Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 30th August 2023

Today the weather delivered a sucker punch.  RASP looked reasonable.  Skysight looked quite good.  I arrived early and opened up my trailer and got the fuselage out.  Richard then arrived and we adhered scrupulously to the the Secretary's edict on airfield parking and priorities by getting the hangar doors open, getting the gear out including the winch, before doing anything more on the private gliders.  Steve Fletcher turned up and was then followed by the Duty Basic Instructor, Phil Hardwick, who laid out the winch cables.  Meanwhile, Mike Bennett and I refuelled the vehicles that needed it.  By then there were enough bodies to get the gliders out of the hangar.  Then, and only then, was the tea made (Ed: This is a shocking development at Dartmoor International - Is the change something to do with recent NATS failures?) and our attention could move to rigging the private gliders.

When the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine, arrived there were only the Daily Inspections left to be conducted.  Everything was set up for an early start.  But the privateers once rigged (Standard Cirrus, Open Cirrus, Club Libelle, Discus, and Kestrel 19) wanted to wait for the weather to improve.  Phil had to wait for the two One Day Course candidates to arrive and then brief them.  So the first launch was at a leisurely 1056.  The Duty Instructor was less optimistic about the cloud base and thermal activity due to the top cover cloud (Ed: And boy was the wily old fox right!!)

Lots of gliders being rigged for the day

First up with Phil for her One Day Course was Jess Tooze who had arrived from "deep down in Cornwall!"

One Day Course candidate Jess Tooze ready for her first flight with Phil

And they are ready for the off. "All out. All out"

Phil allows CCY to smoothly rotate into the full climb

Our second visitor today was David May who was accompanied by his wife, Paula who had given him a voucher for his One Day Course as a birthday present.  David is an IT teacher (Ed:  What is it about DGS and IT gurus?  What is the attraction?  Do we all need to be dragged kicking and screaming in to the 21st century? Andrew you can remain quiet!).

Visitor David May and Phil prepare themselves for their first flight together

Meanwhile on the apron hangar the Twin Astir was arranged as it needed to be derigged as part of a technical inspection.  However, the syndicate couldn't manage to get the wings off (Ed: Surely that's reassuring?) and so Phil, another syndicate member, was called away from his instructing duties to lead the syndicate in the derigging.  The inspection could then take place and the component parts of the Twin Astir loaded on to its open trailer.

Back at the launch point Gavin stepped up to cover for Phil and flew David for his second and third flights .  Despite being early in the day they managed to find some "zero sink" and gentle lift to clock up two soaring flights of 9 and 12 minutes a piece. In amongst all the green fields the recently-cropped tiny wheat field in the Blackdown valley, to the north-east of the airfield, proved to be a reliable but weak thermal generator (Ed: Which was remarkable as there was total cloud cover and the field is on the shadow side of the airfield.  But often it is a discontinuity in the vegetation on the ground that can spark thermal activity).

One Day Course candidate David May takes his second flight with Gavin, standing in for Phil, in CCY. Behind them in FGR David Archer helps Jess Tooze strap in in the front seat

Phil returned to the launch point and prepared to take Jess aloft for her next set of flights, this time in FGR (Ed: We almost had both One Day candidates in the air at the same time). 

Phil back from "de-arming" the Twin Astir, as the Germans say, gets back into the groove to take Jess aloft for her second flight, this time in FGR (Ed; Let it not be said that we don't give value for money with two gliders for a One Day Course!)

The two members of the latest syndicate at Brentor, the Club Libelle, had set themselves a mission today.  Rig the glider efficiently using the new wooden trestles that Hugh had made, and adjusted for length, and then each fly a set of three "circuits and bumps" to get themselves acquainted with their new toy.  And that they did very successfully.  As ever with a new glider and trailer there are niggles to be ironed out; such as the height of Mike Bennett's tow ball on his van (Ed:  Keep working at it and it will became a breeze and those niggles will be long forgotten).

