Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 14th June 2023

The Wednesday Wavers enjoyed a fantastic day's flying today.  The weather was the customary June blue and hot with light variable winds or calm. The forecast predicted that a sea breeze would fill in from the south west and form an interesting area of convergence over the club.  That didn't happen and the placement of the winch at the east end, contrary to the wind direction forecast RASP and Skysight, was the right choice and no "end changing" had to take place during the day.

After the field had been readied the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine gave an al fresco flying brief on the club house terrace to 15 club members and our two visitors today; Sarah Pollard and Jason Hingley.  Afterwards Sarah, Jason and I entered the clubhouse for the One Day Course flying brief. We were joined by Chairman Steve Lewis (Ed: Is this the Chairman conducting a quality control check of the Wednesday Wavers?).  Mindful of the hot and blue conditions (Ed: There would be no shade form any clouds today and hence it would be pretty brutal under the canopy of a K-13) we agreed to split the instruction of our visitors.

Our One Day course candidates Sarah Pollard and Jason Hingley with Gavin

Martin Broadway and Mike Jardine started the flying with a practice launch failure and two more later in the day before Mike cleared Martin, after his extended lay off in Florida, to be able to fly the K-8 at the end of the day.

Guy Bulmer was the first trainee and enjoyed a circuit and followed with a 30 minute soaring flight with Mike.  He then ran the tower for an extended period and engaged Sarah in conversations on all things Royal Marine (Ed: Sarah's Son-in-Law is a "Booty" and she was staying with her daughter and him in Exmouth) before having to leave early on a call out from the Tavistock Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team.

Sarah and I launched after Mike Bennett took to the sky in his K6, FUB.  It was a great introductory flight for Sarah, she marvelled at the greenness of the countryside, and experienced the "effects of the controls" exercises at 3,500 feet.

Phil and Robin took the next cable and flew for 2 hours, 26 minutes in the Twin Astir. Sarah and I shared some thermals with them, and several others, during our shorter 33 minute flight.  Sarah's lookout was impressive and allowed us to thermal safely.  Thank you.  In the meantime John Smith and Mark Elliott made soaring flights in a K-8 and K-6 respectively.  When we landed, we brought our steed, FGR, back to the launch point and we handed it over to Steve and Jason who enjoyed a circuit and then a 44 minute soaring flight (Ed:  I think Steve would have covered the whole One-Day Course syllabus, and more, in that time).

Visitor Jason Hingley raring to go on his first flight with Steve

Steve manages to capture Jason's view of Tavistock in the hazy conditions to the South West

And of Blackdown and the active MOD firing ranges to the North East

Jason and Steve catch a glimpse of a rare sight; some cumulus clouds to the south. Alas, not over Brentor.

The sun was relentless, brutal even, so Dave Archer and I brought water in Thermos flasks and a large water container to the launch point to keep all hydrated.  The shade of the launch point was at a premium. We certainly didn't want to have our DGS members, or our visitors, to have to call on Dave's or Robin's professional services (Ed: Paramedic and retired doctor respectively).

Andy preparing his cockpit for almost four hours aloft

David and Goliath; the K-8 and the Kestrel  (Ed:  Did anyone mention it was hot?)

Mike Jardine had wisely instructed members to take the fence to the top field down so that the landing runs in the light airs were not excessively long so as not to delay flight operations.

After David Moolely went soaring with Mike for 47 minutes five single seaters launched; Andy, Hugh, Steve Lesson, Peter, and Richard.  The shortest fight was an hour (Hugh) and the longest was 3 hours 53 minutes (Andy).  There was no sign of the expected convergence but the conditions were very thermic and good progress, and height, could be made over a wide area.

K-6, FUB, at height (Ed: Note the hazy conditions)

Looking down on the mighty Kestrel climbing to start Peter's small cross-country task

Peter makes the first turn point at Roadford Reservoir (Ed: "Stop the drop" appears to be working as Roadford is now at 69% capacity).

Peter reports: 

I managed to do the 42 km task set by Richard. Roadford, Launceston, Tavistock and Brentor. It was completed at a very modest 48 kph. Having completed the task I had some good flying around the local area with a maximum height achieved of 5,800 feet. Total flight time of 2 hours 49 minutes.

