paint the newly fitted rudder. One more good day may well see it finished.

By midday the conditions looked at bit more like it.

By midday, the weather had improved to the point that those pilots that wanted to could at least get a flight in the K13 with Don, too windy for solo machines really.

Along Cox Tor

Soaring the bowl at Standon Hill

 After playing in the locally buoyant conditions, the decision was made to continue the “Dartmoor Ridges” project. Dene Hitchen and David Parker both flew with Don crossing the valley 3 miles down wind to soar Cox Tor, jump across the gap to soar the bowl at Standon Hill where lift was an astonishing 8 knots, and to soar back to the airfield. At flying heights the WSW wind was gusting over 30 knots.

Soaring Cox Tor

 Climbing at 600 feet per minute at 1600 feet QFE ( 2400 feet Above sea level )

This is an important step in the project. The link from Cox Tor to Standon Hill will unlock the the rest of the ridges to allow flights north to Meldon Reservoir via Brat Tor, Great Links Tor and Corn Ridge.

Don's "concentration face" would scare young children 

A lot achieved on the most unlikely day.

Steve

DGS News – Wednesday 12th June 2013

Today's weather arrived exactly as forecast, with low cloud and increasingly heavy rain, so our first call was to the club's trial lesson administrator, Mike Keller, so that he could phone his customers and deter them from making a wasted journey and, of course, get them booked in for another day. .

After all the recent good weather and flying activity, the decision to scrub today's flying programme was made with great regret. However, with 10  members present, here was a great opportunity invest some time in carrying out maintenance of the airfield, the gliders and the ground equipment ready for the coming weekend.

How many glider pilots does it take to DI a Dyson?

Under the watchful eye of  'Supervisory Gopher' John Bolt (his words, not mine!), Steve Lewis and Colin Boyd made great inroads with some of the tasks that have been delaying the maiden flight of the 'revived' Pirat single-seater. While Alan Holland and Dave Bourchier set about re-furbishing the K-13's main wheel, I carried out routine cleaning and maintenance of both that glider and its sister ship, the Zugvogel, after which the three of us succeeded in getting the wheel and wheel brake installed and working.

Meanwhile Roger White continued to work on our quad bikes, then ended the day tackling some welding on the cable retrieve trailer.

Most of us in the hangar were able to avoid the worst of the weather, but Robin Wilson, Scratch Hitchen and David Rippon spent a good part of the day getting soaked, yet still managed to keep a smile on their faces. First of all, having checked the forecast wind direction for this coming weekend, David and Robin changed ends with the winch and launch control caravan, in order to facilitate an early start on Saturday morning. Then Scratch and Robin got stuck in to earth moving, and with pickaxe, shovel and small trailer, managed to transfer the heap of road planings from beside the clubhouse to some potentially glider- and vehicle-damaging holes on the north side of the airfield centre track.

In response to a signal from our Ground Manager, Phil the Farmer, that the airfield needed cutting, David Rippon discovered that the main drive belt on the big agricultural mower was broken, so he and John Bolt embarked on a shopping expedition to an agricultural engineering company in Launceston.

The result of spending the day in the slightly "damp" tractor seat

It's a shame no one got to fly - especially our trial lesson and one day course visitors - but at least the kit and the airfield are in good shape for when the weather does improve; hopefully this weekend.

Bob Pirie

DGS News - Sunday 9th June 2013

The day dawned bright and the yesterday's wind had abated. Good job too with 5 Trial Lessons booked in plus a growing number of keen trainees on the Flying List.  And with only one two seater available the pressure was on - to get the Sunday Soarers' hearty breakfast tucked away - and K-13 DMX up to the launch point asap. 

DGS from the SW

Fortunately, Robin Wilson had made a special effort to arrive early to kick things off and Heather and Barry Green then arrived to make a winch/retrieve crew: by 0930 we were away with Dave Parker and Don making the first flight.  A little under 9 hours later DMX came to rest having made no less than 22 flights, all but one with Don in the back seat, for a total of 3 hours 40 minutes flying time.

