Thurs 23rd December

On the eve of Christmas Eve, there was hope in the forecast for a sunny afternoon after the rain on the cold front had cleared through. It was very foggy all morning, and there wasn't a lot of rain, but then there wasn't a nice clearance either - Ho Ho Ho!

 

With thanks to Hans Jenssen for the Christmas image

Stewart Henshall brought his VR kit in for a demonstration, and a few members (not yet converted to Condor) enjoyed the spectacular Virtual Reality of flying around Interlaken and ridge soaring the Eiger. 

We look forward to more joining the Condor Racing Group soon, in the meantime we wish all our Members and readers a Happy Christmas and a great soaring 2022. - J&P

Wed 22nd December

About a dozen people were at the club, taking up the Instructors invitation to 'keep current' on one of the last flyable days of the year. It turned out to be much better than expected with wave to the south of the field making 'staying aloft'  very easy. 

 

The call from Chairman Nick - Come on up, there's wave above North Hill (Nick Jones)

Three instructors were available which helped while a good SSE'ly crosswind made for some entertainment on launch and landing. All bar one had good flights with many having to 'airbrake down', but unfortunately Andrew Broderick just missed flying when low cloud started moving in just before 1pm. 4 gliders had been towed up to the Western end including the DG505, and for some time they were all in the air together, with little for those left on the ground to do.

We were all down by 1:30pm, but managed 8 hrs of flying in 14 flights, and everything was packed away before the rain came. - Chris Warnes

Tue 21st December - Condor Racing

This evenings entertainment was again in the Alps in the familiar area just north of Interlaken,  - 250kms of good ridge running  and with strong thermals if needed. 

Eight 18m ships  (mainly Ventus 3, JS3 and an Antares) lined up full of water for a long aerotow at Bex.

Once everyone had climbed up to the start height of 9500ft, the race was on, with Simon Leeson leading the way, most of the field was quite bunched, but with Dan Hender and Stewart Henshall hanging back aiming for a fast time...... 

Stewart even had time to take photos (Stewart Henshall)

The first leg was a North East dogleg and then on to cross Lake Thun for the second turnpoint then back across  the Lake and then along another ridge line past Lausanne to Lake Geneva where a top up was needed by some. It was a 20 km glide across Lake Geneva and then back to Bex for the finish. 

Stewart was fastest at 224kph with Dan coming second 220kph, and the 'alsorans' completing at nearer 200kph. Unfortunately some lost points by not dealing with the flutter correctly. A really enjoyable evening in the sunny  mountains with superb scenery. 

Join us for more on-line Condor racing this winter, events are planned for Sunday and Tuesday evenings and more will be held over the festive season - all are welcome - J&P

Sun 19th December - Condor Racing

Tonight's flight took place in the Austrian Alps near Innsbruck, and comprised 13 turnpoints in a distance of 111km. 

Unlike the weather at North Hill this weekend, conditions were perfect for a fairly fast ridge run. A nice sunny day with a moderate northerly wind was ideal for the run. 

 Nine standard class gliders (most in Discus 2a, but also a Genesis and LS8 Neo) lined up on the grid for an aerotow, and all bar one managed to complete the task, with the fastest Dan Hender coming in under 33 minutes, demonstrating that he still has pace in a virtual glider, as well as a complete understanding of safety altitudes.

 So quick in fact that four of the group (who had no other commitments) decided to run the course again looking to improve their previous times with Stewart Henshall leading the field this time (but 30 secs slower than Dan's first run.) Some observed through Condor's "spectate" feature. Others were able to join live streams on Discord - which doesn't even need Condor installed.

Thanks to Chris Warnes for hosting the server for another enjoyable online session, and thanks to all those who had far too much fun flying it. Much better than waiting on the ground at DSGC for the mist to clear.  Join us for more on-line Condor racing this winter, events are planned for Sunday and Tuesday evenings and more will be held over the festive season - all are welcome - Chris Warnes & Stewart Henshall

Thurs 16th December

The recent weather has not been very kind to glider pilots keen to get away from writing Christmas cards and wrapping presents and for most of the week the forecast for today was again suggesting a day of no flying at North Hill. With this in mind, alarm clocks were reset for today and ‘to do’ lists created - and all seemed correct actions until the forecast improved just a little overnight and suggesting that some flying may just be possible today. And so it was that some of the Plymouth Thursday fliers exchanged messages and decided that if nothing else a trip to North Hill would allow a pre-Christmas catch up.

