Thurs 19th December

One thing you can always rely on, is the Thursday crew turning up if there is even a slim chance of flying, this was the case yesterday and they got their rewards. With Mike Sloggett not able to come to the club for personal reasons it was down to Ron Johns to put a note out for the Thursday crew. Ron’s note was a positive one with a caveat of gusts possibly spoiling our day.
The Clubhouse was rammed at briefing, held a little late because Ron had to endure snow showers, very heavy rain and extreme gusts on his long journey to the Club! surely we wouldn’t fly today? A very long pitch inspection was done first thing by myself, Dave Perriam and Ashley Thomas, we worked out a suitable run using a north strip so we could winch. 

At the briefing, I mentioned that we might well be varying the card colour between yellow and blue all day due to the forecast gusts, this proved to be the case. The wind was WNW strong and very gusty at times, both Juniors, a K21 and the DG505 were taken to the launch point. From the very first launch the ridge was working with some lively thermals intermixing with ridge lift and what felt like wave rotor, the approach was tricky to say the least, initially Instructors opted to do the takeoff and landing unless there was a temporary lull in the gusts.

K21 on the sunny west ridge (Mark Courtney)

 

Watching the Juniors landing kept us amused in the very cold wind, but safe in the knowledge that the Clubhouse would be toasty with the log burner, we kept going until lunchtime. ( I did sneak off a bit early because my feet had turned into ice.)
We were treated to a 'Vicky Special' today, beautiful salmon, new potatoes and peas! It was a little tricky persuading people to leave the Clubhouse warmth with a full belly, but we did resume managing to get everyone flown.

Ron’s genuine low cable break was interesting to watch as the field was now immersed in turbulence, indeed that was enough for the day! 

What a pleasure to be at the Club with so many hard-working Thursday regulars, it was especially nice to see Mike Horwood getting  back in the swing of things, after a long absence.
The midweek flyers are reaping the rewards from regular attendance, everyone is current and new members are benefiting from theory lectures and simulator practice, let’s hope it rubs off on the weekend crews! - Mark Courtney

Sat 14th December

As Duty Instructor, but with a Friday afternoon works Xmas pub do, I was mightily relieved that James Flory did the honours broadcasting the night before and getting the field going! The forecast was really encouraging for the time of year and there was a long list by the time I joined James at 9:30. With Pete Smith also on hand and 3 two-seaters plus two Juniors, we cracked on. 

North Hill Airfield ( John Pursey)

 

The North Westerly wind gave fairly decent launches which got higher as the day wore on. Suggestions that by high key the ridge was working and by midday the thermic bumps became real thermals and Simon Minson in SM, as the sole privateer, had the longest flight of around an hour. Smiles from him and photos straight to Facebook! 

Thermals and gaps at times ( John Pursey)

 

With good gaps in the cloud the tug did good service enabling some more advanced training exercises to be performed which was excellent. By the time Stirling Melhuish took the last launch for a solo in the K21, it was already late afternoon with the ridge and possibly weak wave giving him an extended float around as the rest of the fleet was washed down and packed away.

Winter skyscape ( John Pursey)

 

Alan Rappaport managed a couple of tows in the club EuroFox having recently done the conversion from Bumble Bee (tail wheel vs nose wheel). Welcome also to Callum Ellis who is joining us from Wolds GC having moved to Devon.

Duty Instructor John (John Pursey)

A fabulous day for mid-December, hopefully more to come over Christmas. Thanks to all who helped, especially Wyn Davis who volunteered to Launch Marshall for most of the day and helped keep up the launch rate! 31 winch launches and 13 aerotows on one of the shortest days - John Pursey

 

With all the kit away, thoughts transferred to the evening entertainment, a Christmas Party with Sally's fun quizzes, (Thanks everyone £65 to the DSGC Charitable Trust) and a fantastic posh / retro buffet spread....

Fab spread of posh / retro buffet (Jill Harmer)

 

.... from Vicki North Hill Cafe.

New Log Burner ( James Hood)

 

Clubhouse full with the roaring log burner going full belt. - J&P

Wed 11th December

After the weekend wipeout with Storm Darragh, the windy cold weather continues and the hardy early crew assembled in the clubhouse, gathered around the new log burner, just a pity it wasn’t burning !
Flying discussed, but the trees  on Wheelbarrow Lane were given due consideration and it was decided that becoming a lumberjack was best for the time and number of people present. 

