Sun 13th July

After yesterday's sun and heat with just a few flights, it was another sun day today, blue skies for much of the day with the only cloud of any note seen late afternoon with the high cloud a possible indication of an imminent change in the weather of the last week or so. With only mad dogs and Englishmen, and oh glider pilots, spending the day in the midday sun, and limited thermic activity forecast, today was likely to be one of maintaining currency and/or practising launches circuits and landings. 

 

The airfield has turned brown (Mike Sloggett)

As it happened the day provided more interest than anticipated primarily due to the forecast wind strength and direction from lunchtime onwards requiring a change of card cloud from yellow to blue - fortunately Tom Sides had already completed the day’s booked visitor flights 

The morning briefing had been to a small but keen group of members and whilst the group was somewhat limited in experience a plan was worked out amongst the winch drivers and loggers present - with training very much part of the plan. During the morning Mike Sloggett and James Flory worked their way through the flying list with James juggling instructor and tug pilot duties. 

 

North Hill needs some rain (Mike Sloggett)

A short lunchbreak was needed to allow all to recharge and refresh, with the afternoon wind direction and strength providing opportunity for experience in the ‘interesting’ conditions. The day had seen some ‘blue thermals’ around which enabled extended flight times if one was lucky enough to ‘stumble’ into same.

By late afternoon with the flying list completed the K21s and Junior, as the only Club gliders in use today. were flown down to the other end of the airfield.

A good day enjoyed by all,  with great teamwork.  - Mike Sloggett

Sat 12th July - CE25

 Briefing was delayed until 10:30am today as we had ANOTHER Royal Flight, seriously affecting our flying, no one could launch before 2pm! So we literally gridded, and first launch was at 2:02pm as soon as we were able. 

An ever-decreasing circles Task was set for today, and to allow for the heat, the length of flying each previous day, and the prize giving scheduled for 7pm this evening, a two hour time limit was placed on the day. 

Ever Decreasing Circles

Most of our group decided another flying day was a step too far, and derigged. All except JB and JP in the Eagle (AXJ). Robert Vaughan again flew and offered his back seat to Rob in (FZ).

FZ with Rob Vaughan and Rob Hender (Sally Hender)

 

It was a completely blue day, but the thermal strength was very good if you could find them. Rob and Rob headed north east towards Stratford, 60km away from Aston Down, then reassessing when they got there, however en-route, they made an early reassessment, turned Evesham claiming the 40km ring.  John and John, followed a similar line, heading towards Evesham, but not quite getting to their target. Due to the timed nature of the task, both gliders were back at the airfield by 5pm, where they were derigged ready for the journey home. 

 

Congratulations to Dan Hender - Blunt Nails Trophy

Prize giving commenced at 7:30pm, in the bar. There was a surprise winner of the Blunt Nails Trophy, Dan Hender retained the award, for best pilot performing well, with low experience or flying a low performance aircraft. Final results available here. 

Team DSGC (Sally Hender)

We then retired to the pub, for our final evening meal. What an amazing week! Thank you to all the North Hill pilots for making it an enjoyable trip, to the Cotswold Gliding Club for hosting a great competition, Competition Enterprise team for their hard work and a special thanks to Robert Vaughan (FZ) for putting up with Rob for two days!  - Sally Hender

Fri 11th July - Course week summary

 The July course ended on many high notes, after 5 days of very successful flying. The weather played ball with some great soaring conditions although the wind could have been a little better behaved at times, and as for the temperature it just got hotter! 

 

July course (Angela Pitts)

All the course members managed to either achieve their goals or make good inroads to them. Karen King and Harry Rigby both re-soled and had great soaring flights, Julian West finished his card checks had a few great flights in the Junior and is ready for the next step and do his Bronze. Chris Coville completed his card checks and was soon soaring like he’d never been away, Mike Meatyard made great steps back to regaining his currency and finishing his card checks and last but by no means lease Benjie Pitts flew brilliantly all week leading to his first solo on Friday at just 14 years old, with proud and slightly nervous mum watching! Well done Benjie, probably the youngest qualified solo pilot in the country right now!!

