Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 9th November 2024

The gloomy high pressure continues. There is an end in sight though with a cold front due this evening followed very closely by an occluded front so it will probably be misty tomorrow. Winds were light south easterly. These conditions were very unlikely to provide much soaring but much valuable training can be done.

The days briefing was delivered by Gavin as part of his instructor training

A busy launch queue under a grey sky

We welcomed two One Day Course candidates Shannon Argue and Dolan Foy. The calm conditions provided very smooth air aloft which is ideal for training. The relationship between the movement of the controls and the aircraft is very easy to sense when there is no external movements ( turbulence ). Both left with the customary smiles.

Dolan

Shannon and Scratch

Me modelling the latest entry in the silly winter hat competition.
This one ( loaned to me by Zack ) is Darth Maul - a Star Wars Character

At midday. the glider canopies were suddenly misting up whilst aloft which caused an hours delay to allow conditions to improve during which everyone returned to the clubhouse for a civilised lunch break.

K8 launches again

Followed by Andy's Libelle

Only to return a few minutes later

The club training was handled by CFI Rick Wiles. The trainees today were juniors Freddie, Zack and Jamie plus the slightly more senior Valerie. 

Today's view from the circuit taken by Malcolm

Andy rehearsing an aerobatic routine and providing amusement for Zack

We flew until dark with a total of 38 launches. Pretty good total considering that we were launching from the west end ( gliders land long here and so delay the launch rate ) and we had an hour off for lunch.

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 10th November 2024

Another day driving to the club with low cloud which was forecast to hang about most of the day with a possible short window that might be flyable early afternoon. The few attendees gathered in the clubhouse drinking teas and coffees, with one eye looking out to see if there was any improvement in the weather.

Mark Courtney made an unexpected visit with regulation Costa coffee in hand. After discussing the planned visit with the North Hill Eurofox for aerotows next Friday, he spent some time briefing Ed Borlase ready for his Bronze C Cross Country Endorsement flights on Tuesday.

Late morning there was enough interest to set the field up in anticipation that the cloudbase would rise enough to fly. Initially just a K13 would be taken to the west end launch point. Junior Jamie Young was volunteered to fly with me and see how high the cloudbase was. I briefed Jamie to fly the flight and make decisions with whatever was presented to him.

Jamie ready to cope with anything.

With cloudbase at about 650ft, Jamie abandoned the launch and flew a good eventuality to get us back safely on the ground. A second launch with a well engineered winch power failure followed by a low circuit and Jamie landing across the field onto the short stub runway sees Jamie well on his way to his first solo.

The K13 safely on the stub runway.

Although the cloudbase was slowly rising, launch failures were the feature of the day. Both David Moorley and Viktor Skochko had their first experiences of flying go around launch failures.

Viktor getting ready.

The K8 was brought to the launch point as the cloudbase was now high enough for a full launch. Ed Borlase and Steve Fletcher took turns with Steve achievling flight of the day with 8 minutes.

Peter Tavy through the cloud.

Viktor on a full launch.

Steve's view of the approaching cloud.

Jamie flying with the sun setting.

With the sun setting, low cloud encroaching the airfield and canopies starting to mist, it was time to put the toys to bed after making the most of a day that started like there would be no flying. There is definitely no Pretending, after walking from the extremities of the airfield I am now very close to being a Proclaimer. Thanks to all at the airfield, with a special thank you to Phil Hardwick who winched all day without flying and coping with all the launch failures.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 6th November 2024

The word of the week is "Dunkelflaute".

Dunkelflaute is a German term that means "dark doldrums" or "dark wind lull". It describes a period of time when there is little to no wind or sunlight, making it difficult to generate energy from wind and solar power.  Here in the west country we have been experiencing Dunkelflaute for at least a week and unfortunately it's forecast to continue for a while.

Notwithstanding whether UK plc has a credible energy plan to cope with such conditions in the near future, the focus at DGS is on a much smaller scale.  How are our solar systems coping with the recent Dunkelflaute?  To quote an anonymous individual's school report, "could do better".