Great teamwork led by Peter and Trevor  (Ashley Thomas)

 

So the intrepid crew of Pete Smith and Trevor Russell armed with chainsaws, strops, ropes and tractor ably supported by Dave Perriam, Jonathan Erskine, Ashley Thomas, Graham Starkey and Brian Knight went to tackle the somewhat displaced, leaning tree hanging over the entrance road.
I must say the tree put up a bit of a fight but gave up eventually and is now stacked behind the hangar and will provide a good supply of logs for the  new wood burner!!!
We then decided to turn our attention to trying to complete some flying, rigged the field flying from a very chilly and drafty  west end, but, everyone flew that wanted to, getting the grand old height of about 1000 ft (cloud base) a swift  circuit around and back on the ground through some interesting conditions.
Then an early pack up, and warm up in the clubhouse (log burner) now alight and producing some warmth !!! That coupled with an excellent lamb roast provided by Vicky rounded the activities off to a very satisfactory day. - Dave Perriam

Thurs 5th December

 It was a small band of hopeful members that responded to Mike Sloggett's call to action.  Once Mike arrived and despite checking various weather forecasts it was clear at least for the morning that there would be no flying.  At times, the fenceline and trees on the north boundary were visible but repeatedly the cloudbase descended to block out even this.

There was a welcome return by Mike Horwood who is planning to resume flying to get back in the air. - Good to see you Mike.  Unfortunately today he had to settle for some time in the simulator.

After a prolonged coffee break and discussions around what might happen it was decided to carry out various housekeeping tasks around the Club. 

First Aid kit restocking ( Ashley Thomas)

 

Gordon Hutchinson completed the annual on KEK. Chris Mew checked and restocked the First Aid kits. Ashley Thomas hoovered out the glider cockpit footwells and checked/reinflated the tyres on the club gliders. Karen King checked and reinflated the tyres on the  vehicles.

Meanwhile in and around the Clubhouse, Dave Perriam and Mike Sloggett, acting as Plumbers mates #1 & #2 assisted Paul Medlock in what became quite a challenging task to clear a slowing draining ladies toilet which led on to dealing with similar problems in the gents!

This must be the first time an image of the gents has appeared on the blog (Ashley Thomas)

 

Luckily with Vikki on site we were kept supplied with food and drinks.  With lunchtime approaching and as there was no improvement in the weather Mike called an end to any hope of flying.

So unlike yesterday, the weather didn't play ball, but as always "If you don't come to the airfield you definitely will not fly". - Ashley Thomas

Wed 4th December

 With the flying days few and far between, it was no surprise when a nice one comes along it's going to be a busy one!

Misting canopies (Mark Layton)

 

After Glenn's early briefing the gliders were taken out and DI'd but it was obvious that it was going to be a while before the canopies were clear enough to safely fly. Glenn therefore called for a 30 minute teabreak which resulted in a packed clubhouse with standing room only waiting for the conditions to warm up sufficiently. 

Some orographic no real issues (Mark Layton)

 

Once flying commenced at just before 11:00, the first couple of flights went into patchy orographic cloud at 1000ft that was forming over the airfield. It came and went during the day without causing any real issues. As the day progressed the southerly wind increased from the early benign conditions allowing the south ridge to work extending the flight times. The longest being 25 minutes from a winch launch. 

Sun gets low early at this time of year (Mark Layton)

 

With Ron Johns assisting Glenn the flying list was worked through efficiently and by early afternoon all the kit was put away once everyone had flown, but as we were starting to feel the cold the clubhouse filled up again with people trying to get warm. - Mark Layton

Sat 30th November

The forecast for today was pretty dismal so predictably, and despite a super-optimistic call to arms from duty instructor James Flory the preceding evening, there were just 5 or 6 hardy club members assembled in the fog-bound club house at 08:30 this morning.  What was interesting, though, was that some of those members had travelled knowing that flying was unlikely but nevertheless, had come up to the club hoping to complete ground training towards specific individual goals.  And so, following the first morale boosting highlight of the day – which was Vicki’s arrival and the opening of the café for a very welcome breakfast bap – duty instructor James was kept busy, with Andy Batchelor working his way through some AssCat groundwork, Kevin Fairburn taking the first, embryonic steps on the Bronze theory exam pathway, and Karen King heading for the simulator to practice launch failures.  Under the watchful eye of James Flory, Andy Batchelor also used the simulator to practice some of his instructional patter on willing victim Karen King, with Kevin stepping in to set up and operate the simulator.  

