Wed 29th September

The flying list was reasonably long by nine o'clock as both Wednesday & some Thursday regulars realised that this was potentially the best day of the week, the only thing that could spoil it was the forecast wind strength. 

 

K21 waiting to launch (Mark Layton)

Early on the wind was light and only red card conditions but by lunchtime it was gusty yellow making the approaches a bit challenging but good for the soul!

 

Towing back (Mark Layton)

 Soaring flights were there for the taking from the first launch as the thermals were breaking up anything the ridge might have to offer. Beside the two K21's and two Juniors six private gliders also ventured out all having soaring flights heading towards the M5 and beyond, Martin Woolner in KVM had the longest flight of just over 4 hours.

Best day of the week at North Hill (Mark Layton)

 As the afternoon progressed the wind veered round to the west and the ridge started to work as the thermals died down. A very enjoyable day was had by all! - Mark Layton

September Denbigh Expedition - Monday

 BBB Eagle story

Classic ridge day forecast with hope for some wave. All looked a little unstable for wave to the untrained but Chris the salesman definitely sold it.
NH team were all on the ridge, Pete Startup 230, Nick Harrison JDD, JB, Phil Morrison with Alan in DD3 and Nick with JP in the Eagle. The hooligans started racing up and down and the Eagle bounced along keeping high. Good ridge and very strong thermals (up and down) kept it exciting.
Cloud streets led of to the west and off the most Northerly one Chris G contacted wave. JB then Pete and DD3 reached the right zone just behind Colwyn Bay. 

DD3 climbing

 The Eagle tried but was late to the right street and forced to retreat. Another nearly 6 hr day and weary flyers listened to Phil telling stories with obvious effects. - John Pursey

JB Ventus story

Monday turned out to be quite a good day, with the wind set right for some fast ridge running. So I decided to see how quickly I could do the club task of five beats between Dyserth to the north and Denbigh Ridge South making 140km. I thought I was doing ok flying at around 70 - 80kts until Chris Gill ‘under-took’ me in the Arcus doing about 100kts, so I thought I needed to change up a gear! But even flying at between 80 - 100 he still pulled away into the distance to complete the task at a speed of 170kph vs my 140! Ahh well, must try harder - and leave the tips off next time!

Cloud street to Conway (JB)

After bimbling back up the ridge to the coast I headed west to a cloud street which was working and took me nearly over to Conway where Chris Gill said he was climbing through 6000 in wave. I connected with the wave just east of Conway - over a big quarry with a blue pond near the coast. 

Colwyn Bay, the Great Orme and JB’s quarry with a pond (JB)

 That proved to be a good ground reference for Pete Startup who was not far behind so we both climbed to over 16000 ft (Pete got to 18k) then set off south on a bit of a jaunt to use up the height.

Approaching Carno  which was buried in the ice crystals of a dead Cu-nim (JB)

 We intended to turn Carno (the geographic centre of Wales) way to the south but on arrival it was buried inside the frozen remains of a Cu-nim so discretion prevailed and we headed for home - via Dyserth just for the extra k. Well 'twould have been rude not to as it was there!

So all in all a fun day, but we were jolly glad to land and warm up! - JB

September -Denbigh expedition Sunday

Forecast wind South-southwesterly and SkySight showed wave was likely in fact the sky was showing lenticulars in the distance. Chris started the towing operation ASAP and BBB was 3rd away. 

 A climb over Denbigh was found and Tom Sides joined in below. Due to changeable winds DD3 missed out on its slot and was asked to go to the other end. The cloud was filling in fast and Pete Startup was dropped into a hole that closed as he arrived. 

 

The Eagle let down through the last of the hole and went to perch on the one bit of the ridge that seemed to work in the SSW. Tom was braver and stayed above cloud working his way north. 

 

230 and BBB spent the next 3 hrs working the short ridge beat as the sky cycled but never really sorted itself out.

 
Gliders safely stowed and fingers crossed for Monday. -John Pursey

September - Denbigh Expedition Saturday

Saturday and even salesman Chris couldn’t sell the day. Short briefing and the day was set to other activities. PM the sky looked thermic but the one glider that tried it didn’t last long. 

 

Another one of JP's specials (John Pursey)

 Early supper sitting out in the curiously warm September Denbigh air.  - John Pursey

September - Denbigh Expedition Days 1-2

Denbigh super-salesman Chris Gill with a Facebook “come now” forced the hand on the Nomads not at Portmoak to drive up on Wednesday. 

  

 Thursday

Thursday was briefed as wave but… and so it was . Tows out with the Eurofox with Chris were all dropped in reach of a wave but blue and not super strong. The Eagle led the North Hill charge and after figuring out the previously launched glider was not really in the right place, took a slow grind to just short of 7000ft.

