Sunday 31 May - A wet start but great and gusty later

Meanwhile in West Devon, on Wednesday at Brentor...

As a precursor to this blog post a special mention and thanks goes out to those who helped out at last week’s group evenings at both NHL and Brentor, both Wimbleball Sailing Club and Sidmouth Gig Rowing Club had excellent evenings this week. Meanwhile in Devon, Mr Sloggs ran a successful group evening at Brentor gliding club kindly assisted by Mark C, Paul  S, Matthew W, Tim P and several Dartmoor Gliding Society members.

Chris H is seeking members to help with future group evenings, please check the DSGC online calendar if you are able to help out on any evenings.

Brentor Church overlooking BNT airfield.

Back at NH on Sunday...

From the attendance in the clubhouse Sunday morning you’d be forgiven for thinking that it was a beautiful summers day, unfortunately the weather was as forecast and out of the window we were greeted with miserable spring conditions. People took the opportunity to do chores; JB fettled HEB in the workshop prior to the annual inspection, Pete S fitted gadgets and others fine-tuned overhead projector facilities in the briefing room.

Tim and Matthew drove up from Plymouth along with the terrible weather and the cold front, JP’s ritual Friday synoptic analysis had already promised and delivered one good morning of flying, so they knew the afternoon could provide some pretty spectacular conditions! Thankfully by 14:00 the front cleared and the unstable airmass coupled with a very brisk WNW made for some fantastic flying.

It was soarable from the start with very strong and boisterous thermals, the ridge was also working as a reliable safetynet if you managed to find yourself in the areas of the equally as strong sink! The list was worked through by Mike Sl, JB and Pete W. With 3 two-seaters online and everyone having soaring flights everyone got a chance to experience the conditions.

Matthew W’s enthusiasm had rubbed off on Simon M, he decided to take break from soft furnishings and 70’s lampshades to rig SM and join H5 playing in the cloud streets that set up to the West out and beyond Tiverton.

SM Air-braking down over the valley.

Matthew got his gliding fix for the week with a flight of just under 3 hours.

Quote from JB - “The easiest instructor duty I’ve done for a while, Mike and Pete did all the instructing and I had 3 nice soaring flights!”

As usual Henry turned up at the end of the day [Ed: Really? Read yesterday's blog! ] and jumped in a glider for a soaring flight with JB, rounding out at 19:34 to end a great afternoon's flying!

A great day of teamwork and perseverance for all those at North Hill today! - H5 Matt

Sunday 28th June - Last day in sunny La Motte

For the final day of flying Christian decided to show H5 Matt the glacier. Barre des Ecrins is a huge mountain in the Alps whose northern flank is draped in ice which extends like a veil down into the valley. The lowest fringes are rent and broken as the glacier melts into the sun baked rocks, exposing blue tinged ice under the dust tinted snow. According to Christian, over the past 20 years it has shrunken approximately 30% in size and it appears to be shrinking faster with each passing year.

 

JB above Glacier Blanc but still lower than Barre des Ecrins

All of the training throughout the week had started to come together, with Matt’s flying attracting far less abuse and even the odd compliment from Christian. They worked their way out of the La Motte valley and skimmed across the mountain stepping stones, each higher than the last and heading north east into the Ecrins. The glacier was breath taking, evidence of avalanches and ice overhangs do not put off the walkers and climbers!  Much better to do the climb in a glider. H5 Matt and Christian thermalled to 13000 feet with Mont Blanc in the background, the air crystal clear and the views spectacular. What a way to end a brilliant weeks flying.

H5 Matt incognito up against Barre des Ecrins

Halfway through their 1000 mile journey back to NHL news got to the guys that the French were on strike at Calais, who’d have thought! A plan B was frantically crafted and a couple of slots on a Dieppe ferry booked. After a night in the truck stop in the back of cars the gang pressed on to Dieppe, setting up camp again and enjoying a relaxing last day before catching the alternative ferry.

