Wed 30th April

Hot and sunny was the forecast and that was what we got. The wind varied from the predictions, less in strength and often in direction but not so as to interrupt proceedings. There was lift from the off but not consistently so. Many had  extended flights some up to and over the hour. 

 

Lining up (John Allan)

 
Spin and upper air checks for Andy Williams and Mike Horwood were among the first and well done both. 

 

North Hill looking serene (Peter Smith)

 
 
Nick Harrison achieved 66mins in K21 HCX and Sandy Harrup 60mins in Junior FZF.  Andy Davey’s first flight in Ventus JB was 80mins from an aerotow followed by 37mins using the engine for the first time.  

 

A race? to the other end (John Allan)

 
Gliders were hangar landed and put to bed soon after 17:00 with everyone feeling the effects of the unaccustomed long hot day. 34 winch launches and 4 aerotows - Peter Smith

Tues 29th April

A plethora of activity on the airfield today despite what one photograph might suggest and not least of all thanks to a substantially better turn out than yesterday. Stu Proctor arrived courtesy of the Cub and took CFI Mark Courtney for a jolly. Nick Harrison also popped in for lunch in the RF5. And in the not so distant background could be heard the very distinctive sound of the Merlin engine from the Spitfire currently flying from Dunkeswell. No fly past unfortunately.

 

North Hill 's Got Talent Judging Panel (Ashley Thomas)

Chris Woodward was having some refresher winch driver training with Dave Periam and John Borland completed his training in the Perkoz now cleared to fly it from the back seat. 

R151 (Shaun Dayman)

Wall to wall sunshine and blue skies albeit not a great day for any prolonged soaring. Neverless plenty of training was had with potential for a first solo later this week ... well at least first solo in a glider anyway. Watch this space. - Shaun Dayman

Mon 28th April

 Despite the forecast for sunny blue skies and flyable weather the Clubhouse was rather quiet first thing.

With the arrival of our visitors from Dartmoor Gliding Society to continue their Instructor training alongside Shaun Dayman from DSGC, and with no immediate plans to start flying, primarily due to limited numbers, Mark Courtney was soon putting our visitors through their paces - with Gavin Short from DGS being given the opportunity to complete the Daily Briefing to those present.

Gavin giving the Daily Briefing (Mike Sloggett)

The morning continued with theory briefings being demonstrated to / completed by / discussed with Shaun, Gavin, Phil Hardwick and Scratch Hitchen to Mark and other DSGC members and with the simulator soon also being brought into use.

 

Theory Briefings (Mike Sloggett)

With an expectation of more members arriving to take advantage of the good weather both K21s and a Junior had been brought out of the hangar and canopy covers put on to protect the instruments in the now warm sunshine. Alan Rappaport had also brought the EuroFox out of its hangar with it being evident that if any flying took place it would likely be aerotow only. 

Aerotow only (Mike Sloggett)

 At lunchtime, there was enough interest to get flying underway, the only question then was whether to launch from the East end and avoid a long walk to the East end - despite the best handkerchief skills being used the wind direction was a tad challenging to work out. So the first few launches were completed from the East end and then with the wind having evidently more East to it the remainder of the launches were undertaken from the West end.

 

Dave had a couple of flights (Mike Sloggett)

Dave Perriam (DG1) took the opportunity to take his glider for a couple of flights and Ashley Thomas flew the Junior whilst Mike Sloggett and Andy Pincombe completed some currency and training flights. Martin Woolner provided Gavin with the opportunity to practice his aerotow training patter.

Alan kindly allowed Mark to regain some currency by flying  with Ian Mitchell in the EuroFox for some circuits and then gave the tug up for the rest of the afternoon allowing Stu Procter to do the final tow of the day.

Not as many flights as one might have expected in this fine weather but as ever the most was made of the day  others for getting us in the air (you know who you are)! - Mike Sloggett

Sun 27th April

  Even with the morning briefing at 9.30am, the gliders and Launchpoint had already been taken out to the East end, set up and DI’d. So it was short work to get the winch setup and members across to the launch as soon as the briefing was complete. 

Duty Instructor, Mike Sloggett, assisted by James Flory and Simon Leeson started the (short) two-seater list at 10:15am, Rob Hender getting the fun of spinning after a delicious fry-up courtesy of Vicki (North Hill Cafe). 