 

Clouds formed but didn’t really help as the lift was definitely off to one side! DD3 launched late and arrived as even Chris G was starting to sound less confident. The wave system collapsed and we settled for just shy of three hours. Time for Otter..

Friday

Friday was briefed as “ridge, but wave maybe to 10..”  by Salesman Chris  - but it got people moving.
The Eagle was early away and battled the ridge which was a tad feisty. From experience this meant wave and the battle led to climbs ahead of cloud in a gap that opened up near Ruthin. DD3 joined the Eagle sliding up the valley in a gentle climb. 

 

The cloudscape changed before any thing more than 4500ft could be reached and convection broke down the wave. 

 
The ridge improved as a consequence and DD3 and JB started “smoking the ridge” from end to end.

 
Captain Alan took the helm in BBB and we did the southern ridge runs and then took a cloud street out towards Snowdon. Much fun and a classic Denbigh day.

  Just shy of 7 hours and “The Eagle has landed” was called on the radio.. - John Pursey

Thur 23rd September

 The forecast was not too optimistic for flying but a good group of Thursday regulars turned up to see if it would be wrong.....

Whilst waiting for the low cloud to lift, some jobs were undertaken, first the Junior LRD was rigged - an education for those who hadn't done it before. Then the hangar was unpacked to slot the Junior in its normal place, and there was just a hint of drizzle starting by the time everything was put back in. 

What are they? (Jill Harmer)

Wooly turned up with an ice-cream box  full of presents, which then involved a "What is it quiz?" With a little prompting we eventually worked out that Wooly had designed and manufactured a number of Flarm Aerial "Keepie-Uppies". They were fitted to all the Club gliders and DRE -Thanks Chris.

Flarm Aerial Keepie - Uppie  designed and Manufactured by Chris Wool

 Whilst this was going on, Paul got the mower out  to tidy up round the clubhouse,  the picnic tables were moved to facilitate and everyone admired the recent repairs that Tom had completed on the damaged picnic table.

Tom Sides has repaired the picnic table (Jill Harmer)

 The drizzle from the front started getting heavier so coffee and lunches were called for, and we started discussing the restart of the Exeter ACP. 

So many skills amongst our members......and then we looked at Glide and Seek and saw DSGC members enjoying themselves at Denbigh and Portmoak, but drizzle continued at North Hill. - J&P

September - Portmoak expedition

 A few days before setting off North, the BBC was giving consistent Easterly winds and I for one headed off expecting a week of tourism.  ........ But as the days unfolded, the wind came round.

Day 1 we had a southerly ridge working while some contacted wave.

 
Day 2 local soaring in thermals.

 

Day 3 wind on the Bishop to allow for better ridge playing

 

Day 4 more ridge and weak wave

 
Day 5 and more ridge with some weak wave and crystal clear views

 

Day 6 Blustery, with poor vis and few gliders launched, but some wave was had before the gaps were closing and the airfield beckoned.

 

The North Hill Nomads, who faced the trek North, Andrew Logan, Andy Davey,  Dan Johns, Eric Alston, Gordon Hutchinson, Guy Adams, Pete Startup, Ron Johns, Wyn  Davies have all been rewarded with as much flying as our weary souls can take. There are still 3 days left and no sign of any rest.  - Wyn Davies W7

Sun 19th September

A limited number of pilots arrived first thing, with a question mark over whether there was a duty instructor for the am slot. However, James Flory kindly stepped in after arriving back from a flight in G-BKVG. But with some low orographic cloud arriving, a met flight was taken at 10:40am, and with cloudbase reported as 500ft the decision was made to pause for a teabreak, when a number of bacon baps were consumed. Flying resumed at about 12:00 and progress was made through the list, with FZF in constant use by the solo pilots.

Junior launching library pic (Andy Mayson)

Ian Mitchell took over instructing and working through the list for the afternoon (meaning James actually left on time for a change!). With four Trial Lesson flights being shared between Tom Sides and Robert Lee. JB took a launch in JB at 13.22 and came back over three hours later.
By 2pm the conditions were improving and flights were getting longer, so pilots were having to be called back to make sure everyone could fly.
Hans Jenssen managed 64mins, Ruth Comer did 51 mins before being called down, Stirling Melhuish lasted 101 mins well deserved after all his time and effort with the winch earlier this week.
Peter Warren kindly took a visiting instructor pilot from Keevil up for a flight, then sent him solo. While Dan Hender took his opportunity with Ian being on duty, and took an aerotow to do some aerobatic training, and was signed off on basic manoeuvres.
Thank you to everyone that helped during the day, we had limited numbers, but a successful day. - Sally Hender

Sat 18th September

Good early morning turn out with the whole fleet out on parade by the time the duty instructor arrived shortly after 9am. Solid rain in the South Hams and there hadn’t seemed much urgency but at North Hill, the grey overcast was much higher with chunks of light. James Flory had already got the launch point trundling west and after a quick instructor conflab it seemed the right move. Very light southeasterly wind as the gliders towed down with a hint of wispy low clouds coming up from the south. By the time launching got underway the wind seemed settled on being southerly but still light.

