Sun 29th January

 With some technical maintenance (thanks Stewart) on the Club Simulator in the morning, then  Paul Summers practiced his patter on his daughter Caroline. 

Paul Summers with Caroline

 Simon Leeson and Mark Courtney got to grips with BI preparation  with Dave Perriam and James Smart.  Many aerotows with rope breaks and fields were discussed. Simon Jordy even had a go with some willing front-seaters! 

Simon Jordy in the back seat

 The Golf Buggy battery also had some maintenance  with Nick Jones, John Borland and Dave Perriam. 

 Some more posts were concreted in for the Club Glider trailer shelter......

 

Club Glider trailers waiting patiently (Karen King)

with Peter Smith and Tom Sides. - (ed mashup from Simon, Karen and Stewart)

 

Sat 28th January

Well the day began with surprisingly few members on-site given the rare number of flyable days recently and due to this it forced Duty Instructor James Flory to consider whether we had enough people to winch. 

Overcast skies but the field has dried (Mike Sloggett)

 However, once the gliders had been rolled out and DI'd ,a few more people had turned up and the call was made to set the winch up at the west end of the field given the northwesterly wind. After a quick briefing flying began with a Junior and one K21 (another had had an issue snagged in the DI which was kindly fixed by Inspector Pete Startup and returned to service later in the day). We had one trial lesson visitor complete with family, who Chris Warnes flew and we hope to see back at the club soon. 

With the benign conditions, several members were back solo after recency checks and well done to John Allan our new member from Dartmoor GS who was checked out for solo at North Hill. 

R151 flying in (Barbie Fairclough)

The Cub was given an airing flying in from Watchmoor Farm with Stuart Procter and James Hood.

Overall a good day's flying for January.  - Connor Williams

Fri 27th January

 We had a good day yesterday with progress on the Club Glider trailer shelter. Nick and his digger made it possible again and his steady hand on the controls helped Brian, Jonathan, Julian and me with positioning and plumbing the posts. 

 

Glider trailer shelter taking shape (Peter Smith)

We now have 25 erected, 10 to go. Only 9 are concreted at present so please stay well away from the protected area. - Peter Smith

Thurs 26 January

 As we had another non-flying day today (field still wet and a howling cross-wind with the airfield sitting under the northerly wave rotor), George Sanderson took the opportunity to fit the new radio and back-seat repeater in KEK (same setup as HCX). With a plea from George for members not to fiddle with the settings. Thanks to John Borland and Rob Rand for their assistance.
On a slightly negative note, we noticed the K21 seat cushions were plastered with mud by someone's size 14s. John & Rob managed to clean them up as best they could. The field is very muddy at the moment, so please let's take care of club equipment a bit better. 

 

Meanwhile  in the Club Simulator, Ashley Thomas and Nicholas Johnson were practising, then John Davis did some spinning and general flying with Chris Wool.

 

  JB popped in for a quick look at the new view and fly with Pete Harmer, for a break from polishing the Ventus. 

 

Mike Horwood fresh from passing his Bronze theory in the morning - well done Mike, then practised winch and aerotow rope break simulations,  and finally went ridge and wave soaring in the Alps with Pete Harmer. Pilots and spectators all agreed that the new upgraded sideviews are a fantastic improvement for Simulator training. Many thanks to Portmoak for assisting Stewart Henshall with the implemention.

 Not quite the flying that had been hoped for, but some useful exercises nonetheless. - J&P

Wed 25th January

 Low cloud and murk awaited the staunchest of the Wednesday regulars.

First off, the squealing steering pump drive belt,  on the Disco, and that which propels the alternator were adjusted and silenced. We then looked at the winch dragbrakes and having established that both sets of pads were in good order. Chairman Nick and others formed the view that their lack of performance on Saturday may well have been caused by the extreme cold impacting on the performance of the gas struts which operate the brakes. Time will tell..... 

Progress with the Club Glider Trailer shelter (Peter Smith)

 
Nick then suggested we try erecting a post on the trailer store to test a modification and refinement to an attachment on his digger which he has been working on and enables the posts to be picked up, carried and lowered whilst being securely held at all times. The hardier Wednesday members went forth and the process worked well, sufficiently so that we then did another 5!

So 9 main posts are now in place and 8 intermediates, leaving 16 more, yet to be erected.

The murk closed in and rain arrived pretty well on schedule but a great effort, thank you to all who helped. - Peter Smith

Sun 22nd January

 After a successful day of flying yesterday, we were hopeful of another great flying day today. Even the frost and cold not putting people off. Even though we had slightly fewer members than Saturday showing up, we still had the airfield set up and gliders ready for the first launch at 10:05am.