Paul Summers looked after the two booked trial flight visitors and families, with the extremes in age of 14 years old (coming back next week) and an 82 year old! Both went away smiling. 

Cheryl Smith kept the airfield in order for her DLM duty, Stirling taking over for the pm duty. Private owners, Trevor Russell (877), Robert Lee (DKU), John Borland (FAJ), Richard Roberts (V5) and Shaun Dayman (JDD) all taking their turns to find the improving lift as the day progressed and the convergence moved north, as the sea air arrived. 

 

Birthday girl Sally going for a flight or 3 (Rob Hender)

Mike took me for a ‘Birthday’ flight, thank you 🎂. Flying continued, some pilots getting a second chance to launch. Everything was packed away by 5:30pm, and then tea and cake were enjoyed in the clubhouse. - Sally Hender (birthday girl)

Sat 26th April

 After the midweek club days gave flyable but just short flights on both days, it was hoped that there might be a change in the weather after the fronts  on Friday and a returning back to high pressure.....

Wednesday showing the daisies (Ashley Thomas)

Just the two of us decided to fly today!
 
Well, just Dan really! Having got JDP back from Target Aviation at Nympsfield, having had the worst of the osmosis on the wings sorted out.  

Rob in FZF - (Sally Hender)

 

I just took a launch in FZF to make it worth the duty tuggy getting the Fox out! (Thanks Mr Leeson). In fairness Ian  Mitchell flew SC (no surprises there) and Simon & Dave Weeks had a jolly in the Fox as it was out.
 
I managed to keep the Junior airborne for a whole 25 minutes off an aerotow, and Dan did 31 mins in JDP. So not a huge amount going on in the air, but we didn’t expect it, we just fancied a quick float around.

Thanks to Dave Weeks for DI’ing FZF for me (I really ought to learn) and the others for getting us in the air (you know who you are)! - Rob Hender

Sun 20th April

After the classroom Navigation / Field Landing  exercises yesterday, on Easter Sunday, there were a large number of members who’d forgone their chocolate eggs and made the trip to the Gliding Club this morning. 

Dan taking Sally for a flight (Sally Hender)

 

The briefing was at 9:30, with James Flory explaining the unexpectedly strong winds as the ageostrophic affect! The airfield was then set up at the west end, with duty instructor Mike Sloggett assisted by James Flory, Simon Minson, Steve Westlake and Peter Smith  making a start on the two-seater list.  

Launching from the west end again (Sally Hender)

 Tom Sides stepped in to cover the DLM Duty, as Paul Medlock was poorly (hope you’re better soon). Due to no catering, we carried on flying through lunch (hope you are better soon too Vicki). It was good to see Andrew Mugleston visiting.

Turned a bit cloudy later (Sally Hender)

 With a plethora of instructors the two-seat list was completed by 1:45pm, so those who wanted to, got to fly again. Andy Bachelor got the longest flight of the day, by a long way, with 54 mins! Most other flights tended to be circuits and lots of simulated cable breaks. Dan  Hender kindly took me for a flight, and Alan Rappaport was kept busy in the tug (FLBX) with eight aerotows!  

 50ish flights - a great successful day, thanks to everyone who helped. - Sally Hender

Thur 17th April

 The Thursday weather forecast was for less wind than Wednesday, but wind from the southeast veering through the day towards the southwest. Some thermal activity and possible showers. As it turned out we set up at the west end and thankfully the wind didn’t move beyond South, - so no need to change ends and no showers. Mike Sloggett was in charge of the day assisted by James Flory and later Chris Wool and Ron Johns. 

And a street right over the airfield (Mark Layton)

 

The morning brief was delayed while a team headed by George Sanderson repaired the main wheel on the much-needed K21 HCX. (KEK being in the workshop for a 6000hour inspection. - What great workhorses the K21s are! )

The sky looked promising, but cloudbase was unspectacular (John Borland)

The sky looked promising, but the cloudbase was not very high and  the  early flights were all short. By 12:00 flights were lasting around 30 minutes, but as the day wore on the times got longer and from 3pm onwards club gliders were being called down to ensure the flying list was completed. Dave Perriam gave our two Trial flight visitors a great experience.