Mike readies himself in the cockpit while Hugh continues the cleaning and polishing right up until "Take up slack" (Ed: And to think that I got a hard time from them for having a clean and shiny glider and trailer)

Mike Bennett launches in his Club Libelle

The Standard Cirrus waits for the club gliders to "show it the way"

The Cirrii (Open and Standard) observe the K-13 with Phil and Jess returning from their second flight

Mike Jardine then took CCY for a solo flight before Ella arrived for a set of three instructional flights with him.  Ella is now consistently flying the whole flight; launch, circuit, and landing so Mike is reduced to being the photographer in the back seat (Ed: That is obviously an uninformed layman's observation of the instructor's role).

The Duty Instructor's view.  100% cloud cover in all directions.

The club K-8, GDK was in action with Martin Broadway, John Smith, and David Archer throughout the afternoon amid the training flights.

After a good launch Ella slows CCY down and starts searching for lift

Views looking North over Blackdown

The airfield from the north clearly showing the recently-cropped wheat field that was generating thermals. (Ed: There is an Open Cirrus landing there - can you see him?)

Later in the afternoon Mike Jardine had another trainee, the Night Owl, to fly.  Andrew Downing had a set of four flights with Mike including a hangar landing.  Sadly, the day had not developed as promised and none of them were soaring flights.

After the One Day Courses were completed David May's wife, Paula, was so impressed by the day's experiences that she had to have a a go.  So Phil obliged her with a single trial flight which ended in a hangar landing for FGR.  I took David back to the clubhouse in the Jeep so that they could be reunited.  Alas the well-oiled (Ed: As in slick not alcohol!) tower and launch team omitted to dispatch me with David's Certificate and his temporary membership card hence there are no customary photos of the handover at this point in the blog.  Our Treasurer nobly offered to send them on (Ed: Thanks Andrew).

Back at the launch point a notable event was about to occur.

A momentous occasion. Peter about to make his 4,000th launch.

A high-quality launch marshal team comprising Mike Jardine and Richard orchestrate this special launch

And up he goes (Ed: Is that the 4,000th time you have used that caption too?)

And with that the flying was drawn to a close and the gliders were returned to the hangar end of the airfield.

Dave Archer hangar lands GDK at the end of the day

Today the "Man of Match" was held early on by Gavin and David May in CCY with 12 minutes.  Phil and David later pipped that and achieved 13 minutes.  Hugh's third "Circuit and Bump" in the Club Libelle was much more than that with a 15 minute flight (Ed: Hugh, I know you are trained as an Introductory Flight Pilot but for your solo flights you are allowed to stay up for longer than 15 minutes!).  But Martin Broadway, wafting around in the K-8 and Richard concentrating hard on flying his Discus very gently in zero sink both achieved 20 minutes and achieved joint "Man of the the Match" (Ed: Well done.  Shouldn't that be "Men of the Match"?).

There were no launch failures, practice or real, today so the shortest flight of the day "wooden spoon" award goes to Steve Fletcher in his Open Cirrus with 3 minutes.  (Ed: Apparently the "sink" was severe, so he said. Steve later redeemed his honour with a second flight of seven minutes.

At the club house Jamie Steel came to say hello and now that he is back from sea to say that he should be able to assist with instructing on Wednesdays again.  Gavin and Jamie discussed potential future cooperation with Royal Navy personnel based in the dockyard and the details of an exciting new development that is currently under negotiation (Ed: So I as I suspected you are going to be a tease and not reveal what that development is yet then!).

The Twin Astir leaves the site on its open trailer for a further technical inspection

There is a special thank you due to Colin from the Twin Astir team for providing technical guidance and support throughout the day on the derigging and initial inspection of their glider (Ed: We will get you back in the air soon.  The weather forecast for Saturday looks promising).

Following a hangar landing after his 4,000th flight Peter was very content to put the mighty Kestrel with its 19 metre wings to bed

In summary, a reasonable amount of flying with 38 launches.  And yes the privateers did indeed get sucker punched by the weather forecast but at least we flew.

After the hangar doors were shut Peter celebrated his achievement by getting the beers in.  His daughter, Paula, joined us in the clubhouse to celebrate his achievement (Ed: She then offered to take him out for a curry.  What a great end to the day for Peter!)

