Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday19th July 2015

Sunday: a day of faith for many, and today that included us at Brentor – faith that the slow moving cold front predicted to cross the site at 1pm local would in fact do so. For as we took the gliders to the launch point in the morning the cloud was 8/8 and cloudbase anywhere between the tops of the moors (2,200ft amsl) or the top of Brentor church (200ft agl!).

Introductory Flight Pilot Peter Howarth with Jacob Heathcote, from Bristol.

But with a busy programme to meet (a One Day Course, 4 Introductory Flights plus club trainees, check flights and a keen solo contingent) there was every need to get cracking as soon as we could. Which turned out to be shortly after 1030, when IFP Peter Howarth launched with visitor Jacob Heathcote (see photo), who had travelled from Bristol with his mum to stay with grandparents at Lamerton. That launch was closely followed by ODC student, Mike Bennett, from Plymouth who, having run activity centres (various), and being a caver, mountain biker and 5-a-side football player, had great expectations of us.

 One Day Course student Mike Bennett using all 3 controls to soar at 1,450ft.

Then the rain came. So for an hour we retreated to the launch point caravan (for some this meant 'breakfast 2', for others 'lunch 1') keenly surveying the sky for a sign of a break in the clouds. By a little after 1200 there was the faintest hint of blue and so the Sunday Times and lunch boxes were discarded in flavour of flight.

The gradual improvement in conditions were evidenced by K-8 pundit Chris Owen, whose first flight at 1230 yielded only 9 minutes, to be followed 45 minutes later by a flight of 22 minutes. At which point the solo pilots all attempted to launch together – slightly difficult with only 2 cables - but it did at least push the launch rate up to 6s and 7s over the following two hours. At which point thanks are due (once again) to Barry Green and Heather Horsewill for providing a faultless winch and retrieve service; Barry's launches never exceeding 65kts to 1,500ft whilst Heather always timed her return to the winch to maximise efficiency of launch rate over recovery of the cables. Also thanks are due to Leith Whittington, whose 'red eye' arrival at the club ensured that the kit was out and ready for use by 9.00am.

Visitor Brian Smith, from Lamerton.

As soon as the sun managed to get through its heat was apparent, and the cloudbase lifted rapidly whilst the breeze backed and the sky became more organised as the afternoon progressed. Peter Howarth flew with visitors David Thomas and Brian Smith (see photos), both being given brief introductions to soaring, and capped his day with teenager Nathan Savage (see photo), who was transported to over 2,000ft in K-13 HXP in a flight of 20 minutes. Meanwhile Roger Appleboom in his K-6 showed Leith Whittington (Dart 17R) a 'clean pair of heels' by shooting up to 3,000ft plus, both having started at similar heights in the same thermal, whilst Leith was left scratching for a further 20 minutes at about 1,500ft... Roger then returned to terra firma to relieve Barry at the winch.

Visitor David Thomas.

Jeff Cragg, Peter Harvey and Mike Keller all managed to soar for 20 minutes or so in the K-8, whilst Chris and Elliot Acton occupied the front seat of K-13 DMX during Mike Bennett's interlude at the winch end. 'Flight of the Day' accolade, however, was won most emphatically by Richard Roberts (fresh from his 40th birthday celebrations) who managed 3 minutes short of an hour on his second flight in his new K-6CR FHZ, reaching cloudbase at 3,200ft. By the sound of the feedback given on his return, he will achieve much more in future and with greater ease once the altimeter and varios have received encouragement to provide some slightly more 'real time' readings of what's going on.

Visitor Nathan Savage.

Mindful of the fact that club workhorse K-13 DMX needed to be derigged in preparation for its annual CofA the following morning, and that the hurdle fence need to be put back up (otherwise its back to caked on cow pats around the lower fuselages) we started packing up relatively early, and had everything put away by 7:30pm.

So today keeping faith in the weather forecast paid off for, had we relied on the view out of the window at 8:00am, we would have scrubbed. Thirty nine launches later I think we can gratefully say thank you, Met Office.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News- Saturday 18th July 2015

Today started with some real promise. The RASP soaring forecast was looking really good and the next cold front was not due until after 5pm. Early morning there was a slight chill in the air. This is a good thing on a soaring day; the diurnal variation ( meteorological term for the difference between the minimum and maximum temperatures ) is important for good thermal production; the bigger the temperature range the better.