Upon arrival at the airfield the actual weather was indeed an improvement on the forecast and with a smaller than usual Thursday group of members, a decision was made to go flying - both K21s and a Junior were soon out of the hangar and having daily inspections complete.

The winch was set up towards the East end of the airfield whilst Launch Control was towed down to the other end - until it was nearly there and then the Tow vehicle and Launch Control came to a complete stop in a rather soggy area of  old grass, which delayed the plan to fly by a couple of hours - after trying various ideas the only thing left to try was to use the ‘big tractor’. Peter Smith and Mark Courtney had been working away in the MT hangar, but once told about the problem Peter was soon appearing over the horizon like the cavalry. The big tractor made easy work of towing out the combination and soon the Launch Control was positioned where it needed to be.

View from the Winch (Mike Sloggett)

 With time lost due to the above only a K21 and the Junior were taken to the launch point. We welcomed Paul Davie from Dunstable for his first flight from North Hill, Paul has moved down to Budleigh Salterton and is planning to join us.

And then it was on with the flying with everyone getting into the air, with reports of launch heights up to 1400’,  before a lowering cloudbase saw an easy decision to complete hangar flights bringing the day to an end - not spectacular flying today but all those who flew were able to reset their currency levels.

Resetting Currency (Mike Sloggett)

 Thank You to all those who helped today, particularly Peter from "Blue Overall Recovery Services" for his timely arrival and help. - Mike Sloggett

Thurs 9th December

 On Thursday morning, the forecast had reverted to a couple of days previously and fortunately members had not been put off from the pessimism from Wednesday. 

So with the ridge holding, light southwesterly wind, sunshine to start with, but a very wet airfield, it was deemed aerotow only (reduced price) with hopefully a full morning of flyable weather. 

With Peter flying Mike was free to take photos (Mike Horwood)

 Two K21s and a Junior were brought out of hangar, and after waiting a short while for the air to dry out a bit, launching started. The sunshine had not lasted long, and there was clear signs of pre-frontal wave, and there was a watching brief on the progress of the rain approaching from Cornwall. 

Signs of pre-frontal wave (Jill Harmer)

 Flights were extended with reduced sink, but any wave was elusive, (9 launches in total) before some wetness arrived. - You never know what's going to happen at North Hill unless you are there!

After lunch, Geoff Lawrence, James Smart and Jill & Pete discussed the Exeter Airport Focus Group meeting on Wednesday and agreed strategic content for the DSGC response to the 19 options put forward by EDAL for pre-consultation. 

And in the simulator, Stewart has added a Cable release sound for the randomised, automated cable break scenarios. - J&P

Message from John Street

I would to thank the the Committee and whoever nominated me for the Honorary Life Social Membership.

Sadly I was unable to attend the 2021 AGM, this was due to the medication I am on and I have been advised to avoid crowds, plus the treatment I am having makes me very fatigued in the evening and driving at night, I find particularly challenging, my thoughts were with you all last Saturday.

 Congratulations to all who won a award, I haven't missed an AGM since I joined the Club many years ago, I have also missed posting the Wednesday Blog, which I penned for over ten years.

As for my health, I feel fine most of the time and I have to remind myself that I am getting on a bit.
I am going to receive a course of radiotherapy after Christmas - something to look forward too.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my friends at North Hill a Happy Christmas and a safe New Year, I hope to be back up at North Hill after my radiotherapy treatment has finished,
Until then, keep safe best wishes.  - John Street

Sat 4th December

The weather forecast suggested that in and amongst the rain showers and with an “interesting” wind strength, flying might be possible today.....

The Club was a little quieter this morning either due to the weather forecast or members leaving their arrival until nearer the start of the AGM planned for later in the day. The morning saw a series of rain showers build to the West and steadily move across the airfield which delayed the potential start of any flying. James Flory as Duty Instructor took the opportunity to do some ground school briefings on navigation.