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 26th August 2023

Early in the day the Tors were shrouded in low clouds; there was drizzle in the air; there was a threat of thunderstorms later. So a non flying day then? Well no. There was an air of optimism around the club that there would be a flyable window providing the showers left us alone. The stiff breeze was from the WNW ie straight down the runway.

K8 FXB ready to launch.

We cancelled our One Day Course today as the late start would not have allowed time to give it the time these courses deserve. We did fly a couple of Air Experience visitors though. Ray Remon and Hazel Hunt were both lucky with the weather and completed their flights.

Ray ready to go flying with me

The weather did play ball and by 11.30am the cloudbase had risen enough to allow full height launches. Thermals were few a far between and were unusually tight. The trick was to find a climb to cloudbase ( 2000ft QFE at best) and stay there. With the breezy conditions and weak thermals it would be all yoo easy to end up back on the ground. Best flight of the day was John Allan flying the K8 for a creditable 38 minutes. Also of note were the 3 soaring flights by Mike Jardine in K13-DCCY. 

CCY launches again

Robin Wilson had a soaring flight with Mike. Climbing at 2 knots

John Allan's view of the airfield from 2000ft overhead Mary Tavy

The airfield was a popular photo target today. 
This view was taken by Mike Jardine from the SE corner

The weather was definitely better than forecast. The threatened thunderstorms did not materialise. Most of the showers passed us by requiring us to dry the gliders only a couple of times. All too soon it was time to return the kit to the hangar.

The early evening the filled with much hot air from the clubhouse as the Committee sorted out club business.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Monday 28th August 2023

Another Bank Holiday arrives with typical Bank Holiday weather. Initially low cloud, again, but clearing later so flying could take place. With no trainees and only a One Day Course (ODC) student booked in, it was decided to take both winches up to the airfield so that further testing of the re-built winch could be undertaken.

Having undertaken a couple of test flights on the new winch, general flying could commence.

ODC student, Viki Vincze arrived with her partner. They originally hailed from Hungary, but now live in Bristol. Viki is a bit of an adrenaline junkie so booked the course with us whilst they were down in Devon to see some of the sights.

Viki was given her initial briefing and introductory flights by Steve Fletcher.

Viki and Steve ready for the introductory flight.

Steve then handed the back seat over to Scratch to cover the BI part of the course.

Viki and Scratch ready for the next part.

Although getting used to using the controls, Viki was enjoying the launch and just being flown around rather than doing the flying herself. So up-stepped instructor No 3 to take her for her last flight where she could experience some tight turns, nose drop stalls all within the current limitations of the K13.

Viki and Peter getting ready.

Viki enjoyed her day with us and said they may return for her partner to experience flying with us.

With the winch performing reasonably well and the drivers getting tuned into driving the new winch, it was decided to give the much lighter K8 it's first launch. After a toss of the coin between Rick and Peter, it was decided Peter would take the first K8 launch. A slow ground run resulted in me abandoning the launch, but after speaking with the driver a second successful launch was achieved.

My view of the airfield and launch point.

And to the south west.

When I landed after 15 minutes, Rick informed me that I would have to pay for the flight as 15 minutes was excessive for a free test flight. At least I got flight of the day. After his stint on the winch Mike Bennett chose to fly with Rick. Malcolm W-J and Rick also took flights in the K8 on the new winch.

With the new winch performing well, but not fully on line, it was decided some more work needs to be done on the fuel system before it is fully on line.

Only a small crowd at the club today, but we hosted a ODC and some good testing of the new winch was achieved.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 27th August 2023

Yet another Sunday with low cloud and drizzle to start the day. The forecast did predict things would brighten up for a weather window to enable some flying until early afternoon. So after early morning tea and coffee, enough people had arrived to set up and run the airfield.

First launch at a respectable 10:25 was a practice launch failure to wake Sean Westrope up. Well handled and flown, this was followed by a further two good circuits.

Sean, you don't know what's coming.

Next trainee to fly with me was Val Kiely. Val is starting to fly more of the launch and improving on her general flying.