Luxurious digs

 After nearly 3 weeks in France JB’s pigeon French was improving, at a Dieppe water-front restaurant he ordered what he thought was fillet of white fish, however the delivered dish didn’t quite look as expected and tasted even worse than the appalling road-kill gizzard sausage that H5 Matt had selected in the services the night before. Google translate deduced JB had actually ordered rare Monkfish Liver! Yummy! H5 Matt didn’t fare any better as his Fruits de Mer platter proved to be a collection of gruesome snails, limpets and only a couple of edible prawns which JB pounced upon immediately

Always Safe with Pizza

After a hearty French meal the trio expelled their remaining energy with a swim in the English Channel, and yes it is English right up to the point where it touches the sand, this was however disputed by the locals because water this polluted had to be French.

A great end to the expedition totalling:

Holiday Statistics:

JB, 10 flights 43 hours 1738 km

H5 Matt, 7 flights 19 hours 1001 km

M5 Matt, 12 flights 64 hours 3401 km

Phil Morrison 29 hrs 1194 km

Estimated cups of tea: 300 + 18 boxes of French Bastonge biscuits

Saturday 30 May

A rather average looking sky greeted the North Hill members this morning. An earlier than usual start was possible due to the regular early riser/hangar unpacker, Henry. Yes really. It seems sleeping on the club house sofa isn't conducive to lying in until midday.

A few private owners had started to rig with discussions taking place as to whether it was worth it. Rowan and Stuart kicked off instructing duties at 0915! Mia had to swap her usual instructor (JP) for Rowan. They seemed to get on despite Rowan extending his instructor role to ensuring Mia conducted ground operations to his satisfaction. Henry was one of the first to launch in a Junior at 0930 and after a good 'scratching' session around the airfield eventually headed off towards Cullompton. 

The skies were looking great from 1000 (Henry)

 Roly was back and no doctor is required to certify him fully fit as he could be found pulling the DG out of the hangar. After a DI, he commanded Paul S to 'hop in' and whisked him off for a joyride to Tiverton in the by now, excellent looking sky. James H (ENW), Pete St (230) and Simon M (SM) all set off on a task to "somewhere in North Devon" (quote courtesy of James H). 
 

Somewhere over North Devon (James)

Trial lessons were booked in throughout the day all being flown by Paul S.

Tim in the Junior (Henry)

Flying slowed down after lunch as the instructor selection reduced to just one, and the sky slowly started to look less and less attractive. Liam took Tim for a fly to demonstrate how to stay aloft for more than 6 minutes. Phil M bravely tackled the remainder of the list ensuring everyone flew. Congrats to Paul L who got his yellow card renewed, and Josh F who would have gone solo had his mum been present. Where are they when you really need them...

A fruitful days flying. - Tim P

Thursday 28th May

Another day, another huge flying list, not quite complete cloud cover and a north westerly wind. Things got going quite quickly with the first launch before 10:00am and soaring immediately. The hangar was empty with four  two-seaters going all day and the two Juniors soaring from about lunchtime. We welcomed David back from Open Weekend, and three trial lessons all enjoyed their flights. 

Mark C flying the Pawnee (Mark L)

As the day wore on, the clouds broke and the base went up and by the end of the afternoon there was 6 knots to 4000ft. 

 

Liam connecting R37 with Jess  for her spin training (Mark L being artistic)

Thanks to Peter F and John Si who answered the call for help with Instructing. The Clubhouse turned into a temporary study room for those revising for their exams. Pete St rigged 230at just the right time and made it to Eaglescott and back.

R37 on aerotow (Mark L)

In the evening a group from the Sidmouth gig racing club arrived and they continued soaring into the evening. - J&P

Wednesday 27th May

There was a huge flying list prompted by a reasonable weather forecast, school half-term and a full list of booked trial lesson flights, there were also some temporary members from Open Weekend.

Getting ready for a busy day (John St)

The soaring started early with Jeff T playing with some low cloud and Peter B trying his hand at back-seat launch failures with John St.

Mike Fitz and John St had nearly a hour as the sea breeze was setting in, Pete St in Discus 230 tried in vain to beat the sea air, - Tim J, Nigel and Jeff T all had the same fate.