Plans are a foot to upgrade the generation and storage capacity across the clubhouse and the two launch points.  So several projects for members to get their teeth into over the winter months.

Part of that plan involved a rendezvous yesterday morning at Liskeard International (AKA the railway station) between Mike Bennett and I to head to the end of the known universe, well Helston actually, and pick up 16 second hand solar panels and associated bracketry.  Armed with a Cornish pasty a piece and fortified by a coffee stop while overlooking Porthleven harbour, we were successful and back amongst civilisation by 1400.

The successful mission led to today's early activity, with Mike supervising the removal of the surprisingly large volume of solar panels from his white van.  Fortunately, the forecast morning fog was not present to hamper proceedings.  Was this variation in the weather a taste of what was to come?

Both the Duty Instructor (Mike Jardine) and the Basic Instructor (me) were late on parade today for various administrative chores.  When we arrived the hangar doors were still shut as the cloud base was as low as forecast, visibility was poor, although strangely the moors were visible.

We welcomed the One Day Course candidate, Esther van Delft, who had travelled from Lewdown to be with us.  She appreciated that the weather might not be good enough to deliver the course today but wanted to come and see "the lay of the land".  I was busy in the clubhouse making up the club glider log books with the monthly flight hours and launches, so Mike Bennett offered to show Esther around the site and the DGS facilities.

After much stop start activity (almost as much as my car on its eco setting) Mike Jardine made a test flight in the K-8.  He confirmed what we all suspected, that the cloud base was too low, and so we paused proceedings again.

Mike Jardine takes K-8, GDK aloft for a weather check

"No more bets please!" on the cloud base sweepstakes.

I took the opportunity to brief Esther what to expect on her One Day Course and then she and other members watched a new training video that had been uploaded to the DGS website on thermalling and also the vlog of a previous One Day Course.  These videos and others are available in the Gallery section of the DGS website

Then it "was give it another go" time but now Peter, who was standing in for Mike Jardine temporarily, took a test flight.  Again the cloud base was low, so Peter decided that he would conduct launch failure training with our pre-solo pilots.  First up was David Moorley with two practice launch failures, followed by Neal and Viktor.  Peter noted that he had clocked up 16,000 steps on his "stepometer" as all five practice launch failures landed ahead, due to the low cloud.  He declared that he was an honorary Pretender after the Pretender's famous song.  This had me a tad confused.  Later I realised that he was referring to the lyrics of "I'm gonna be (500 miles)" which has the well known chorus "But I would walk five hundred miles /And I would walk five hundred more / Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles / to fall down at your door" which of course was by the Proclaimers.  Close, Peter, but no cigar!

Sadly, the continuing low cloud base meant that Esther and I wouldn't fly today, but she felt well-prepared to come back and fly with us when her schedule allowed.  We did manage to do some training on a quad bike and go and visit the winch, along with Trevor "Treasure" Ashbolt, to witness the dark arts of winch driving with Phil.  They saw first hand the effects that simulated launch failures had on the cable on the drums.  Knitting anyone?

A brief, but tantalising gap in the cloud encouraged Malcolm and Steve Fletcher to manage a full launch and soar for 11 and 8 minutes respectively in GDK.  It also allowed Viktor to have a full height launch with Peter.

If there seemed to be a plan to get us out of the wood burner-warm clubhouse today, there was.  The clubhouse was needed for a very important meeting between key DGS personnel and a small team from the British Gliding Association led by Yvonne Elliot.  This was a meeting to check on our continuing progress as a British Gliding Association (BGA) Junior Gliding Centre.

From the BGA website: 

A BGA Junior Gliding Centre (JGC) is a BGA club that has received accreditation recognising that the club has policies, procedures and support systems in place to encourage pilots aged under 25.

The club will have demonstrated an ongoing commitment, as part of their club activities, to pursue excellence with a focus on Junior Pilots.

