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

Sat 16th November

 It was a quiet day at the airfield, with only a handful of members turning up. However, those who did, made quick work of setting up the ground equipment, ensuring everything was ready to go in  no time. Once a ‘responsible adult’ arrived to oversee operations, we promptly brought out the gliders.  With KEK still awaiting its much-needed part, we prepared HCX, the Perkoz, and the single Junior for the day’s flying.

North Hill  from the North (Stuart Thomson)

 

Paul Medlock continued his BI training under the watchful eye of Simon Leeson, while James Flory managed the training flights. Stuart Thomson celebrated his return to solo flying after a break since  August, shaking off the cobwebs. Meanwhile, Chris Woodward and Tom Gunner in the Junior tried their best to stay airborne as long as possible. 

Paul Medlock continues his BI Training (Mark Courtney)

 

As the weather began to deteriorate, the group decided to call it a day and head to the clubhouse for a well-earned lunch. Vicki had prepared a delicious selection of treats, which were thoroughly  enjoyed by all. 

A quiet day at the Club (Mark Courtney)

 

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t improve after lunch, so we packed everything away, leaving the equipment and gliders ready for another day. Hopefully those that didn’t get to fly, will be back  up soon. 

 
LRD was dutifully rigged again and hope to have it back in action in a few days. A big thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the most of the morning. Even when the skies didn’t cooperate, the camaraderie and teamwork shone through. - Stuart Thomson

Fri 15th November - Brentor

 As glider pilots we gain great experience from visiting other Clubs whether to fly different gliders or to simply fly from another airfield with different scenery. Today the weather played fair and allowed us to undertake some aerotows both with DSGC members yet to visit Brentor, the home of the Dartmoor Gliding Society, and some making return visits to continue gaining experience.

Mark Courtney drove up to North Hill to fly the EuroFox down to Brentor, bringing Peter Smith down with him arriving soon after 9am. Meanwhile Mike Sloggett had arrived at Brentor earlier to liaise with the DGS instructors as to how the airfield would be set up and to work out a plan of who would be flying which gliders. 

A different view of Devon (Mike Sloggett)

Briefing completed the first aerotow was launched around 10am with DGS kindly allowing Mike to use a K13 to provide Robert Lee with an opportunity to complete his first flight from Brentor ahead of doing some towing in the EuroFox later in the day (with Robert reminiscing about his younger days at Kelly College as we flew over it!). 

DGS K13 (Mike Sloggett)

With Peter Smith and Mike sharing the DGS K13s in and amongst the local instructors also taking aerotows in the K13s and the Puchacz, various DGS private pilots took the opportunity to aerotow to maintain currency, - and Dave Perriam took the DGS Astir on aerotow to build on his previous experience in flying from Brentor.

DGS Astir  (Mike Sloggett)

 

With Shaun Dayman and Nick Harrison also taking their first flights at Brentor the latest ‘working together with another gliding Club in Devon’ day which benefited all involved from both Clubs. 

What a nice day (Mike Sloggett)

Early afternoon saw some increasing cloud cover and an evident lowering cloudbase so the decision was made for the EuroFox to return back to its hangar at North Hill with Mark and Peter completing the last DGS glider aerotow before ‘disappearing’ into the skies to the East of Brentor and arriving safely back at North Hill mid-afternoon. 

13 aerotows for the EuroFox (Mike Sloggett)

A great day all round, thank you to Dartmoor Gliding Society for their usual welcome and teamwork during today. - Mike Sloggett

Wed 13th November

 Surprisingly the clubhouse wasn't full of eager pilots first thing this morning making the flying lists unusually short. As the gliders and ground equipment were made ready for the day's flying it was looking like an aerotow-only day as we were short of people, but before long there was enough to winch launch as well, although it was gone 11am before the first launch. 

Nice clear air (Mark Layton)

 
Pete Smith and Steve Westlake steadily worked through the flying list covering all the requirements including check flights, spinning exercises and cable breaks, including two real ones! Ian Mitchell was also in demand with both Nicholas Johnson and Sandy Harrup doing various exercises in the Falke. 

But short days (Mark Layton)

 

Trying to make use of the shorter days and the ever-present threat of the dreaded misting canopies flying continued through lunch until just before 4pm. With everyone happy to have flown after two weeks of gloomy weather there were plenty of happy faces in clubhouse trying to get warm after a day in the cold wind at the west end of the airfield. 

