Thur 31st March

 A strong and bitterly cold northerly wind tempered all enthusiasm for an early start. It only increased in strength during the day with vicious gusts (39knots at 15:00), so flying never even got going although some pretended in the simulator. John Davis and Rob Hender practiced some launch failures with Pete Harmer using Stewart's randomiser, John went wave flying in Switzerland and James Smart  was introduced to the local area of Portmoak in preparation for the trip up North in a weeks time. Well done to Eric Alston for passing his FRTOL exam. We also welcomed a visitor from Southdown Gliding Club who is planning to move to Devon.

The latest leveled area on North Hill (Peter Smith)

 I spent the day on the field, firstly giving the recently cultivated area, a thorough going over with the leveller and flat roller and I then sent Rob Hender solo on the MF tractor and compactor roller. It is now ready for seeding when the wind drops......

Rob solo in the Tractor (Peter Smith)

 All the machinery has now been removed from the field. It has been a challenge and time consuming to smooth out as many of the humps and bumps as possible, so please keep off the area until the new grass is established and it is declared fit for use. - Peter Smith (Ed Many thanks to the whole field leveling team led by Nick and Peter - another 10 acres ticked off)

Wed 30th March

Today's challenge was never going to be entirely glider related but more about what to wear. With yet another long walk to the west end of the airfield and a distinct chill in the air, everything from thermals and wooly hats to sunglasses and suncream was the order of the day. The first couple of flights managed to stay aloft in the negative lift up to 'not very high' with Dave Perriam lasting 32 minutes. The subsequent flights struggled to find the elusive lift that always seemed to be out of reach as there was plenty of sink to be found, for those who needed training, check flights and cable breaks this was not a problem. It kept John Sillett & Glenn Turpin busy all day having to walk the length of the airfield on more than one occasion. 

Two gliders and a pair of Red Kites (Mark Layton)

 After a stop for lunch due to limited numbers, flying continued into the afternoon much the same as in the morning until the sought-after thermals came within reach. Having heard others talking about the strong lift on the downwind leg Mark Layton in the Junior managed to pick up the thermal that was kicking off from the west ridge getting up to 2200' enjoying the longest flight of the day with 54 minutes. Forest Glade was also trying its hardest to help, allowing the two K21's to have extended flights until the dreaded sink re-appeared forcing all three gliders down for a synchronised landing. 

Waiting for the next launch (Mark Layton)

 With everyone having flown, all the gliders were put to bed at about 5 o'clock with the hangar doors closing just as the rain started. Gliding......it's all about the timing!  - Mark Layton

Mon 28th March

The day started dull foggy and cold with an Easterly breeze. Very different from the last few warm days. This was an Ad Hoc day run by Mark and Simon for the training of BI candidates from Dartmoor Gliding Club.

BI training for Dartmoor GS atNorth Hill with DSGC Instructors and Helpers (Jill Harmer)

 
After a short training session indoors, it was out on to the chilly airfield where the instructors continued the training of Dene Hitchins, Gavin Short and Phil Hardwick in the Falke, and then the K21s.
The helpers were able to use the gliders when not being used by the course, and in the thick haze and overcast a flight of over an hour was still achieved round about the lunchtime period by Chris Warnes. The haze was thick enough to prompt a radio call from the Falke to the K21 for a position report to be sure they were not conflicting.
The day was brought to an end by some slight showers and increased murk, but only after the course had achieved its purpose.
Thanks go to the helpers including Jack, Gordon, Dave and Tom, who made the gliding possible. - Chris Warnes

Sun 27th March

It was a day of 2 halves. This morning was a slow affair, very few members, no doubt planning a Mother’s Day meal. Simon Leeson was duty instructor in the morning, keen as ever he trudged one of the two K21’s to the NW corner. The winch was set up near the east end boundary which would give us high launches. The high pressure inversion was evident from the start, visibility was terrible and conditions were testing.

Brentor member Ed Borlase had a flight in the Rotax Falke with me for field landings, sometimes nearly getting lost in the gloom.

