Tue 25 April - Denbigh

 "Pete set us a 300km out and return to Pershore (quite modest compared to Chris Gills 620k) but still challenging to get back over the  Llantysilio mountain range into Wales, because of spread out and the lack of sun on the ground." - Nick Jones DD3

Thomas Telford’s Aquaduct (Nick Jones)

A decent days soaring from North Wales. once we got out of the lumpy bits it was easier but after following a romping line of energy on the way back from Pershore we ran into a wall of spread out near Oswestry but with one finger hovering over the start button we found, or it found us, a gentle thermal that got us back on our usual over glide. then sod's law as we approached Denbigh it recycled. A great day and we beat Pete!" - Phil Morrison DD3 

Shrewsbury which is nearly completely encircled by the river Severn. (Nick Jones)

  "I set this task so shoud have done better. Problems (only mine it would seem) with spreadout and gloom made the leg home largely one of just getting back using the get high, stay high, go slow technique! Phil and Nick in DD3 showed how it should be done!" Pete Startup 230

Sun 23rd April

 Today was an interesting day, with a need for enthusiasm. With people turning up bright and early at 8am the decision was made to wait for the cloud to clear. 

Peter Smith was keen to get constructing, so the team of us gathered down at the new club trailer shelter and began erecting some wooden beams. With lots of umming and erring, the decision was made to get the gliders out on an aerotow-only line. 

Dan Hender  being the first to launch and showing good signs of lift (in total had 55 mins), training began with the two K21s . A patch of rain emerged, grounding the gliders for over an hour. Shortly after the rain came to a halt, gliders were aerotowing again . With everyone helping out on the ground we were able to get another 2 and a half hours of gliding in. 

Congratulations to Simon Jordy (Mike Sloggett)

 Congratulations to Simon Jordy who finally got the weather to resolo in a glider -  a number of years (20) since he last instructed at the Club.

14 aerotows today (Mike Sloggett)

At around 6pm, it was time to pack up, all the gliders were being packed away and the keys were being turned in the retrieve vehicles . Until … it was Launch Control's time . The battery on the Cable Retrieve Discovery had died. With everybody watching, Peter Smith plugged the Powerbank into the Disco in attempt to start it. It wasn’t powerful enough, so Freeda was collected from the hangar to give it the extra boost it needed .  Sadly, she  didn’t have enough power either, so the Discovery was towed back down to the hangar along with the Launch Control trailer.

Can Freeda help? (Luke Stabb)

  Overall today was a good day with a total of seventeen launches with three of them being motorgliders. Thank you to everyone who was very patient today and stayed around. - Luke Stabb

Sat 22nd April

 The forecast for Saturday had changed a little in the morning with rain expected to arrive during the morning, and with the south easterly wind there was quite a thick haze. The gliders were readied just in case, but it never really got to flyable weather, and just before the rain arrived they were safely put back in the hangar. 

 

Briefing outside (James Hood)

James Flory gave some 1-1 ground briefings to Joel Roulson starting off outside as the clubhouse was busy, but also retreating  when the whiteboard was getting rained on. 

Well done to Andrew Broderick for passing his Bronze theory exams. - J&P

Fri 21st April - Course week

Friday was the final day of the first summer gliding course for 2023. A front moving in sometime over the afternoon had been forecast but there was still significant uncertainty when its band of rain would arrive. What was certain is that in the morning it was dry, there was a cloudbase of reasonable height with even a few patches of blue off towards the Exe valley. The wind was still brisk and to the east but there was no indication of the wicked rotor and vicious sink that bedevilled attempts to get and stay airborne the day before.

April Course, Instructors and Helpers (Sean Goddard)

 

Not knowing how long flying would be possible the course members, instructors and helpers leapt into action, and put the kettle on. But soon after, two K21’s were trundling off behind buggies down to the west end of the airfield while the winch and launch point were getting set up.