Chris Jones in the K8 approaching the Zugvogel to share his thermal

By 11am the sky was full of good looking clouds. I wondered if this would lead to some overdevelopment. But the weather had it’s own agenda. Phil Hardwick flew his Astir for 1/2 hour, Tony Dean was soaring in the Zugvogel on a 2 hour attempt . Chris Jones flew the K8 for 1/2 hour and Bob Pirie was airborne in the ASW20 for 20 minutes when quite suddenly the soaring stopped. The cloud still looked good but there was just no energy. The biggest victim of this was Tony Dean. He was forced to land the Zugvogel 1 hour 18 minutes into his 2 hour attempt. Unlucky Tony but well done on the longest flight of the day.

The early launch queue with a good looking sky

The unlucky Tony Dean with the Zugvogel.

 The rest of the afternoon was filled with gliders making valiant attempts to soar in the poor conditions. Several managed 20 minutes or so but it was hard work. Best flight in this group was Richard Roberts flying the K8 who scratched out 40 minutes. Not bad as this was his first flight in a single seat glider for 18 years.

Martin Broadway in the ASW20 off to try and scratch out a soaring flight

We welcomed Joe Dash, a temporary member who returned today for some more flying. Joe enjoyed a couple of flights with me in  K13 G-CHXP.

Joe dash in the K13

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 15th July 2015

An improving forecast for the day meant that it would be rude not to take advantage. Brisk SW breeze and initially 7/8 cloud gave way to near blue skies by the end of the day. It was pleasantly warm all day.

Charity auction winner Lucy Cox 

We welcomed visitor Lucy Cox who was very keen to take part in a trial flight after winning the flight voucher in a charity auction. In the event she had 2 flights with IFP Fred Marks and is very keen to return for some more flying. Also visiting today was Pat Raine, wife of our Treasurer Steve, who overcame her fears to have a flight with Fred. Very well done.

Pat Raine with Fred marks

Instructor Ged Nevisky was kept busy with trainee pilots John Rogers and Jorg Beasley. He also flew with Field Treasurer David Rippon who needs a check flight or two after a recent gap in his flying.

David Rippon with Ged 

 The K8 provided some sport for our solo pilots with the early leader, Barry Green, being eventually bested by Mike Gadd with a flight of 32 minutes.

Barry was pleased with his K8 flight

Our thanks especially to Barry for his winching assisted by John Rogers and to Heather for driving the retrieve for the whole day.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News- Sunday 12th July 2015

Have you ever been away from the club for a while – perhaps on holiday or for work related reasons – only to find that those niggling little, nail catching, time wasting, defects you noticed before your departure were still there on your return?  Well today we set about rectifying a few of them. 

First, the winch driver's seat in the GusLaunch which, balanced precariously on it's column, pitched the hapless winch person backwards midway through the launch, thus upsetting view and speed control, was stabilised by Rich Roberts by the addition of a collar (although a more permanent solution is needed). 

Second, whilst Bob Sansom and Mike Keller worked on the fin post of their (immaculate) K-8 in preparation for its CofA next Saturday (see photo).

Bob Sansome and Mike Keller at work on the fin post of their 

Roger Appleboom and Pete Howarth replaced the hardboard floor of the box on one of the quad bikes (a real nail catcher) and added cleats that will allow the tow rope to be wound around (see photos). 

Repairing the floor of the box on one of the quad bikes.

The box replaced, with cleats for the attachment of the tow rope

Both of these tasks were achieved on the morale raising prospect of custard and jam doughnuts, courtesy of Paula Howarth, the arrival of which not only inspired Roger Appleboom to paint the rear of the quad red and yellow, but also caused him to spill paint on his best summertime shorts, requiring the woodburner to be lit (mid-summer) to dry them out.