Periodically, the BGA JGC Support Officer will meet with the club to monitor the progress of the JGC.

Back on the field, there was evidently contemplation at the launch point.

Three wise sages.  I thought there were four, but one corrected me that he wasn't wise, and it wasn't Viktor

The weather forecast said that the cloud base would drop dramatically at 1600.  The Dartmoor Tors obviously hadn't read the brief, so let the flying commence.

The BGA meeting over, Mike Jardine resumed his duties as the Duty Instructor with a set of two flights with Geoff.

Geoff and Mike prepare for their flights.  Don't Ukrainians feel the cold, Viktor?

Low clouds and sunshine over the moors

Is this a "teary" view of Blackdown from the backseat?

The second sortie; Geoff is trimming the glider after releasing the launch cable at a very credible height, considering the light airs, of over 1,200 feet.

And the intrepid aviators bring K-13, FGR back down to earth,

John Smith contemplates the heavens as to where the lift might be.

Prior Preparation Pays off! John on finals after 11 minutes of soaring.

Encouraged by John's achievement, David Archer took the K-8 up for a circuit.  Meanwhile, Mike flew with "Treasure".  Canopy misting had started on the ground, and Mike radioed down that the canopy wasn't clearing at height either (despite the ventilation flow into the cockpit when the glider is flying).  So with a heavy heart, sensibly I opened the canopy of GDK which was already misting on the outside, despite Dave Archer's ministrations with a cloth, undid the straps, switched off the power, and stepped out.  With that, flying stopped for the day. It was definitely “The better part of valour is discretion” rather than unwittingly undertaking an IMC flight on cloud-flying instruments (of which the K-8 doesn't have any).

Fun fact for your next pub quiz.  The idiom, “The better part of valour is discretion”, was first recorded in 1477.  It was also used by Shakespeare in Henry IV and by Charles Churchill in The Ghost (1762).

So on a day when the actual weather changed to the opposite of the forecast mid-afternoon the Wednesday Wavers managed to sneak in 16 flights on what was expected to be a no flying day.  Useful launch failure training for three trainees and a tiny bit of soaring for a lucky pair, and much walking for the stand-in Duty Instructor.  The jewel in the crown today was Dartmoor Gliding Society's re-accreditation as a BGA Junior Gliding Centre.

Our secretary, Steve Fletcher, summed up what had taken place today:

Having inspected all our policies and spoken to key officials about how we treat junior members the BGA inspection team confirmed that they are happy with what we do and how we do it and that we will continue as a Junior Gliding Centre.

They were impressed by the warm welcome and passion of the members they met.

Many thanks to Mike Jardine, Dave Archer, Scratch, and Mike Bennett for their invaluable input (and that of the Secretary).

There was one follow-up action which was to appoint a Junior Liaison Officer to liaise, obviously!, and also to coordinate the buddies and mentors to our members.  A little birdie tells me that the Committee have already found a willing volunteer...

So a day of rising hope and achievement emerging from the prevailing Dunkelflaute.  In sum, never say never at Dartmoor Gliding.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 3rd November 2024

Driving to the airfield I was expecting a busy day. With no flying yesterday, I thought some of the Saturday trainees may choose to come out today. But, as it happened the weather must have deterred them and some of the Sunday soarers.

Early low cloud was forecast to gradually lift to at least become flyable, so we set about getting things ready at a leisurely pace.

A quick weather check flight saw a 1000ft cloud base, but visibility was generally poor, but good enough for some circuits with the two attending trainees.

Trevor Ashbolt ready to fly with me.

Trevor Ashbolt flew with me on the weather check flight and later had three training flights where he started getting used to turning using all three coordinated controls. David Osment also few with me and continued progress where he is now doing the whole flight.

With no visitors due to the low cloud, duty BI Richard Roberts took turns with IFP Steve Fletcher to fly as P1 in the Puchacz.

Richard and Steve keen to fly.

And enjoying some mutual flying.

Their view of Brentor.

And Mary Tavy.