The weather presented itself as perfect for cablebreak practice, Connor was first to be put through his paces, reportably flying very well, followed by Harvey Skeggs and David Wojnar.

With the few pilots attending all needing cable breaks it was a slow morning. We decided to all stop for lunch, after refreshments a new sense of enthusiasm filled the air. It was evident that the weather had decided to provide some fun as well, thermals suddenly popping up everywhere!

Ruth Comer slipped into a spare K21 for a solo and immediately climbed away, grin suitably installed! Myself and Kevin Fairburn had a long flight which enabled him to progress significantly.

Stewart converts to DG100 (Sue Henshall)

 Stewart Henshall and Hans Jenssen rigged their newly acquired DG100, Stewart flew first, utilising the now widespread lift, unfortunately when he passed over to a very eager Hans the sea air had pushed in and prevented Hans from getting away. However with three takeoffs and landings successfully complete all was not lost.

Hans Jenssen converts to DG100 (Mark Courtney)

Josh Funnell grabbed an opportunity to have a flight in the K21 and immediately found lift ( of course he would) just before the dreaded sea air killed the lift.  Paul Summers flew with new member Ella, introducing her to the primary effect of controls.

Simon Leeson flew with a second Brentor member in the Falke for a cross-country training session, the visibility had improved dramatically once the thermals got going and mixed up the atmosphere.

Turned out to be a lovely relaxed day with lots of progress from the members requiring training and some good soaring for everyone else. - Mark Courtney

Sat 26th March

 The first members arrived nice and early before 8am keen for a lovely forecast for the day ahead. The two K21’s, the DG505 and a Junior were taken out of the hangar and taken the long walk to the west end.The first launch was taken at 10:04, by Duty Instructor James Flory and Charlie Broderick, just missing the reduced rate. With CFI Stuart Procter helping with the flying list and the Junior being made use of, we started the day with mainly circuits.

West end launch point (Mark Layton)

 

Phil Morrison arrived late morning, for his afternoon stint as Duty Instructor, which meant Stuart was able to leave for his commitments at home. Matt and Aaron Harris were finally able to fly, after trying on numerous previous occasions without success.

Visibility was quite poor (Dan Hender)

 

The sky seemed to improve from lunch time, with much longer flights, Dan Hender having the longest at 44 mins and even then sideslipping down! Until that was Pete Startup took a launch, although landing out at Smeatharpe 113mins - probably doesn’t count! 

230 checks out Smeatharpe (Pete Startup)

Flying continued, with Rowan Smith satisfying  RE Simon Minson that he hadn't forgotton how to instruct after 2 years of just solo flying, and subject to CFI acceptance we look forward to seeing Rowan in the back seat again....... and it was good to see JB flying with Phil Morrison.

The Junior was in demand all afternoon, but flights become shorter again as the day progressed. We finally packed everything away by 5pm everyone having flown that wanted to, a great day, with some challenging conditions, thanks to everyone that helped. - Sally Hender

Thurs 24th March

 It was a lovely sunny start with the high pressure over the North Sea, and a gentle easterly breeze, and RASP was saying it would be soarable - what's not to like in March.

FZF at the 'Menders'  (Mike Horwood)

There were a few issues to overcome  first thing, with a wheel brake  putting one Junior out of use, and some running modifications on the Perkoz. The Cable Retrieve Disco seemed to have a mind of its own wanting to go into 'Park' every time it stopped, and become immoveable (fortunately only just outside the hangar) Nick managed to find a Landrover man to take it away to fix it. 

Two K21s, a Junior and the Perkoz were walked to the launchpoint at the west end with a number of private gliders being rigged. Soaring began almost immediately with a hotspot just over the sunny southfacing ridge. Martin Woolner started the private owners queue to launch and then disappeared for more than 3 hours. 

Congrats to Stewart Henshall

 Congratulations to Stewart Henshall for converting to the Perkoz and then managing to get 2 silver height flights on his first real exploration in a glider at North Hill. Congratulations also to Dave Perriam for converting to his new acquisition DG101.

Dave Perriam converting to DG101

The conditions got really good in the very local area of the Blackdowns and the Exmoor foothills, with the higher land generating high blue thermals restricted by the Airway. But as usual fortune didn't favour all with some only getting short or extended circuits. 

