Dartmoor Gliding – Sunday 10th November 2013

With the forecast predicting 'dry and bright', a rose between two days of rain there was everything to play for today - and with Don and Roger Appletizer away at North Hill aerotow training there were precious few bodies in the team.

Roger Appleavgas refuelling the North Hill tug prior to his aerotow lessons

 Thanks to early arrivals Jeff Cragg and Jerry Wellington, however, the kit was out and ready in time for first trial lesson candidate Anita Macgregor from Inwardleigh, who declared her flights to be 'delightful'.

Jerry then took up the running, having left the winch for Allan Holland's enjoyment whilst I converted Jeff onto K-7M G-DDAK. Sadly, a thin skein of cloud cut off the sun which put paid to 'dry and bright' and any further development in conditions.

Trial Lesson student Sophie Lord from Tavistock. Guess how many children she has..?

High point of the afternoon was the arrival of Sophie Lord and her 'tribe' of 5, plus partner Ian, from Tavistock, and the ensuing scramble for the 4 available chairs...  Actually the high point of the afternoon was Allan Holland's first two flights on type in G-DDAK and his declaration that it was 'a delight to fly' and that it was 'better than DMX'.

Five! And here they are to prove it.

Just as we were packing things away (after a thorough wash down) we were joined by new member enquirer Jan, a paraglider from Bulgaria, who was so impressed that he may well reappear next Saturday.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News – Saturday 9th November 2013

If you had listened to the BBC forecast I am sure that you would have stayed at home as many of our members and visitors had. Careful perusal of the Met Office forecast actually revealed a rain free period between 10:30 and 3pm. This is exactly what we got and those members turned up were rewarded with some nice flying with the wind straight down the runway and a chance to move training / currency forward with CFI Don.

Peter looks pleased at reaching an important training milestone today.

 Rick Wiles and Mike Jardine used the opportunity to move their BI training forward. The big news of the day though is that we sign up two new members. Junior Peter Clifford signed up as a full member after the end of his 3 month temporary membership. Peter marked the occasion with an important milestone in his training, his first unprompted flight. He flew the launch, circuit and landing without any input from Don. Excellent.

New member Stefi seen here launching aircraft

The other new member is Romanian glider pilot Stefi Guiu, who is currently studying nutrition and health at Plymouth University has joined us and had three flights with Don working towards re-establishing her solo status. Welcome to the club Stefi

As expected the cloud darkened and the rain started again at 3:45 sending us scurrying back to the clubhouse for tea and medals.

An surprisingly good day.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News – Wednesday 6th November 2013

'ere we go again!  Cloud right down over the moor, almost incessant rain, and strong winds forecast. All the ingredients for another Wednesday of fun and frolicks in and around the clubhouse and hangar, which today included ongoing K7M restoration work by our engineer John Bolt, cable parachute harness adjusting and strop-making by Dave Bourchier, Land Rover Discovery washing and leaf-sweeping by Steve Rain -  and all of us chewing over the draft Articles of Association which Leith Whittington has just circulated to the membership. Well done, Leith!

Sweeping all before him, Steve Raine

But that was not all. Taking advantage of the fact that K13 DMX was still on its trailer after a land-out last Sunday, Colin Boyd (supervised by John Bolt) set about tidying up the 'armpits' of this hard-working mainstay of our training fleet; in other words the wing roots and the extractor threads of the main pins, the latter having become worn with use. They assure us the glider will be ready for rigging and flying on Saturday.

DGS aircraft manufacturing facility

 In the clubhouse, Robin Wilson and David Rippon (stalwarts of the Tavistock local community) enlisted the help of Johns Howe and Rogers to create a whole squadron of cut-out model K13s. They'll use these to decorate our club's Christmas Tree, which will be displayed alongside dozens of others from local organisations in St. Eustachius Church in the run-up to Christmas.

Quite an impressive grid for a rainy day

 It would be nice to be able to 'one-up' our Sunday gourmand colleagues by describing how, while sipping exotic teas from Fortnum and Mason, we indulged in hand-crafted doughnuts moistened by water from the Holy Spring of St Puttockiuss on the main runway, and filled with autumnal fruits picked at dawn by virgins from Squire Beaumont's orchard. But that would not be strictly true. However, mugs of steaming tea 'a la Bouchier' and a couple of packets of doughnuts, sourced from Morrision's by John Rogers, went down a treat.