Recently re-soloed John Osment added to his solos with a couple of circuits in the K8.

John waiting for a cable.

After an extended stint on the winch, Sean Westrope took the Astir for a flight.

Sean waiting in the Astir.

John Smith and Malcolm WJ also had flights in the K8. Some flights managed extended circuits with flight of the day going to Malcolm with19 minutes. After some time on the winch Ed Borlase had a couple of flights in the Puchacz ready for conversion to the Astir in the near future.

Last flight of the day was Steve Fletcher taking Ray Boundy for a quick flight in the K13.

Steve and Ray.

Only a few of us at the club today, but an enjoyable relaxing day was had by all.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 27th October 2024

A similar forecast to yesterday gave optimism that some soaring may be possible. A K13, Puchacz and Astir were DI'd and taken to the east end launch point.

First to fly with me was Geoff Cooper. Geoff is progressing well and is flying most of the launch. He is also starting approaches and landings.

Geoff doing his pre-flight checks.

Duty BI Gavin Short had three visitors today. First up was Julie Baughan. Julie and her husband arrived early to take her flight.  They had visited us before and were suitably equipped with a picnic. She enjoyed the early developing thermals to prolong her second flight, indicating how the day might develop. They stayed to enjoy the beautifully warm sunshine and watch the proceedings.

Julie all smiles and ready to fly.

Next up was Trevor Ashbolt who had come from Newquay with his partner, also called Julie.  Gavin had met him in September and told him about gliding.  As a result, Trevor booked a two-flight voucher as a taster.  Determined to fly with us, this was his third attempt as previous Sundays were blighted by the poor weather we have experienced recently.  The two flights were both soaring flights with the second climbing up to 1,700 feet in 2 knot thermals in the late October sunshine.  Feedback received when Trevor got back to Newquay: "Many thanks Gavin. First class experience today. Already looking forward to return trips."

Trevor receiving his certificate from Gavin.

Next trainee with me was David Osment. His flying is progressing and he is starting to fly the launch. After David, it was dad John's turn. After a quick check flight he added to his recent re-solo with another couple of flights.

John with son David.

Other solo pilots lined up ready to fly. Sean Westrope (Astir), Andy Davey (Libelle), Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus) and Ed Borlase (K6). Longest flight of the day was Andy with 1 hour 15 minutes. Not bad for the first day of winter.

Sean waiting in the Astir.

K6 waiting in the launch queue.

Andy returns after his flight.

Our last visitor arrived to fly with Gavin. Beki Richards who hails from Okehampton and was accompanied by her husband and two children.  The flight voucher was to celebrate her birthday. She had tried skydiving previously.  She should have been accompanied by her father, Robert Sargent, who had subsequently booked a flight on the same day to keep Beki company.  Unfortunately, we received a call early this morning that Robert had been running in the woods (he is training for a marathon) and had fallen and broken his ankle and was on his way to A&E in Exeter.  We wish him a speedy recovery. He told Beki to carry on with her flight booking which she did.  Beki enjoyed her flights although there was little thermic activity remaining the views, calmness, and serenity of our smooth flights were thoroughly enjoyed.

Beki and Gavin ready to go.

Last two trainees Freddie Purkiss and David Moorley were ready to fly with me. Both are progressing well and David finished his flying day with a good hangar landing. A late visitor arrived, a friend and family of Phil Hardwick. Phil took Josh Taylor for a last flight in the Puchacz to land at the west end ready to put the glider away.

Thank you to all at the field today with some good flying all around.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 30th October 2024

Last Wednesday's blog introduced Keat's "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness..." which proved apt this morning too.  It dawned with some local mist but was forecast to clear to be a lovely autumn day with a light easterly wind.  Great for our visitors and trainees and with some gentle thermic activity too, peaking at 1.6 knots; just enough to hold a well handled glider at "zero sink" or at least to slow the rate of descent back to mother earth.