The first glider took off at 10:30am. At one minute before 4pm, glider HCX, flight number 19 that day touched down. This was a simulated launch failure with a hanger return. On the way up water started to fleck the canopy. After the bung was pulled large droplets were hitting it. Rolling to a stop near the hanger doors, the heavens began to open. As Mark and James were out and taking off parachutes, Steve and Sean arrived in KEK. There then commenced what may have been the fastest every packing of the North Hill hanger. It’s miraculous what a bit of meteorological motivation can do. There was similarly spirited striking of launch point and winch operations. 

A nice day of a tricky week of weather (Mark Courtney)

By 5pm everyone was back in the dry and warm clubhouse reflecting on 1hr 46 mins of flying on a day that at one point had looked like a total washout. No soaring flights, but everyone was very grateful for being able to take to the skies, and also to be a part of such an excellent course. Louise being a very recent joiner was able to build her flying experience. Friday also produce her first simulated launch failure, so on that flight she was whooping on the way down as well as up. Sean and James were able to consolidate pre-solo progress with some concentrated flying - something that’s proved very difficult given the past winter’s weather. Mike and Sandy very ably responded to the challenging conditions, with Sandy having her yellow card signed off. Tony was able to apply his significant power experience to his relatively new adventures in gliding.

As gliders were being launched on Friday, a large cloud was forming over Exeter. By the afternoon a massive anvil shaped cumulus was rearing up and gradually obliterating the view westwards. At 1500 feet above ground, bands of rain could be seen sweeping in from the east. At one point it seemed uncanny that North Hill remained dry. It was a reminder that we take flight at the weather’s indulgence.

Our sport (passion? obsession?) is entirely dependent on air masses from which we can sip a tiny fraction of energy. The day after our course finished was international Earth Day, an annual event first held on 22nd April 1970 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Just as we are taught to never assume the cable will hold during a winch launch, we take a safe and stable climate for granted at our peril.

A big thank you to our Course Instructors Mark Courtney and Steve Westlake and the Couse Helpers Dave Perriam, Ashley Thomas and Paul Summers. - James Dyke

Thur 20th April - Portmoak

 The Easterly blew and blew. It’s the only direction that Portmoak doesn’t have some kind of soarable ridge. Dry, fine and sunny conditions continued - lovely weather to be in Scotland in general.
Wednesday had a little thermal activity with HMS scratching for 25 mins in the blue. Thursday looked a bit better, both RASP and Skysight suggesting the thermals that didn’t get shredded by the 20kt+ wind would reach over 3000 ft.

 

Still cloud on the Firth of Forth at 1pm (Stewart Henshall)

Ron, Dan and Gordon called it day after Wednesday and headed South on Thursday. James in 877 and Stewart in HMS stayed for the week, and it paid off. 

Bishop Hill and Portmoak from the South (Stewart Henshall)

 Totally blue local conditions meant every climb had to be hunted, and then nurtured. The thermals that didn’t get shredded were small and inconsistent. But they were there, in predictable areas when we returned to them. For the first hour it was a struggle to get above 1500 ft, but gradually it got better. Even then, it was difficult to complete a circle in consistent lift, and the thermals always always wriggled around. The best climbs achieved were up to 3500 ft - by which time we had drifted at least halfway across Loch Leven - and then had to punch upwind again.

Ben Lomond and snow on the Cairngorms (Stewart Henshall)

 HMS roamed a little, making it 10km upwind to the Freuchie turnpoint once, and wandering around the East facing shallow slopes on the Lomond Hills. Certainly not a cross-country day, but enjoyable soaring over beautiful Scottish scenery. 

James Smart in 877 in pursuit (Stewart Henshall)

 As the afternoon wore on the climbs got weaker and 877 succumbed to gravity after 4h 37m, HMS had a better last climb then, called it a day after 5h 10m. We had at least achieved something on our trip!

HMS' Scottish adventures (Stewart Henshall)

 Next time some wave please Portmoak! - Stewart Henshall

Thurs 20th April - Course week

Thursday morning dawned bright but was bedevilled by the continuance of the strong easterly wind. Nevertheless gliders were positioned at the west end and gliding commenced at 10:00am. 