Peter W was tuggie and was kept busy most of the day with Pete Sm doing a stirling job with the many trial lessons. It wasn't soarable for the rest of the day until about 5.00pm when suddenly the wind veered round to the north west,and a wave band set up with the last two K21s enjoying unexpected good soaring conditions, both had to air-brake down to hand over to the evening flyers. - JSt

In the evening, our first group this year from Wimbleball Sailing Club enjoyed a working ridge to extend some flights, and we welcomed back DSGC Life member Peter Moore who hadn't visited the Club for several years. - J&P

Sunday 24th May - Open Weekend

The second day of the DSGC Open Weekend dawned foggy with a light westerly wind, which developed into low cloud and drizzle - and it stayed that way most of the day despite the ever-hopeful optimistic forecast. 

Busy Clubhouse (Mark C)

However, a good crowd of Visitors arrived and were treated to tours of the hangar and ground equipment. Pete B quickly set up a Condor simulator which was very popular as a substitute for the real thing. 

The hoped-for clearance came through at about 7:00pm which was disappointingly late. Thanks to all the helpers who did a great job of keeeping all the visitors entertained. We have already received very positive feedback for the event. - If only we could control the weather! - J&P

Saturday 23 May - SW ICL 2015 - Keevil

After scratching around all week to try and muster a team, Henry managed to get one by Friday. That night, they assembled at NHL for prepare and to consume the required beverages before an early start to RAF Keevil. Showing the youngsters how to do it, the pundit demonstrated what preparation truly means by digging out a logger that Charles Babbage would have been proud of but which refused to talk and then the careful preparation of body with 4 pints and some red wine.

Team HOG, JD7 and H5 left NHL at 0700 for the most dangerous phase - following Henry! Hopefully his knowledge of network protocols is better than national speed limits...

After a swift rig for the LAK 12, only an hour!, it was off to brief. A 183 km hourglass shaped task was set, Keevil - Bishops Caundle - Salisbury cathedral - Shepton Mallet - Keevil. Pundits had to go around the turn points whilst the intermediate/novice classes had 5 km/15 km barrels shortening the task for them.

JP and Matt carry out a self-brief of the airfield before they launch and see it

The off-line grid

Coming back from the blue towards Salisbury

Final glide to Keevil

ICL  - a Pundit’s view (John Pursey)

“So a week of badgering from Henry and Matt and a glimmer of hope in the forecast with a cold front clearing, meant that previous domestic promises of attendance at events were forsaken and a last minute drive to NH made Friday evening

Dismal skies to start did not help but on we sped. Keevil for those that have not been is an amazing place with acres of tarmac to rig and fly from and winch launches at £6. The ICL briefing was great, good weather info and commendably pragmatic approach to site checks. The local team were spot on with their tasking, as the sky overhead started to shows perfect little Cu while to the East the Cu were already merging and the far west showed the back of earlier grot.

After a series of encouraging reports from the task setter flying as a sniffer, the grid launched. The retrieve winch set up really showed its advantages with an epic launch rate. Tarmac to roll forward gliders with even the most corpulent of pilots was another obvious plus.

The task was cunningly set with all classes flying the same but with ever larger barrels for the lower classes. Team DSGC once airborne switched channels and were off. The day proved locally very good though the lack of cloud at times held back those with smaller wings despite good climbs in the blue.

I stayed high and comfortable and enjoyed 4 new turning points, none of which I can actually say I saw. Oh for the days of cameras and sooty barographs. Climbs of 6 kt were not uncommon and one of 8+ prompted getting out the camera though it was 7+ by the time it was ready.

7.2 in the blue

Radio calls showed the communal good DSGC progress and randomly the LAK slid over Matt in Sophie near the Park as we did leg 3, the cunning task setting keeping the groups together. A completely unnecessary climb near the final TP cost me 15 minutes but what a view and a very comfortable final glide to land just behind Matt. Henry flopped in shortly after to make it a good day for team DSGC even if not the fastest round the course their speed at queuing and consuming BBQ will be of legend!