Work continues with the field leveling new area (Stewart Henshall)

It was a lovely day for March after all the rain, and wind of late - hopefully a sign of things to come. 31 winch launches in total - thanks everyone - J&P

Wed 23rd March

 Having dispensed with the wooly hats and donned those more suitable for the sun, the long walk up to the west end of the field was not as arduous as it has been in recent months. The warm sunny weather has made a welcome return after what seems to have been a long wet and windy winter. 

Initially two K21's and a Junior were towed up followed a bit later by the Perkoz after a minor technical problem delayed its departure. 

 

Launch point (Mark Layton)

Alongside the normal training, Paul a recently retired commercial pilot arrived in his Robin to get his  tow rating  revalidated with Ian Mitchell,  Paul used to be Tugmaster at Nympsfield -resulting in five free tows for the lucky few. 

Visiting DR400 Robin (Mark Layton)

 Around the middle of the day despite the cloudless sky there was the odd thermal to over 2000ft with Chris Warnes having the longest flight of around 35 minutes.

Meanwhile the drone of tractor engines filled the air as work on the field leveling progressed with Nick & Peter driving up and down for most of the day towing various contraptions with gliders taking off on one side of them and landing on the other. All worked well together on a pleasant day that wasn't epic but continued until all had flown with everyone pleased to get in the air. - Mark Layton

Sun 20th March

It was forecast to be not as windy as Saturday which had apparently kept the gliders safely locked in the hangar, Sunday looked worth a punt on flying and flight testing the now legal SF27 (thank you Ian). With domestic chores done and a speedy drive I was lucky enough to get distracted from the SF plan by stepping straight from car into a Junior rescued from being pushed off line! Fresh SSE and 1600ft gave enough height to explore the windward side of Hembury Hill ridge. Lively thermal-like pockets of rough lift were the reward for 40 mins or so before the guilt at keeping the Junior took me back to plan A and the SF.

With the K21s and DG505 working through the lists with Ron, Simon, James and others, the sun was doing it best to keep the thermal soaring options open. Pete and 230 arrived on the line and learnt the hard way that often in S Easterlies the sink out towards the Hembury ridge can be savage and once low things can be a challenge.

Meantime the SF was rigged and used as a sniffer to help Pete stay up for his 3rd launch…! Rough thermals to 2300ft and a wave like bar out from the south ridge stretched out the flights towards the hour. 

John Pursey converting Dan Hender to SF27 (Rob Hender)

The SF was then duly handed over to the Juniors to give them a chance to try something different. An all flying tailplane and a cockpit big enough for Josh F who along with Dan and Charlie successfully ticked off another type.
After a wet week and a wild Saturday, Sunday was a sign things are on the up!

BGA Ladder flights 21 March 2022

 For those in any doubt check the BGA ladder and the hundreds of Km flown in the centre of the country… it was ever thus..  - John Pursey

Sat 19th March

 So with the field drying out quite well after the recent monsoon rain, there was hope that flying would be possible on Saturday, but unfortunately the very howling gusty easterly wind put paid to those ideas. 

Sir Chris Coville

In the evening, the Club held an Audience with Sir Chris Coville with his usual Liverpudlian wit. Chris was launching his book of memoirs "Fighter Pilot from Cold War Jets to Spitfires". 

 

It was a great evening - thanks Chris -  talk and book signing  followed by dinner from North Hill cafe, - it's a while since we've had a social event! - J&P

Thurs 17th March

 Following a rather wet week in the Southwest, the field was still too soggy to be able to winch on and with the Pawnee still on Annual,  we had to resort to quite a few jobs to do and quite a bit of tea drinking and chatting. 

A team led by George Sanderson rigged the Perkoz after the very swift turnround for the Annual, helped in part by Gordon Hutchinson who is working to revalidate his Inspectors authorisation. - Thanks all. 

The Ground Vehicles (Gordon Hutchinson)

 Gordon also arranged the Ground vehicles outside the hangar in the lovely sunshine to update the photo  showing the new Launch Control and vehicles for our website. 