Last flight of the day (John Borland)

 

Four private gliders were rigged 477 Mark Layton, JDD Shaun Dayman, W7 Wyn Davies, G29 Eric Alston with Eric taking the honours for the longest flight at 2 hours 26 minutes closely followed by Shaun at just under two hours. Thanks to Alan Rappaport for tugging 7 aerotows in Bumblebee as the club Eurofox was out of action with an intermittent warning light. 

In total 34 flights and a total of over 15 hours flying and everyone on the flying list flew. A good team effort all round. Thanks to Mike for running the day. - John Borland

And in the evening, congratulations to Ron Johns who completed his FRTOL with James Smart.

Wed 16th April

 I wasn't completely convinced when I showed up at 9:00am today at the clubhouse. Only our trusted instructors and 4 others. The logburner was roaring with the usual crew around it, while outside we had high wind, a low cloudbase and rain with hail. Countering the general feeling, Duty Instructor Peter  Smith announced he had toured the site and still hoped it would be flyable a bit later. After the briefing, our delay was filled with Peter inspecting the area above the roof soffits for damage (yes, there is) while other minor site projects were conducted. 

Logburner was roaring (Tom Sides)

With  K21 KEK, still in the workshop for inspection, we pulled out K21 HCX and elected to use the DG505 due to the forecast of 26kt gusts. And despite my recent plea for two Juniors to be readied for use, I countered that by saying we didn't have enough people. By 11:00 enough others had arrived to justify winching. 

Up to cloudbase (Peter Smith)

 The first few flights were unspectacularly short, but then Peter took new member Heidi Thiemann on a lengthy soaring journey in JZK. This was followed by Dave Perriam helping the treasury as he clocked up a 67 minute flight and Shaun Dayman having 55 minutes in the Junior (Yes, I had agreed that we needed to DI at least one Junior). Soaring flights continued all the way until after 5pm. Not only did everyone who came get to fly, some flew twice and a few flew three times!

It turned out to be a much better day than we anticipated and just goes to show that you have to turn up to play! - Tom Sides

And in the evening, congratulations to Andy Broderick who completed his FRTOL with James Smart.

Sun 13th April

 Some forecasts showed a positive window of opportunity for a period on Sunday. Sadly the few diehard members of the club who turned up on Sunday bright and early had the wind knocked out of them by the sight of very low cloud.  (but being positive we could see the trees around the airfield…just). After some tea-drinking and many varied conversations in the clubhouse the duty instructor Ian Mitchell had several goes at encouragement to get us all motivated.
The numbers dictated aerotow only, so the kit was readied and after a short pause the cloud lifted. As the morning progressed the cloud base lifted rapidly allowing the assembled crew to keep current at dizzying heights of 2-3000ft and enjoy the days flying. 

A change in the weather is coming (Simon Minson)

 A few private gliders made the most of the day completing an hour or two of soaring. (711 being pick of the bunch) .
Proving if you are on site, and ready, you have a chance to increase logbook flying time.

But soarable ...(Simon Minson)

A club K21 and Junior were in use during the day and a second K21 was added in order for the Trial flight of Lorne Serna. 

All the kit was packed away just as a small patch of light rain appeared.  
I believe everyone on site made the most of the weather window on Sunday and used it to the best of the clubs ability.  Great job all. - Rich Roberts (First time DSGC blogger)

Sat 12th April

 Another lovely morning at North Hill, but another day with very few members in the clubhouse. Briefing was at 9:30am, with duty instructor Simon Leeson, ably assisted by James Flory. 

The gliders and Launch Control were towed up to the west end, and with only three names on the two seat list, Lily was first up. The single seat list was slightly longer with a total of six names, however due to the very limited numbers just one K21, one Junior and the Perkoz (for the trial lesson and spin training) were taken out. 

Thanks to Stirling for getting the winch serviceable

 

After Lily, Rob Hender took his turn with Simon, getting signed off aerotow solo, well done Rob. The last two-seat pilot Mark Wallis was put through the start of his spin and card checks with Simon. 

Rob's first solo aerotow with Stu driving the tug (Stuart Procter)

Both Ashley Thomas (877) and Alan Turner (CYA) flew their own gliders, even the instructors managed some solo time, John Pursey getting the longest flight of the day with 49mins in the Perkoz, James Flory getting three solo flights, and Stuart Procter also getting a flight in the Perkoz. 

