Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 3rd June 2015

Arriving at the i noticed that the double gates were open. This usually means that a glider trailer has arrived or exited. A bit early for a landout. Engaging sleuth mode I quickly discover that Roger Green (ASW20) and Mike Gadd (Open Cirrus) left early this morning with their gliders for a few days cross country flying from the Cotswold Club, Aston Down. Hopefully we will get a report of their exploits from them soon.

The weather was favourable with a brisk(ish) breeze from the NW forecast to increase later and swing to the SW. Right from the start the day was soarable with cumulus building rapidly threatening to overdevelop.

Looking North from just west of the airfield shows the good looking sky
and Roadford Lake in the distance.
Beyond, the sea air has already made the sky blue to the north  

We welcomed Daniel Slaughter who was attending for a One Day Course. Unfortunately, after his first 2 flights, he was called away on an urgent work related crisis even before I could even get his photograph> He will return again soon to finish his course ( the camera is ready and waiting also ). We also welcome Lee Waller for an Introductory Flight. He attended with a group of family and friends and there was almost a party atmosphere for a while.

IFP Fred Marks ( Top left ) with Lee Waller and family group.

The soaring remained good for most of the day. Low down it required some inspired thermalling techniques to climb in the narrow bubbles up to the better and easier conditions above 2000 feet.

Looking down on the runway from the south side.
Picture taken from the club K8

As the afternoon progressed we could see the sea air gradually edging in from the north coast. This culminated in a convergence setting up more or less over the airfield which gave the lucky pilots who were flying late in the day a chance to fly along the convergence in continuous rising air to be carried way above the cloudbase. There were, in fact, a couple of  good convergence areas; a short glide south from the one over the airfield meant arriving at another energetic convergence line just south of Tavistock.  Great fun.

Looking south down the Tamar Estuary from the southern convergence

Flying above cloud base is always fun.
Here we are fairly low down the convergence wall

Our thanks once again to all the usual suspects for their winch driving, cable retrieving and the 101 jobs required to operate a gliding site.

A good day’s flying.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 31st May 2015

Although heavy overnight rain left low cloud shrouding the airfield this morning, all the talk was of when the clearance which was due – 5pm, 2pm or 1130am - depending on your degree of optimism. So in preparation for the latter, best case, scenario, we got the hurdle fence down, winch set up in the top field and settled down to wait…

Sharp eyed Roger Appleboom spots a threat to the first launch of the day…
before the cables were even towed out..!

But not before Roger Appleboom had spotted a cable break even before the cables had been towed out! How so? Well our photo shows how one ferrule of a repair had broken, leaving one end of the cable poking through the reel. How about that for Threat and Error Management? (Roger called it being observant…)

The cable repair team at work.

 As the morning wore on (elevenses at ten, lunch at eleven…) the cloud did indeed lift, only to be replaced by a strengthening wind - exactly as forecast – settling at an average speed of 17kts and gusts well over 20 which, with only one K-13 available for use at present, prevented us from flying today.

So it was back to the simulator, where everyone, including new member Paul Lowther, who received instruction from Pete Howarth, and Paula Howarth (who gave instruction to Dad Pete!) tried their hand, finally tempting Adrian Irwin into practising his barrel rolling technique…a manoeuvre quite simple in a twin jet Jaguar, but a considerable challenge in a (simulated) Nimbus 3!

Adrian Irwin was inspired to practice his barrel rolling technique today
(but not in this pic, in which he is less than 100ft above the runway..!)

Whilst we busied ourselves with other minor tasks around the site and the sun did begin to break through mid-afternoon, with no let up in the wind’s gustiness we decided to recover the (now repaired) cable, put the winch back where we found it and re-erect the hurdle fence – in short, we called it a day. With June just around the corner, things (as D:ream would have us believe) can only get better…

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 30th May 2015

There was a real incentive to get started early today. The weather forecast was threatening a day of 2 halves with the good conditions early on being wiped out by the approaching front with it's increasing winds and rain.

Zugvogel wait to soar in the uninspiring looking sky 

So dutifully first flight first flight was at 10am. This was a soaring flight in the K8 by Peter Howarth. Well done Peter. This was followed by a heady mix of good soaring by the single seaters and K13 with the best flight being by Adrian Irwin in the Zugvogel with a flight of just over an hour. Gradually though, a layer of high cover spread across the area and cut off the soaring. Was this going to be the end of the fun?