 

Stuart Procter congratulates Benjie Pitts  - first solo at 14yrs (Karen King)

On top of all this several people on the course and other club members will be submitting badge claims following the great conditions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Chris Coville - Silver height gain (on Friday)
Julian West - Silver height gain (on Wednesday)
Josh Howlett  - Silver/Gold duration and Silver height gain (on Thursday)
Kevin Fairburn - Silver height gain (on Thursday) 

As always the course couldn’t have been such a success without the support from the course helpers. Our thanks goes to Mike Rigby, the ever present Dave Perriam, Tom Sides and Nicholas Johnson. Special thanks also go to Angela Pitts, Benjie’s mum who stepped in and helped to run the launch point. Vicky as always served up excellent food throughout in a kitchen which must have felt more like an oven.

Overall a hot but very successful course. - James  Flory and Stu Procter

Fri 11th July - CE25

 How do you write a blog and make it sound different, when each day mirrors the last? I have no idea! Many of the pilots today, were heard to say it was the best day they had ever flown! And what a day it was! Launching began at 12:00pm, and temperatures on the tarmac airfield were hitting 36 degrees, not particularly comfortable! I wasn’t jumping up when they asked for volunteers to run wings! 

Gridding (Sally Hender)

 

The days Task was a tennis themed task, but the distances that were flown were phenomenal! Bob Bromwich managing over 1000 points, which is unheard of for Enterprise. Dan (JDP) decided not to bother with the Task and set himself a route towards Lasham across to Keevil and return, which was 320km, and started practicing for the Junior Nationals trying to do a racing speed. He managed it at 106kph! He definitely returned with a smile. 

 

Rob Hender in FZ (Sally Hender)

Rob was kindly offered a flight with Robert Vaughan in his Duo Discus (FZ), and thoroughly enjoyed his flight which included a sea crossing across the Severn and a trip into Wales! JB and JP did 300km, an outstanding achievement in the Eagle. Phil Morrison flew with Shaun Dayman giving him an extended flight. And Paul Medlock flew the task in JDD, feeling much better, and again returning with a massive smile on his face. 

DSGC Team photo (Sally Hender)

We all then headed to the clubhouse for the end of week meal, which was thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you to the Cotswold Gliding Club for hosting a lovely event. - Sally Hender

Thurs 10th July - CE25

 

DD3 (Rob Hender)

I got offered the fantastic opportunity this morning to fly today with Phil Morrison in the Duo Discus. We launched from almost the back of the grid into a difficult sky. Having scratched around fairly unsuccessfully for lift we headed south east. What an amazing flight, there were a few blue gaps we had to jump, but in the main, a lovely fairly easy flight, with great lift. Phil even trusted me to take control for parts of the flight, however as soon as we were joined by anyone else I made him take it back!
What a day! Fantastic 322km, 4 hours 10 mins!!! What an experience! -  Sally Hender

Wed 9th July - CE25

 Eat, sleep, glide, repeat!!! Again the briefing was at 10:00am, and again the forecast was stonking! A three-legged spider task was set. 

Stonking! (Sally Hender)

Today we had Dan Hender (JDP), JB and JP in the eagle (AXJ), Ron and Dan Johns (711), and Phil Morrison and Rob Hender (DD3). Unfortunately Paul Medlock was feeling unwell, but it gave Shaun Dayman the opportunity to fly (JDD) and Alan Rappaport rigged and flew his SF27 (FHW). 

 

Enterprise Fun in the Eagle (JB)

The grid started launching at 11.30am and the competitors headed in all three differing directions!

 

Three-legged Spider

Dan:
"I planned to try to fly my 300km diamond  Lasham, Taunton and not really bother too much with the task, but as I started heading south the weather to the west wasn’t looking appealing. So I changed my mind and took in the turn points, got to Lasham then headed back and up and headed west. 

 

Dan with one of Sally's hats (Sally Hender)

I turned Shelton Mallet and headed home, still at 3000ft when I got to Aston Down, I was then tempted towards Gloucester to grab the extra turn point. "

Rob Hender:
"Change of crew for DD3, Alan was convinced into flying his own glider, so I was kindly offered the spare seat."

