A sodden airfield, and a biting wind with horizontal sleet against a backdrop of a snow-covered moor, failed to deter a jolly group of Wednesday regulars from turning out and continuing to spruce up the place in readiness for the Open Day.
Encouraged by the tremendous inroads made by members last weekend, and guided by Don's hit-list of tasks, the team was ruthless in its disposal of junk and in trying to ensure that visitors receive a good impression right from the moment when they drive through the gate.
Ged in the digger and a trio of shovellers made a major dent in the pile of road planings - and at the same time reduced the number of 'dents' in the main track down the centre of the airfield (although the improvements were difficult to see because of the amount of water).
Finally, a big 'thank you' to Heather for her dedication and hard work both today and on previous occasions, which has transformed the appearance, cleanliness and comfort of the clubhouse.
Disappointing to have yet another unflyable Wednesday, but it was all good fun.
Thanks to everyone who took part.
Bob Pirie
Sunday 28th March 2010
A quiet day and a grim weather forecast.
Thanks very much to the small gang who emptied the old furniture from the generator building, and disposed of the rubbish, and then proceeded to usefully use the space to store groundwork tools, oil and
other stuff that is best out of the hangar.
A little more bronze C stuff completed by Alan Ballard, who celebrated by giving into his pyromaniac tendencies and had a bonfire. The place definitely looks smarter now.
Don
Thanks very much to the small gang who emptied the old furniture from the generator building, and disposed of the rubbish, and then proceeded to usefully use the space to store groundwork tools, oil and
other stuff that is best out of the hangar.
A little more bronze C stuff completed by Alan Ballard, who celebrated by giving into his pyromaniac tendencies and had a bonfire. The place definitely looks smarter now.
Don
Saturday 27th March 2010
The forecast was for a fine (ish) day. So the thick fog at the airfield was a bit of a surprise.
There were lots of members present who quickly formed themselves into groups to get some work done.
One group, lead by CFI Don, tidied up the hangar in preparation for next weeks open day. Another group were in the clubhouse working on the website project, it looked more like a computer class in there.
Martin, as resouceful as ever, decided that in light of the recent burning of the local gorse he would search for lost launch strops and promply found several saving the club a considerable sum of money.
Flying commenced mid afternoon as conditions dramically improved. Best flight of the day was by Mathew , one of our junior pilots who managed to follow a cloud street whist practicing flying the K13 from the back seat. I think he is determined to be CFI before he reaches the ripe old age of 21.
Steve Lewis
There were lots of members present who quickly formed themselves into groups to get some work done.
One group, lead by CFI Don, tidied up the hangar in preparation for next weeks open day. Another group were in the clubhouse working on the website project, it looked more like a computer class in there.
Martin, as resouceful as ever, decided that in light of the recent burning of the local gorse he would search for lost launch strops and promply found several saving the club a considerable sum of money.
Flying commenced mid afternoon as conditions dramically improved. Best flight of the day was by Mathew , one of our junior pilots who managed to follow a cloud street whist practicing flying the K13 from the back seat. I think he is determined to be CFI before he reaches the ripe old age of 21.
Steve Lewis
Wednesday 25th March 2010
Rain and low cloud su unfortunately no flying today.
The DGS AGM was held in the clubhouse at 6.30pm. The well attended meeting heard reports from the chairman, secretary, treasurer, safety officer and CFI which outlined the performance of the club during the past 12 months and presented the challenges and opportunities in our very exciting future.
Steve Lewis
The DGS AGM was held in the clubhouse at 6.30pm. The well attended meeting heard reports from the chairman, secretary, treasurer, safety officer and CFI which outlined the performance of the club during the past 12 months and presented the challenges and opportunities in our very exciting future.
Steve Lewis
Sunday 21st March 2010
Warm and sunny to start with 240/15 winds. Thermals started popping off by 9.30, as the day progressed the winds backed more southerly and strenghtened. Around 4pm cloudbase reduced to 600ft as the frontal systems approached.
A busy day on the field, with several trial lessons and pupils.
Unfortunately for Trevor he couldnt launch the Jantar (technical problem) when he needed to and the conditions deteoriated before he could get on his task.
Sandra flew the K6 for the first time, well done. The day was finished off with a field landing briefing.
Great to see people now bringing in the weather and NOTAM information. keep it up, practice makes perfect.
We now have a computer in the clubroom, the old charts donated are being handed out to trainees, the bronze syllabus is on the computer, we have a whiteboard for the launch vehicle and most importantly we have a coffee machine.
Thanks everyone for making that all happen.
Don
A busy day on the field, with several trial lessons and pupils.
Unfortunately for Trevor he couldnt launch the Jantar (technical problem) when he needed to and the conditions deteoriated before he could get on his task.