Well done to Henry for his captain's enthusiasm and Matt on only his fourth solo X-country.

Now to account for the broken domestic promises...”

After all flying had been completed the BBQ was fired up and the bar opened, as well as discussing the days flights we also had the opportunity to answer the lifelong conundrum: "What is faster along a 6000 ft tarmac runway, a HpH Shark jet or an Audi R8?"

Thanks to the team and all those at Keevil for the great day and a task which made the most of the weather. And in answer to the question; with the car from a standing start and the glider at cruise speed, the Audi can outrun it down the strip. But with a jet assisted RAF style beat up the ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ didn't stand a chance!

Team North Hill get ready to leave

Saturday 23rd May - Open Weekend

It was a beautiful morning when we setup at 7:30am for our first day of the weekend open to the public. But as the start time approached the low cloud built up and when we were ready for the first launch, it was too low even for circuits. So after a slight pause of an hour a weather check launched to 850feet, just under the cloudbase, however the wind had now settled in the opposite direction to forecast, so a swift change of ends was needed.

Josh entertaining the crowds with his Safety Brief (Mark C)

Launching started apace, with many beaming faces enjoying their first flights in a glider. A little soaring was available during the day but flights were limited to 15 minutes. 
 

Organised car parking (Mark C)

Flying continued til late afternoon, but suddenly the wind changed into a tailwind and it was too late to change ends. So unfortunately, we were unable to fly the last few visitors, but some plan to come back tomorrow. 

Rowan flying one of the younger visitors (Mark C)

Thanks to all Instructors and Helpers for making the day go smoothly - 73 launches. - J&P

Thursday 21st May - Task Week

Low cloud precluded an early start despite the hive of activity before 9am, but a task briefing and maggot racing for yesterday entertained all.

The forecast for a clearing decaying occlusion followed by a north westerly flow around a ridge of high pressure was again quite promising.

After briefing with the lifting cloud the Thursday group started flying whilst those planning cross-country continued fettling.

First launch of the day found 4 kt to 2000 ft and rising rapidly, and the launching frenzy began, a mixture of winches and aerotows. 

But it wasn't long before the first phone call from Peter Sm Lak 19 1UP from a field at Sampford Peverell, followed fairly swiftly by Rowan Libelle CLM from a field at Cullompton. 

1UP at Sampford Peverell (Chris H)

Retrieves organised and on the road, Spot the Gliders was keeping everyone interested. Conditions were good locally but those on task found tricky areas with some sea air intrusions to the turnpoints from both north and south coasts. Chris W and Ruth in DG505 got half way round the Club 100 before running for home in the difficult conditions.

Ray D and George in Juniors both enjoyed their first 2 hour flights, and all the training flights had plenty of soaring practice.

Pete St 230 Discus, Ron & Dan 711 ASH25, Martin W in  LS3 KMV, and JB in Ventus all completed the longer task NHL - Beaminster - Wellington - Crediton W - NHL for 153 km,  making use of the sea breeze front  which had worked well inland and Tom in DG100 completed the shorter task Club 100 NHL - Tiverton - Crewkerne -NHL.

Then some more phone calls came in from Burstock where Mark L in Cirrus 477  with his first field landing followed shortly by Mike F in Pik 20 DFK had landed in the same field.

477 at Burstock south of Crewkerne (Mark L)

So with just a few flights that struggled to get away first time, there was a total of 45 hours soaring from 32 launches with 14 private gliders out. 

So a very pleasant day with soaring for all, and some testing conditions for those who went cross-country.

With conditions not looking good for tomorrow, a big thanks to Pete St and Ron for organising the task week and Wooly for flying the Club 2-seater.

- J&P

Wednesday 20th May - Task Week

There was much activity with the Wednesday hopefuls and the first day of flyable weather for the May task week.

The conditions to start with were difficult with strong crosswinds and poor launches but soaring was possible but the Northerly winds shortened the flights.

By mid-day the thermals were strong with rapid climbs to over 4,000ft, all the Wednesday club had good soaring flights - JSt

 Cross-country report
The first day of soarable weather for our Task week, with RASP being modified by a strong north westerly wind.