CFI Mark being checked out by Wooly (Mark Courtney)

 
Duty instructor Ron Johns taking the first launch, and afternoon instructor Mike Sloggett taking the second. There were only ten names on the two-seater list, and just five on the single-seat, so the instructors had a fairly leisurely day!!!! 

Tug duties shared out (Rob Hender)

The tug pilot Robert Lee, graciously shared the tugging with both Pete Warren and James Flory.

Connor getting some exercise (Rob Hender)

 

As the day warmed up however, the ground became softer, and as we got to the stage where everyone had flown, the decision was made to pack up, rather than offer extra flights, to protect the airfield from damage.

Cleaning the mud (Rob Hender)

 

The last launch was at 1:20pm, and after a total of fifteen glider flights, another successful day. Thank you to everyone for their assistance on the field. - Sally Hender

Sat 21st January

A crystal-clear blue sky (and emails the day before indicating the condition of the airfield had improved) meant that over 15 hopeful members,each with the usual strong desire to fly, were on site by 9.00 a.m.  Prior to today, due to poor weather and a waterlogged airfield, the last flying day had been an ‘ad-hoc’ day on Monday 2nd January. 

Simon and Stuart (Simon Leeson)

 With everyone wanting to make the most of the relatively good conditions, the ground equipment and vehicles were all present and correct by 9.00 a.m. and shortly after the gliders had their Daily Inspections. Therefore, by just after 10.00 a.m. one K21, the Perkoz, the DG505 and the Junior were at the Western end of the airfield ready for launch.  Due to a slight crosswind, the day was coded as ‘Red Card’. 

View from Pawnee as the cloud moved in  (Simon Leeson)

 James Flory (D.I) and Peter Smith were instructing and as the ground remained firm until about 1 p.m., a dozen or so winch launches took place.   However, to ensure the field remained unrutted, winch launching understandably ceased and from then on, the club switched to 1500 ft aerotows. The tug pilots were James Flory and Simon Leeson. 

Good to be flying again at North Hill (Simon Leeson)

 

By late afternoon with Steve Westlake, as Duty Instructor (and Peter Smith plus Glenn Turpin assisting),the continued good weather meant all pilots (20+) had either had a couple of winch launches or an aerotow.  A great way to spend a day! - Karen King

Mike Fitzgerald 1935 - 2022

 Many DSGC members gathered at Exeter Crematorium on 18th January for Mike Fitzgerald’s funeral.

Mike Fitzgerald taking a flight in Perkoz (John Street)

He passed away on 14th December aged 87. Sandy Harrup paid a very appropriate tribute to Mike covering his life and varied interests, although the constant presence from an early age was his interest and passion for gliding and sharing his knowledge, skill and experience with others. He started gliding while at Hele School and was still flying and instructing until a few years ago. He was CFI and was heavily involved in Club affairs throughout his membership.  

In 2011, Mike was awarded a BGA Diploma with the following citation:

" Mike was an original member of the Taunton Vale Gliding Club, later to be formed into Devon and Somerset Gliding Club. He has served as CFI and has been actively instructing for over 51 years. He continues to instruct 2 full days a week and seldom misses a day.  He is thorough, patient, and an inspiration to all whom he instructs and works alongside.  

He continues to set and mark Bronze ground exams as well as being actively involved in winch maintenance and upkeep. His contribution has been massive and sustained for well over half a century.  He seeks no plaudits and maintains a total, complete, utterly loyal and reliable commitment to the club and to the sport of gliding. "

Our thoughts and best wishes are with Viv, his wife of over 60 years who was also an instructor at DSGC for many years. - Peter Smith

Tues 17th January

Out of Portmoak in a light Southerly, the route west to Stirling, NE to Methven (MVN) and return to Portmoak, in all 103km. It turned out to be one of our best attended tasks for many months with 11 members enjoying the flight, including Julian West in only his second task on Condor, and Stuart Thomson who was viewing  the stream on Discord. 

Portmoak -Stirling - Methven - Portmoak

The start  and first leg was fairly fast and confident, with Stirling being turned fairly quickly, but then large blue holes opened up in the lee of the Ochils, to make the 2nd leg rather more testing. All bar one made it round without having to summon 'emergency lift' A good varied route which everyone seemed to enjoy. 