Val sporting the latest Medusa hairband.

Val getting ready.

And off she goes.

Richard Roberts with no visitors to fly, took Sean for a quick flight. 

Sean now in matching hat and wind proof with Richard.

Colin, Ed and Adam came to the launch point after doing some work on K6 G-CEWO. Colin was flown around by Phil Hardwick. Both Ed and Adam took a solo flight in the K13. With the rain visible out to the west of the airfield. The final flight was Richard taking Matthew Stone for a quick flight and hangar landing. Having arrived at the airfield, Matthew chose not to fly using the IMSAFE advice.

Thank you to those at the airfield enabling some flying at least. Nearly at the end of August now, maybe September will improve

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Met Office Visit 22nd August 2023

Today we were hosting a visit by the Met Office (Exeter) to see if their forecast would result in conditions living up to expectations. Ed Borlase has been doing a lot of background work to facilitate this visit. Three members formed the group, Aidan McGivern (Presenter), Simon Hammett (Cameraman) and Caroline Patterson (Strategic Communications Manager). A number of volunteer members arrived to assist with the days proceedings.

A slow start due to cameras and sound systems being fitted in the K13 under the guidance of Colin Boyd to ensure all was secure and safe. In the clubhouse I gave the usual morning brief with my interpretation of the weather was followed by Scratch giving a visitor safety brief. Aiden then stepped up to give his Met Office brief of the days weather.

K13 FGR is wired for sound and video.

Following the usual parachute briefing, presenter Aiden was introduced to the K13 and strapped in. Final checks done it was time for Lights, Camera and Action.

Last close ups.

Camera and glider roll.

And action.

The initial cloud we headed for didn't give a result so explaining why I headed for Blackdown with the sun heating the south facing slope, we contacted some lift and climbed back to above launch height. Moving away we failed to find more lift so had to head back to land.

And safely back.

After Aiden recounted his experience to camera where he expressed his amazement how the forecast translated into the 3D environment of the sky, we got ready for a second flight.

Scratch came from the winch to fly with Caroline. Her first experience was a launch failure, but undeterred took off with Scratch for a second attempt. Successful this time they enjoyed 22 minutes soaring.

Caroline being briefed by Steve.

Caroline gets her certificate from Scratch.

The met office crew and Ed disappeared to the clubhouse to undertake some more recording. This enabled the helpers to be rewarded with some flying. Robin Wilson and Val flew with me in the K13 whilst Steve Fletcher, Martin Broadway and Malcolm W-J flew the K8. All enjoyed flights in excess of 20 minutes.

Today we have received this message from Caroline and Ed:-

Aidan and I were just saying today feels very ‘back to normal’. Shame we can’t have an adventure like yesterday every day although my heart might struggle with too many failed launches. 😊... I enjoyed reliving the 360 footage when I got home – some of it is hilarious particularly the sharp ascent/descent footage – I appear to be laughing throughout. I just want to thank you again massively from the three of us. I’m certain we’ll have a great final cut and look forward to sharing it with you, Peter and the others. I’m just sorry Rich had to miss out.

Thank you to all who helped out today giving the usual DGS welcome and friendly atmosphere resulting in a very successful experience for all.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 23rd August 2023

Following a very successful briefing and flying day with the Met Office on Tuesday we were blessed with another pleasant summer's day.  The forecast wasn't spectacular just very pleasant; calm conditions, no rain, and some weak thermal activity due to the forecast predicting a limiting top cover (Ed: After two named storms in August we ought to be thankful for any flyable weather).

So the Wednesday Wavers were on for flying today at last.  However, the pause in flying operations due to the recent bad weather has been put to good effect by the maintenance teams who have recently conducted the annual inspections of a Standard Cirrus and two K-6s, and the production of the all important accompanying paperwork.

We had two visitors scheduled for today; extended family members Mark Swarbrick and Alan Lambert.  Alan had a One Day Course flight voucher as a birthday present and had twisted Mark's arm to come and keep him company.  Before they arrived new junior Matthew with his Dad were already here with his name appended to the flying list.  When the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine gave the nod he helped the rest of the team to get the toys out.  