Karen and Andy supervised by James (Kevin Fairburn)

By lunchtime, the club house was starting to fill up, with more members arriving to complete various tasks around the club, or just popping in for a coffee and a chat. Christmas had also arrived, with Cheryl  leading efforts to get the Christmas tree up in the clubhouse, adding a little Christmas cheer to a fairly gloomy, fog-bound day.  Sadly, the fog refused to dissipate in time for any chance of flying, but the day certainly wasn’t wasted, with club members capitalising on the opportunity to use the simulator, complete their ground training goals and carry out various maintenance tasks around and about the club.  

Simulated launch failures at North Hill (Kevin Fairburn)

The simulator was extensively used at the huge cost of precisely ZERO deduction from the flying account...  What's not to love! It's been a fallow November for most of us, but if we can't fly there is no excuse, take advantage of all these fabulous resources to keep us as close to currency as possible... Spinning, cable breaks, practicing all these important and perishable skills, or using the simulator to fly anywhere in the world...  Maybe another UK club or a ridge task flying in the Alps might be for you?

And, of course, as is the aviators tradition, we all discussed the inclement weather at length, and looked forward with hope to the spring!    - Andy Batchelor and Kevin Fairburn

Thurs 28th November

Who stayed home to sweep up leaves? If you did you missed a great day to stay current!
Through the winter we all know how important it is to stay current, weeks can slip by very easily, that’s why it is vital to grab the chance to fly with both hands. 

A great view of North Hill (Mike Sloggett)

Today started with a skeleton crew at briefing, however those who attended were determined to fly, ( I really like that). Once the gliders were readied a few more turned up having looked at the webcams!
We took the gliders to the other end of the airfield, the field was largely remarkably good, apart from some soft stuff in the middle.

Lovely late Autumn sky (Mark Courtney)

The duty instructor Mike Sloggett, decided that winching might be possible later, but decided on aerotow to start. With the wind strengthening from the ESE the launch point was moved to the north of the centreline. The climb out was “interesting” but above 500ft things were very smooth. 

Interesting below 500ft (John Borland)

 

Chris Wool turned up and immediately started working with Paul Medlock training for his Basic Instructor rating. 

Posing for the camera (John Borland)

Mike worked through the list, with Simon Jordy positively salivating at the chance to fly the EuroFox in the lively conditions, this  enabled me to have a couple of mutual flights with Tom (you spent how much! ) Sides. - Apparently according  to the logkeeper, when he entered me to pay, a message jumped out and said “seriously??” 

Last flight of the day (Mark Courtney)

 

Aerotows continued  at some pace, this enabled everyone to have a flight before orographic cloud on the south ridge and misting canopies stopped play. We stopped in time for late lunch dished up by Vicky. 

A very satisfying day on all fronts, pilots are now current, and all enjoyed flying at this difficult time of year. 

As a foot note, we had Dunkerswell as a backup plan for today, I can’t thank them enough for their generosity and willingness to accommodate us through the winter.
Forget the leaves go flying! - Mark Courtney

Sat 23rd November

So the snow of Thursday had swiftly melted with the rising temperatures, and Saturday welcomed  Storm Bert, along with the warnings for wind and rain. NHL weather station recorded a peak of  nearly  40 knots from the south and 30mm of rain.

There were jobs to be done as one of the Beech trees along Wheelbarrow Lane had not coped with the wind. Thanks to all those who helped to clear the Lane.

Wheelbarrow Lane (Mike Sloggett)

During the afternoon, the Clubhouse was set up for the DSGC Annual General Meeting, Chairman Nick Jones welcomed all to the meeting (good turnout considering the weather), and there were the usual presentations and thanks to all our volunteers. 

AGM (good turnout) (Simon Leeson)

 

We thanked George Sanderson who was standing down from the Committee and welcomed Kevin Fairburn who is new to the Committee. Following the formal part of the meeting, the annual trophies were awarded by CFI Mark Courtney. 