Deserted launch point waiting for the conditions to calm down (David Clements)

 

The flights discovered a serious amount of sink/ rotor on the approach and after only a couple of flights it was decided that conditions were unsuitable and the course returned to the clubhouse for some ground training. 

Pete Harmer gave an excellent lecture on wave formation and wave soaring. 

Launching (Simon Leeson)

 After lunch the weather conditions improved and some good soaring was achieved although had to be a little limited for everyone to enjoy. Pete Startup 230 and Wyn Davies W7 decided to take launches and disappeared for a few hours.

Winching over the brow (Simon Leeson)

 Towards the end of the afternoon the rotor returned and course gliding ended at 17:30, having completed 10 launches,  24 winch launches in total. 

The beautiful Perkoz (David Clements)

After the equipment and aircraft were put away the course and helpers enjoyed a convivial meal of chilli provided by Graham in the clubhouse. - Mike Meatyard

Wed 19th April - Course week

Club Flying

A very misty start with low cloud, and rain - well forecast - didn't look too promising but the same forecast suggested better conditions by early afternoon. As a result much use was made of the simulator during the morning, by Steve and Mark for the Course members, and then after lunch the toys were brought out as breaks in the cloud began to appear. The launchpoint was set-up at the western end in a good 15kt easterly wind with some lively launches and landings in prospect. The weather by now rapidly improved and flying got underway by 1:30.

It turned out quite nice  despite the late start (Mike Sloggett)

 Despite the late start, everyone flew, with the Course taking the 2 K21's and the 1/2 dozen of the Wednesday group flew the Perkoz, under the leadership of Mike Sloggett. A real cable-break helped to slow the proceedings late on, but flying ended at 18:00 after a very satisfactory session. - Chris Warnes

Course Flying

Dull start weatherwise but light brought to the morning by Mike with a truly inspiring lecture on 'The Circuit'. He warned this could be the making or breaking of my continuing with gliding - high key, low key, altitude and wind speed, all a huge muddle but like the weather it is clearing......

Gliders were out and checked around 11:30am and after a quick half hour lunch the two K21s and the beautiful Perkoz were walked to the west end of the field. 

Well done to Sandy for being checked out for a yellow card.

Well done Sandy - Yellow card rating (James Dyke)

 A increasing strong 25 knot north-easterly, a yellow card day rising to blue towards the end of the day with interesting landings. Learning my 'canopy closed and locked' etc and internal checks, how to put on a parachute, how to attach a cable, how to stay alive.

Louise Dowding after an enjoyable flight (Mark Courtney)

 

 One cable break for Steve and first simulated cable break for Sean.  An afternoon hunting for thermals and lifts. Loads to learn, never been so brain tired! - Louise Dowding

 

Ground work

Whilst waiting for the weather to clear this morning......

 

Project manager Peter Smith with the tape measure and spirit level (Mike Sloggett)

.......Jonathon Erskine, Dave Perriam, Paul Summers, Ashley Thomas, Nick Harrison and Mike Sloggett  under management of Peter Smith helped with roof timbers  on the Club Trailer shelter - a great help Thanks. - Peter Smith

Tues 18th April - Portmoak

 After a completely unsoarable Monday when none of the group flew, Tuesday looked like another anticyclonic day but with more sunshine.

 

HMS eyeing the only clouds in sight (Stewart Henshall)

All the rest of the team went to look around the Cold War bunker near St Andrew’s.

Under one of those clouds upwind of Loch Leven (Stewart Henshall)

 

Stewart in HMS persisted and was rewarded with a satisfying 53 minute flight, never above 2000 ft aal, and was able to push a little upwind under a small cloud street. 

 

Gordon’s rain radar from the ‘wrong’ side of Bishop Hill (Stewart Henshall)

Nice while it lasted, with some spectacular views. - Stewart Henshall

Tues 18th April - Summer course

Day 2 of the course started with real hopes that the forecast was right and we’d get to fly. The promise was that the cloud would burn off by mid-morning and it did, more or less, with the cognoscente looking skywards to interpret the clouds and the emerging bits of blue. For me, a mere novice, it seemed akin to the lost art of reading tea leaves.

