Dartmoor Gliding News-Saturday 12th August 2023

 The weather gods have once again decreed that there should be no flying with very low cloud and mizzle delivered all day. This did not deter the attending members just redirected them to non flying tasks.

Today saw the "new" Supercat winch project reach another significant milestone. Over several months this winch has had a it's gearbox and differential remanufactured and reinstalled. It has has a new brake master cylinder, 12v converter, radio and the Launch Assist system (reads glider airspeeds during the launch) fitted. Today the throttle was stripped, cleaned, lubricated and generally fettled and now seems to work very smoothly. With the fitting of a pair of cables this winch is now ready to test.

The "New Supercat"

The End of an Era

Today was the last routine visit of long serving member Ged Nevisky to the club. Ged has decided that his flying career has reached its end.

Ged has been a stalwart club member, BI and Ass cat instructor for many years. He has served as a Director and committee member for almost as long as anyone can remember. 

Thankyou for your efforts and support Ged. You will be missed.

Ged in relaxing on his last day

Steve Lewis

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 13th August 2023

We were once again met with low cloud and drizzle at the club as we arrived to fly. The forecast was for this to clear early and so the early arrivals set about getting the ground equipment ready. We left the aircraft in the hangar as the drizzle was stubbornly hanging around. So we put the kettle on and waited. Eventually the clearance came and we liberated the aircraft from the hangar.

Aircraft being prepared for the day.

We towed two K13's to the east end and started flying at 10:45. First trainee to fly with me was David Moorley. David is making steady progress and is now flying the whole launch.

Off David goes for another launch.

Our first visitor Elaine Morgan arrived. Elaine took a trial flight which was her 83rd Birthday present from her family.  Family Morgan turned up in force to witness the event with 18 family members in support. Family members travelled from Roadford, Okehampton and further afield.  This must be a DGS record for the number of supporters for a trial flight.

I'm going up there......

Elaine and family with Gavin.

Next to fly with me was Matthew Stone. Matthew continues steady progress towards his goal. Our next visitor arrived to fly with Gavin. Serhii Hryhorenko was given the trial flight as a birthday present from his close family.  He hails from Kyiv where remainder of his wider family reside. Serhii works for South West Water and was accompanied by some work colleagues.  Gavin managed to show Serhii Roadford Lake (reservoir) from the air which was of professional interest.

Serhii ready to fly.

Serhii and friends with Gavin.

The final trainee to fly with me was Val Kiely. Val made good progress today with her turns and even flew the very top of the launch/release on her final flight. Keep going Val.

Val keen to get going.

The final visitor arrived. Robin (Rob) Voysey's daughter had bought her Dad a flight voucher for his 86th Birthday, which occurred in February. Gavin managed to fly with him and land before a heavy band of rain came in from the southwest, which ended flying for the day.

Rob and family.

Solo pilots Adam Hoskin, Steve Fletcher, Richard Roberts and Ed Borlase took turns in a K13 in between our visitors today. Longest flight achieved in the overcast conditions was by Ed with a commendable 12 minutes. A day when we were joined by 30 visitors for the three trial flights. We achieved 20 flights in the relative short weather window we had. Thanks to all at the airfield today.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 9th August 2023

Today I was late on parade due to a meeting at Coethele National Trust property that ran on. I shouldn't have worried as the cloud base at Brentor was low and it was drizzling so I wasn't missing much. When I finally got to the club the Wednesday Wavers were at the east end, having fielded a K-13 and two K-8s. Despite the low cloud base, they had started flying temporary member Graham Bassett with Mike Jardine.  Graham had flown with us on a trial flight in May and had come back to make use of his three month's membership (Ed: Did he think that the weather was going to be better in August?).  He enjoyed a set of three flights, one of which was a soaring flight, and then left the site with his family just as I was arriving.

A misty start with no sight of Brentor church

Later the church of St. Michael de Rupe peeks through the tree line at the west end of the airfield

Two K-8s fielded at the east end of the airfield

Around midday the cloud base had climbed to 1,000 feet

Various pilots tried their hands whilst waiting for the conditions to improve.  Mike Bennett took a check flight (practice break) prior to flying his new Libelle.

The new kid on the block: A 205 club Libelle. The differences from a normal Libelle are; high wing, T-tail, non-retractable undercarriage, larger cockpit, and a hinged canopy (Ed: So completely different from a Libelle then, really!)

Mike and Hugh, proud owners of their Club Libelle (Ed: Their very pretty K-6, FUB is up for sale)

The launch point on a "quiet" Wednesday

We welcomed back Canadian visiting pilot Roger Spall who flies both powered aircraft, gliders, and is a friend of Phil Hardwick. Roger was was visiting family in UK.  He took two flights with Mike Jardine and helped at the launch point and ferrying visitors around before heading off the next day to Italy prior to returning home to Toronto (Ed:  A normal day at Dartmoor International then!).