Golf buggy towing Perkoz library pic (Andy Mayson)

James started on some grown up flying with people wanting checks and I set to with new Junior member - Connor Williams. Even more grown up flying was to be done by Mike Sloggett looking to do Full Cat exercises with Mark Courtney in the Perkoz.

The wispy clouds were starting to street and offered some welcome bubbles, but with a base of 1200ft it was never going to be epic. Connor had his longest flight to date at 31 mins and was the handling pilot from the off through to landing (bar a little brake assistance) - well done Connor!
The early conflab on the wind was repeated as the southerly tended to a south southwesterly and an end switch was inevitable.

Whilst James Flory continued as pm man, t’other James, (Smart), continued his smooth handling of the Trial lesson voucher visitors using the DG505, which was able to find spaces to get a full aerotow.

Your scribe had to leave early afternoon but had an extended flight with another new Junior member Kat who showed great promise as the K21 did endless turns chasing buzzards to gain handfuls of feet.
Whilst not epic it was flyable, soarable and a jolly fine day to be out and about and not what I expected driving in the rain past South Brent! - John Pursey

Thur 16th September

It was another slow start with fog early on, and there was some hope that it would clear faster than on Wednesday. And it did clear very suddenly late morning. With the winch still being worked on, it was another opportunity to get aerotow cleared. 

The hangar was emptied, although HCX needed some work on the nosewheel that wouldn't keep hold of any air (thanks George).

DSGC launchpoint library pic (Andy Mayson )

It was even a bit soarable between 2pm and 4pm with streeting & convergences, and the winch appeared at lunchtime with thanks to Peter Smith, Stirling Melhuish and Mike Groves from Skylaunch. After a tentative test winch launch for the new differential, winching continued alongside aerotows. 

A few private owners ventured out but several were preparing for the long trek north to Portmoak. 

A very pleasant day flying, with some special thanks to the long hours expended in getting the winch back serviceable. - J&P

 

Wed 15th September

Lime for the next area of field levelling was delivered on Monday and that was spread first thing.

Latest area has been spread with lime (Peter Smith)

 A slower than expected start with mist and then orographic cloud keeping us on the ground until early pm. When it eventually cleared everyone remaining and wanting to fly,  did so, and predictably when it was time to pack the hangar, the sky and conditions were at their best. In order to make sure everyone got to fly, we limited flights to 30minutes. Thanks to Robert Lee for tugging.

Stirling Melhuish and Mike Groves from Skylaunch (Peter Smith)

 Meanwhile the delayed start enabled me to spend time with Stirling (who didn’t get to fly) and Mike Groves from Skylaunch on the winch repair and again continuing after flying. The new final drive is now assembled, installed and the gear selector mechanism has been tested and found operational. Much more spanner work is scheduled for tomorrow to complete the reassembly and possibly try some test launches. - Peter Smith

Sun 12th September

With the message having gone out  on Google groups last night advising that the winch was u/s, we didn’t know how many were likely to take up the offer of reduced rate aerotows. We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout, and flying started promptly at 9:45am. With a long two-seater list, duty instructor Simon Leeson started the day. 

Simon explains adverse yaw to Alan (Mark Courtney)

With a plethora of tug pilots arriving, the duties were shared fairly amongst them for the day, thanks to Robert Lee for generously putting out the call and sharing his duty.

Waiting patiently for the Pawnee to return (Mike Sloggett)

 It was slow going, with the reduced speed of the launch rate, but with Mike Sloggett instructing all day, and assistance from Mark Courtney and Peter Warren we made it through the list. 

Paul Summers and Tom Sides successfully flew the Trial Lessons with some very happy visitors.
The private gliders 230 Pete Startup and FUN Andy Williams both flew getting 143mins and 149mins respectively, well done Andy ;).

Chris and Dave amongst those cleared solo aerotow (Mike Sloggett)

By the end of the day Liam Vile, Dave Cowley, Chris Woodward and Tim Butler were all successfully signed off for solo aerotow. Thirty aerotows in total!

Another great day at DSGC, thanks to all who helped on the day and especially the usual few that stayed until the end and helped pack everything away.  - Sally Hender

Sat 11th September

 Cloudbase was at 1000ft first thing, but it steadily improved through various cycles of low cloud, until eventually the frontal remnants to the north disappeared. Initially it was John Pursey who was at the top of the leader board with 47mins in the Junior. 