Phil and Rob DD3 (Sally Hender)

Phil Morrison:
"We decided before we left to go down the southern leg then across the bottom in familiar territory, then back up from Taunton. As we headed south the weather looked to improve to the west with the wispy bits improving. 

 

Salisbury Cathedral (Rob Hender)

Flew over Salisbury, north of Yeovilton, stopping at Shepton Mallett, thinking Taunton was a step too far as the Somerset levels were doing their usual thing. Trowbridge gave us some lift. Got back and went to do Cirencester, but quickly realised we had already done it, so headed to Gloucester instead. 
On our travels we spotted local pilot Pete Startup (230) on his way up to Salisbury. "

Alan Rappaport: 
"The weather was much better than forecast. A classic looking gliding sky. I planned a quick 100 km triangle from Aston Down to Gloucester Canal to Melksham and back to Aston Down. Started a little late around 13:20, and the task took around 2 hours 20 mins. I tried to stay reasonably high, above 3000 feet. Generally, the flight went well, with some very good bits and some awkward bits. As usual, I had gadget and knowhow issues, so the flight wasn't declared, but otherwise it was a good day and a good  flight."

Results

 

Prelim scores

Another hot day, but everyone got back to the airfield, which meant we could spend a lovely evening at a local pub. - Sally Hender

Tues 8th July - CE25

 Briefing at 10am, gave another very optimistic day, but blue!
The Spider task was set for today, with four turn points to achieve around Aston Down, either clockwise or anti-clockwise. 

All five North Hill gliders were on the grid by the 11:00am launch start time. Same pilots as yesterday: Dan Hender (JDP), Paul Medlock (JDD), Phil Morrison and Alan Rappaport (DD3), Ron and Dan Johns (711) and team Eagle, JB and JP (AXJ). The whole grid was launched within the hour by 12:00, and off into the blue they went. 

 

Ron & Dan went to Lasham and back (Rob Hender)

Dan managed all four turn points, but having a late/long day yesterday and a poor nights sleep, safely returned to the airfield early. Paul, Phil/Alan and JB/JP all achieved the four turn points and clocked up OLC distance… points to follow. Ron and Dan Johns took their adventures to Lasham and back. 

 

Paul  enjoying the blue (Rob Hender)

Paul:
Another enjoyable flight. Blue thermals showing eight on the averager, even when I’d put the gear and flap one down, so kept going. Fantastic visibility, even got around all four turnpoints. Two and a half hours spent with a big grin. 

 

JP busy with flying and cooking (Rob Hender)

Results

Tuesday Results

 Another social evening enjoying the delights of JP’s cooking and a bottle or two! - Sally Hender

Mon 7th July - CE25

Briefing at 10am, with a very optimistic weather forecast, looking like a very good day ahead. However…. Airspace restrictions for the Royal Flight could put a fly in the ointment!
The grid was set up early, but with the restrictions, launching was held until 12:00pm. However, as soon as possible launching commenced, 12:07pm was the first launch, and with the four tugs, the grid was completed by 1pm.
All four of the North Hill gliders flew today, Dan Hender (JDP), Paul Medlock (JDD), Phil Morrison and Alan Rappaport (DD3) and JB and JP (AXJ) bringing up the rear!


 

Waiting for the off (Rob Hender)

Dan:
"Flew north 5km to the first turn point, then headed south, smashing all the turn points along the way, got to Weymouth to achieve Bonus Sea points. Then headed west to attempt extra distance, then I turned east and aimed for Lasham where I thought the weather was supposed to be bombastic! Fairly straightforward leg, but not as good as I hoped. Plan to get to Lasham go past and return to Lasham, but ended up turning as the weather looked as though it was deteriorating.
Headed back the way I came, struggled and got disconnected from the climbs, so ended up landing at The Park."

 

JDP at The Park - long retrieve (Sally Hender)

JP:
"Very windy and broken thermals, we really struggled to get going. Glorious running last bit to Weymouth but a slog after turning back into wind. Tag teamed with flying!