Peter's analysis of his flight using IGC viewer

While Pete was on his task other privateers; Andy and Richard were also attempting the same small cross-country task.

Meanwhile, Sarah and I flew FGR again and made another soaring flight of 28 minutes. Sarah observed the sensitivities of the controls.  However, the frequently turbulent thermals made getting a full appreciation of the effects of the controls a challenge, but the fantastic views made it worth it.

After completing his cross-country task Peter inspects Meldon Reservoir (Ed: Currently at 94% capacity)

Then Burrator Reservoir (centre left) and the former RAF Harrowbeer airfield at Yelverton (centre right) (Ed: Burrator Reservoir is at 99% capacity).

Peter's view of Tavistock (Ed: Look! Tennis courts, bowls, crazy golf; what more do you want out of life?)

On the ground we were treated to some spectacular sights of high cloud that was initially thought to be the convergence forming but on reflection it was some high cirrus ice crystals, as the convergence didn't materialise.

Dave Bourchier climbing to 5,200 feet (Ed: Does his mother know he does this?)

Hugh reported that he climbed to over 6,000 feet in K-6, FUB (Ed: What was strange was that the air temperature didn't seem to get cooler with height which we could have done with today).  John Smith, Steve Lesson, Mark Elliott, and others exceed 5,000 feet QFE.  A potential bevy of Silver heights were made of which I would have to examine the claims, and .igc traces of Steve and Mark, as an Official Observer, to verify.

The K8 and K13 soaring near the Stannary town of Tavistock (Ed: So what did Stannary towns trade?)

The airfield from the south viewed from over 5,000 feet

I then flew with Jason twice; a circuit and then a 43 minute flight.  The conditions were still turbulent in parts but Jason, who hails from Landrake, got to grips with the controls.  When Hugh returned from his one hour soaring flight Mark took FUB aloft for 1 hour 31 minutes for a Silver C height claim, which is a gain of height of 1,000 metres (3,281 feet) after release from the winch launch (Ed: Fingers crossed that Gavin gets the desired result from his analysis).

Jason receives his certificate on completion of his One Day Course delivered by Gavin and Steve

David Archer made some soaring flights in K-8, FXB, and Colin made two flights with Mike (Its great to see Colin back on site and in a cockpit (Ed:  Good luck with your recovery and that you get used to your new hip).

Sarah and I finished off her One Day Course with an extended circuit before taking FGR back to the hangar.

Gavin explains the three-month temporary membership to Sarah against the backdrop of Colin's resplendent Triumph TR4A

Thirty flights were made today with a total flight time of 23 hours 29 minutes.  This gave an an average flight time of 47 minutes (Ed: If the three practice launch failures are taken out of the calculation then the average was 52 minutes. Amazing what can be done on a blue day).

As Robin locked the gate, and then realised he had to let Hugh out on his motorbike, Hugh pulled alongside my car, lifted the visor on his helmet and remarked "That was a great day's flying.  No! That was a fantastic day's flying!"  I had to heartily agree.

The fun in the sun isn't over for the week yet.  We have some evening flying scheduled for some navy personnel on Thursday evening. 

Gavin Short

Saturday's Gliding Club News - 10th June 2023

After weeks and weeks of high pressure blue sky days,  today was a bit of a change. With a weak occluded front overhead the cloud base was very low and there was even a little rain and drizzle. The forecast was predicting a clearance around lunchtime so we used our well practice skills and waited, drank tea and waited some more.

By lunchtime, the sky brightened enough to have us getting the gliders out, inspected and whisked up to the west end launch point ready to go. The first launch at 1318 confirmed that the cloud base was indeed above launch height so it was game on.

Val enjoying a flight with Rick

Poor visibility was the order of the day

There was some potential lift around the low clouds but this really only amounted to extended circuits of about 15 minutes. However, there was training to be done with CFI Rick Wiles manning one k13 while  the other was used to complete our One Day Course Tim Bissett who had cycled over from his home in Brentor. Even from the circuit we could truthfully tell Tim that we could "see your house from here".

Tim Bissett

FGR returns again

Mike Bennett took a couple of flights in the K8 to celebrate the completion of his Cross Country Endorsement this week. Well done, Mike, and welcome to the world of the licenced pilot.