Ian Mitchell and Graham Starkey were continuing to work on the Pawnee, and Stewart Henshall investigated the joystick calibration drift in the Simulator.  

There's always something to do at North Hill - thank you to all our volunteer  Club Members. - J&P

Thurs 10th March

 The morning was spent waiting for a wandering front to clear the area, it took all morning. But meantime the windsock was replaced with a new one, and the drive was cleared of tree debris from the recent storms. 

In the simulator, various training exercises were flown by several members, some launch failures, circuit planning, general handling and a little blast of ridge and wave soaring in the Alps. 

Pete Harmer supervising training in the simulator (Jill Harmer)

A pitch inspection just before lunchtime confirmed that the airfield had dried out sufficiently and a wind surprisingly almost down the field at launch height, just waiting for the southerly orographic to clear.

Just after the first circuit, there was a surprise radio call  from Ian Mitchell requesting a flyby in the Harvard, which was followed by a chase plane Lancair. 

Harvard flyby (John Borland)

 Training, check flights and solo flying continued in the benign conditions with extended circuits using the south ridge.  Late afternoon some scruffy cumulus formed and Chris Wool with new member James Dyke enjoyed some weak thermals in K21 having practised in the simulator earlier. We also welcomed John Allan from Dartmoor GS who had some North Hill familiarisation flights with Pete Harmer, also having practised some launch failures in the simulator in the morning. 

It turned out quite nice (Jill Harmer)

 Chris and James had the longest flight 24mins with Pete Startup (unusually) only managing 20 mins. A very pleasant afternoon with just 17 launches due to the late start, but at least everyone flew. - J&P

Sun 6th March

 There were three questions to be answered today - would the airfield be too wet to use? would the wind strength and direction allow gliding to take place? and after many members being at the Club yesterday for the SGM re a potential EuroFox purchase, would there be enough interest in flying today?

The answers were No, Maybe and Yes.

With a small group of (very keen taking into account the chilly North Easterly wind) members led by James Flory the decision was made to get both K21s and a Junior out of the hangar whilst the launch point and winch were set up for the current and forecast wind conditions.

With few members to do the usual ‘start of day’ tasks it was just past 10am when the first launch was completed under a Yellow flag, reflecting what was predicted to be an ‘interesting’ approach over the West end of the airfield. As it happened the circuit, approach and landing were all reported to be straightforward provided pilots planned ahead suitably for the conditions.

Next area for field leveling to start soon (Mike Sloggett)

 As the morning progressed then so did the flying list with various instructors helping out in the back seat and also using the Junior to maintain currency.

The winch launch heights were regularly in excess of 1500ft and this enabled pilots to go in search of potential wave or use the evident thermals for extended circuits.

With sink rates of 6 knots in places focus and planning were key with some pilots correctly “turning in early” when needing to do so.

By late morning the general consensus between the instructors was that a Blue flag was needed and shortly after that it was decided to start hangar flights as everyone who had flown were happy to ‘quit while they were ahead’!

A good day in the very fresh air with teamwork from those present making the most of the conditions. - Mike Sloggett

Sat 5th March

The ground equipment was out early this morning, and with a field check from the duty instructor, John Pursey, the Gliders were taken out too. With a long walk to the west end the first launch was taken at 10:45, and the surprisingly short list was started, with the help of Simon Leeson and James Flory.

CFI and Deputy CFI take to the skies (Simon Leeson)

 

With limited numbers on the airfield it was challenging to keep things moving, and gliders were left on the airfield on a couple of occasions, waiting for a retrieve!  By the time Glenn Turpin took over as Duty Instructor, there were only two students left to fly. So the flying list was quickly completed. Simon thought he had the longest flight of the day with 22 mins, but was then beaten by Steve Westlake and Mark Courtney with 38 mins. Everything was washed and packed away by 5pm ready for the SGM.

In the evening, there was a good attendance for the Special General Meeting (in the rather cold ground hangar) with a positive outcome for purchasing a 140hp Eurofox 915iS towplane. - Sally Hender