Third, the box on the retrieve tow-out trailer was re-secured to the chassis, thus preventing it from moving disconcertingly when you're attempting to unload the drogue parachutes. This provoked Rich Roberts, Pete and Paula Howarth into giving the trailer a general clean, brush-up and repaint with yellow Hammerite, thus enhancing its visibility on the airfield.
 

Rich Roberts re-secures the box on the retrieve trailer.

Giving the retrieve trailer a new coat of paint.

The retrieve trailer returns to duty on the airfield.  

As if you hadn't guessed, the weather was at its British summertime best, a cold front and associated rain being so slow moving that it didn't clear the south-west peninsula all day.

So with a few jobs done and removed from the 'To Do List' we gratefully settled down to tea, doughnuts and tall tales at other members' expense in the clubhouse. Wished you were there?  Well, at least by the time you return you will find that some of those reasons to be uncheerful
have been removed (no doubt to be replaced by others, but that's gliding...).

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 11th July 2015

Friday evening saw thunderstorms with rain drops the size of mint imperials, Oh dear. Saturday morning dawned bright and breezy with the signs of the overnight rain still on the ground. The only question now was how long we had until the next front arrives in this infuriating westerly airflow which has been bringing a new frontal system every few days. Off to the airfield to find out.

After a couple of hours work I arrived at the airfield under a beautiful looking sky but the club was quiet. There were 5 members at the clubhouse end working on private glider inspections. On the airfield there were only 4 committing aviation in K13 G-CHXP. Club members had been put off by the pessimistic forecast. This is something they will regret.

But with the chance to soar the cloud streets and small convergences visible all over the sky I could not resist. We welcomed visitor Margaret Loker who arrived with a large family party spanning 4 generations. Young at heart Margaret enjoyed a couple of flights with IFP Rick Wiles.

Visitor Margaret Loker

Rick and Chris discussing the camera positioning

Although all of solo standard or higher the assembled pilots took advantage of the presence of instructor Ged Nevisky to explore some aspects of their flying. Chris Jones wanted to do some gentle aerobatics while checking out the latest positions for the in cockpit cameras. Several loops later produced some interesting video and this photo.

Chris at the top of his loop

Rick flew with Ged to explore hangar landings using the ground effect after some soaring. With the quiet airfield this did not cause any problems, they were in the only aircraft after all. Interestingly, while we normally discuss the length of flight as being the best flight of the day, today the challenge was to get the highest number on the “averager”. This gives the average climb rate over the last 24 seconds. Rick beat me in this respect bettering my 4.5 knot climb with one of 5.3 knots.

K13 G-CHXP in the ground effect will eventually stop about 1km further down the runway 

And what did I do. Well I flew with David Bouchier. I really wanted to have a look at an interesting cloud street with a somewhat ragged edge. In my mind I pictured this as one of the many small convergences that pass through this area in a westerly to south westerly airflow. And it was. After a quick climb up to the 2200 ft cloudbase, we then soared along the southerly edge, climbing up the side of the clouds by about 600 feet before heading off up wind towards Launceston. There was strong lift the whole way. Great fun.

David and I heading towards the Tamar valley

So there you have it. For all those pilots who did not attend today, you missed out on some astonishing soaring and easy local cross country in the day long conditions. For those who did attend, thanks for your help, and lets have some more fun like this really soon.

Steve  

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 5th July 2015

Whilst the eloquence of my 'Welcome to Dartmoor Gliding' presentation to One Day Course students Billy and Cameron Thomson was being drowned out by the rain beating down on the clubhouse canopy, our collective thoughts were that there would be no flying today.

So having been re-booked by new Enquiries Coordinator Paula Howarth, and having spent some time on the simulator, we bade farewell to the Thomsons for their return journey to Falmouth and, being Sunday Soarers, occupied our time constructively (well Rich Roberts did lay a new floor in the club caravan) composing a more Mary Berry oriented version of the mnemonic CB SIFT CBE viz: Cake, Bake, Sugar, Icing, Flour, Taste, Chocolate, Brownies and Eating..!