 

Sadly we were always going to be thin on the ground today as many members were absent to pay their respects at the funeral of Alan Holland.  Alan had been a stalwart member of Dartmoor Gliding Society and long time instructor at Brentor.  Almost all of us had learned to fly under Alan Holland's tutelage.  We owe him a great deal for a fantastic start to our gliding careers. During the day we had a chance to reflect his passing.

Following the morning brief by Mike two K-13s and later a K-8 were taken to the east end.  After giving the One Day Course Introductory brief I drove our One Day Course candidates to the East end to start flying.

 

Matthew had a set of three flights with Mike to brush the cobwebs off and a further pair of flights later in the day (Ed: Oh, to be 14 years old again and to be able master the fundamentals of flying a such a cracking rate). Meanwhile Matthew's Dad got to grips with retrieving the gliders and manoeuvring them at the launch point (Ed: Gliding is a team sport!).

Junior Matthew and Mike prepare for their third flight

The first of our One Day Course candidates, Alan Lambert, who drives trucks for a living and comes from Cornwall flew with Gavin (Ed: The assembled pilots running the ground operations weren't convinced by his argument that Saltash counted as "coming from Cornwall").

Alan Lambert ready to start his One Day Course in CCY with Gavin

Here for a day's flying at Brentor was Simon Harris who spends a lot of his time flying in France.  As well as holding a BGA Gliding Certificate he holds a French pilot's licence.  His aim for today was to reacquaint himself with BGA procedures both on the ground and in the air.  He had a successful time which included five flights during spread across the day. We expect to see him back at Brentor in about six weeks.

Mike Jardine listens as Simon runs through his pre-flight checks in English prior to his first winch launch in 15 years

As the conditions during the day were forecast to improve Gavin flew our visitors in sets of two to even up the experience.  Second up was Mark Swarbrick who like Gavin had taken early retirement to enjoy life.  Mark is a keen cyclist and often cycles on the moors, and knows the Brentor area, setting off on his two-wheeled tours from his home in Plymouth.

One Day Course candidate Mike Swarbrick ready to start flying with Gavin (Ed: Yes, Mike was lent a soaring hat, currently in his lap, as the day was warming up)

Club members Malcolm Wilton-Jones, John Allan, David Archer, Peter Howarth, Martin Broadway, and late arrival on site Chairman Steve Lewis, all made use to the delightful characteristics of the K-8, GDK, in the weak thermal conditions.  Inevitably the longest flights today were made in the K-8.  Flights of length included 34 minutes (John) and 27 Minutes (Malcolm).   While we are considering the "Man of the Match" award later in the day Mark Swarbrick, aided a tad by Gavin, soared to 1,600 feet QFE for a course-curtailed total of 17 minutes in K-13, CCY.

John Allan lands GDK after his "Man of the Match" 34 minutes aloft

Mike's view of the valley to the North of the airfield with Mary Tavy in the distance

We welcomed Dick Masters, who normally can't make our Wednesday flying days due to his naval lecture commitments, to the Wednesday Soarers (Ed: Three-phase high power electricity generation anyone?).  Mike took him for set of three flights and then a further flight later in the afternoon.

Glider and PPL pilot Dick Master's holds FGR steady at 40 knots while hunting the day's elusive thermals

The winch suffered a problem on the North drum which reduced us to single cable operation. Hard work by the retrieve drivers and the winch driver whilst some extensive repairs were effected kept us going.  Later in the afternoon two drum operation was restored.  Well done to all involved.  The reduction in the launch rate was minor and probably not noticed by our visitors.  Bravo Zulu!

The face of despair as Peter is faced with a horlicks (Ed: Is that the technical term?) at the winch

All smiles as the Fletchers prepare to aviate (Ed:  Our newly-minted Introductory Flight Pilot, Steve Fletcher, made the bold decision to fly his wife today.  I know that my wife will only fly if there is trolley service onboard the aircraft!)

Take up slack.  Arrows away!

Susan's Fletcher's first view of the Devon countryside from the air. In a reversal of stereotypical roles her husband Steve is back seat driving! (Ed: You are going to get shot for that comment!)

