Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 28th July 2019

In what was probably his longest flight ever from Brentor, Leith Whittington today spent over an hour, reaching 2,700ft agl, over Dartmoor today. But more of that later. The RASP forecast predicted a light north-westerly with, in stark contrast to the east of the UK, prolonged sunshine and cloudbase rising to 3,500ft by mid-afternoon, giving a star rating of 3.5.

BI Rich Roberts is ready to fly with visitor Steven Morris.

Visitor Linda Hanbury with Rich Roberts.

Today we welcomed Colin Watt, CFI at Lasham, who had kindly agreed to take Martin Cropper for renewal of his EASA Instructor’s licence, and a host of visitors. These were mostly flown by one of our two new BIs, Rich Roberts (it’s official – see page 71 of the current Sailplane & Gliding) supported by Peter Howarth and Martin Cropper. Rich first flew with Steven Morris, and then Linda Hanbury whilst Peter flew with Laurie Sutton. Husband and wife team Michael and Gill Till then split a two flight voucher, whilst Gemma Phillips also flew with Peter.

Visitor Mike Till is ready to aviate.

Mike’s wife, Gill, gets in on the act.

On the instructing side Dave Downton made steady progress towards re-soloing, while Roger Appleboom, Phil Hardwick, Martin Broadway and Dave Westcott kept the single seaters aloft, some to greater effect than others. The truth of the matter was that, despite the usual markers in the sky, usable lift appeared to be confined to a narrow corridor at the east end of the field (the launchpoint end). It was here that Leith, in company with Rich Roberts, first contacted their lift and where they remained for most of their 1 hr 9 mins aloft, gradually moving downwind (south-east) over the moor, thus being able to survey the queues of holidaymakers attempting to squeeze into the Cox Tor car-park, or scuttling into Tavistock market for a coffee.

Visitor Laurie Sutton.

Visitor Gemma Phillips and family.  Gemma flew with Peter Howarth.

Thanks go to Phil Hardwick and Allan Holland for their winching, and to all those who helped fetch, carry and make our visitors welcome. A day when the forecast and the weather experienced were in accord!

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 27th July 2019

Today's forecast looks promising. A mix of sun and possible showers later with a brisk NW wind strengthening later. RASP looks reasonable with a good soaring window in the early afternoon.

Initially to sky looked better than it was. 

After the morning briefing today's Instructor Rick Wiles led the way with a 20 minute flight with returning pilot Ian Woolley in DMX. Good start. I followed with the first flight with today's One Day Course candidate John Gray which turned out to be a scratching 13 minutes. We hooked a thermal but were quickly whisked off down wind ( the wind at flying heights was quite strong ) such that it took all the height we had gained to return to the airfield. 40 minutes later John and I flew again and the thermals had strengthened and started to street. This allowed us to have a comfortable 1 hour 5 minutes only airbraking back down to the field for a spot of lunch.

One Day Course candidate John Gray

Meanwhile today's private fleet got their acts together and we were joined by the Open Cirrus, Twin Astir SF27, Zugvogel 3B and K10.  Best flight was Steve in the Open Cirrus who achieved  1 hour 29 minutes on his 2nd  flight.

The Open Cirrus under a great sky.

Steve's view of Mary Tavy
( I had asked the solo pilots for some photos of our neighbours at Mary Tavy)

Our other visitor today was David Barbour who enjoyed a good soaring flight with Roger Green who was helping out with the instructor duties in between flying the Zugvogel 3B.

Roger presenting David Barbour with his Certificate

By the mid afternoon we had a very dark, angry looking cloud above the airfield that seemed to cut off the thermal activity and was giving some rain. Although the gliders were now down to circuits only, Barry Green flying the SF27 obviously hadn't got the memo and he promptly climbed to cloudbase and disappeared for a very creditable 51 minutes before reappearing through the gloom.

This cloud gave a light sprinkling of rain

The overdeveloped, dark cloud eventually moved away and the conditions recycled to such an extent that Rick flew his K10 for an hour taking off at 5pm. The unkind amongst us might think he did that to avoid helping us put the kit away but I am sure that thought never occurred to him.

Rick climbing at 6 knots in the K10

Rick's view of Mary Tavy

Just how many people does it take to derig a K10???