Visiting Canadian pilot Roger Spall gets reacquainted with a K-13 prior to his flights

Despite the cloud base slowly rising there were still patches of low cloud

No sign of the horizon

The lack of a horizon made speed control challenging

Later in the afternoon breaks in the cloud and occasional glimpses of the sun saw a scramble for the single seaters both club and private.  Mike Bennett and Hugh had their initial flights in their Libelle.  Type conversion, especially when its your new acquisition, is always a nerve-racking affair.  With time, practice, and familiarity both Mike and Hugh will wonder what all the fuss was about (Ed: Keep at it! DGS members are ready to support you throughout).

Syndicate teamwork; Hugh waits to offer up the cable after Mike completes his pre-flight checks

"Cable checks, please"

Mike readies for launch; "Does my bum look big in this Libelle?"

A more conventional view of the Libelle's launch

Hugh gets ready to have a go (Ed: Note rear hinged canopy)

A Hugh brings the Libelle back to earth; Initial impressions - "Its slippery, light, handles nicely, but the trailing edge air brakes aren't as effective as those on a K-6".

Steve Fletcher underwent more IFP training which involved more practice launch failures (Ed: Good luck next Wednesday at North Hill. Fingers crossed).

Mid afternoon we welcomed new junior member Matthew (14 yro) and his family who had come up from Plymouth.  Matthew had recently enjoyed a week's flying at Sutton Bank (Ed: For the "Night Owl" that's Yorkshire Gliding Club) launching by both winch and aero tow in a K-21 for a total of 2 hours flight time.  Buoyed up by the experience and not deterred by a week of mostly poor weather in Yorkshire he decided that he wanted to join his local gliding club - and that is us! Welcome to Dartmoor Gliding Society, Matthew.  We hope you make the most of your summer holidays with us.

New junior member Matthew is ready to fly a K-13 for the first time with Instructor Mike

After three flights Instructor Mike recounted how they had conducted coordinated turns and after four attempts Matthew had successfully mastered the trimmer (Ed: Great progress Matthew).

Wily Pete (no not Willy Pete, that's something else entirely) took a crafty little launch and managed to soar in K-8, GDK for 14 minutes to claim "Man of the Match" (Ed: Interestingly the only other two soaring flights were at the start of the day.  Conditions can be fickle on Dartmoor).

Back at the hangar, Sean Westrope had co-opted Colin to inspect his new (to him) K6e (Ed: That is the all-flying tail version of the K6).  They found quite a few issues to keep them busy today and over the next few days.  Colin and I considered the intricate instrument panel and agreed that this the first time that either of us had seen a remotely operated McCready ring (a geared extension rod) on a mechanical variometer (Ed:  Our Bronze C candidates would benefit by having a look at it and consider its operation in indicating the "speed to fly").  The wings have yet to be inspected (Ed: Fingers crossed).

Today would have been a good winter's day of flying. Shame that it's almost the middle of August!  However, we achieved 28 flights having launched the first one at 1240 and the last at 1840, so not too shabby considering the number of practice launch failures carried out.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 6th August 2023

After storm Antoni blasted across the southwest yesterday, what would today bring for the Sunday soarers? A forecast gave a moderate Northwesterly with possible soaring from late morning. This prospect brought out a collection of privateers (Ed Borlase - K6, Steve Fletcher - Open Cirrus, Phil Hardwick - DG300 and Malcolm W-J - Twin Astir). It also led to at one point 8 trainees being at the club today (unfortunately David Moult had to leave) and the prospect of 3 visitors for Richard to fly. Two K13s and a K8 were also prepared and taken to the launch point.

After his recent spin training at North Hill (DSGC), Sean Westrope was keen to progress his training at Brentor. Three good flights including a practice launch failure sees him progressing towards his target. Next into the front seat with me was David Moorley. Steady progress including flying the whole launch for the first time sees David progressing.

Off David goes flying his first full launch.

With one cancellation and another visitor getting their dates muddled up, Richard was left with only one visitor to fly. Phil Keast arrived and was soon briefed by Richard and seated into the front seat of the K13.

Phil Keast with Richard getting ready.

Next to fly with me was Freddie Colton. Two good flights including a 28 minute soaring flight left him happy. Although not able to add to his solo count due to a bumpy approach and recency because of the weather Freddie will soon have more solos under his belt. He spent time at the winch and with a couple of launch failures handled at the winch, he will soon get his winch wings.

Our view of Brentor Church

Also back from spin training at North Hill, Matthew Stone was next to fly with me. Three flights including a launch failure sees him also progressing.

Matthew waves off another K13 flight.

We managed to wrench Val Kiely away from the launch point log for her three flights. Val is starting to get to grips with the controls more and is making slow but positive progress. She is determined to improve and this attitude will see her progress along her journey.

The last two trainees to fly with me were Riley and Ollie. After a long day for me the plan was for each of them to have two flights each. Following a 27 minute soaring flight for Riley and both having to leave early for a family gathering their flights were reduced to one each. Ollie's was only short, but received a demonstration of ground effect on a hangar flight which he enjoyed.

Well how about those privateers. Steve Fletcher enjoyed 2 hour 35 minutes, Phil Hardwick 2 hour 43 minutes and Ed Borlase 34 minutes.

Steve's view of the airfield.

And Tavistock to the south.

K6 joins the K13 in a thermal.