Skysight has a new feature; a Point Windgram, which displays the day's weather in an interesting and digestible format showing wind direction and strength, thermal activity, condensation level, boundary layer, and cloud.  A good summary.

Skysight's new Point Windgram overview shows how the day might shape up

As mentioned the wind was forecast from the east but light.  So conventional wisdom expected no indications of wave in the forecasts.  However, I have noticed an interesting feature in Skysight's predictions of convergence this year.  Often we experience wave that the forecasts didn't predict.  Brentor pundits attribute this to the "Hydraulic jump" caused by the local topography when the air comes down off the moors into the Mary Tavy valley and then pushes the air upwards towards the airfield.  The convergence forecast seems to indicate when this will happen.  Skysight describes this chart as showing the "Maximum up/down motion within the Thermal Layer, as created by horizontal wind movement" which is just what we are interested in.  Empirical testing is the order of the day so we better go and test it!

Is this caused by wave or a hydraulic jump?  Let's go and find out. (Blue shows sinking air and light green shows air rising at 0.2 knots). 

Some schools had their half term last week, where we welcomed Matthew and younger brother Hugo last Wednesday.  However, this week is half term for most of the schools in the local area.  So the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine, girded his loins ready for a welcome onslaught of Juniors wanting to make the best use of the autumn day.  Phil Hardwick as the Duty Basic Instructor had three visitors scheduled (two trial flights and a One Day Course) so he would be busy too.  We also welcomed Trevor "Treasure" Ashbolt who thoroughly enjoyed his trial flights on Sunday and came back today to make the most of his temporary membership.  Welcome Trevor or should that be "Treasure"?

Whist the hangar was being unpacked my thoughts on "Mellow fruitfulness" brought a recollection of the Halloween pumpkin competition held at Cotehele Mill on Monday.  It might have been raining and a bit miserable all day but it attracted many half-term visitors eager to cast their votes for the inventive creations on display.

Pumpkins ripe for the judging at Cotehele Mill

My musings continued through the morning brief where the weather and RASP predictions aligned with Skysight.  Apart from the Okehampton firing range being active there was nothing to be concerned about.

The competition winner.  I think it depicts an Eagle Owl just like our Puchacz!

A more earthy creation. Perhaps one that DGS pilots associate with?

My reverie was interrupted by the Duty Instructor giving a lecture to the assembled trainees on Airmanship which went down well.  David Baker arrived for his One Day Course and Phil briefed him.  Trevor AKA "Treasure" sat in on the brief as it was useful to a newcomer.  Then I gave a lecture on the primary effects of the controls which David sat in on too.  Then it was time to flying.

Although the winds were very light they were forecast to freshen later from the east so we set up at the west end end.  Mike Jardine took Geoff up for a pair of flights to continue his training.

Gosh! These pre-flight checks require a lot of concentration

John Osmet took a pair of solo flights in a K-13 to get his eye in at the start of the day whilst Mike Bennett, John Allan, and Peter warmed up the K-8 for him.  There were soaring flights from all three pilots, and in particular 22 minutes by Peter, which ensured that it was working perfectly.  The Astir CS77 was also in use today by Hugh and with Sean (11 minutes) and John Allan (30 minutes) managing to soar.

Total cloud cover summed up the day but belied the very pleasant and benign conditions

Phil started David Baker's One Day Course with a pair of introductory flights.

The One Day Course starts with David Baker and Phil

Sean laughing at his own jokes before enjoying a pair of short soaring flights

Then Phil took our first trial flight visitor aloft.  William Stevens was staying with his grandfather during half term.  Although his grandfather lives very close to the airfield Steven hails from Barnet, North London.  A quick peruse of the British Gliding Associations "club finder" page reveals a choice of three gliding clubs; London, Chilterns, Booker, and Surrey Hills within 25 miles, and as a bonus all but Surrey Hills are a Junior gliding centre.  Take your pick Steven!