K13 soaring in the pre-frontal conditions

 Well no actually, Although the southerly wind was definitely strengthening, the soaring conditions returned for the last hour or so under a some what strange looking sky with the high cover giving an almost white top cover with some grey looking cumulus lower down. Last flight was a soaring flight by the K13 at about 4pm after which everything was put away before the rain started.

K13 flying back to the hangar at the end of the day

We welcomed 2 visitors today. Jack Lawrence who was flown by Peter Howarth and Michael Wild who flew with Rick Wiles. Both enjoyed soaring flights.

Visitor Jack Lawrence with Peter Howarth

Michael Wild looks happy to be flying with Rick

After the flying was over, the committee convened for a meeting where 2 new directors, Ged Nevisky and Steve Lewis took up their new posts. The meeting stretched into the early evening.

A productive day

Steve  

Wednesday's Gliding Club News

Itching to get airborne for the first time this year after an enforced lay-off, it was great to be able to spend several hours at a busy and upbeat Brentor in the company of friends old and new. (And the weather conditions weren't bad either!)

After refresher flights with David Jesty, I then enjoyed a pleasant half hour in the K8 proving that conditions were, indeed, soarable - after which both single seaters were in continuous use. Not sure who had the longest flight of the day, but when I left mid-afternoon Alan Holland was showing no signs of returning to Earth anytime soon.

Bob 'back in the saddle' with K8.

Personally, it was a bit 'odd' not occupying the back seat of a K13, but reassuring to see everything operating efficiently with David at the helm - plus help with trial lessons from Ged Nevisky. Unusually for a Wednesday, Steve Lewis wasn't around to fly our visitors, due to the fact that he and syndicate partner Trevor Taylor were hauling their trailer north to Nympsfield to get some professional 'tlc' applied to their Jantar.

Kit Smith poses with quad bike.

Club member Bob Sansom takes nourishment while chatting with Michael Rogers and wife Liz, while fellow-member Kit Smith listens-in.

Jeff Cragg ready for the 'off'' in the Zugvogel.

 It was good to be welcomed by so many Wednesday 'regulars' and also to get acquainted with several enthusiastic 'new faces' on the brink of converting their memberships from 'temporary' to 'full'. The latter included Dave Downton from Plymouth, yachtsman and helicopter pilot Mark Hilpern along with Tina-Maria Lofting and son Haydn from Chagford, and Rob Manuel from Callington. During the afternoon Michael Rogers (accompanied by wife Liz) from Kingsbridge came along for a trial lesson.

Duty instructor David Jesty with Rob Manuel.  

Steve Raine  preparing to lasso new member Haydn Lofting.

Mark Hilpern's hair stands on end (at prospect of flying with Ged maybe?)

Impossible to name everyone who kept the show on the road today, but Barry Green (winch driver), John Rogers (control tower), Colin Boyd (launch point controller) and Jeff Craggs/Mike Heller (cable retrieve drivers) all deserve a mention. Plus, of course, the hard-working instructors.

For me it was great to be back - and thanks to everyone for that warm welcome.

Bob Pirie

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 24th May 2015

After yesterday’s late start but 40 launch day we had everything to play for today. However, with ‘warm sector’ conditions prevailing at 0900 (the cold front of which was due over the local area at 1200) it a case of watch and hope that conditions would improve for the afternoon. So, having consulted the ‘To Do’ List, by a process of natural cell division we formed two groups: the ‘Fencing Team’ and ‘Pop Rivet Party’. Duellists Roger Appleboom and “I’ll give it a Go” Richard Roberts comprised the Fencing Team, whilst the Howarths (Peter and Paula), Adrian Irwin and myself) (the heavy gang) made up the Pop Rivet Party.

Having sized up their weapons of fence construction: barbed wire, staples, stakes and basher, the Fencing Team set about repairing the fence opposite the clubhouse, stripping away the impeding brambles with slashing saw action (bare chested of course) and planting four new posts which should keep the cattle on their side of the field for a good while longer.

“Epee, foil or sabre?”
Roger Appleboom looks bemused at the weapons on offer as a member of the Fencing Team.

One of the four ‘Sunday Posts’ delivered by the Fencing Team.