Long shadows and misting canopies (Mark Layton)

 

The appearance of several members donning the green 'thermal onesies' was a sure indication that winter is here! A good day was had by all. - Mark Layton

Mon 11th November

Thanks to Peter Smith reading the runes correctly and the skilled assistance of Simon Jordy in the EuroFox, a good attendance, alerted by Google Groups, made their way to North Hill on a Monday morning. Vicky also kindly opened up the cafe for a hot lunch, taken at a rather Spanish time of 2pm onwards, some even attending via hangar landings. 

First flight with the south coast shining (Peter Smith)

A bit unpromising at first as it was still cloudy, Long Lane was still closed and other delays manifested themselves on the way, but at about 11am Peter took the first launch and declared conditions suitable, with a gentle NE wind.  In fact things got better and better as the day progressed, until a really nice, but cold, couple of hours before sunset.

Last flight with all of Devon shining (Peter Smith)

 The Perkoz and one K21 and one Junior were joined by the two Falkes  and .in all, twenty flights were logged, all the glider aerotows to 2000 feet. I'm sure that everybody went home very satisfied with the day's outcome, with thanks to those who did the hard work, Peter and Simon.
Let's hope the rest of the flying week is just as good - Jonathan Erskine

Sat 2nd / Sun 3rd November

 Anticyclonic gloom.........but it wasn't all doom

On Saturday, various trailers were being cleaned and there was all the preparations for the DSGC Fireworks party, with proceeds going to the DSGC Charitable Trust. 

Well done to Team Hender for all the organisation, and thank you to all those who contributed in various ways. 

 

Busy Clubhouse (Simon Leeson)

There was a great crowd of DSGC members, family and friends and local residents, with the Clubhouse packed, all enjoyed the wonderful fireworks display and food. We're pleased to announce that £654.58 was collected for the Trust. If you couldn't make it, or would still like to make a donation, it's not too late, please contact Sally. 

On Sunday, there was all the Firework FOD to collect, Mike Sloggett did some ground school with Benjie Pitts and Cheryl Smith and  

Replacing the brake pipe (James Hood)

 

Simon, Leeson, Stuart Procter, Robert Lee and James Hood replaced the EuroFox brake pipe. - Sally Hender

Thurs 31st October

Thursday weather rewarded a few regulars and defied the forecast. Clear blue sky and a light SE wind initially. There was a slow start while the air warmed up and the gliders were walked to the west end. Unfortunately the Duty Instructor Chris Wool called in sick (hope you feel better soon), but Pete Harmer was able to help out by supervising on the ground (Thanks Pete). With small numbers and no training flights, it was aerotow only. Simon Jordy on tug duty for the day (Thanks Simon).

The sky filled in during the day (Jill Harmer)

Some weak thermal activity developed around the middle of the day but soon decayed as the sun got lower in the west and cloud cover increased. Extended 2000ft aerotow flights were the order of the day with Jeff Taberham taking the longest flight of 35 minutes. Most flights being around 20 minutes. All good to maintain currency. In total, 12 aerotows which included three Trial lesson Visitors who were looked after by Shaun Dayman  and eight solo flights, Dave Perriam took Benjie Pitts for a flight, Benjie had stayed to help even though there was no flight training on offer, and all kit safely back to the hangar by 15:30.

A successful  and very pleasant day for Halloween. Many thanks to those who didn’t fly but helped to make the day work. - John Borland

Wed 30th October

The unfortunate situation arose today (half-term, holidays and sickness) where there was no available Instructor to take charge of the normal club flying.  The suggestion of some Ad-Hoc flying for those suitably qualified pilots  did though look promising, especially as Robert Lee was keen to get the Euro Fox out. 

A bit murky at cloudbase (Mark Layton)

Having a SPL, was like having a gliding version of Willy Wonkers 'Golden Ticket' as five willing pilots took a Junior to the west end of the airfield. The aerotows to 2000ft in benign conditions, dodging the patches of low cloud were a joy and the gentle descent was enjoyably uneventful. The longest flight being 23 minutes achieved by Nick Harrison. 