The arrival of the updated Met Office forecast at shortly after 1030 local gave an indication that, despite the possibility of isolated showers, the trough line which had caused the early morning rain might be shifting a little quicker than we first thought and so the silent majority made a democratic movement to the airfield. Where we found that, despite a wind gusting to 19 knots from the south west, the lift was strong and smooth under the clouds (see photo of Kit Smith at 1500ft).

Kit Smith soaring at 1,500ft: sun to the left, rain to the right.

At exactly 1430 (as predicted by RASP) there was a sudden downpour that forced us to retreat to the launch point but after its passage (see photo), the wind veered and reduced leaving a very pleasant afternoon for club members trainees Kit Smith and Paula Howarth, and 'mature' members Rich Roberts, Mike Jardine, Adrian Irwin (last flying before a two week cycling holiday) and Pete Howarth to enjoy. Longest flight of the day (once again) went to Pete Howarth, who managed to sneak in a 40 minute hangar flight in the K-13 (see photo), whilst max height gain went to Rich Roberts who reached (near) cloudbase at just over 3,000ft (at an average of 4m/s up!)

Dramatic sky as the 1430 isolated shower departs on its way to Exeter...

Pete Howarth looks pleased with his hangar landing after his
'Flight of the Day' winning excursion beneath the clouds as shown.

Thanks go to all for their patience to wait for the weather, and for their willingness in taking the hurdle fence down and putting it back up (on conclusion of our 1500ft launches...); and it was good to see that everyone flew, thus maintaining progress and currency where many other clubs might well have put their kit back in the hangar.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 4th July 2015

The flying forecast looked sensible; sunny spells, possibility of showers and a brisk southerly breeze to keep us on our toes. Turning up at the airfield though it was obvious that we would not really have a large enough crew to fly.

A tempting sky

Instead, we decided to get some work done. David Bouchier and Rick Wiles worked together to repair the Cross Fence Trailer and then add an electric fan to the radiator on the GusLaunch winch.

The repaired Fence Trailer. Perhaps a repaint next?

I worked with Colin Boyd on the tail wheel of K13 G-CHXP which had developed a repetitive puncture. First we diagnosed the cause of the failures. The valve stem had been touching the metalwork letting a little air out each time until the tyre was flat. To cure this we adjusted the wheel shims to create a little offset and keep the valve clear of the metalwork and then removed the tube and repaired a puncture caused by the flat type being rotated. Replacement inner tubes will be available next week.

Working on the tailwheel

The afternoon was so nice that I decided to continue with the grass cutting effort. By close of play the whole south side of the field had been mown and was looking good.

We missed what looked like a good flying day.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 1st July 2015

The news over the last day or two has included references to record temperatures and endless blue skies. Imagine my disappointment ( and annoyance ) to be woken up early by thunder and unbelievably large raindrop hammering against the window. The only bright spot, literally,was the spectacular fork lightning. 

Off to the airfield then under a glowering dark sky with a fresh southerly breeze offering the prospect of crosswind approaches and landing; such is the lot of pilots on a hill top site.
Today was a busy day. Instructor Ged Nevisky manned K13 G-DDMX to fly with our club trainees and visitor Ian Johnson with the rest of our visitors being flown by me in K13 G-CHXP.

Ged and Jorg in DMX ready to launch under a lowering cloudbase

One Day Course candidate Matthew Hubbard was first up and by the end of flight 3 was making good attempts at coordinated turns. Great stuff. We also welcomed visitor Sheila Coates who has a holiday home very close to the airfield and we spend a enjoyable couple of flights photographing her lodge which has spectacular views towards Plymouth. I am sure we will see more of Sheila.

One Day Course Candidate Matthew Hubbard

Sheila wait to go house hunting

And then, for me, a highlight of my flying year. We welcomed 94 year old Margaret Sheffield. I had the privilege of taking Margaret on a couple of flights, perhaps giving her a little insight into why her husband, an ex RN pilot, had loved flying so much.

Margaret ready to go flying

For most of the day we could see rain in the distance but it seemed to pass us by. Around 3:45 things suddenly changed as the wind veered and the cloudbase became 750 feet or so. Initially we thought we could wait for the conditions to improve but a peal of thunder in the distance made up our minds for us. End of flying.