While waiting for the moment to get the gliders out of the hangar, two teams were created and tasked with a quiz on the previous day’s learning. My team of three came second (or last!).

Despite Ian Hunt’s comprehensive and worthy pre-course digest / suggestions, I forgot to bring a warm hat and gloves. I might have had down jackets and lots of layers but it was freezing. The wind strength was a real concern for flying but we gave it a go. 

Hangar landing after a testing day (Mark Courtney)

The NE-E wind might have been 30-40 mph but it was straight down the field so launches were pretty smooth. However, there was massive sink beyond the field after release and thermals were broken beasts offering only modest lift. I didn’t care that flights were short, it was all experience that I was so eager to get.

It’s not all about being airborne, of course, safe ground handling is crucial and the expert crew were patient and happy to share the procedures with us. - Seán Goddard

Mon 17th April - Summer course

Holding a summer course in April given this winter’s often very wet and very cloudy weather was always going to stretch the concept of summer. And so it was that the first summer course of 2023 starting in gloom and fog. Gliding tends to weed out the pessimists in its ranks, so the group that gathered at North Hill at 8:30am on Monday 17th remained upbeat and optimistic despite the increasing evidence that there would be no air time that day. But that did not mean there was no gliding.

Sean and Steve sampling the ridge at Talgarth (Mark Courtney)

 DSGC is very fortunate to have an excellent Condor 2 gliding simulator featuring a dual control cockpit and multi-projector screens. This was used to great effect as part of a series of activities run by instructors Mark Courtney and Steve Westlake. Mark began with a lecture on ridge soaring. This included rules of the air, and Threat Error Management. Mark sketched out some ridges and gave instruction on how to fly them to maximise life, and avoid dreaded areas of turbulence and sink.

We then watched a video courtesy of Pure Glide’s YouTube channel that analysed the now widely circulated clip of a glider entering cloud on a ridge, and entering significant turbulence and sink that nearly ended in disaster. This connected very well with both TEM discussions and techniques on ridge soaring.

Later, all the course attendees had a chance to practice ridge soaring on the simulator. This was an excellent way to bring all the different elements together. Riding in the back seat Mark and Steve were able to show particular routes and help the student’s refine their techniques. Mark was also on hand to help avert disaster when one over-enthusiastic student decided to turn into the ridge while hammering along at 100 knots. Mark’s activation of the miracle ‘q’ button happened with a millisecond to spare.

Gliding is a bit like supporting Tottenham Hotspur: it offers great promises with excitement often very nearly in reach, but the day can often end in disappointment. However, while the gliders were back in the hanger by 5pm after remaining on the ground all day, Monday was a good day for those that love gliding. Much was learnt both in principle and practice. And the weather for Tuesday was looking much better. Hope springs eternal! - James Dyke

Sun 16th April

 A ‘slow’ day at the Club in more ways than one today. The weather forecast suggested a day of flying but not necessarily very exciting and this affected, perhaps, the number of members who turned up to fly - by 9:30 we just about had enough to operate so attention turned to the MT hangar where the winch was unwilling to start. With a decision made that we would operate aerotow only pending a call to someone from International Rescue (Stirling kindly answered the call during the morning) Robert Lee as duty tug pilot started to get the Pawnee ready for flight. Meanwhile the airfield was set up in optimistic hope that the winch would be available later in the day with Launch Control in the North East corner.

Both K21s and a Junior were brought out of the hangar and taken across to the launch point - with the Club Treasurer evidently pleased to hear the winch start and therefore removing the need for reduced price aerotows. James Flory nevertheless took an aerotow with a Louise Dowding to give her some flight time ahead of the April course planned to start tomorrow. 

Grass cutting stripes on the airfield (Mike Sloggett)

 And then with the winch in position at the far end of the field, and under grey skies, James and Mike Sloggett started to work their way through the training list. As the day unfolded Pete Warren and Paul Summers helped out with the flying list, with training and check flights completed in and amongst some Junior flights. 