Following his trial flight junior William Stevens receives his certificate from Phil

Mean while the Duty Instructor shifted targets to Osmet jr, AKA David, to continue his training. I flew a set of three flights with "Treasure" to start his training after his introduction to gliding last Sunday; lookout, elevator, ailerons, and rudder.  At the end of the set he was reinforcing his control of the glider in roll and pitch and gaining confidence.  A great start.

Anyone for a stub landing? The Duty Instructor's view of the airfield from the south

Junior Jamie then flew with Mike on a pair of flights that would stretch his abilities.  This included a challenging launch failure exercise which Jamie executed flawlessly.  Those pilots who weren't training were all enjoying extended flights under the almost 100% cloud cover.  Throughout out the day there were tantalising glimpses of blue sky but no sunshine was to be had.  Despite that it was surprising mild in the almost calm conditions.

Whilst Mike moved on to take David Moorley for a pair of flights Peter was busy with a type conversion brief for John Osmet in the K-8.  Over thirty years ago John had flown K-8s regularly but a briefing on its handling with a high power winch, from a hill top site, was required before letting him go!

CB SIFT BEC done John Osmet is ready for his first launch in K-8, GDK

John landed 12 minutes later demonstrating that he found some gentle rising air and that indeed he hadn't forgotten how to soar.  A second flight confirmed that he hadn't lost this valuable skill.

John Osmet returns from his second soaring flight in GDK

Mike then continued members' training with a pair of flights with Neal.  David Bourchier came up from the hangar wanting to fly. I obliged him with two flights in K-13, FSD where David kept his hand in with some upper air work.  Time was moving on now that we are in a new time zone; GMT or Zulu time, so Phil asked me to fly his second visitor while he finished off David's One Day Course.

The Puchacz on the downwind leg spotted in the distance

Ian Hutchinson was given a trial flight voucher by his wife for his birthday who came with him to the airfield to spectate.  Proceedings delayed his flight time a little but that didn't stop Ian thoroughly enjoying his flight and having a go at using the controls.  Ian is a musician (a drummer, who might be useful addition to Colin's band).  A recent BGA club development seminar revealed that statistically musicians are more likely to become glider pilots than other groups in society.  So who knows, we may see Ian back?  He will of course be most welcome.

Ian Hutchinson and Gavin ready to launch in K-13, FSD

The smiling face says it all.  Ian receives his post flight certificate from Gavin

The Duty Instructor conducted his final pair of flights with Junior Toby who has been away for a while.  Mum, Sarah, also came up to the launch point to watch him fly after spending most of the day in the clubhouse making use of the Wi-Fi on her day job i.e. the thing that pays for Toby's flying!

Well back Toby!  Mum, Sarah, observes in the background

At the end of the day Dave Archer came up to the launch point having been busy with Colin conducting the annual inspection of his K-6 CR, G-DHEB (Debbie to her friends!).  The glider passed its inspection but with some paint needed here and there.  DHEB is turning out to be a good investment (the glider and trailer were purchased last year for just £2,500.  What a bargain and a lot of smiles and fun per £).

Dave enjoyed a circuit in K-8, GDK to keep his hand in before handing the glider to John Allan for the final flight of the day.  John Allan managed to soar for 10 minutes, under a completely overcast sky, and he landed at 1657, two minutes after sunset.  So what force was keep him and others a loft today?

Phil and David Osmet manoeuvre the Puchacz before taking it back to the hangar.

So with the day darkening it was time to pack up after 39 flights conducted in Zulu time.  I am sure glider pilots would prefer that we stayed in BST all year round. The temperature was dropping and it was time for coats and woolly hats.  All had had their fill, thanks to the stalwart winch drivers, albeit the number of trainees had been limited to training sets of two vice three flights.  Note to self; must grow some more instructors!

So was Skysight's forecast correct with light rising air forecast on its "convergence" page?  Studying the average time in the flight log of what should have been straight circuits, the extended reduced sink that Ian Hutchinson and I enjoyed during our flight, and John Allan's night time soaring, I would say Yes!  Mother nature never ceases to amaze.

Gavin Short