We welcomed Peter Clifford who, booked in for a One Day Course, thankfully agreed to convert it into 3 months membership, which made room for the other Trial Lessons - plus those who turned up on spec.  In all we flew 8 Trial Lessons, (with some students receiving more than one flight), plus 4 club trainees, including new junior member Matthew May, who made the group up to four of those who will be looking for solo on their 15th birthdays. 

Air Ex candidate Dawn Cook

Andrew Millington

David Applin

In the sky the conditions were weak/strong depending on your time of launch/where you went: Phil Hardwick took the concrete swan to cloudbase at 3,500ft for 2 hours plus, whilst Allan Holland managed almost 90 minutes in the Zugvogel. 

Convergence as the sea air passed through at around 3.30pm

Roger Appleboom, Darren Wills and new owner Dave Parker made up the K-6 club, Don managing to find time between punters to take the finely fettled FTB, David's new K6, into the sky for an 11 minute frolic (test flight)  involving stalls, spins and a loop. 

Among the trial lesson students of Dawn Cook, Sarah Stevens, Fed Williams, David Applin and Andrew Millington was one Maurice Smith, who declared with delight that gliding was "Cheaper than 18 holes at Hurdwick Golf Club!" Yes, Maurice, and hopefully our photo shows you why it is much, much, more enjoyable...

One of today's Trial
Lesson Students, Maurice Smith was heard to say: '£6.50 a launch? That's
cheaper that 18 holes at Hurdwick Gold Course!'  And this is why it's more
enjoyable...

Martin Cropper

DGS News - Saturday 8th June 2013

Blue sky, warm, strong NE wind, high pressure possible limited local soaring.

Pitch inspection by CFI Don

 Today was designated as an Instructor Training day, so ab-initio flying was limited today.The instructors  spent the morning in a huddle discussing the future changes in ratings etc. and muttering phrases that seemed to contain the word “bloggs” very frequently.After a very nice lunch provided by club Secretary Sandra, the instructors  spent most of the afternoon flying with each other in seemingly endless practice flights.

Steve & Martin in deep conversation

David Jesty and Ged Nevisky

Meanwhile, Bob Pirie was getting some flying in his ASW20, in fact he had the longest flight of the day at 55 minutes. Mike Jardine made an appearance in his Astir to keep Bob honest.

New member Tony Dean in conversation with Don

We welcomed a new club member Tony Dean, an ex ATC cat 3 instructor who began his conversion to sport gliding with CFI Don Puttock. Also visiting today was Air Experience candidate Andrew Trevarton who was spoiled for choice of instructors to fly with.

Visitor Andrew Trevarton enjoyed a 20 minute soaring flight with David

While all the flying fun was taking place the committee held 2 separate meetings, one in the morning a one later in the evening. Now that’s dedication.

Steve

DGS News – Wednesday 5th June 2013

First of all, a big thank you to everyone who responded to the call via the Forum and turned up earlier than usual today intent on having fun while at the same time supporting the club; especially those real early birds who got the kit out. Undeterred by temporarily limited glider availability - and a hiccup getting the tractor started - you 'made it happen' not only for yourselves, but for our trial lesson and one-day course candidates, and for several 'family and friends' visitors as well.

It was hard work for everyone, but well worth it. I believe all those who wanted to fly actually flew, enjoying a full day of sunshine, soaring and big smiles. (All that was missing was the sangria!).

Nick Borst-Smith enjoyed some soaring in today's rough thermals.

 With the wind from the east, there were strong (but quite rough) thermals for most of the day, as well as hints of wave contributing to the roughness. Later on, as the thermals receded, more reliable low level wave kicked in.