A good group of members gathered for briefing, there was some concern about possibilities of sea air cutoff but tasks were set NHL - Beaminster - Cadbury Cross - NHL 115.3 km, and NHL - Tiverton East - Axminster - NHL 59 km and could be flown in either direction. 

Cloudbase was quite low through the morning with Dave Masson's 'lingering cumulus' and it felt cold with the strong wind. Rowan in Libelle CLM took a launch regardless and we watched him on Spot the gliders turning Cadbury Cross with amazement. - A launching frenzy began, although it was still a bit hit and miss to get away from the winch.

Once the cloudbase started lifting it was really a booming day (for the southwest peninsula), although there was some wave interference in places and it was difficult if you got low down in the choppy thermals.

Pete St Discus 230, JB Ventus and Dan 611 followed Rowan to Cadbury first. Ron & Phil in ASH25 711, Pete & Jill Duo Discus OL and Martin KMV all went downwind to Beaminster first. (That'll mess up the maggot racing tomorrow!).

Valiant attempts by Dan ASW20 611 (turned short of Beaminster), Paul L SF27 H5 (landed west of Beaminster),

Ready to launch with a booming sky (John St)

The shorter task was completed by Chris W & George in DG505 and Pete & Jill Duo Discus OL with Tom in DG1 landing short at Smeartharpe, Chris W had a quick crew change taking Ruth, but bottled out in heavy sink.

Pete St had withdrawal symptons for the Club 100 so threw one in for luck actually going the other way round to his normal trip - it's a wonder 230 knew the way! Mark L Cirrus 477 struggled with four winch launches and settled for soaring the local turnpoints.

The weather at 16:00 (Pete St)

A Good Day Out. - J&P

Sunday 17th May

A pessimistic forecast seemed to be confirmed by an uninspiring sky this morning. Consequently there were very few members at North Hill, in stark contrast to yesterday's glut. The day began with a hunt for a "volunteer" instructor.  Steve W was the slowest to duck and we soon bundled him into the back of a K21 behind John B.  When John St arrived, nobody had a chance to warn him about the instructor hunt, so he was easy to catch and bundle into the back of the other K21 behind Joe.  John pulled off a cunning escape by letting Joe fly solo after the check flight, but was soon recaptured to sit in the front of Roly's favourite glider with Roly itching to get his hands on the controls in the back.

Simon M, having not had a chance to fly his ASW20 for ages, rigged out of sheer desperation and was very surprised to turn into a thermal straight off the launch.  Soon he was calling to other members to come a play with him in the sea breeze front that had set up towards the south coast.  By early afternoon, there seemed to be lift all around the airfield, with plenty of thermals and the west ridge working too.  Pilots were complaining that they "couldn't come down"!  Meanwhile William and Heather enjoyed a flight out to admire the north Devon coast in VG.  Once Guy had taken over the afternoon's instructing, Steve and John escaped for solos in the Junior and K21 respectively.

With the short flying list completed early, everything was packed away by 5pm.  Day's statistics: 26 flights (20 winch, 6 aerotow) for a total of over 14 hours.  Five over an hour, and Simon's desperation launch became the day's longest flight at 2hr40.

In the evening Henry (assisted by Gordon, Liam and Ruth) rigged his Cirrus in the middle of Met Office HQ, in preparation for publicising the Open Weekend and Group Evenings. - Ruth

Gordon, Liam and Ruth assisted Henry in smuggling a glider into Exeter HQ

Saturday 16th May

Today dawned cloudy and dull.  It had been raining until 3.30am, the grass was wet, and low cloud hung over the site.  By 9am gliders were all out, and the launch point in place, but the cloud prevented launching.  

