Thurs 6th February

Mike Sloggett’s email on Wednesday evening  forecast a second flying day in a row for Thursday and so it was, a bright Blue sky but cold with a brisk ESE wind making it feel below zero. The club fleet (minus DG505) were all out and DI’ed before the 9:30 briefing with a good crowd of Thursday regulars present. Mike  welcomed newish members,  Josh  Howlett from Nympsfield returning to gliding after a long break and Michael Webster trying gliding after many hours of power flying. 

Bright Blue Sky and a Blue flag (Mike Horwood)

The easterly wind necessitated the long walk to the west end with five gliders and the first met flight got away  at 10:30. The strong easterly delivered excellent winch heights with at least 2 reaching 2000ft. A weak wave was in evidence North-South just east of Sheldon which turned into some rather lumpy rotor around the 1200ft level. The lee of Hembury Hill was explored for wave but none was found.  An initial yellow rating flag soon turned to blue as the easterly strengthened giving the two-seater training list good experience in the prevailing conditions. 

Mike Horwood with Mike Sloggett

 

A lunch break was called at 13:00 to give everyone a chance to warm up. The wood burner was going well - 14:00 and back to the flying list.

Mike was joined by Glenn Turpin to progress the training list and by close of play everyone had flown and most had flown twice. The last hangar flight landing at 17:05, thanks to the longer days. As we drove down the field with the launch point there was a lovely sunset over Dartmoor behind us. In all 11 solos, 18 dual. 27 winch launches and 2 aerotows (thanks Mark for Tugging) . - John Borland

Wed 5th February

 "Stand-in" Wednesday duty instructor Ron John's optimistic forecast for today didn't quite work out as predicted as the blue skies never materialised, and we spent all day under increasing cloud cover. The early crew took a Junior out of the hangar but decided against proceeding any further due to the softness of the airfield, so there was a delay until a detailed field inspection was carried out. The decision was to aerotow only and try and keep to the north as best as possible on the harder ground, as the rain during the night had made winching unadvisable. 

Aerotow only (Mark Layton)

Ron, joined by Guy Adams & Martin Woolner (plus JB) along with tug pilot Peter Field started proceedings and worked through the flying list using the two K21's with various pilots wanting training, currency flights or just to fly for fun. The Junior was used by all the rest who could fly solo aerotow. We had a visiting glider pilot, who normally flies from Nympsfield drop in for a flight and stayed all day to help. 

Sandy - solo aerotow (Mark Layton)

 

Sandy Harrup got signed off solo aerotow, which is one less to do for her glider pilot licence application. With Peter Field as the only on-site tug pilot we had to stop for an extended lunchbreak as the club house was full to bursting and Vicky did well to get everyone fed before we ventured out again. During lunch a couple of chaps in a Dimona motor glider flew in from the Mendip Gliding Club for tea & cake (the word must be spreading!)

With the need to refuel the tug there was a bit of a delay when they realised the fuel storage tank was empty (turned out to be a fuel tanker delivery issue) but Chairman Nick came to the rescue as he knew of a secret stash in the tug hangar that we could use. It worked out well as there was now enough to complete all the aerotows ensuring everyone flew. The flights were uneventful in the light winds and almost zero sink but nonetheless enjoyable. Once again it was great to retreat to the lovely & warm clubhouse before everyone went home happy. - Mark Layton

Absent Friends

Andreas Kraemer  - 3 December 1958 – 30 December 2024
 

Andreas was born and grew up in Saxony, Germany. He had a younger brother Peter and also a younger sister. Peter gave a moving tribute during the service. Andreas’s early interests  included dinghy sailing and for a number of years he regularly competed in the 420 Class. He was also a keen skier and eventually qualified as an instructor. He skied extensively in Germany and the Alps. He also loved walking in the mountains and countryside  when the snow receded, and by contrast also developed a particular affinity with the hills and moors of Ireland.
 
One of his colleagues from Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton spoke similarly. Andreas was hugely respected both for his ability and commitment, never leaving until he was satisfied  that all was as in the best order it could be.
 
He settled in Taunton with his partner Beth and as we all know was then able to purse another interest, gliding, he started flying in January 2012, going solo in September. He was measured and cautious and very safety conscious. He was also  one of most modest, polite, caring people one could ever wish to meet and loved every minute airborne, but equally happy to drive the retrieve until someone told him he had to stop.
 
He passed away aged 66 on 30th December after a short illness.  We were fortunate to enjoy his company, we will miss him.  - Peter Smith 

 

Rick Andrews  - 8 October 1949 – 1 December 2024

 

There was a large congregation for Rick’s funeral, and the many tributes to him spoke much of a lifetime of dedicated service, most particularly as a military helicopter pilot, and latterly his unstinting work for the local community, which he ably represented as, inter alia,  the town’s mayor. 

Rick started gliding in March 2013, solo in a glider in July, achieving Bronze and Cross Country endorsement in 2014.

A poignant element of the traditional service was the gathering of Rick’s former colleagues who touchingly delivered a rendition of the Army Air Corp Song.
A reception later took place in the Bradninch Guildhall. - Barbara Fairclough

Sat 1st February

New month and hope for new weather. After a wet few days, Friday had been a successful club day with a field that just about held up for winch launching so I was optimistic that we would be flying. A fairly small band were at the club when I arrived and after a brief we set the field up for a SE wind using the firmer line down the middle for a winch run. 

New member Mike Webster (John Pursey)

After getting the tug out and ready, James joined me to keep both K21s going as we worked through the list. Arthur Lean and his Dad Richard and Thomas Gunner and his Dad Paul made it a family affair with new member Michael Webster sneaking into the mix as a former GA chap coming to gliding after a long break. We managed 3 flights each with those that wanted them, with a cloud cover that cut off all sun but a curious bounce to the air along the south ridge. 

Lisa Humphries all wrapped up under leadan skies (John Pursey)

 Lower cloud after a lunch break threatened but never halted proceedings. Shaun Dayman had a trial pupil who turned out to be a former solo pilot. Joshua had learnt at Nympsfield but was returning from a 20 year break. I took him on so that he could fly more, infact he flew me twice with only minor prompts and hopefully we have a new recruit!

Lisa Humphries and then Alan flew hangar flights and we were all wrapped up in time for the rugby. A very satisfying day. - John Pursey