DG300 flies by.

Open Cirrus launches.

Malcolm W-J claimed man of the match with 3 hour 10 minutes. During his flight he managed to climb to 2,600ft in what he thought was very weak wave near Chillaton.

Twin Astir at 2600ft

Thank you to all at the airfield today. A fairly busy day, but it was nice to be actually flying again. More good weather please.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News- Saturday 29th July 2023

There seemed to be a flyable gap in the weeks of poor weather that we have been suffering. The wind was 12+ knots but straight down the runway. The forecast suggested that this would strengthen later which it did but not to an unmanageable degree but enough to keep early solos in the K13. The cloud base was lowish but high enough to permit full height launches. There was a chance of rain but that did not materialise. 

The wind straight down the runway ( almost)

CCY lifts off into an uninspiring sky

Instructor Rick Wiles kept busy all day with a mix of early solo pilots, trainees and BI training flights. The second K13 was manned by myself and Scratch ( Dene Hitchen) flying todays visitors; Terrence Sheppard, Mark Stear, John Binsley and Vince Sutton all of who had Air experience flights with a little soaring.

Terrance Sheppard

Mark Stear

John Binsley

Vince Sutton

Todays solo pilots made valiant efforts to soar the tricky conditions. Best of the bunch was Andy Davey who managed to keep his Libelle aloft for a creditable 47 minutes. 

John Allan launches his Mini Nimbus

Milosz models the latest "Paddington Bear" hat style

A successful day with a total of 39 launches.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 2nd August 2023

The RASP today predicted low cloud and rain, it certainly got it right.

Low cloud and drizzle over the airfield with Brentor church just visible in the distance.

Regrettably all the trial flights had to be cancelled and we look forward to seeing them on a better day.

 

Work then progressed on the repairs to the wing of the K6 by Colin for syndicate members Hugh and Mike.

With no trial flights for Hugh to attend to, his assistance was provided with a cup of tea to hand.

The only flying today was John in the simulator looking to practice his thermaling technique.

Stop being wimpy!  Get some bank on!

The Wednesday Wavers are now looking forward to a much-needed improvement in the weather.

Mike Jardine

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 26th July 2023

When I arrived members were beavering away to get the kit out and go flying in the short weather window that was forecast before the rain set in.

After deliberation on the wind direction and strength the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine, decided that we would take a single K-13 and a single K-8 to the west end launch point.

 

I took the opportunity of a partially unpacked hangar to apply TESA tape to the edge of FGR's canopy following the recent crack repair.  Better access will be required to finish the job i.e. when the hangar is properly empty.

FGR looking a little smarter

Wednesday Wavers eager to get going after observing the weather flight landing

A weather check with Phil Hardwick and a training flight with Matthew Stone showed that the cloud base was just 700 feet AGL and likely to get lower as the morning wore on.

The "Weather Spoons" about to launch

Matt found his flight a useful demonstration; how quickly you can be enveloped in cloud, how judging a turn and levelling the winds is challenge in cloud, and the safe us of air brakes to descend when in cloud.

Getting CCY ready for Mike and Matthew Stone to fly

"Take up slack"

How low is the cloud base going to be?

Not very high must be the answer as they swoop in to land moments later

The moors ahead are starting to be covered in cloud

With the cloud base limitation we didn't launch the K-8 but gave Steve Fletcher a "go around" practice break as part of his Introductory Flight Pilot training.

Steve Fletcher brings Mike Jardine safely back to earth after a simulated cable break

Our morning trial flight, although cancelled, came up for a look see with family since they live close by in Mary Tavy.  Phil, today's rather underemployed Basic Instructor, gave them a good show around and introduction ready for a better flying day.

So with the training shifting to launch failures John Allan was next to try his hand.  As well as the launch failure it had been a while since John had flown in a K-13

It was decided to give Matt a "go around" simulated cable break. The rain almost put paid to that but we managed to squeeze in a minute of flight before we stopped flying for the day.  The first flight took off at 0939 and the last at 1057.  This meant that the aircraft were packed away and the Duty Instructor could start his lunch in the club house at his preferred time of 1130.

Lots of things can be said about the Wednesday Wavers but one thing that is true is that they are eternal optimists.  Despite each K-13 flight reporting a lower and lower cloud base and soon limiting the flights to simulated cable breaks Malcolm strapped himself in the K-8 and willed the cloud base to lift so that he could launch.  Alas King Canute did not prevail on this occasion and after a long time in the cockpit he finally stepped out into the drizzle and helped return the K-8 to the hangar.

Malcolm Wilton-Jones exits the K-8 after his long "flight"

Malcolm, the "Man of the Match"

Unfortunately, not all flew inducing Mike Bennett who was winching throughout.  After lunch, work was progressed in the hangar, club house, workshops, and the west end launch point ready for the time that we can fly again.

In Summary: We made the most of a narrow weather window making five flights as the cloud base got lower and lower.  In a similar fashion the flight times got shorter and shorter.  Total flight time for the day was 13 minutes.  But the Wednesday Wavers were happy to fly after a wet and soggy, non-flying weekend.

Gavin Short