Weymouth (John Pursey)

Bonus Sea Points (John Pursey)

 

Compton Abbas (John Pursey)

Team Hender got back at 10pm after an enjoyable pub meal. Team Eagle assisted by team JDD (Paul and Shaun) finally got back at 11pm and enjoyed a quick pasta meal before retiring for the evening. (Rigging can wait until tomorrow)! 

Results

- Sally Hender

Mon 7th July - Course Week

 The day started with greetings and friendly chat in the clubhouse. All the course members and helpers already knew each other. James Flory conducted the briefing and each member talked through their intentions and goals for the week ahead.

Early conditions were very challenging with a 30mph Northerly crosswind, occasionally threatening to back into a tailwind!  

Karen enjoyed a long flight with Stuart Procter 

The first two launches were extremely challenging and only achieved around 800 feet. Off the launch there was immediate strong sink, and landing was challenging due to large crosswind. As such it was decided to use the Club Simulator until conditions improved.

Several members went spin training on the Simulator and it was great for others to spectate before having a go themselves. The Simulator really proved its worth as an invaluable training experience. 

After a break for lunch and Vicky’s excellent food, conditions improved and there were a couple of extended flights, including Karen King and Stuart Proctor achieving 61 minutes.

Extended flights continued throughout the afternoon with dynamic conditions giving very strong lift combined with very strong sink!

As always, a big thank you to the Instructors Stuart and James, and the course helpers, Nicholas Johnson, Dave Perriam and Mike Rigby - Great teamwork from all. - Julian West

Sun 6th July - Competition Enterprise 2025

After Saturday was scrubbed, there was hope for today and better weather, however at the briefing they advised it wasn’t forecast until later in the afternoon. And a task was set - "Rock around the Clock".  

CE25 Sunday grid (Marc Corrance)

 

The grid started launching at 3pm, with Dan just fifth to launch. The only other pilot from North Hill to fly was Paul Medlock who cautiously started much further back the grid. 

Dan launching (Sally Hender)

 

Both flew achieving points for the day, Dan tried for a "sea-crossing", but unfortunately, was the wrong side of the Severn bridge even though he passed over water! He did manage three of the four sectors. and came 5th overall. 

Task 1 results 

Paul did very well for his first competition flight, getting 19th place out of 25 competitors who flew, managing two of the sectors. 

Log keeping Sally (Shaun Dayman)

 Everything was packed away by 5:30pm, and we all enjoyed a sociable evening with John Pursey’s chilli appreciated by us all. - Sally Hender

Thur 3rd July

 There aren't many days at North Hill that are soarable from 10:30 to enable a long flight, but today was one of them. 

Early start with Cumulus popping (Mark Layton)

 

Congratulation to Rich Roberts V5 for an out and return flight to Sackville Farm 509km at 80kph, completing his FAI Gold Distance, Diamond Distance and Diamond Goal Badges. (If he'd claimed his previous Gold height flights it would have been Gold Complete!). 

Well done Rich Roberts (Ron Johns)

Pete Startup 230 completed Out and Return to Lasham 324km at 95kph - one of his fastest flights ever.

Shaun Dayman  JDD made a valiant attempt at 300 kms but got caught in the confusing convergence coming back,  but made his first successful field landing. 

Nice field (Shaun Dayman)

 Ron Johns had derigged the ASH ready for Comp Ent, but was keen to do some cross-country training in JZK, so he and Kevin Fairburn completed Out and Return to Salisbury. 

Congratulations to Josh Howlett for getting his Silver height in LRD. 

On one of the best cross-country days in England with 1000km and many 800-900km flights up-country, North Hill was on the fringe.