During the early afternoon, just as the skies were getting even darker, Steve Lewis declared that he thought we were all getting too comfortable and proposed that the first strop hunt of autumn 2013 should take place. So off four of us went - firstly combing the runway and landing areas, and then returning via the sodden and gorse-ridden moorland on either side. It poured with rain and we got soaked to the skin; our reward being an inner glow of righteous satisfaction - and one rusty old strop found right at the end of our quest.  Two more strops were then found hiding behind the seat of a Discovery, and added to several more which Dave B. made-up or repaired, we're now in good shape strop-wise - until the next strop-loser decides to leave it to someone else to sort things out.

Wet and victorious, the strop hunters, Bob, John and the 2 Steves

On days like this, I know wives and partners think we're crazy slogging up to shack on a squidgy bit of moorland, but as we all know, it's great to meet up with friends, get stuck into something useful which we enjoy, and bask in the glow of a wood-burner. Sure beats moping in a garden shed - or going to the supermarket!

Bob Pirie

Dartmoor Gliding News – Sunday 3rd November 2013

The word 'keen' means both enthusiastic and sharp.  The forecast today gave a well predicted front due to bring in rain at some time in the afternoon, and the wind around 260 at 30 knots.  

Mike Sloggett and Don were our instructors for the day so, whilst Roger Appleblender and I prepped the winch, it was only right that the others got two K-13s up to the launch point.  Completing a couple of precautionary repairs on DI'ing the cable, both Roger and I noticed and agreed that the wind was far further south than the westerly that was forecast.  Clambering into the solitary confinement that is the winch man's lot, I released Roger (not Roderick...) to be the first to fly.
 

Start of the day

 Don was 'keen' to go fly the ridges; with Roger as his (paying) companion.  Launching was barely controllable from a winch point of view, so Lord knows what it was like in the glider - however the Launch Assistant is a godsend in at least letting you know how much to close the throttle - you just can't back it off quickly enough on high wind days.  Off Don and Roger popped (after a launch to 1500ft - not bad with 90 degrees crosswind) whilst the rest of us mere mortals (Leith Whittington, Andrew Swann, Darren Wills and Colin Boyd) settled into a launch/brief circuit regime that enabled them all to pitch their skills against the high winds and sinking air emanating from the south.

Not us dodging the showers but the showers dodging us...

Some while later ... you've guessed it ... we learned that Don and Roger had landed out - but only a couple of fields away so having set off back with 650ft QFE showing, the K-13 done good (someone said it would probably have made it back with a couple of welterweights on board...) Eventually, at about 3.30, after we had heeded the gypsy's warning of the first drops of rain and stopped flying, K-13 DMX made it back to the hangar (on its trailer), intact, so no harm done. Its occupants meanwhile, had some interesting photos of Cox Tor and environs, however Don did have to admit that 'There was just too much south in it...'.  

That's 'keenness' for you.  Thanks go to the Wednesday crew who, for 'technical' reasons, have been left with the task of re-rigging DMX.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News – Saturday 2nd November 2013

November arrived exactly as October went, howling gales and very heavy showers. Yet another non flying day then.

We welcomed Plymouth University freshman Stefi who is looking to join the club for the 3 years of her degree course. Rumanian born Stefi is already a solo glider pilot having taken advantage of the free training available in her home country. She spent the day familiarising herself with the club and members and learning to use thermals on the simulator.

The roar of a big diesel reverberated through the hangar

Rick and gang got the Guslaunch winch started today. This is a major milestone in the project the fit the new engine and suggests that they are moving closer to the finish.

John patching the wing inspection holes

In the workshop, John Bolt, assisted by Mike Jardine, started the work to recover the wings of the “new” K7M G-DCLT after first moving the fuselage to the hanger. This project also looks like the end is in sight.

Mike cleaned the wings, a thankless by very necessary task. The patch on this wing is somewhat larger  

The weather really must improve soon, doesn’t it?

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News – Wednesday 30th October 2013

 Having scrubbed today's one day course and trial lesson yesterday due to the threat of gale force winds and rain rattling in from the south, enough club members heeded my call for an early(ish) start for us to get some flying in as well as some chores done.

To bravely go?

So it was out to the east end launch point with K13 DMX, and then a meagre total of five instructional or 'refresher' launches with either Ged or me in the back seat. Meanwhile trial lesson instructor, Steve Lewis, had a day off and played a sort of Craig Revel Horwood judging role, as he and the rest of the gang scoffed doughnuts while observing and critiquing some buttock-clenching approaches, including a couple onto the stub runway from the north (which only tends to happen rarely - and on 'exciting' days).