 A great day for local soaring.

Steve

Dartmoor Glidng News-Wednesday 24th July 2019

With low cloud over the airfield there was to be no flying until late morning if the forecast improvement occurred. Anticipating this with a forecast southerly/ south-south westerly we set up the airfield accordingly. K13 HXP and K8 FXB were also prepared ready for flying. Phil Hardwick took the opportunity of no flying to jump into the tractor and mow parts of the airfield.

Phil at home in the tractor.

Eventually the cloudbase started to lift and it looked like we were going to be able to fly. But as the wind had not read the forecast, and with a definite easterly component, it was all hands to change ends ready to fly. The K13 and K8 were brought to the launch point.

Our one day course Peter Mountfield had arrived and was briefed by Richard. First to fly with me was John O’Connell who had a couple of circuits. The K8 was also flown by Martin Broadway and Phil Hardwick. The K13 achieved full launches of around 1100ft just below cloudbase.

Peter and Richard were next in the K13. Their first launch resulted in a launch failure, but by the time we had reset and were ready to fly again, it was obvious the cloudbase was already a lot lower. We decided to pack everthing away as the forecast was for conditions to further deteriorate. Peter will return for his full course at a later date. His wife Mary will also be booking some trial flights, hopefully on the same day.

Peter ready to fly.

Only five flights, but thank you to all who turned up helped but didn’t fly. Better weather soon please.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 21st July 2019

“Absolutely fine, no problem, get here by a quarter to twelve and we’ll have you in the air by midday…!” such confidence, fuelled by little arrows pointing to the top right on the Met Office Tavistock forecast, the spot wind F214 showing 210 at 20 kts and the RASP giving it 2.5 by 1130, was to prove short lived, as we took the gliders to the east end launch-point, where the windsock showed 10-15kts from the south ie. 90 degrees across the runway. Good job I didn’t give my name to the lady on the phone…

Warwyck Roberts Snr ready to launch with Roger Green

Roger Green landing HXP with Warwyck Roberts Snr.

So not a day for the K-8 which, even if flown expertly, could easily have succumbed to the gusts on the ground. But a day where unfulfilled promise was turned into moderate success by flying a total of nine visitors (not all pre-booked…).

Visitor David Coombes receives his certificate from Roger Green.

Mark Smith is presented with his certificate by Roger Green.

Roger Green blazed the trail to soaring flight by exploiting a narrow line of strong lift at the east end of the airfield, up over Blackdown, enabling him to deliver a 22 minute soaring flight to Warwick Roberts Snr (whilst son Warwick Jnr flew for 21 minutes with me – there’s airborne etiquette (and telepathy) for you..!)

Warwyck Roberts Jnr is congratulated by Martin Cropper.

The Roberts family en masse.

The lift, strong in parts and marked by Cu, was not reliable, however, and with glimpses of 4s and 6s on the vario averaging at only ½-1 up, the strength of the crosswind was the dominant factor, closely followed by degree of sink in the valley, that determined how far it was safe to venture (ie. not far…) before punching back towards the airfield.

Visitor Gerald Mudge is welcomed by Martin Cropper.

Roger Plumb looks happy to fly with Roger Green.

Thanks go to a very willing and welcoming band of helpers: Andy Davey, Dave Downton and Ed Borlase but most of all to Phil Hardwick who winched throughout, ably coping with some white-knuckle recoveries of the cable within the total of 13 launches.

Roger Green explains a point of detail to visitor Michael Fitzpatrick.

Alexander Brooke-Walker being introduced to the parachute
by Dave Downton with his grandparents looking on.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 20th July 2019

Westerly breeze under a low cloudbase

A small but beautifully formed sub set of the club membership got together today to test their soaring skills against today's conditions. Mostly overcast with a westerly breeze there was hope of the great launches of last week but with cattle in the top field we were back to launching off the shorter runway length leading to about 1150 feet launches for the K13's. RASP was not too hopeful suggesting that there might be a soarable window later in the afternoon.

Today's veiw of Brentor Church from the top of the launch

In the event, it was soarable from midday. But it was not easy. Very narrow elusive bubbles to carry gliders to the low 2000 feet cloudbase. Sometimes it was more productive to fly with the wings level and just pull through the bubbles which were tending to street in the strengthening breeze. But a few pilots could make it work.