Trophy	Awarded for	Current Holder 2024
Brian Master's Trophy	Winner of the Task Week	not awarded
Dave Fewings Memorial Shield	Best two-seater flight from North Hill	Phil Morrison & Nick Jones
The Kennedy Trophy	Best performance in a BGA rated competition	Dan Hender
The Kelsey Plate	Longest cross-country flight from North Hill	Richard Roberts
Tim Parsons Trophy	Earliest declared and completed flight over 300kms from North Hill	Pete Startup
The Wily Old Bird	personal presentation by the CFI for guile or cunning	Jill Harmer
The Rose Bowl	Winner of the Club Ladder (flights from North Hill)	Pete Startup
The Ken Andrews Trophy	Best flight in a glider with handicap 90 or less from North Hill	Stewart Henshall
Tim's Challenge Trophy	First O/R to Lasham in a glider with handicap 90 or less from North Hill	not awarded
Francis Bustard Tankard	Best gain of height	Pete Startup
Presidents Trophy aka The Norman Whyte Shield	Best progress	Ashley Thomas
Instructor of the Year	Member online vote	James Flory
Les' Tankard	Best contribution to the Club by a Junior member	Tom Gunner
The Dick Wolff Trophy	Best contribution to the Club by helping others	Dave Perriam
Des Champ Vachables Trophy	The member who achieved the greatest retrieve epicness	Connor Williams
Le Magnifique Pissoir	The most flights scoring less than 100pts on the ladder	John Allan
Mike Fairclough's Diamond Cup	The member who has achieved a Diamond leg	not awarded

The Clubhouse was then rapidly reset for a very welcome AGM Supper of Roast Pork and all the trimmings followed by crumbles,  

AGM Supper (Simon Leeson)

with thanks to North Hill Cafe Vicki and support team. - J&P

Wed 20th November

Sub-zero air temperature and ground frost at daybreak were novel. A good crowd at the Club and thanks to the regulars the gliders were basking in the sun before 09:00hrs. 

Lovely views (Peter Smith)

Morning briefing covered the likely weather as usual and also the addition of a “turning r/l base” radio call. The importance of accurate downwind calls was also emphasised, – those to be covered by an appropriately modified call. 

North Hill in the late afternoon shadows (Peter Smith)

Off into the blue sky and morning sun we went, no helping lift but lovely views. So it remained all day until misting canopies brought it to a close at 15:30. A really good day for the latter part of November with 27 glider launches.

 

Welcome to Instructing at North Hill (Peter Smith)

We welcomed Andy Pincombe on his first instructing day at North Hill and hope to see him frequently.

Only a month till the shortest day! - Peter Smith

Sun 17th November

 Given the long run of anticyclonic gloom that has beset the UK in recent weeks, there was a surprisingly small number of members gathered at the club this fine Sunday morning but we had enough to warrant breaking out the kit.  KEK remains u/s while we wait for some German folks to fashion some canopy support arms but HCX supported by the Perkoz and a Junior (plus a couple of private gliders) were more than adequate to get everyone airborne.  

Duty Instructor Peter Field held the morning briefing and by the time we were set up and ready to fly the canopies had just about stopped misting and we got going. The field was still surprisingly soggy but I think we all did a good job of going easy on it.  The wind, though strengthening and gusting a little through the day was westerly, straight down the track and very gentle in the morning.  The improving sky enabled Mike Rigby and James Flory to take an early aerotow to 3,000ft in order to undertake spin and stall refresher.  Added to some launch failures, this got Mike his red card! (ed: Well done Mike). The day saw regular use of Alan Rappaport and BumbleBee as well as frequent motorglider activity and a decent launch rate on the winch too.

KEK looking on, Launch Control at the end of the rainbow (DSGC North Hill cafe)

 

Club stalwarts such as Ron Johns, Pete Startup, JB and Martin Woolner were all present for the decent conditions.  As expected, there wasn’t a huge amount of lift around but the still conditions meant that it was possible to stay afloat for reasonable periods.
Vikki and her little helper kept everyone fed and watered in style.  Fading light, approaching showers and dropping temperatures brought an early end to activities but our instructors got through the 2-seater list and all the solo flyers got away too.

Aside from Monday, the forecast this coming week looks mostly fine and dry so let’s hope we can keep this run of flyable conditions going. - Mike Rigby