A fantastic soarable day (BGA ladder)

Back at North Hill it was a normal soarable training day, until the Sea breeze convergence had gone through and the flights in the afternoon became very short. - J&P 

Cross country tales

 V5 Cullompton - Sackville Farm - Cullompton 509km 80kph
"After a lot of years in gliding , and three proper attempts at 500kms (one from DGS ending at 492km!)
I am chuffed to say 500km complete , job done. Thanks to all at DSGC who made it happen yesterday.
It was the right choice as an O/R as after getting the hell out of Devon the CB was higher , thermals bigger and stronger.(as normal). I set Wantage as a GO/ or NO go point , depending on what time I got to it.
No point in using up credits for an epic retrieve if the fight wasn't really on, however, first leg was averaging  in the 90kph. No excuses then, I just needed to get on with it!
It was difficult as normal getting back home through Somerset and Devon. Inconsistent and disorganised convergence / Seabreeze fronts , but I did it at last!" Rich Roberts

230 NHL - Lasham - NHL 324km 95kph
"Nice day, bit of a sea air mess on the way home but convergence helped." Pete Startup

JDD NHL - Mudford Gate - Chilbolton - Near Crewkerne 277km
"A bit of a slow start going west. Cloud base and conditions got progressively better though going east. Made Chilbolton without too much difficulty as well as back to Yeovil where I got myself the wrong side of the convergence and fell out of the sky! Happy with my first 'real' field selection and landing." Shaun Dayman

JZK NH2 - Salisbury - NH2 214km
"Instructional cross-country ..great p2 Kevin Fairburn his first flight  in DG505…straightforward, but with numerous strange convergences in the Somerset levels - very enjoyable ." Ron Johns

G29 NHL - Okehampton - Salisbury - NHL 132km
"First mistake was heading west to Okehampton, after 10km conditions deteriorated  and progress was hard work with spreadout which continued for the rest of the flight. Eventually near Crewkerne I turned round and headed for North Hill and deployed the turbo at Chard." Eric Alston

Wed 2nd July

The day started sunny, but very breezy with a northnorthwesterly crosswind to make things more interesting. After the 9:30 briefing we set up by the glider trailers to try and reduce the crosswind effect a little.
As seems to be the norm these days, there were few around but just enough to start operating. Glenn Turpin and Andy Pincombe our trusty Instructors for the day. 

Early there was little thermic activity, but this very soon improved and some respectable times were clocked with some average lift being 5kt and greater.

Perkoz (Library picture)

 We were forced to stop for lunch, due to numbers, but this was kept short, and we were soon back in the air. The cloud which had pin-pointed the thermals for us gradually died away, but the lift continued to be good for the rest of the day.
Around mid-afternoon a genuine cable break occurred which gave us a short rest, but otherwise the day finally closed at about 18:00, after the last glider was called down. - Chris Warnes

Mon 30th June - Brentor

The Day that nearly wasn’t.
Today was the first organised aerotow trip  this year for North Hill members to experience a new gliding site, our nearest neighbour, Dartmoor Gliding Society (Brentor). But it nearly didn’t happen, despite beautiful gin clear conditions at Brentor, North Hill was fogged in until almost midday! 

Eurofox arriving  (Connor Redburne)

Originally we had six DSGC members on the list to visit Brentor, as it happened only three made the trip due to unforeseen circumstances on the day, they vow to sign up for the next trip!   

Busy Briefing (Connor Redburne)

 Martin Woolner had never visited Brentor before and after a quick winch launch took over instructor duties in the back seat of a K13, Martin is keen to assist with any more expeditions to Brentor, “the views are fantastic” he said. 

 

Fantastic views of Dartmoor (Connor Redburne)

Dave Perriam continues to build experience at this lovely little club in preparation for a wave day in the future. 

Martin and Ashley in CCY (Connor Redburne)

Ashley is now cleared to aerotow at Brentor and plans to take his glider there next time. Steve Westlake was soon seen  jumping into the rear seat of a K13 and then into a very nice Puchacz!

Steve and Ashley in Puchacz (Mark Courtney)

The afternoon was relaxed and very enjoyable, the hospitality as usual, exceptional.
Stuart and I shared the tows between us, two at a time then a water break it was so hot! 