Our thanks everyone who helped to make the day a success from it’s unpromising start. There are a lot of tasks necessary to operate the airfield. We always mention the instructors of course, but in some ways we have it easy; we spend most of our day flying. But today special thanks to all those who helped with the seemingly minor tasks, log keeping, launchpoint control, winch driving, cable towing, glider towing, grass cutting etc. etc. without which we could not fly. Thank you all.

Steve   

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 28th June 2015

We all know at least 6 symptoms of the approaching stall, and one definite indication of when the wing is actually stalled. But what of when the stall applies to a cold front, lying across the length of the SW peninsula – in which case the symptoms are members hungrily scanning the ‘To Do’ list in search of things with which to occupy themselves whilst the weather decides what it is going ‘to do’.

And so how did these symptoms manifest themselves? Well without the ability to paint, due to the precipitous weather, the members were largely forced indoors: Richard Robert to fettle (i.e.. fiddle with) the tail lifting arrangements of his newly acquired K-6CR (with the help of ex-member and father Terry), Paula Howarth to brush up her pre-solo ground school knowledge of the principles of flight, circuitry, and ‘configuring the aircraft for landing’, all of which she may need to remember for herself in the near future, and Jerry Wellington, ably assisted by Pete Howarth (and anyone else who happened to be passing with some ‘helpful’ advice) to try and re-orientate the stick position of the simulator (see photo of Jerry – with [totally unnecessary] soaring hat). The need for repositioning the stick had been discovered by Adrian Irwin when attempting to barrel roll what the glider the simulator was simulating: it just wouldn’t do it! Some improvement was obtained by placing varying thicknesses of kindling between the bungee and the computer joystick at the back of the sim (and thankfully not setting light to said kindling), but (although it was of some good) it was to little avail.

Jerry Wellington (wearing his troubleshooting hat) grapples with the trim of the simulator.

“Meddling Kids!”
Peter Howarth and Martin Cropper attempt to ‘assist’ Jerry with trimming the simulator.

And so with a definite indication that the cold front was actually stalled (i.e.. the Met Office update issued at 1300), we decided to scrub – thus allowing various key members to return to their families, and significant others. At which point some blue sky appeared (just enough to patch a Dutchman’s trousers!) but the cloudbase did not lift as well elsewhere, until about 6pm when the front finally did shift off to the west, making for a beautiful summer’s evening. Oh for a microlight (or is that sacrilege??!)

“Just enough blue to patch a Dutchman's trousers”
– the inevitable view as we decided to scrub (the cloudbase didn’t lift so well elsewhere…)

 Let’s hope the warm Continental air predicted to spread up from the south will have replaced this moist maritime stuff by Wednesday.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 27th June 2015

The day started with low cloud and a strong southerly crosswind. Gradually through the day the cloudbase lifted but never got above 1500 feet or so. The cross wind stayed throughout the day.

The club just quietly went about it’s business. Although not really on duty, Instructor Ged Nevisky kindly helped out and continued flight training for Robert Manuel and David Downton. We welcome 2 visitors today. Graham Sims was using the voucher that he had as a Christmas present and enjoyed a couple of flights during which he had a chance to try out flying the glider; a task that he seems to have an affinity for.

Visitor Graham Sims ready to go flying.

The other visitor today was Richard Hinge, my stepson who has been wanting to fly for several years despite his fear of heights, a trait inherited from his mother. Richard enjoyed the longest flight of the day with me in K13 G-CHXP, a heady 20 minute effort at 1500 feet or so. We could have soared for longer but this is not a generally not a good idea for a first flight. I am not sure whether he enjoyed the flying, or driving the quad bike for most of the day, better

Richard helping out towing gliders

There were just 2 private machines out  Mike Keller’s K8 and Martin Broadway’s ASW20. It’s always nice to see private gliders out and being flown, although today the 20 minute target set by the K13 proved to be unassailable.

The other interesting flight today was a flight by Chris Matten in the Zugvogel. Chris has recently return to flight status after getting somewhat out of practice.  

Chris Matten about to commit aviation in the Zugvogel

Steve Lewis