Well done to Mike Horwood for completing his Field landings with Mark Courtney in the Rotax Falke, - Nav test next.

Well done to Mike Horwood (James Hood)

 

With so few members a decision was made to stop for lunch and then after a short break due to some flights lost at the start of the day it was on with the flying list. By late afternoon everyone that wanted to fly had flown so the gliders and ground equipment were all put away.

Thank You to all involved today - great teamwork, and a particular Thank You to Stirling, especially from Tom! - Mike Sloggett

Sun 16th April - Portmoak

 The day started with low cloud and light drizzle but by mid-morning it cleared with very light westerly to southerly winds. Ron and Dan launched in 711 and slowly climbed the south ridge and had the longest flight of the day at 101 minutes. 

 

Soaring the southern end of Bishop (James Smart)

James followed in 877 with two 45 minute flights. Gordon in JDP enjoyed returning to Portmoak with two 15 minutes flight. Stewart in HMS also had two flights with the longest at 25 minutes. It was a good day for learning new skills. - James Smart

Sat 15th April - Portmoak

 Light southerly winds meant shorter flights. The crew of 711 took the day off having had a particularly good evening in Edinburgh the night before! 

A splendid view of Portmaok (James Smart)

 James in 877 had two short flights. Stewart had a site check with a local instructor followed by a short flight in HMS. 

Gordon arrived mid-afternoon and pitched his tent and rigged JDP ready for tomorrow. There is always tomorrow, but will the weather be any better? - James Smart

Sat 15th April

There was a keen contingent at the club early today, with the Launchpoint set up pretty quickly.....
However, the same could not be said about the winch! As it got stuck in mud on the north side while being taken to the west end! Even the grass cutting tractor couldn’t get it out, and with the Massey with a flat battery, the decision was made to aerotow only.
The field was set up at the east end, but after just one launch, the crosswind seemed to indicate flying from the other end would be more appropriate, so while Duty Instructor (for the whole day! Thank you) Peter Smith, enjoyed a 41 min flight with Alan Turner, we switched ends and the gliders were walked up the far end! Also, not wanting to take the heavy Launchpoint vehicle up the airfield, cable retrieve was used for logging. 

North Hill looking lovely in the sunshine but still a bit soggy in places (Peter Smith)

Simon Minson kindly stepped in to help with the flying list for the day, starting with Joel Roulson, thank you. A  big thanks also to James Flory for a great Tuggie stint in the Pawnee with just a short break from Robert Lee - 22 aerotows in all.

The private owners started appearing on the airfield, ready for what looked like a good day ahead. Dan Hender took the first single seat launch in the trusty K6, DRE, (having lost the DG202 to Gordon at Portmoak, about time Gordon got to fly it too!). Followed by Pete Startup (230), Wyn Davies (W7), Phil Morrison and John Pursey (DD3), Andrew Logan (FMS), Eric Alston (G29) and Rowan Smith (CLM). Who I’m sure have their own stories to tell….

 DD3 Phil Morrison & John Pursey

NHL - OKE - BRT - IVY - PSH - NHL  254 Km
"Brilliant flight with John Pursey. A romp around Dartmoor. Undeclared but we did say we'd fly round Dartmoor before departing :-) Plus I exercised my new FRTOL to the benefit of Exeter Radar. Beautiful scenery around Dartmoor and back along the coast". Phil Morrison

230 Pete Startup

NH2 - WHD - BAM - NTA - NH2  162 Km
NH2 - KNO  - NTA - NH2 100 Km
"A smallish task based on the forecast turned out to be woefully underset! Never mind, still nice to have some proper soaring conditions at last. Tagged on the Club 100 at the end- slightly messed up the final glide". Pete Startup

G29 Eric Alston

NH2 - WHD - BAM - NTA - NH2  162 Km
"The day turned out to be better than forecast. No low points, just a straight forward task. Must remember to wear a hat and take drinking water next time". Eric Alston