The airfield viewed from the West (Ed: Note the cumulus building over Dartmoor, but sadly not Brentor)

Susan and Steve Fletcher's view while thermaling on a beautiful summer's day

With the maintenance team and others at Weston Mill Crematorium today there was little activity in the hangar and workshops.  However, Hugh took the opportunity to rig his and Mike Bennett's new Club Libelle and adjust the length of the overly-large wooden wing trestles. (Ed:  I hope you don't realise why they were so big in the future...after wielding the saw there is no going back).

High cirrus (Ed: Ice clouds) and contrails

As the day drew to a close the final number of cables was determined.  All the solo pilots had had their fill of the K-8 and that left the two K-13s to be hangar landed.  Mike took Alan Lambert for an addition flight to demonstrate a hangar landing and Gavin did the same with Mark Swarbrick on Mark's final flight of his course.

Successful One Day Course candidates Mark Swarbrick and Alan Lambert with their Instructor

As to the weather.  It was hot!  Even in T-shirts it was hot in the cockpits as there was little wind at ground level.  As forecast the top cover of cirrus and a strange humid haze associated with the sea breeze from Plymouth did limit the thermal activity.  But we were warm, dry and able to fly (Ed: As you would reasonably expect in August, except August 2023 that is!).

Following the last launch at 1713 we packed the equipment away and said farewell to our visitors. Thirty-six flights were made today and all pilots had their fill.  It almost felt like a summer's day of flying.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 20th August 2023

With storm Betty moving away, the forecast was for low cloud in the morning clearing mid/late morning with a south westerly breeze and soaring conditions during the afternoon. What we got was low cloud with rain showers, a moderate southerly wind and initially little chance of flying. With the hangar still full, room was made in the maintenance container for K6 G-CEWO to be placed so that the annual inspection could be undertaken by Adam, Colin and Ed.

The field had been set up early by ever optimistic Richard Roberts, but first we had to consume cups of tea and coffee in the clubhouse. Eventually after an early lunch the sky started looking brighter, so a K13 was prepared and towed to the east end. After a weather check flight launched at 13:27 which found the cloud base to be around 1000ft, general flying could commence.

Low cloud stopping flying.

Eventually the sky cleared.

Due to the rain and low cloud this morning we had to cancel the first trial flight of the day, junior visitor Jamie Young, so that he didn't have a nugatory journey from West Cornwall.  Jamie, we look forward to seeing you again when you have rebooked.

Our first visitor did arrive.  IT Specialist Chris Jones and family were in the local area having come down to the West Country from Wincanton. Despite the low cloudbase he enjoyed his flights with Gavin, one of which was an extended flight of 9 minutes.

Chris Jones with Gavin.

Chris receiving his certificate from Gavin.

Morgan Beeley came with her parents from Mary Tavy. Morgan was down from Swindon to support her younger sister who was due to give birth shortly. Nice programming Morgan; babies and glider flights.  Morgan enjoyed her flights with our newly-minted Introductory Flight Pilot, Steve Fletcher, which included a 12 minute soaring flight and an opportunity to spot the family home from the air.

Morgan Beeley with new IFP Steve.

Morgan being congratulated by Steve.

After the visitors had left training resumed with Night Owl Andrew Downing taking his first flights in four weeks. Three flights saw him go from a little rusty to flying the whole flight and coping with the cross wind take-off's and landings.

Andrew back in the saddle.

Sean Westrope was hoping for some soaring today. Unfortunately conditions didn't develop as forecast, so his flights were utilised to concentrate on finessing his cross-wind landings. Three good landings gave him a good confidence boost on his journey to solo.

Sean's view to the south.

Richard Roberts took Andrew for a flight and demonstrated a different approach direction from the north and landing on the stub runway. Finally Ed and Adam came to the launch point after successfully completing the K6 ARC. Each had a solo flight in the K13 to close flying at 18:16 and 15 flights. A day which started looking like no flying would be possible, but we managed some aviation and everybody flew who wanted to.

Peter Howarth