Julian West on his second Condor task

 

Stuart has subsequently decided to push the boat out, get a VR headset and join us. I'm sure that there are others out there thinking of joining us -- feel free we would be happy to show you the ropes, just get in contact. 

John Borland landing at Portmoak

It certainly beats twiddling your thumbs or watching tele on a cold winters' evening. - Chris Warnes

Sun 15th January

 Whilst the airfield at North Hill is still waterlogged - when will it stop raining? (ed: be careful what you wish for!) - An update meeting for the Competition Enterprise 23 was held, with plans progressing well.

The recent bad weather has provided an opportunity to fabricate some hoists to move ahead with the next stage of the Club Glider Trailer Shelter - lifting up the sloping rafters and installing the intermediate support posts. The forecast suggested Sunday morning would provide a window for a trial run. A couple of cold and heavy showers dampened the enthusiasm but we persevered. Jonathan Erskine prepared the post with the  bituminous wrapping while I fixed the hoists. We snared Tom and Phil after the Enterprise meeting and they did the heavy work whilst Nick dug the hole and lifted in the post and all was swiftly bolted up. 

The next stage in the construction (Peter Smith)

 
A small addition is needed to smooth location of the top of the post and then we can work our way through the roof structure.  I should also have said many thanks to the spontaneous helpers and particularly Jonathan - Peter Smith

In the evening, there were two races running for Condor Racers, the Condor World Cup team went to the mountains in central Italy, and another group went to Austria. 

Stewart's new Condor glider

Stewart picked up his prize for the fastest time on the  VSC Xmas Bonus Task on Reunion Island. - J&P

Condor Online Racing - January

With all this rain, North Hill airfield is struggling with a soggy field, but a growing group of members are keeping in soaring practice with Condor racing. 

Dawson Panter-Wray in the mountains

The regular Sunday and Tuesday sessions have been supplemented by Grand Prix races in Gawler Australia, and the Condor World Cup  on Sundays and Thursdays has just started. 

That's Kevin Fairburn

 To quote from Kevin Fairburn who has recently joined the Condor Racers
".... if you've not used the Condor Simulator, you really should! I fly with the gang on Sundays and Tuesdays through the winter, and while the simulator can't give you the physical feedback of gliding, I am learning so much from all the guys I am flying with, from finding and centering thermals and ridge lift to picking the best routes through the Alps, North Wales or Exmoor (which is where we mainly fly!)...
Best, Kevin "

Zell-am-Zee to Bolzano

If you'd like to join in, we have a DSGC Discord channel where we can chat on an open audio channel whilst flying, or just watch a stream and join a What's App group to keep in touch. Stewart has provided some Help to get started. - J&P

Mon 2nd January - Ad Hoc day

Happy New Year to everyone, and welcome to the first blog of the New Year! Sir Chris had spotted the day on the forecast weather last week  and put out the call for an Ad-Hoc Day. For the first flying day of 2023, the members were extremely keen on starting the year, as the first arrived at 7:15am to unlock the gate, with the gliders being taken out of the hangar at 8:30am. Flying started at 9:40am, when the canopies were finally clearing, with a test tug flight by Stuart Procter, to check the state of the airfield for launching/landing.

Waiting for the Pawnee to return (Simon Minson)

With both sides of the flying list having 17 names on by the time flying started it looked like a busy and challenging day for the instructors and tug pilots.
The decision was made for reduced-price aerotows to 1500ft only and restricted initially to one launch each to help with currency. With so many on the airfield quick work was made of retrieving and launching, the only wait, was for the tug to return each time. However, with Stuart Procter, James Flory, Pete Harmer and Peter Warren sharing the tug duty, there was never a break, other than to quickly refuel a couple of times, with great teamwork.

Small amounts of orographic cloud today (Simon Minson)

 

We had great response from the instructors, as well as those flying the tug sharing the two-seat flying, we had Glenn Turpin and Simon Minson stepping in to help, which actually meant the two seat list was quicker than the solo list!
We had visiting pilots from Brentor, who happily flew, John Allan taking a turn in the DG505, and Richard Roberts bringing and rigging his own Discus (V5), flying, then packing it away again to take it home, now there’s commitment!

Rich Roberts in V5 visiting from Dartmoor GS (Rob Hender)

 Flying continued throughout the day, finally finishing at about 3:00pm when we completed the list, so the gliders and vehicles could be washed down in the daylight.
A great start to the year, thanks to all that stayed and helped until the end, and to Jonathan Erskine for his assistance in the Launchpoint - Sally Hender