CLM Rowan Smith

NH2 - EAG (nearly) - BAM - WIM - NH2  114Km
"Arrived late to the party due to parental duties in the morning. Day looked booming from the ground and didn't reflect RASP or Mason's predictions. Although a relatively low cloudbase at first it was nice to be up in a sky that delivered, was consistent and didn't deceive. It worked when you thought it should and didn't when you thought it shouldn't. It was nice to blow the cobwebs off. Although I thoroughly enjoyed myself I note the slightly foolhardy line of going to the North coast. Let's put that indiscretion to the first xc of the year". Rowan Smith

DRE Dan Hender

 

 Some lovely pics from DD3 in the romp around Dartmoor

Exeter & Exe estuary (John Pursey)

Plymouth Sound (John Pursey)

Teign Estuary  (John Pursey)

Exmouth (John Pursey)

Bridport and West Bay (John Pursey)

Flying continued, Tom Sides flying all three Trial lessons successfully, and we had some very happy customers. Peter and Simon finally finished a long day at 5pm, just in time to watch the Grand National, to find out who had won the sweepstake I was running! Thank you to everyone who graciously bought tickets from me, a great way to raise funds for the DSGC Charitable Trust and, if nothing else, keep the K6 flying.
The winners were…

First place: James Hood
Second place: Nick Jones
Third place: Ivan Roulson
Last place: Mark Courtney
First faller: shared between Rowan Smith and Chris Woodward (not sure how I’m splitting the wooden spoon!).

Congratulations to Connor Williams who passed his Bronze flying tests with Simon Minson, well done on your next step along the way in your Gliding journey. - Sally Hender

Fri 14th April - Portmoak

Ron and Dan in 711 along with James in 877 drove up to Portmoak a day early. We were rewarded with a surprisingly good day. The wind was south westerly moving to southerly, that was enough for the southern tip of the Bishop ridge to work and it was kicking off thermals to a cloud base of over 4,000ft. 

Loch Leven (James Smart)

  From there 711 flew to the Ochil hills and found very strong thermals up to 4,500ft- 99 Minutes. 877 ventured 15km to the west, 150 minutes. - James Smart

Thur 13th April

 There was hope after wet Wednesday, that flying might be possible on Thursday. Following a pitch inspection, the gliders were prepared for aerotow-only operation. But then the sky got darker and darker and the rain started. So it was back for coffee, and CFI Mark and Instructor Development Chris spent some time in the Club Simulator conducting an evaluation of which flying training exercises can be simulated with our current club setup.

Rain stopped play, before it even started (Mark Layton)

Once the rain had passed, it was all systems go with 6 Instructors, 5 Tug Pilots taking turns and Robert looking after the Trial lesson visitor, using the 3 available two-seaters and a Junior.

By 13:00, the conditions had improved to provide some lift, although there were no clouds as markers initially, but the ridge started kicking off the thermals. Pete and Geoff Lawrence were the first to benefit by pushing out to the north.

Cumulus started building nicely (Mike Horwood)

 This enthused some private owners to get on the launch queue, Pete Startup tested one of his new turnpoints at Wistlandpound reservoir :

"Left my gadgets at home today(plonker), so my plan when the showers stopped was to bimble upwind to have a look at the new turnpoints we put around North and West Exmoor this year. Conditions deteriorated going West, hardly surprising in a WNW wind and resulting in a tricky patch around South Molton, but navigating using that paper thingy when the TP's aren't marked on it and hidden in the gnarly valleys of Exmoor was interesting. Beautiful over Exmoor though." Pete Startup 230

Eric Alston turned Knowstone and Chard:

"Set to do the Club 100, North North, Knowstone, North Tawton. Turned Knowstone, the sky was becoming broken, so headed east, turned Chard and then headed for home. Pleasant changed from the recent bad weather." Eric Alston G29

Wyn  Davies  completed Tiverton and Crewkerne:

"Following the morning showers, conditions improved through the afternoon. club 100 was underset, but very pleased to get a cross country flight after what has seemed a slow start to 2023" Wyn Davies W7"

 

Pawnee turning round quickly on 1500ft tows (Mark Layton)

And soaring continued until everyone had flown - 22  reduced price aerotows in all, with Joel Roulson and Tom Gunner enjoying some Easter holiday soaring with the Thursday Regulars, at last a decent half-day, thanks all - J&P

Sat 8th April

Well, a massive thanks goes out again to James Flory for stepping into the breach and taking on the instructing for the whole day today.