Down at the other end of the airfield, the Pop Rivet Party was going with a bang! Head for heights member Adrian Irwin was chosen to ascend to the heavens with pop rivet gun in hand, rejoining the panels at the back of the launch point that had recently come adrift, whilst Peter and Paula Howarth brushed up their painting skills on the inside walls around the doorway and stairs, making a vast improvement to first impressions. Unfortunately, the paint ran out before the walls did so the cry is for “More Magnolia, please..!” (Richard Roberts has already arranged for any ‘spillages’ at B&Q Plymouth to be made available to us free of charge, but if you have some magnolia going begging then that would help speed the process to completion.)

The Pop-Rivetting Party ready for the off.

“Greatest Height Gain of the Day was claimed by Adrian Irwin, with a massive 1.2m
whilst pop-rivetting at the launch point”.

After checking that the forecast update revealed the clearance was not going to materialise before 4pm, and a quick hoovering (which Jerry Wellington would not have approved of) we decided we had done our bit for home improvements and shut the generator down (in fact the sky remained overcast until about 4:30 the following day, after which it looked very soarable.) Let’s hope we can give the ‘To Do’ List a stiff ignoring next week..!

Martin Cropper

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 23rd May 2015

A very pleasant, warm day with a light NW breeze. There were large areas of overdevelopment which limited the soaring a little. Viewing this differently these conditions provided some challenges ( and fun ) for the soaring pilots.

Winch drivers view today

The launchpoint was busy with 4 club aircraft and the Dart 17R, K8 and the Twin Astir from the private fleet with Roger Green’s ASW20 rigged and waiting by it’s trailer. First launch was a little later than usual but once we got going the launch rate was good with a total of 40 flights being flown by the end of the day.

Looking down at the launch queue from the ciruit

Leith relaxing in his Dart 17R just before his launch

Our 2 newest members, Robert Manuel and Paul Lowther, both enjoyed some soaring with me in K13 G-CHXP while working on control coordination. They both made good progress.

Trainee pilot Paul Lowther

Trainee pilot Robert Manuel

We welcomed several visitors today. Mark Hilpern, Haydon Lofting, Rubina Saha, Savitha Krishnan and Arun Rajaglopal were flown by IFP’s Rick Wiles and Roger Green. Judging by the smiles, everyone enjoyed their visits.

Visitor Mark Hilpern in K13 G-DDMX with Rick

Visitor Rubina Saha

Savitha Krishnan flew with Roger Green

Arun Rajaglopal flew with Rick in G13 CHXP

Also flying with us today was Stefi Guiu who has been missing for a while due to her exam and study commitments at the university. This was a fleeting visit as she is going home to Romania next week for the summer. She is looking forward to flying throughout the summer in her new glider, a Speed Astir 2. She has promised some pictures and a blog post to let us know how she gets on.

A good day.

Steve 

Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 20th May 2015

The forecast for today was encouraging with long periods of sun. The wind was maybe a little strong with about 15knots NW at ground level and 25 knots at flying heights.It was colder than might have been expected for this time of year with  most people wearing fleeces against the cold wind.

Delighted with his flight, today's "Ace of Base" Andrew

Soaring today was a challenge, particularly low down, with some determined scratching required to effect initial climbs while trying to avoid the large areas of sinking air. But DGS pilots were up to the challenge with many pilots managing soaring flights. Best of the day was Andrew Beaumont who managed 2 hours in the Astir.

One Day Course Candidate Nigel with IFP Fred

We welcomed Nigel Richards toady who joined us for a One Day Course. Nigel did have some previous experience, so after a site familiarisation flight with IFP Fred Marks, He enjoyed a couple of soaring flights with me during which he was able to start to get to grips with the controls before finishing his course with a couple of flights with Ged Nevisky. I hope this is the start of a whole new hobby for Nigel.

A nice club day

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 16th May 2015

Clear skies and a brisk westerly wind encouraged some well place optimism with the club fleet out and private gliders rigged.

An optimistic start for the day with both private and club gliders being prepared .

The soaring conditions remained tricky all day. We have noticed this on previous occasions with strong westerly winds like today. The jury is still out but it seems likely that the conditions are affected by a wave system triggered by the Bodmin Moor, several miles upwind in Cornwall. Astonishing areas of lift showing more than 10knots with very strong areas of sinking air with the system moving around continuously, seemingly at random, hints at rotor activity. Occasionally areas of smooth lift was found further strengthening the idea of a wave system perhaps being broken up by the thermal activity which, in turn, is being broken up by the wave system.