Most people retired to the clubhouse to wait in peace.  How naive.  Mark C seized on this opportunity to set up a 'volunteering' process for jobs.  This process seemed to involve Mark sitting on a chair while bullying politely asking passers-by to do things.  John P was first up to 'volunteer' bodily parts for Mark to warm his cold hands on.  Martin W followed close behind - he got 'volunteered' to buy and deliver Mark's coffee.  James got 'volunteered' to collect a new projector, and remove the old one from its mount.  Once it was discovered the new projector didn't fit, James got discarded and Tim got 'volunteered' to re-fit the old projector.  Tim then got 'volunteered' to source and order new tyre adapters and pump.  Mike F got volunteered for . . well all sorts (Mark waxed lyrical about how willing Mike was to be 'volunteered').  Someone else (I lost track) got 'volunteered' to organise a new projector mount.

Strangely at this point, most people seemed keen to get away from the clubhouse.  Luckily the forecast sunny spells had begun and larger areas of blue had begun to appear in the sky. After scanning the (huge) list, Mike Sl and Steve W gathered everyone together to highlight the need for hard work and good organisation.

Thermic flights were possible straight away.  Private owners had begun to rig.  John P had cleverly tricked / persuaded / cadjoled the requisite 8* people to help rig his LAK.  After 15 mins of wrestling with 17m wings that weigh at least 3* tonnes each and seemed carefully designed to not fit the available locations correctly, all 8* were volunteering to return to Mark in the clubhouse.  Unfortunately Mark was busy in a cross country briefing, so there was no escape. 

*numbers are approximate and may not be entirely representative of reality.

Pete B was hopeful of a 50km trip to The Park in HEB K6.  John P was hopeful of finding wave and Pete St was probably hoping to do the club 100.  Other gliders to fly included Phil M ASW20, Jonathan S ASW19, Phil G Pilatus, Rowan S Libelle, Robin W-F ASW 27, Henry F Std Cirrus, Andrew L K6 and James H/Mike Sl ASW20.

Paul S took care of the first trial flight of the day - a 'mile high' experience.  James returned looking impressed and regaling his assembled family members with tales of the experience. 

It was good to see Roly back in a glider, he enjoyed a flight with Pete H.

Roly back in the saddle (Mike F)

James F took the opportunity of a quiet single seater list to fly the Junior for over 80mins and Steve W and Mike Sl got busy enjoying long flights with their students enabling quick progress through the two seater list.  After doing a large number of training flights this week, Mike Sl retired for a well-earned lunch break followed by a flight in his own glider ENW in peace.  Lisa turned up for the afternoon instructor shift to be immediately greeted by a keen-looking Jess.  Conditions now were mostly blue, but it was still thermic.  Pete H joined in to instruct and lend a hand to ensure everyone got flown.

Simon M spent the day undergoing his 3 year instructor checks with Mark C.  Mark C could be heard discussing techniques to make Simon's job as difficult as possible.  Mmm . . so its not just us ordinary students he does that to?  In between flights Mark could also be seen entertaining what looked to the casual observer, like Jedward.  Anyone??  Remember? (Piers and Milo)

Pete St had decided against the club 100 and reached Wimbleball reservoir.  John P had found some weak wave, reaching 3600ft QFE and flew for over 5 hours, but didn't go far, not getting further than 15 miles away from the club over North Devon. Phil M ventured furthest turning Molton.(Although he wasn't sure if it was South or North) Most other private gliders had long flights in good, but sometimes rough blue conditions.  

Pete with HEB in Somerset levels for first field landing (Pete B)

Well done to Pete B, although not reaching the Park, completed his first field landing with Dad Martin having the job of retrieve driver - also a first.  

Paul S flew a second trial lesson in the late afternoon and flying continued until around 6pm with gliders thermalling until past 5pm.  After allegedly being spotted at the club prior to 10am last weekend, Henry had reverted to type taking one of the last flights of the day.

Thanks to Rowan for spending any time not in the air, fighting with a Raspberry Pi to enable Spot the Gliders to be displayed on the club TV.  Thanks also to Robert whose feet could be seen in the MT hangar, poking out from under the grass cutter until late in the evening.  Hopefully he was ok.  Maybe someone should check tomorrow morning?

Leaving the club in sunshine at 7pm, with members sat around outside can mean only one thing . . summer is coming :) - Tim P

A gentle reminder to all you soaring pilots...