As John Rogers and I sat awaiting a launch with the glider weighed down with tyres and club members, I decided that enough was enough, so it was then a long ground run back to the safety of the hangar behind a Land Rover Discovery, with Ged providing some extra weight by sitting in the front cockpit.

Shall we, shall we not?

Reflecting on the 'big blow' over the weekend, we were amazed that Dartmoor Gliding Society appeared to have survived unscathed. But then someone ventured behind the hangar to find that a giant beech tree had fallen - and just visible beneath it was the K8 open trailer. Fortunately the hangar and glider workshop were spared, but two certainties are (a) that the trailer will have sustained damage, and (b) that we may be able to help pay for it by selling logs to club members.

Having read about CFI Don and team's stocktaking and general tidying efforts last weekend, we were impressed (but rather bemused) by the way they had re-positioned the launch point caravan at a jaunty 45 degree angle to the runway. All very creative, but this innovation was obviously less-then-ideal visibility-wise, and we also found the radio battery flat. This was partly because of the way the solar panel was now angled away from the sun, but also because someone had left the radio plugged in and switched on.  It was only later that Steve Lewis noticed a 15 metre-long gouge in the ground and realised that it was not Don but the gale which had moved the vehicle. (It is now back in its correct position, by the way.)

An encouraging trend on recent Wednesdays has been the presence of several temporary members who, having enjoyed one-day courses or trial lessons, keep on coming back for more, as well as some who 'take the plunge' and become full members. Recent recruits have included John Rogers and Adrian Pike, and today we were pleased to welcome back Stephen Fletcher.  Stephen, who lives at Dousland,  enjoyed a one-day course with Steve Lewis a week ago, and was so enthused that today he not only joined the club, but signed up for 'fixed price to solo' training. Welcome aboard, Stephen!

Refusing to be deterred by the weather, Stephen and Jorg Beasley (the latter arriving too late to fly) ended their training day with sessions in the simulator.

Canopy polishing

While were were grappling with the autumn weather, back at base John Bolt and my syndicate partner Martin Broadway completed the annual inspection of our ASW20F. Then after flying ended, Alan Holland and Dave Bourchier, aided by John Rogers, did a splendid job giving the cockpit canopy of DMX a thorough fettling.

Bob Pirie

Dartmoor Gliding News – Sunday 27th October 2013

Blanket forecasting of doom and gloom ensured that only 'die-hards' turned up at the club today - so thankfully the One Day Course and Trial Lesson student were contacted by Mike and asked to re-book.  In actual fact the weather (wind, rain and cloudbase) was not as bad as predicted, but the cross wind from the south would have put us out of limits - a repeat of yesterday. 

So what better day to put a sign on the gate 'Closed for Stocktaking' and set Don, clipboard and pen in hand, Arkwright like to make a list and assess the value of our permanent - and consumable - kit. 

Roger Applestihl cutting his way through to the new Trailer Park

Meanwhile, Roger Applestihl and I took a chain saw to some of the denser areas of gorse at the southwest end of the airfield, and were making good progress until I noticed that the Disco's bonnet wasn't fitting quite a snugly as it should, 

Sure enough, a spring had sprung and required replacement - which was proceeding apace until Roger Green  arrived en passant, to regale us with tales of the Green Army's latest acquisition, a Grob Astir Sport, drophead coupe or similar, that required venturing to Germany to pick up, and then converting instruments from German into Englisch

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News–Saturday 26th October 2013

With the ‘big storm of 2013’ on its way our normal early birds were having a well-deserved sleep in. When I arrived the cloud was low, but, by 1000hrs the weather cleared up just enough for us to venture to the launch point and attempt launching a glider. But not before Don had picked up a broom and swept out the hanger, a very rare sight which we managed to catch on camera! Alas, with a strong crosswind and low cloud it was decided to pack the kit away just after midday.

Leading from the front Don sweeps the hangar with Chris Matten with the dustpan.

 Was it a wasted day? Not a chance, not when CFI Don Puttock is at the helm. Junior members Andrew and Saif, along with Andrews’ grandfather cut up the Bocian and set about burning it.

A sad end for the Bocian.

Mr Winchmaster (my dad, Rick Wiles), Chris Matten and Dave Bouchier spent the day working on the Gus launch, again. By the end of the day the engine started, all be it accidentally; with the diesel left in the engine from when it was last used. We’re all about saving money here at DGS! Good job to all involved, the winch will be ready in no time!

The day ended with a friendly chat and a nice beer.