Sandra flew the K6 for the first time, well done. The day was finished off with a field landing briefing.
Great to see people now bringing in the weather and NOTAM information. keep it up, practice makes perfect.
We now have a computer in the clubroom, the old charts donated are being handed out to trainees, the bronze syllabus is on the computer, we have a whiteboard for the launch vehicle and most importantly we have a coffee machine.
Thanks everyone for making that all happen.
Don
Award for Roger Matthews
At the awards ceremony at the end of the British Giding Associations Annual General Meeting yesterday, it was announced that ex CFI Roger Matthews has been awarded the BGA Diploma for Services to Gliding
Roger had been the Chief Flying Instructor of the Dartmoor Gliding Society for 15 years until his retirement from the post at the end of last year.
Roger continues to serve DGS a Director
Congratulations Roger and many thanks from all at DGS
Saturday 20th March 2010
Strong winds, low cloud and rain made this a non flying day.
There were plenty of members at the club to take advantage of the lectures given by Don on getting and interpreting the Met data. This was followed by a discussion on altimetry.
Whilst these lectures were aimed at the pre bronze pilots, even the more senior pilots were quiet as they also learned a thing or two.
The pre solo pilots were given an appreciation of the Training Data from the club website - a resource they will use a lot in the coming weeks.
Steve Lewis
There were plenty of members at the club to take advantage of the lectures given by Don on getting and interpreting the Met data. This was followed by a discussion on altimetry.
Whilst these lectures were aimed at the pre bronze pilots, even the more senior pilots were quiet as they also learned a thing or two.
The pre solo pilots were given an appreciation of the Training Data from the club website - a resource they will use a lot in the coming weeks.
Steve Lewis
Martin Cropper on his travels
Club member Martin Cropper has been busy. He recently re-validated his instructor rating - Very well done Martin
Not wanting to rest on his laurels he followed this with a week with the Black Mountains Gliding Club at Talgarth in Wales, organised by Seahawk GC at Culdrose.
In three and a half days flying, (Thursday was unflyable due to wind strength and direction) Martin managed over 15 hours aloft: 6 hours dual and 9+ hours solo,
Not all went to plan as the picture shows when, after a mere 11kms cross country on the southern ridge, he was forced to make a field landing near Treteower whilst flying the Talgarth Pirat.
Not wanting to rest on his laurels he followed this with a week with the Black Mountains Gliding Club at Talgarth in Wales, organised by Seahawk GC at Culdrose.
In three and a half days flying, (Thursday was unflyable due to wind strength and direction) Martin managed over 15 hours aloft: 6 hours dual and 9+ hours solo,
Not all went to plan as the picture shows when, after a mere 11kms cross country on the southern ridge, he was forced to make a field landing near Treteower whilst flying the Talgarth Pirat.
Steve Lewis
Wednesday 17th March 2010
The airfield was shrouded in thick mist. With visibility less than 500 metres and no sign of a break any time soon, today's flying programme was reluctantly cancelled.
Was this a wasted day?
The day started with a group effort to sort out the hangar and create some additional space.
Robin Wilson, who has just returned from his winter sun hideaway, began his training with Field Treasurer David Rippon so that they can share this job in future.
Ged Neviski and Tony Thorne replaced a broken CV joint on the grey Discovery.
The technical team, in the guise of Dave Hooper, John Bolt and Colin Sanders, completed the glider weighing project.
Steve Lewis, Bob Jones and David Jesty scrapped an old glider trailer, which was well passed it's sell by date.
Phew !!
Steve Lewis
Was this a wasted day?
The day started with a group effort to sort out the hangar and create some additional space.
Robin Wilson, who has just returned from his winter sun hideaway, began his training with Field Treasurer David Rippon so that they can share this job in future.
Ged Neviski and Tony Thorne replaced a broken CV joint on the grey Discovery.
The technical team, in the guise of Dave Hooper, John Bolt and Colin Sanders, completed the glider weighing project.
Steve Lewis, Bob Jones and David Jesty scrapped an old glider trailer, which was well passed it's sell by date.
Phew !!
Steve Lewis
Sunday 14th March 2010
Another sunny day. Winds NW 10 knots.
Well done Jeff Cragg, first solo in the K8.
Guy Massey came for a "soaring tuition flight", and refamiliarised himself with the art of soaring after a 10 year layoff.
Thermal conditions became reasonable around 2 pm with climbs of 6 knots to be had, a very pleasant day.
Thanks everyone for making it possible.
Don Puttock
Well done Jeff Cragg, first solo in the K8.
Guy Massey came for a "soaring tuition flight", and refamiliarised himself with the art of soaring after a 10 year layoff.
Thermal conditions became reasonable around 2 pm with climbs of 6 knots to be had, a very pleasant day.
Thanks everyone for making it possible.
Don Puttock
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