One of today's visitors was Thomas Andrews - a fireman from Melbourne

Plenty of respectable local soaring flights were achieved by both club and privately-owned gliders - as well as some  less successful attempts. Early on the turning point 'Chicklade' was mentioned - but  this was soon eclipsed by more modest horizons. Frankly, I was too busy to note all the names and flight times of the soarers, as well as all those who helped to run the operation 'above and beyond the call'.  But you know who you are, and I congratulate and thank you for delivering a safe and enjoyable day's gliding. Training highlights included Martin Broadway and David Rippon checked out and back on the Zugvogel after absences from the club, and John Bolt cleared for re-solo whenever the mood takes him.

Stephenie Jouin is Andrew Beaumont's daughter in law to be.

As ever, there have to be one or two 'special mentions'. First of all, thanks to Ged Nevisky, for entertaining several 'family and friends' visitors in the comfort of his syndicate's Twin Astir (which freed up the K13 for a very full days of training;. and secondly Roy Young. Roy appeared a week ago clutching a trial lesson voucher. He upgraded his voucher to a one day course, which he had hoped to undertake today, but in view of the limited two-seater availability, he took just one flight before stepping aside to letter others fly. See you
next week, Roy.

Bob Pirie

DGS News – Sunday 2nd June 2013

After yesterday's wind it was a relief to discover on arrival at the airfield that the wind had moderated. Still almost 90 degrees across the runway but that reductions in strength and few degrees further west at least allowed us to operate.  

Which was just as well as with an on-line calendar chock full of trial lesson bookings and the solo membership behaving like sharks with blood in the water there was a lot to do.  With David Jesty taking charge of club trainees Jerry Wellington and Jeff Cragg, and two K-6s looking to make the most of the expected thermals, it fell to me to fly with an extremely varied flock of trial students.
 

Tony Dean & Martin Cropper in the Bocian with Thomas Dean standing by

 For instance number 1 was Tony Dean, with in excess of 1,000 launches courtesy of the Air Cadets, seeking to transfer and accredit his experience into BGA recognisable terms, but who hadn't flown since 2005. Tony was accompanied by son Thomas, who looks likely to go the powered route at Bodmin (he's a city investor so days spent at Brentor don't quite fit into his busy agenda).

Colin Boyd briefing Junior member Andrew Swann on cable attachment.

Number 2 trial lesson was Richard Bennett, a joiner from Plymouth who I managed to soar with to 1200ft whilst Number 3 was twelve year old Andrew Swann who already has 3 flights with us and who I managed to get to cloudbase and spend 25 minutes taking him through primary and secondary effects of the controls.  Andrew was closely followed by James McInnes-Slece, also 12 and who has the benefit of flying in his Dad's Rallye.  Both Andrew and James will be occasional visitors with us until they can properly start down the road to solo at 15 and on to licence.

Club Secretary Sandra Buttery had a one hour very useful instructional soaring flight with David Jesty, reaching a height of 3,200 ft  and a few stalls and spins thrown in for good measure she took over the winch driving from Nigel Williamson for the afternoon into the evening.

Meanwhile, as clouds formed, over developed and recycled, returning glider pilot Roger Appleboom was doing his level best to rustle up some lift, which, upon arrival of returning cricket spectator Robin Wilson made use of to take K-6 FUB to 3,600ft in over half an hour, and the pass the what little was left to Colin Boyd, who was only able to manage the odd couple of 10 minute flights.  

Sam Tallwin

Marie Crosby

As the afternoon progressed I flew with Sam Tallwin, for whom gliding made a fitting big tick on his 'bucket list' of life, whilst David flew with Marie Crosby.  Later still Dawn Philpott and her friend Rebecca from the Control Room at Crownhill Police Station were able to fly for 20 and 21 minutes respectively in the two-seaters.  With final flights for Jerry Wellington in the K-13 and Tony Dean and Jeff Cragg in the Bocian, it was a busy and demanding day

Dawn Philpott

Martin Cropper