Tavistock and the Tamar estuary shrouded in haze.

The airfield from 2,700 feet

Introduction flight for Joe Dash for his birthday.

With 2 groups of visitors planned and plenty of club training to do, the instructing team of Ged Nevisky and IFP Rick Wiles and IFP Mike Jardine kept the K13’s busy. On the club front it was interesting to see returning member ( and ex Junior Nationals pilot ) Richard Roberts starting out to regain his flight status after an absence of approximately 20 years. Great news.

Richard relaxing with a cup of tea after getting back into a glider

The first group of visitors today was the 2nd Plymstock cubs and their leader Nick Hele. Although they did not fly they were given a thorough tour of all the gliding activities and spent some time in the simulators. I wonder if any of them will become glider pilots in the future?

2nd Plymstock cubs

The second group today was a stag party. They all flew with either Mike or Rick and then adjourned to the clubhouse for a  BBQ and a beer or two in preparation for their planned night on the town. A memorable stag party indeed.

A very organised stag party

Another photo for my glider pilots strange hat series

A busy day

Steve   

Dartmoor Gliding News-Wednesday 13th May 2015

The weather forecast looked favourable with plenty of sunshine and a light SE breeze. The only negative was an approaching front due to deliver rain over night. The soaring conditions were difficult with a lot of high cirrus with only random thermal bubbles low down needing patience and a fair bit of skill ( or luck?) to exploit.

An organised launchpoint with a weak looking sky 

We welcomed 2 new people today,  David Downton who flew with Ged and One Day Course candidate, kite surfer Alex Payne who flew with me and will hopefully be returning to make gliding his second hobby. The K13 was kept busy all day.

David Downton

One day course candidate Alex Payne

There was a good turnout of single seaters with the club K8, 2 Astirs , a K6, and the Open Cirrus. Soaring conditions were somewhat tricky low down but once above 2000 feet thermals were more organised and the 4500 foot cloudbase was within reach. The best flight was Robin Wilson’s 1 hour 25 minutes in his K6. Other notable flights were Mike Gadd in the Open Cirrus who flew for just over an hour before returning to let his syndicate partner, Ged, have a go and Martin Broadway who soared the club K8 for 3/4 hour.

Today's "Ace of Base" Robin Wilson with his mighty K6

 Meanwhile in the hangar, John Bolt completed the C of A and ARC renewal on the club Zugvogel 3A which is now ready for club service again. Allan Holland spent several hours in the hangar repairing the fuselage dolly from Robin’s K6.

And this season the best dressed glider pilots are wearing !!!

Apart from the usual thanks for all the helpers. special thanks must go to David Rippon who came to the club early and, single handedly, changed ends i.e. towed the winch to the east end, brought the launchpoint up to the west end and towed out the cables ready for use, all without the chance of flying as he had to leave straight afterwards to attend to family matters. Now that's dedication

Steve 

Dartmoor Gliding News-Sunday 10th May 2015

"Socked in, then?!" came David Bourchier's greeting on his arrival. To which we could only agree: with cloudbase below the level of the club's height above mean sea level, 'socked in' is what we were... 

So there was nothing else for it but to resort to the 'To Do' list, on which the most significant item was to be rectified by the aforesaid Dave Bourchier, namely 'Repair brakes on quad bike'.  For which Dave had come equipped with new pads, to which were added, courtesy of a 'flying' visit by Rick Wiles, some essential special to type seals, all of which were out in place and bled through by Dave by lunchtime. Except the lever didn't work..! Step forward Motorcycle Instructor Roger Appleboom, however, with a fistful of HP air from the compressor and...job's a good'un, stops on a sixpence (for those of you who remember...)  So a serviceable quad bike at one end of the field

- and at the other, Rich Roberts extracted his newly acquired K-6CR 'FHZ' to remove the turn and slip to check for earths - or as the Old/Bold Pilot said, "If you've got earth on your T&S it's probably time to get out as you've struck the ground..!"

Richard Roberts's newly acquired K-6CR, 'FHZ'.

After lunch we retrieved one metal and one wooden five bar gates from the airfield to the hangar area, the first to replace the bent one at our entrance, the second to be broken for firewood.

Let's hope for better weather on Wednesday.

Martin Cropper