Mike in the K8

All too soon the visibility started to deteriorate. There was actually a blue hole over the airfield but with the horizontal visibility rapidly reducing the call was made to stop flying early. Everyone who wanted to fly had flown so the early finish was used to have a very social get together in the clubhouse.

Visibility reducing

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 11th June 2023

Some weather forecasts are optimistic and some rather pessimistic. In the optimistic corner RASP. Early low cloud giving way to a 3500ft cloud base, 3 star soaring rating, light westerly wind and no rain. In the pessimistic corner low cloud lingering throughout the morning clearing with the possibility of some rain showers in the afternoon. Early doors showed that some Sunday Soarers had read the pessimistic version and were conspicuous by their absence. With only five members including one trainee we would have just enough bodies to fly and entertain our visitors throughout the day.

Trainee Sean Westrope joined me for a weather check flight. After a disappointing visit yesterday to North Hill when he was due to undertake his spin training, but it was cancelled because of a fault with the tug, Sean was just glad to get back into the air again.

Sean ready to fly.

The first launch to 1000ft just above cloud base showed flying could take place. The next two launches showed the cloud base was already going up.

Ed Borlase launched in the K8. After struggling initially he could be seen gaining height slowly. Our first visitor arrived. Andrew Yeo and wife Jude hail from Lifton, where Andrew works at the Lifton filling station.  Jude had bought him a voucher for his 60th Birthday, but sprung it on him in the DGS car park - so much for going on a picnic. Jude has mobility issues and Phil gallantly walked alongside her impressive motorised wheel chair to the east end launch point.  After Andrew had made two flights Sean escorted both Andrew and Jude to the clubhouse whilst airfield operations were on hold.

Andrew Yeo with Gavin.

Andrew and Jude with certificate.

By now Ed could be seen doing very well. So as there was nobody else I radioed Ed and told him if he wanted to he could stay up and try for his 5 hours.

Ed's view south over Tavistock.

And north past the airfield.

Our next visitor arrived. David Thorne arrived with his wife and extended family from Devon with a voucher from David's son, a hang glider pilot, for David's 80th Birthday.  Whilst Sean engaged in tales of hang gliding daring do Gavin and David enjoyed enjoyed 35 minutes of soaring and David enjoyed hands on time.

David Thorne ready to fly.

David Thorne getting his certificate.

The last visitor of the day arrived. Russell arrived with his partner and a friend from Bavaria with a voucher bought for Christmas . They had travelled from Holsworthy today.

Russell and Gavin enjoyed an amazing flight in the strong convergence conditions and Russell had plenty of stick time and was introduced to the effects of the elevator, ailerons and rudder.  Gaining 300-400 ft during each exercise made teaching a delight.  In places the cloud base was no more than 2,200 ft AGL.  But that didn't stop the fun.

They extended their flight when no one else wanted the glider and were instructed to hangar land.

After 54 minutes Russell and Gavin came down with tales of full airbrakes at 60 knots and still climbing at 3-4 knots in the convergence.  On the ground Andrew's supporters recounted the gliding terms they had learned.  These were added to with the same expressions in German, courtesy of Gavin, which pleased their Bavarian friend.

Russell Jupp with Gavin.

Russell receiving his certificate.

What about Ed you may ask. As the attempt was unplanned and Ed didn't have any drink or snack with him he decided to land after 2 hours 42 minutes. So with everybody having flown what they wanted to, we packed up after only 8 flights. Thank you to Phil who did all the winching/retrieving, Andy who popped in to collect his trailer but stopped to help out and to the few others who entertained the visitors with the usual DGS friendly manner.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 7th June 2023

With the usual blog writer not available due to a medical appointment (Ed - wonder if it is RSI), I have stepped in to write this. Would the Wednesday Wavers be successful today. Andy Davey was late arriving, the soundings and general forecasts didn't give much indication, so it was a slow start. An easterly wind which was due to strengthen as the day progressed and a totally blue day was in the forecast.

An early visitor was spotted outside the clubhouse and was not the only visitor today. Peter Harvey returned to the club today to try and get current flying at Brentor so he can visit when the conditions a right to get his 5 hours to complete his Silver C and Instructor Rating.