By mid-morning the showers had mostly moved through so a decision was made to get a Junior and a K21 out of the hangar with the winch set up in the North West corner of the airfield. But with the odd rain squall still moving across the airfield a decision was taken to have an early lunch.

Gliders Parked (Mike Sloggett)

 

Early afternoon Alan Turner took the first launch in the Junior and managed to work the West ridge extending his flight time, before returning to land. James and Emma Flory took the second launch managing to beat Alan’s time (just!). A discussion about the conditions and particularly looking towards the West end where showers continued to build, suggested that a pause in flying would be sensible - so the gliders were parked. Mid-afternoon with the weather showing more signs of deterioration it was an easy decision to return the gliders to the safety of the hangar - with members present soon involved fully in setting out the Ground Vehicle hangar for the AGM. - Mike Sloggett

With no AGM in 2020, there was a great turnout (54) for our socially-distanced AGM in the cold Ground Vehicle hangar, but with everyone suitably dressed and a couple of spaceheaters taking the edge off the cold, it was ok. The report for 2021 included details of Personal Achievements over the last two years, updates on the various ongoing projects and lots of thanks for all our member volunteers. There was an election for Committee Officers with John Borland, George Sanderson stepping down and Lisa Humphries, Mark Courtney and James Flory being elected. There was a Special Honorary Membership awarded to John Street who has supported the Club for nearly 40 years with over 10,000 instructional launches - we all wish you well John.

DSGC Club Trophies (Allan Mounce)

Following the AGM, CFI Stuart Procter awarded the trophies (some for 2 years), more details will be on the website. 

 

Cold Socially distanced AGM (Peter Smith)

John Pursey assisted by Phil Morrison and Alan Rappaport were keeping busy during the AGM cooking the wonderful Moroccan Chicken which was followed by ice creams. 

  

Then the AGM raffle 2021 took place with Sally Hender in charge, the raffle was being held to raise funds to cover the running costs of Ian King's donated K6 DRE - for our Junior members to fly at no cost. The raffle was supported brilliantly (I don't think many had escaped 'the eye' from Sally to buy tickets over the last few weeks.) There were some fantastic prizes donated by members and the Club. The raffle raised £1250, - thank you to everyone.

The upgraded DSGC Simulator also got its first airing with members queuing up to try it out. The immersive wraparound display is a great improvement, and the excellent User interface that Stewart Henshall has built, including many training scenarios with integrated random cablebreaks proved a great success.

All in all a great evening - thank you everyone. - J&P

 

Thurs 2nd December

With the prospect of icy roads and a strong north wind in a clear sky the Thursday regulars were slow to arrive and even slower to emerge from the Clubhouse to set up the field. The winch having been declared U/S yesterday required some magic from Peter Smith assisted by Gordon Hutchinson to bring it back on line.

 The first launch got away under strong Blue card conditions at 11am. With an 8 – 13kt northerly cross wind the conditions were challenging resulting in 4-6 minute circuits. Pete Harmer spent an intensive day in the gentle hands of Chris Wool (playing Blogs) carrying out his 5 year instructor checks and eventually emerging with a grin. 

Wooly playing Blogs for Pete's 5 year checks (David Clements)

 Ron Johns and Peter Smith bravely worked their way through the two-seater list. As the day progressed and the conditions improved, the card colour slowly descended to Yellow then Red.   Eric rigged his ASG29 and with the assistance of his Turbo managed to reach some weak wave to the North and spending 1:23 aloft. The longest winch launch went to Pete Startup making a dash for the North ridge  which was providing weak lift for an extended 15 minute flight.  

Ron Johns with Jonathan Erskine (David Clements)

As the sun slowly set in the south west (it is Winter) everyone had flown, clocking up 29 winch launches and 2 aerotows.  The last aerotow to 4000ft was for Andy Davey solo in a K21 who nearly managed to beat the Tug down with a sequence of aerobatic manoeuvres.  

Stewart emerged to catch a few rays before the sun went down (Stewart Henshall)

 And in the 'Batcave' aka Simulator Room Stewart Henshall  was putting the final touches to the upgraded system ready to demonstrate it on Saturday evening. All in all a successful days flying after an interesting start. Not bad for the first Club day of Winter. - John Borland