The sky was regularly cycling (Mark Layton)

 The clouds were cycling regularly and there were groups of pilots with ~30 min flights followed by mass landings throughout the day. Robert Lee in the Astir managed over an hour albeit from an aerotow, and Eric Alston more than doubled that but with some use of the iron thermal to cover the difficult times. It was good to see the hangar completely emptied with additionally 7 private gliders joining in.

Launch queue (Mark Layton)

There were some trailers cleaned  and hangar door washing by some of the Junior members.

 

Finished the trailers, started on the hangar... (Josh Funnell)

Whilst training and solo flights continued with James Flory, Peter Smith, Stuart Procter and Phil Morrison sharing the two-seater flying, with  some more new members returning after their Trial lessons / recent courses.

Congrats to Josh Funnell IFP (Stu Procter)

 Congratulations to Josh Funnell for completing his IFP acceptance checks with CFI Stu. Thanks to James Smart for looking after the Trial lesson visitors today. Pete Harmer was tuggie and got some bonus aerotows when the winch threw a problem with the gear selector.  

Charlie practising his back seat flying on Dan (Josh Funnell)

Thanks to everybody for mucking in today and getting through the long flying list. - J&P

Fri 10th September - Course Week

Groundhog day: On arrival at the club, course members, instructors and helpers were greeted with exactly the same scene as was observed for several hours on Thursday before everyone went home, with the beech tree fading in and out of view in the mizzle and fog. Entertainment and education ensued with watching some of Balleka's finest work on YouTube until the cloud finally lifted off the deck late morning. 

Layers of cloud (Hans Jenssen)

The winch and launch point were swiftly set up in the NW/NE corners of the field respectively with the westerly wind almost straight down the field for a change. The first launch reached almost full height but it was immediately clear there were layers of cloud all over the place lower than launch height and the glider skirted in and out of sight behind the cloud. The sky looked threatening throughout the day and there were frequent interruptions for rain after lunch, but we all gamely continued with most launches aborted early before going into cloud. Useful experience nevertheless for the students on how to react in these circumstances. 

More layers of cloud (Hans Jenssen)

 All course members flew today apart from Stewart, who as the only solo pilot didn't get off the ground due to the bad visibility. Testing conditions prevailed for much of the week with everything from extreme heat and crosswinds to rain and low cloud but despite that we flew for 4 out of 5 days and all the students whether returning, current or new members got a lot out of the week. Thanks to Tim Petty who stood in for Gordon H today and a belated thanks to Sally Hender for her all-day stint in the launch point on Tuesday and Dan Hender for pitching in on Tuesday too. Good team work from Hans J, Gordon H, Dave P and Tim P on each day that we flew ensured a good number of launches in the time we had. Last but not least, instructors Peter Field and John Sillett did a brilliant job as always. - Hans Jenssen

Thurs 9th September - Course Week

There was a hope that the forecast might be wrong, but with a large amount of overnight rain, the fog was down on North Hill to start the day. There was a chance that the afternoon might dry out a bit, but in the event it was just more fog and rain showers. 

 

Circuit planning at North Hill (Hans Jenssen)

The course members enjoyed various lectures from Peter Field and John Sillett, whilst  Jill and Pete  with help from Wooly and Stewart, were putting the final touches to the setup for the improved 3-screen simulator. Some circuit planning flights proved that 3 screens were better than 1 for the course members flying. 

Pete and Stewart in the Dolmites (Jill Harmer)

 This was followed by checking out the Mountains...... - J&P

Wed 8th September - Course Week

 A lovely dawn and blue sky at home deteriorated to overcast at North Hill, but we readied the DG505 as the sole aircraft for Club flying. We set off for the west end of the field but increasing wind caused a pause for thought and a visit to the launch point in the North West corner by Messrs Sillett and Smith, and gliders then retraced their steps and were made safe in and outside the hangar. The interlude was timely as it provided an opportunity for Ian to fit the rear canopy of KEK with repaired support frame.

 

Back in service - Thanks Ian (Peter Smith)

The wind then dropped, the sky cleared and off we went again to get only a short way before the rain came day but persevere we did with a long wet walk and we started flying at 12:30. We worked with the course and everyone got into the air before the wind played its last trick in defiance of the forecast and swung round to the south west. Too late to change ends, we waited for a lull and flew the gliders home.

Wavey sky (Peter Smith)

 The sky was hard to read with some areas of wave related lift and rotor giving longest flights of 35 and 44 minutes.

For the record, Area 5 sprayed (Peter Smith)

 A big thanks to Ian Mitchell for the rapid action on KEK. - Peter Smith

Tues 7th September - Course Week

 Another busy day with over 30 flights for the course members, but it was not quite a soarable as yesterday with just extended  training circuits mainly. 

Gorgeous deep blue sky for the course (Dan Hender)

 Stewart again managed the longest flight in the Junior but only 18 minutes today. - J&P