Friday 15th May - Course Week

"A day of much promise but in the end much walking instead"

The final day of the course started with blue skies and fluffy clouds suggesting a good day of flying.

The forecast wind of North East, for the morning at least, was not particularly evident but as the wind freshened a little as the gliders were taken out of the hangar that was enough for the decision to be made for the launch point to be set up in the South West corner of the field

Both K21s and a Junior were brought out of the hangar and daily inspections completed with the gliders soon being walked down to the other end of the field

With the first launch of a K21 just before 10am finding some good lift there was much optimism of the day ending better than forecast - but after another K21 launch the wind changed direction as had indeed been forecast so the decision was made to change ends with the launch point set up in the North East corner of the field and with the other Junior being brought out.

East end (Dave C)

The remainder of the day saw odd pockets of lift here and there but nothing to get too excited about so the pre-solo course members were able to consolidate various learnings from the week including circuit planning and eventuality practice. 

Peter Sm and John A (Dave C)

Whilst Paul G and Mike made good use of both Juniors being available and no other members wanting to fly them.

Junior launching (Dave C)

 The hangar doors were closed just after 6pm on the last day of the course with all course members' objectives completed during a week when there was flying on all five days of the course.

The May Course Members, Instructors and Helpers (Dave C)

A big thank you to the various members who helped out during the course week. - Mike Sl

Thursday 14th May

'Patience and optimism rewarded'

The poor forecast for Thursday morning unsurprisingly deterred many Club members from coming to the Club today - and having had three good flying days during the week it was decided that the course members could have an extra hour in bed.

During the morning, Jill gave a weather briefing on airmasses and fronts, rather apt as despite positive thoughts by various members looking out the Clubhouse windows, the low cloud and rain showed little sign of moving through as forecast. Peter Sm worked on the entrance gate with the Digger, Aston and William worked on both Disco alternator drive belts, and Mark was getting rather muddy behind his caravan.

With an early lunch planned, and completed, the weather showed no sign of clearing as was expected - with much reviewing of various weather predictions on the Club PC and mobile phones adding to the existing optimism but not necessarily reflected by actual weather over the field...

By mid afternoon there was enough brightness appearing at the Western end of the field for Mike S and Peter Sm to drive down and see if the weather was starting to turn for the better.

Ten minutes later and the course instructors returned to give everyone in the Clubhouse their decision - if everyone was happy to get the kit out then there was a chance that flying could take place .

Before one could say 'Open the hangar doors please', both K21s a K13 and a Junior were out of the hangar and daily inspections being completed whilst the launch point was set up in the North East corner of the field.

A 'messy' cloudscape but North Hill was in a flyable micro-climate (Mike Sl)

Mark C, whilst disappointed that aerotows were not being considered, helped out with some instructing and after suitable check flights re-soloed Paul G in a K21, Paul going on to complete 3 solos during the afternoon.

Paul resolos at North Hill (Mike Sl)

Mike F was briefed to reacquaint himself with the Junior and completed 3 flights in same by the time flying finished for the day.

Mike F back in the Junior (Mike Sl)

The lack of thermals or other lift during the afternoon allowed course members to continue their progress with circuits and eventualities as well as, in some cases, start to get to know the K13.

An afternoon of great teamwork by a handful of club and course members to get everyone in to the air.- 

Peter Sm and new member Graeme (Mark C)

And in the hangar - the Simulator fuselage is starting to take shape.....

Pete was busy with the rip-saw (Jill)

Mike Sl

Wednesday 13th May

"If only the wind could make up it's mind"

A beautiful day greeted the 2nd course of the year plus a large list for the Wednesday club members with a few of the Thursday crew for good measure  ( they must have seen Thursdays forecast ).

All Club gliders were quickly brought out of the hangar and daily inspections completed whilst the launch point was set up (for the first time) in the North West corner of the field - with gliders soon being walked down, the first launch of the day was underway mid-morning.

As the morning progressed the windsock  seemed to have a mind of it's own and by late morning it was decided that the steady West aspect to the wind was sufficient to warrant a change of ends (for the first time).