Matt Wiles

Dartmoor Gliding News – Wednesday 23rd October 2013

'O ye of little faith' was my initial reaction when I arrived at the field today. The weather was clearing with the wind dropping and blowing straight down the runway (yet again, exactly as per forecast). But instead of the usual eager group of Wednesday regulars, only the Raine/Rippon/Pike trio was present and poised to tackle all the preparatory chores. We hardly had a quorum to operate and even with instructor Steve Lewis only minutes away and David Jesty having kindly agreed to come in at around noon to help out, the prospect of fitting in a one day course, several trial lessons and plenty of club flying for 'the workers' looked bleak.

But my pessimism was premature, because soon a further ten club members turned up, along with one day course candidate Stephen Fletcher , trial lesson visitors Will and Richard Moore, and Jeremy Plumtree, plus microlight pilot Jorg Beasley, who after a trial lesson a fortnight ago came back for more.

One Day Course candidate Stephen Fletcher

Instructor David Jesty with the Moore family.

Visitor Jeremy Plumstead

Operating both two-seaters plus the K8 from the east end launch point, visitors and members alike enjoyed a total of 31 superb launches delivered by John Howe and David Rippon - with only one cable break at hangar flight time. Throughout the afternoon thermals popped, cumulus developed and 'streeted', and everyone had a fun and safe day's flying, with all three gliders in the air more than once. That little K8 is proving to be a firm favourite, keeping busy right from the start and providing several of us with soaring flights. Not everyone was lucky, but everyone flew and we ended the day respectably early due to low sun (what's that, you may ask?) and the imminent arrival of 'The Brentor Beavers'.

Eager "Beavers" keen to help

"Brentor Beavers?" The Brentor and Mary Tavy Beaver Scouts are a group of local youngsters aged between six-  and eight-years-old, and on the first rung of the Scouting ladder. They started to arrive - many with their parents - shortly after 1700 hours. Following an airfield and hangar tour, our 'Wednesday committee member' Colin Boyd, Steve Lewis and I entertained them to an hour or so of chatting and flying the simulator. Some 'interesting' flights were achieved, with these 'pilots of tomorrow' gaining particular pleasure from looping. (Only two of them tore the wings off.)

Checking out the K13

The evening ended with consumption of cup cakes and flapjacks, and distribution of model glider kits. The Beaver Leader, Sandra Grylls (yes, her husband is distantly related to the famous adventurer and Chief Scout) led a round of applause in appreciation of the visit, and afte wards several of the parents showed plenty of interest in our sport and our club. Steve and I (who did the easy bit) would like to express our appreciation to Colin who did all the hard work.

The Brentor and Mary Tavy Beaver Scouts. 

Finally, thanks to John Howe for lending the club a beautiful picture of a glider over Brentor Church, painted by his daughter. It's in the office at present, but  hopefully this weekend it will be mounted in the clubhouse.

John Howe with the painting 

Bob Pirie

Dartmoor Gliding News – Sunday 21st October 2013

It was most unfortunate (but wisely decided) to cancel the Scouts from Plympton who were booked today, but as our photo shows it would been a fool’s errand. 

Why we didn’t fly today

Instead we concentrated our efforts on briefings, taking exams (see photo of Jerry selecting the right colour for one of his Bronze ‘C’ answers)  and generally improving our knowledge of aerotowing, ridge flying, ridge running (we know the difference between the two...) and how we might explore these, both from a pilot’s point of view and actually going to sites where we can do so.

Jerry Wellington selects a colour from the Kids Colouring box to answer a question in the (multiple-choice) Bronze C exam...

 One of us attached a new yaw string to the K-8 canopy and another of us (thanks, Tony) moved the ‘Visitors Wait Here’ sign to a position adjacent to the clubhouse in order to address safety concerns discussed at Saturday’s committee meeting.

In the afternoon we worked up a huge appetite by hiking as far as the trailer park to survey how we are going to cope with the surplus of demand over available space.  No solutions were immediately obvious (greater intellect required than the Sunday crew could muster) so in the face of failure we retired to the clubhouse, safe in the knowledge that our final glide would place us within reach of Dave Parker’s chocolate and walnut cake (well, either undershoot or overshoot would have been acceptable) and as the clouds continued to scud over the clubhouse we decided to turn for home.
 

The Trailer Parking dilemma: solutions on a postcard, please

But not before ageing rock star (and sound wizard) Colin Boyd let slip that he is a an avid collector of a variety of technical and scientific items, including grease guns (lack of space precludes...)

Ageing Rock Star Colin Boyd (has a story to tell)

Martin Cropper