Aerotowing the Junior (Mark Layton)

With everyone flown, everything was put away with as much efficiency as it was taken out before we retreated to the club house for tea and cake thanks to Paul Medlock who had used bribery to go from the bottom of the flying list to the top, as he needed to get away early!  

No sun on North Hill today (Mark Layton)

 If ever there was an incentive to become a qualified glider pilot and obtain a SPL, it is days like this! - Mark Layton

Sun 27th October

 Briefing was early this morning, but even with the extra hour in bed, I missed it…. sorry Ron!!!!
Flying started at 10am with only six names on the two-seater flying list, it looked as though it could be a short day!!! However, as the flying began more and more members arrived and added their names to the list (they obviously had the same problem as me, without the luxury of staying on site!). Fortunately, both James Flory and JB, were on hand to help with the instructing. By the time we stopped for lunch, (due to lack of people to continue through), there was only two people who hadn’t yet flown. 

After another enjoyable lunch provided by Vicky, we were back and ready to fly again. This time with even less members on the airfield, however we were as keen as ever!! 

Dave Perriam was nearly successful in flying the whole fleet, only missing out the DG505! Flying continued until 4pm with the sun setting earlier, everyone went home happy with a successful day.

2/3 Team Hender helping to run the show today

Thanks to Rob Hender who efficiently did both winch and cable retrieve all morning, Trevor Russell who did the same in the afternoon, to James Flory for standing in to instruct all day.. again, and the few remaining members who stayed until the end to help pack away (you know who you are🥰).

Meanwhile Hender Junior took his new motorbike on a road trip to the Junior Winter Series held this weekend at The Long Mynd. There were around 100 Juniors who attended, even with limited flying time there were 73 flights on Saturday and similar on Sunday. Dan enjoyed the social element of the weekend, never planning to fly, more to catch up with friends. He even managed a visit to the Antiques Emporium!!! - Sally Hender

Sat 26th October

An optimistic forecast brought a fair number to the club today; it really was like a spring day, not even slightly autumnal. The hangar was completely emptied, but unfortunately, Simon Minson noticed a knocking from the wheel of our only serviceable K21. Step up Simon Leeson, with the help of a few others, to rectify the fault in double quick time. Well done, all!

We set up with the winch in the top NW corner near the gate and the launch point on the north boundary. We were all ready to go by the time of the 9:30 briefing held in front of a packed clubhouse—lovely to see. Andy Pincome arrived for a couple of signatures on his instructor application form; hopefully, we will see him in action very soon. Welcome to the team!

Congratulations To Ashley Thomas Bronze  with Simon Minson (Mark Courtney)

 Simon Leeson started tackling the flying list with the help of myself and Simon Minson, whose first task was to complete Ashley’s Bronze flight test. I’m pleased to say that Ashley passed with flying colours—another well done for the day!

Everyone was kept busy (Rob Hender)

 Sally Hender manned the launch point and managed the operation until Tim Petty, the duty marshal, arrived a bit later in the morning. It was nice to see a couple of new members today, Ainsley Fisher and Adam Lay; they both enjoyed themselves, judging by the look on their faces. We entertained three first-flight visitors today; they were looked after by Shaun, who seems to be embracing his new instructor rating.

Kevin Fairburn in Junior (Simon Leeson)

 

James Flory was kept busy in the Fox with a little help from Simon Leeson—7 tows in total. A little lower than I would have liked, especially as we are still enjoying the discounted aerotow charges until Jan 1st.
Pete Startup enjoyed a long soaring flight but was just pipped by John Pursey, who was test flying the SF27 after it had some work done to its wings—138 mins. On landing, Alan Rappaport jumped in for his first flight on type for a short flight.

Alan Rappaport converting to SF27 (James Hood)

 

The conditions at times were really quite good, and several people had long flights, including Josh Batchelor with Simon Leeson. Josh is here for a few more days before returning to a rather chilly Canada. It was lovely to see Cheryl Smith back in the air for the last flight of the day; hopefully, we will see her back in the saddle more often now that the shackles of catering have been released.

Cheryl Smith and Simon Leeson (James Hood)

 Thanks to Vicky for coping with the crowds, and of course, a big thanks to everyone who made this rather pleasant autumn day a success. - Mark Courtney