With the launch point re-set up in the North East corner of the field flying was soon underway and both Club gliders and private gliders were steadily being launched into an evidently thermic sky.

And then the windsock decided to have some more fun at everyone's expense by gradually indicating an Easterly aspect to the wind so the decision was made to change ends (for the second time).

Launching downwind again

More flying then ensued with both course and club members making progress with their flying training and having fun trying to find the evident thermals.

And then, with the windsock steadily showing a return to the Westerly aspect of before, the decision was made to change ends again (for the third time).

Fortunately the windsock then became bored with it's fun at our expense and allowed the flying list for both course and club members to be completed before the hangar doors were closed for the day at just after 6pm.

Mike F solo again

During the day Mike F re-soloed in a K21 after not flown solo for some months and various private owners rigged and flew their gliders including Mark L (Cirrus 477), Joe (ASW19 877), Pete and Jill (Duo Discus OL), Paul L (SF27 H5), Pete St (Discus 230), Dave C (Pilatus B4 CVV) - Mike Sl & JSt

Pete St completed yet another 100kms round Tiverton and Crewkerne (230 knows the way) but then headed off for a tour of Exmoor. Pete & Jill followed the strangely configured streets and convergences round Tiverton, Taunton and Bampton. Thanks to Mike for filling in as Tug Pilot. 

In the evening course members and hangers-on enjoyed a very pleasant course dinner at the Keeper's Cottage (well we couldn't go on Argyle's Big night!)- J&P

Tuesday 12th May - Course Week

With a bright forecast, it was no surprise that the hangar doors were open and gliders being taken out before 9:00am. Daily inspections were completed on both K21s and a Junior whilst the launch point was set up in the North East corner of the field.

With the first flight of the day in the air around 10:00am, and after that it was, apart from lunch, non-stop flying for the rest of the day with good thermals in abundance albeit some very heavy sink in places, and a good strong westerly wind 20kts+ at flying heights.

Launch point (Mike Sl)

During the day various private gliders used spare cables from the Course to take advantage of the soaring available. The Supacat had another successful airing. - Mike Sl

Last street before the sea (Mike Sl)

With the strong wind  and low cloud base initially, it was difficult to cross the gaps. Pete St 230 managed to get to MUD on one of 3 abortive attempts to go West, Tom in DG1 and Pete & Jill in OL ventured not much past the motorway into wind. Adrian FDX had a ride back to North Hill in a Range Rover after landing at the bottom of the hill having got caught in the heavy sink.

 Adrians nice field

Slightly disappointing day as the wind was so much stronger than forecast. - J&P

Monday 11th May - Course Week

Day 1 of the May course began with everyone turning up as planned and on time so that was a good start to the week.

However the weather forecast suggested a delay to the flying for the day and that is how it turned out - with the Course Welcome completed and after much gazing out of the Clubhouse window it was clear that all the wishing in the world was not going to change the fact that it was unflyable for the moment. So it was straight into the briefing room for a lecture from Pete Sm on winch launches and eventualities.

By mid-morning, there was enough brightness in the sky to suggest that it would be flyable before lunch and the optimism provided to be well founded - both K21s were soon out of the hanger and inspected whilst the launch point was set up in the North East corner of the field. 

Getting set up to start as the cloud began to lift (Mike Sl)

With a number of flights before lunch successful in finding lift, it was almost a shame to be stopping for lunch but after food and drink had been consumed, it was back into the skies which had increasing  evidence of thermals 'here and there'.

Promising looking clouds (Mike Sl)

 When the lift was found it was plentiful, but no surprise that in-between the "sink rate" was high. Towards the end of the day the best thermals  appeared with a climb to 3400' achieved by Pete Sm and John A in a K21.

Still a few clouds left at the end of flying (Mike Sl)

With a slow start to the day's flying the course members and ground helpers continued on into the early evening to make the most of the conditions

By the time the hangar doors had shut at around 6:30pm all of the course members had had a good start to the week both in terms of flights and soaring. - Mike Sl