The Launchpoint was set up at the west end, eventually, and with only a few stalwarts on the list just the two K21’s and a Junior were taken to the far end. Fortunately, all were experienced members of the club, so there were no problems for the Duty Launch Marshall Pete Startup, to allocate tasks. Flying started at 10:30am with a yellow flag up. The two earlier Trial Lessons were taken to the skies by Chris Warnes, thoroughly enjoying their flights. However, by 1:30pm the card colour was changed to blue, due to the choppy conditions in the upper air, so unfortunately we were unable to complete the hat trick.

We then had a problem with number two golf buggy giving up the ghost mid-way through a retrieve, which then meant the Gator and buggy number one, were required to retrieve them both!

Rescuing Golf Buggy2 (Emma Flory)

 Flying continued into the afternoon, with pm DLM, Andrew Logan, taking over the vest of power! As we were making our way to the bottom of the list we had a genuine cable break, which Paul Medlock kindly spliced delaying proceedings slightly. Flying then finished with the last launch at 4pm, but that too was a cable break which meant a later finish than hoped for. However, everything was packed away by 4:45pm, and a good day was had by all.

Thanks to everyone who helped on the day, and stayed until the end to pack away. - Sally Hender

Fri 7th April - Ad hoc day

An ad-hoc flying day was called for early in the week. It looked to be a busy day at North Hill. There was a small contingent of keen flyers and gliders were slowly taken out to the west of the field. It was a slow start but the first flight eventually took off at 11!

Unreliable blue with some high cover  and a few cumulus late afternoon (Stuart Thomson)

Once the airfield was setup, the field became very busy. A good turnout by the private gliders. Great to see a wide range of gliders on the field.  Shame that the best weather went through overnight! with many flights of more than 500kms upcountry.  With Pete Startup 230 and Rich Roberts V5 venturing to South Molton, but most private owners just pleased to get a local airing.

"The Cumulus stayed resolutely 50km to the East of North Hill, the wrong side of the Somerset Levels. We were left with a local bimble around in unreliable blue affected by high cover." Pete Startup

Special mention for John Borland with a first outing in FAJ out of gliding range from North Hill to MUD, well done for getting back. - (it's easier with clouds!)

Huge thanks to some of the instructors who took a group of keen pilots to the skies. Always greatly appreciated!

Trainee winch driver! (Stuart Thomson)

 
CFI Mark Courtney made a special appearance as winch driver and “trained” Simon Leeson on the winch.

John Pursey  Eagle BBB longest flight

A total of 22 winch launches and 8 aerotows with John Pursey safely securing the longest flight of the day in the Eagle BBB more than 4 hours.

A Good Friday spent doing some good flying! - Stuart Thomson

Thurs 6th April

With another 8mm of rain yesterday, a field inspection was carried out and carefully a suitable line was found for aerotow launching after the low cloud had lifted, although winch runs needed a little more drying out, as did some of the landing runs!

Aerotowing (Mark Layton)

 The aerotows  and approach were very rough low down and a blue card was swiftly raised, putting a stop to the hope of flying our booked Trial lesson visitors. 

Launch Control from the hardstanding (Mark Layton)

 But there were thermals, streets, the ridge was working and some interference wave from the first launches, so difficult conditions for some, and others had to be called down to get round the long flying list. 

North Hill in the sunshine from the North (Mike Horwood)

Instructors were also in abundance. Wooly enjoyed some spinning in the Perkoz with 3 visitors from Dartmoor GS, and Pete Harmer, Mike Sloggett,  James Flory and Stu Procter (helped by Paul Summers and Tom Sides flying with 2 new members) worked through the members flying list. With the Tug Pilots sharing helping tuggie Mark Courtney, there were 22 aerotows in total just stopping for refuelling and crew changes. - Great teamwork everyone - J&P