Sitting in the shade (Mark Courtney)

 A big thanks to Brentor for allowing us to visit, hopefully next time we will be able to bring 5-6 pilots from North Hill who have never experienced this site.
Visiting other sites is a fantastic way to improve your skills as a glider pilot, I highly recommend that any NH pilot wanting to broaden their horizons should sign up next time.
But none of this could happen if it were not for the Dartmoor Gliding Society allowing us to use their facilities, Thanks to DGS members for their help and Peter Howarth for being the duty instructor.we would like to thank them for allowing us to visit and hope we will return soon. - Mark Courtney

Sun 29th June

There was a reasonably sizable, and optimistic gathering in the clubhouse today despite some initial low cloud, and who were most likely all motivated by the prospect of the half sunny skies and thermals forecast for later in the day. Unfortunately for whatever reason - temperature not quite high enough, wind a bit slack and not quite from the right (or left) direction, Relative Humidity a percentage or two high - the cloudbase struggled throughout the morning to get above 500ft above North Hill.

Not that all was lost. - In preparation for Competition Enterprise next week Team Johns de-rigged and trailered 711. (A decision they could well regret come Thursday if the current RASP forecast is to be believed!) And LRD's rudder deflection asymmetry was attended to and corrected. Looks like it had possibly been set-up for a pilot with a right leg half inch longer than their left leg :)

Come the afternoon the cloud base had managed to lift to 1,500ft allowing for a few aerotows. Team JDD, also in preparation for Competition Enterprise, managed a couple of launches to successfully tease out the last of their control panel upgrade gremlins.

 

 

Blue Eagle flies again after the M5 incident (Ron Johns)

And most notably the blue Eagle gracefully took to the skies again ably flown by JB with P2s Chris Woodward and Ian Mitchell (not both at the same time!) now resurrected, as it were, from the ashes of it's M5 'incident' a couple of years ago. Just shy of about a half hour of flying followed by the best part of 20 manhours and a lot of huffing and puffing to de-rig it and put it in its trailer :) Beers were on the Chairman as reward for all those that hung around to help. Proof if ever there was that you can still have a productive and enjoyable day at North Hill - even if there isn't much flying to be had. - Shaun Dayman

 

(ed: Competition Enterprise starts on Saturday 5 July at Aston Down - and you can follow all our members taking part on Glide and Seek )

Fri 27th June

 What a day!

A huge ‘Thank You’ to anyone and everyone who played their part in the run up to and during today’s successful ‘Come Gliding’ Day.

 

Photographs and certificates for the visitors (Mark Layton)

 54 flights with a mixture of winch launches and aerotows (until the wind got a bit too boisterous  for the aerotow combination). 

 

 

Lots of happy smiling visitors (Mark Layton)

We had great sunny weather, and lots of happy smiling visitors as well as raising over £1000 for Devon Air Ambulance.

Safety Briefing with the Junior (Mark Layton)

Whether you were a ground helper, safety briefer, winch driver, cable retrieve driver, in Launch Control, on ‘Meet and Greet’ desk, an instructor or tug pilot - to everyone today ‘Thank You’!

From start to finish today there was a great ‘teamwork’ ethos to the day, everyone helping each other and showing off the great Club that we are all fortunate to be members of.

Well Done all - Mike Sloggett

Wed 25th June

After weeks of lovely sunny weather (not always ideal for glider pilots) things reverted to normal English Summer mode. The low cloud, brief periods of rain and fluctuating air temperature plagued us all day. One minute launches were full height, the next they were pulling off before entering the low cloud. 

Duty Instructors Peter Smith and Glenn Turpin (Mark Layton)

Duty Instructors Peter Smith and Glenn Turpin took control working their way through the flying list which involved a lot of walking up and down the field doing simulated launch failures for various card checks and the single Junior was in use by those who just wanted to get airborne. 

 

Graham Morris congratulates Mark Courtney (Mark Courtney)

CFI Mark Courtney became a student for the day as he was put under test to become a SPL Examiner ahead of the licencing changes at the end of September by the South West Regional Examiner Graham Morris. - Well done Mark FE(S)

Once everyone who wanted to fly had done so, the visitor evening group took over, but unfortunately with limited success with only the last few unable to fly due the returning low cloud. 

A frustrating day of stop start flying but at least we flew. - Mark Layton