One Day Course Candidate Robert Sutton.

Robert keeping a good lookout as we approach our next cloud.

I managed a couple of good soaring flights with today's One Day Course candidate Robert Sutton. Today's private grid consisted of the Astir CS, Discus BT, Twin Astir, SF27  and the rare K10. Richard recorded the best flight in the Discus flying for 1hr 13minutes on a local task which he abandoned after struggling with the inconsistent thermals and low cloudbases. Interestingly, Richard chose to fly the Discus without it's winglets today. I asked him the reason for this; " Because I can" was the answer. The Twin Astir had a couple of short soaring flights.

A busy but untidy launcpoint.

Richard's Discus without winglets

It was great to see Rita Smith back again continuing her flying training. Rita is also getting to grips with the work around the launchpoint when not flying.

The very rare K10.

Our thanks to the winchdrivers, all those who helped and of course, once again to Heather for her endless cable retrieve duties

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 17th Jult 2019

The weather forecast for today was not inspiring. Light southwesterly winds. Rasp seemed to confirm this with only a slim chance of soaring during the afternoon. I arrived at the airfield to find Phil Hardwick was already changing ends. We thought we might be able to use the top field until cattle were spotted hiding under the trees along the north edge of the field.

As members turned up the aircraft were readied and towed to the east end.

Towing the gliders to the launch point at 9:30

We welcomed our one day course student, Alan Finch today. After a briefing from BI Richard Roberts they were soon off into their first flight. By the end of the day Alan was using all three controls and performing coordinated turns. Hopefully we may see him back for some more flying.

Alan and Richard ready to fly.

We also had a visitor from Mendip GC, Peter Turner. Peter has recently bought a holiday property down here and is hoping to be able to visit us regularly when he is down this way. Having flown with us before, I gave him a refamiliarisation flight, before he flew the K8.

Peter with the K8

Richard also flew with trial flight visitor, James Cargin. You can read his thoughts here .

James Cargin with Richard

James Cargin with Richard was kept busy flying with Barry Green, John O’Connell and Dave Downton. After a simulated power failure on the first flight of the day and a subsequent practice break, Barry was cleared to fly the K8. Good to see you back solo Barry. John had a couple of flights with the ASI covered to try and get over his reliance on the instrument. His upper air flying is improving and approaches and landings are also improving. Keep up the good work John. Dave had a couple of good circuits and a cable break practice. He will also be re-soloing shortly.

Returning member Angie Liversedge had three flights with Martin. Her skills are returning and is now doing all the flying

Angie happy to be back in the front seat.

The K8 was flown by Barry, Malcolm, Bob, Allan and Martin. Bob and Martin had extended circuits of 14 and 17 minutes. Malcolm failed on his usual hour after returning having been airborne for 58 minutes to claim flight of the day.

The twin astir made a brief appearance and was flown by Phil Hardwick and Martin Broadway.
We managed a surprising 35 flights. Thanks must go to Heather for retrieving all day again and the various winch drivers who kept things moving. After all was packed away we celebrated the belated birthday of Barry last week and his re-solo with a quick beer before heading home.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 14th July 2019

Martin and Irene getting airborne in K-13 HXP.

“For the first time ever I’ve had 10 up all the way around the circle – incredible!” Those were the words of Peter Howarth who, returning from yet another 30 mins plus flight, declared that he had never know lift like he experienced today. And why? Well, an almost slack easterly airflow delivered a sky of two halves – to the east the panorama was blue, indicating sinking air, whilst overhead at the west end was a broad but ragged carpet of grey cloud, indicating convection, possibly assisted by wave. Thus it was that Peter, flying with trial flight visitors Steve Tedley and Patricia Mawer, and Martin Cropper with Irene Chapman, were able to give all of them soaring flights.

Visitor Irene Chapman is presented with her certificate by Martin Cropper

Peter Howarth discussing the finer points of gliding flight with visitor Patricia Mawer.

Visitor Steve Tedley is presented with his certificate by Peter Howarth.

Returning solo pilot Dave Downton about to be connected by Joe Nobbs.