Early visitor.

First flight was a weather check with DI Mike Jardine and myself. It was decided that it was not suitable for the K8, but instruction and general flying could progress. Andy looked at the sky and thought something was happening so he was soon seen rigging his Libelle. This caused other privateers to start rigging. Phil Hardwick (DG300), John Allen (Mini Nimbus) and Peter Howarth (Kestrel 19).

Early hazy visibility.

Mike's day would be spent with trainees Guy Balmer & David Moorley and acting as safety pilot for Steve Lesson, Peter Harvey, David Bouchier, John Smith, Martin Broadway, Hugh Gascoyne and David Archer. Most had soaring flights or extended circuits.

Andy took a launch, but was back on the ground after 5 minutes. His second launch saw him soon climbing away reporting he was in wave to the east of the airfield. John Allen got away on his first launch, but Phil and myself took two launches to get away.

My view of the airfield from the west.

Tamar estuary from near Tavistock.

K13 The airfield and Brentor church from the north

Even the Kestrel looks small from above.

Highest flight achieved was Andy in the Libelle (6,000 ft near Sourton). Longest flight 4 hours 26 minutes was John in the Mini Numbus. Both Phil and myself had flights in excess of 2½ hours. 

With all this flying, some pilots needed to rest and prepare themselves ready to fly.

Dave preparing himself ready to fly.

So another DGS day where the forecast said no wave, but it did happen. 19 flights, 17 hours 32 minutes flight time. An average of 55 minutes per flight. Thanks to all at the club for another successful wave flying day.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 4th June 2023

Day 3 of Devon And Somerset Gliding Club (DSGC) expedition to Brentor was greeted with clear blue skies and a light easterly wind. Instructors Mike Sloggett and James Flory along with visiting pilots Nicholas Johnson, Christopher Woodwood, Trevor Russell and Stirling Melhuish headed off to the east end to prepare their K21 and bring it to the launch point.

K21 ready to launch.

First to fly with me was David Moorley. David was keen to fly again after a month away and get used to controlling the glider ready to progress with his training. We found some small areas of smooth lift and were followed around the sky by James Flory and Nicholas Johnson in the K21 also exploiting the same smooth patches to extend flight times to 30 minutes and 38 minutes respectively.

Busy launch point seen from the air.

Duty BI Phil Hardwick would also be kept busy with a steady stream of visitors. First to arrive was 13 year old Alex Alagna with his family. Because Alex was very light we had to put him in the back seat of the K13.

Alex all smiles ready to go.

And after with Phil.

The smooth patches of lift were soon replaced with more thermic air as the sun heated the ground. Training continued with Sean Westrope and Matthew Stone. Both had soaring flights of 27 and 30 minutes respectively.

Sean climbing in the K13.

DSGC pilots Chris Woodwood and Nicholas Johnson experienced flying the K13 with Mike Sloggett. All DSGC pilots experienced soaring flights in either the K21 or K13 during the day.

Our next visitor arrived to fly with Phil. Peter Smith arrived with family and had two short flights and enjoyed the experience.

Peter Smith with family and certificate.

The final visitor Poppy Ferme arrived also with her family and enjoyed two flights with Phil.

Poppy and family.

The last trainee to fly with me was David Moult. His second flight gave him the experience of thermalling with two other gliders. The 43 minute flight gave David plenty of time to have hands on the controls and maintaining a good lookout whilst still flying the glider. Also achieved his highest and longest thermalling flight.

K21 above us.

K13 below us.

After some shorter soaring flights earlier in the day, Andy Davey (Libelle), Adam Hoskin (K6), Ed Borlase (K6) and John Smith (K8) decided to take later launches. John managed 24 minutes. Ed managed 1hour 40minutes. Adam managed 1hour 58minutes and Andy achieved longest flight of 2hour 34minutes. Adam was last to land at 18:59.

Ed's view over the airfield to the south.

And to the north.

And so the three day visit by DSGC to Brentor came to an end, with everybody agreeing what a successful and enjoyable time all had had.

K21 lands at the end of a successful visit.

Thank you to all at the club today and over the weekend who made this success happen.

Peter Howarth