Privateer Roger Green (ASW-20 FRW) launched at 1150 to explore the local area, returning with photos from as far afield as Plymouth, Roadford and New Bridge over the River Tamar at Gunnislake (see photos), reporting a max height of 3,600ft and easy 3-6 kt thermals all round.

Gunnislake in the upper half of the photo.

Roger Green’s view of HMP Dartmoor during his aerial tour of West Devon.

Other solo flights were made by Ed Borlase (K-6 EWO) and Steve Fletcher, Phil Hardwick and Martin Cropper in the club K-8, with Joe Nobbs completing the ‘stakeholder engagement’ team. Although there was no incursion by sea-breeze, conditions gradually became flatter as the afternoon progressed and, satisfied that all who wanted to had done so, we returned the gliders to the hangar at around 1700.

Ed Borlase about to get airborne in his K-6CR.

Thanks go to winch drivers Steve Fletcher and Phil Hardwick for consistently delivering launches to 1,200ft plus, a considerable achievement on the short, east run given the light wind conditions. And especial thanks go to Peter Howarth who, up with the lark as ever, arrived at the airfield well before anyone else in order to make the Sunday team’s contribution to the grass cutting effort.

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 13th July 2019

At the coast this morning the sky was blue and another balmy summer day seemed to be on the way. However, only a couple of miles inland there was a cloud sheet with a very smooth, straight looking edge which seemed to go on forever. Was this a "roll" cloud? Later conjecture suggested that this was probably the edge of a wave induced cap cloud sitting over Dartmoor from a wave system set off by the northern tors. Certainly the brisk wind was from the north.

Straight cloud edge Cap or Roll cloud?

At the airfield the only sign of this dramatic skyscape was the 8/8ths cloud cover and the NNW wind . RASP was not looking very optimistic with maybe a little local soaring if we were lucky. In fact this led to Rick, today's instructor in charge, joking at the morning briefing that the lack of lift wouldn't stop Malcom or myself from soaring. We'll see.

One Day Course candidate Ian Loades

We welcomed  some visitors today. Ian Loades was our One Day Course candidate. Ian flew with me and together we enjoyed the heady mix of teach Ian to fly the aircraft while expolring the local area for any sources of lift. Richard and Christine Dumbleton late morning for Air Experience flights. Richard flew with Rick in DMX with I flew with Christine in HXP.

Visitor Christine

Returning to see us today was Rita Smith who completed her One Day Course last week and continued her flying training today. Welcome to gliding Rita.

Todays uninspiring sky

What of the soaring? With the winch in the top field launches were great. The k13s averaged 1350 and the K8 1500+. Early on there was a little lift available on the north ridge which enabled circuits to be extended. By 1pm there seemed to be a little definition in the cloud with some slightly darker patches. This drew the gliders like moths to a flame and some were rewarded with a little soaring. Longest flight was Malcolm in the K8 who managed 33 minutes followed by me in the K13 with visitor Ian.

Malcolm's view of his flight follows

"My flight from Brentor today. At briefing Rick had stated that there would be little if any usable lift, and that mostly late afternoon, but I might find it. I was about to go to the winch but someone had already just gone there so when Mike landed and said he had found some lift he suggested I try to make something out of it so I took up the challenge. A good launch to 1500' and I headed for a darker patch of cloud to the north and after losing a couple of hundred it started to get bubbly and I started climbing slowly and drifting to the south-west, so clearly the N wind had some E in it. Soon got to cloudbase at 1700' and headed for a large dark patch a couple of miles N of the airfield. At cloudbase I again headed North while increasing speed to stay below the cloud and once clear burnt off the speed, climbing to just over 1800' at which point I could see nothing more within reach so turned east towards some darker clouds in the distance. I arrived at these at about 1000' over Blackdown but found nothing of any use so tried the north slope of the airfield but again nothing until at 600' the vario squeaked but a quick turn did not produce a gain of more than a few feet so it was into the circuit and landed after 33 minutes."

Looking SSE over Brentor church to the airfield

Cloudbase in the K8

Our thanks to all the helpers especially the winch drivers. Special mention for Heather who drove the retrieve all day..

A challenging day.

Steve.