Alan Turner in CYA (Sally Hender)

 Late arrival Josh Howlett, managed to bag one of the final flights of the day. With everyone flown and the wind starting to change direction to the other end, the decision was made to pack away at about 3:30pm, a quiet, but successful day, thanks to everyone.- Sally Hender

Thur 10th April

 It was one of those lovely April spring days where you start off de-icing the car windscreen, having to slap on the sunscreen at lunchtime followed by lighting the log burner once you get home in the evening! Despite the sunny but uninspiring forecast of blue skies with limited soaring the clubhouse was full at duty instructor Mike Sloggett's morning briefing. With several Juniors present, due to the Easter holidays, the average age of those present took a nose dive nearly as severe as the American stock exchange! 

Launch point ready (Mark Layton)

With yet another long walk to the west end it was an initially a slow start as  both Euro Fox's were in use due to a broken winch from yesterday. With Mike, Ron Johns, James Flory and Wooly sharing the three available 2 seaters the long left hand side of the flying list was steadily worked through. 

A full complement of working ground vehicles (Shaun Dayman)

 

Flights times in the generally dead sky were relatively short as expected but things got better by mid afternoon when the odd thermal were present if you could find them. There were a few flights of 30 minutes and the one private glider of Eric Alston G29 managed just over an hour. 

No Winch but Bumblebee  with Alan Rappaport helping out (Shaun Dayman)

Achievement of the day was Kevin Fairburn getting signed off solo aerotow before completing one on his own. In addition new junior member Jack Sewell was keen to get involved and was soon doing most of the basic ground tasks. 

Simon Jordy and Robert Lee looking after Mark's tug duty (Shaun Dayman)

 

Behind the scenes George and his two apprentices completed the Perkoz's annual and 1000 hr service before rigging and weighing it and Stirling fixed the broken winch late afternoon with both ready for the weekend.

In all a good day was had by all. - Mark Layton

Wed 9th April

The day began with clear skies and a sense of enthusiasm as early arrivals prepared for a promising day of flying. Duty Instructor Peter Smith led the morning briefing at 09:30 with his usual efficiency, setting the tone for a well-organised day ahead. Winch operations commenced promptly, with both Juniors and the club’s two K21s brought into action without delay.
     
Throughout the day, weather conditions remained firmly within a yellow rating card classification—flyable but requiring caution (especially with clutching hand). While the sunshine offered a cheerful backdrop, a persistent northeasterly wind brought a sharp chill, keeping everyone layered up. The cold made launch control duty a surprisingly popular assignment, offering some much-needed shelter and warmth. Despite the conditions, the team maintained a positive, proactive atmosphere, ensuring that operations continued smoothly from the outset. 

Blue skies again (Mark Layton)

As the day progressed, thermal activity began to stir. Post-lunch conditions became more favourable, offering opportunities for soaring. Pilots took full advantage, with several extended flights recorded. The standout flight of the day was achieved by Richard Roberts V5, who managed an impressive 52 minutes aloft from a winch launch—a testament to both his skill and the improving air.
     
The afternoon proceeded efficiently until an unexpected technical fault took the winch out of service. Thanks to the flexibility of the team and availability of aerotow support, flying continued with minimal disruption. The final launches of the day were completed by aerotow, ensuring all scheduled flights were fulfilled.
     
By the end of operations, the team had successfully completed 23 launches in total—19 by winch and 4 by aerotow. Despite the mid-afternoon hiccup, the day was a clear success, showcasing excellent teamwork, adaptability, and strong flying spirit.  - Joel Roulson

Sun 6th April

With another windy day ahead, everyone was wrapped up warm, except Dan Hender who braved it in shorts (I, thinking he had some idea of weather, followed suit!) fortunately I was holed up in the warm Launchpoint! Dave Perriam, Peter Smith and Nick Jones spent the morning getting the grass-cutting tractor back in service. 

A busy grid (Simon Minson)

 

All four two-seater gliders were walked to the west end, along with a Junior, and Duty Instructor Mike Sloggett, with help from James Flory and Simon Minson started working their way down the very long flying list. 

North Hill in the Devon countryside (Simon Minson)

 

The first launch was taken at 10:24am, and flying continued throughout the day. With a mixture of simulated cables breaks, currency flights and training. Even Ron and Dan Johns got 711! out and managed to achieve 59 mins from an aerotow, then made Dan Hender walk back across the airfield, when he kindly took their car across. 

Great work from the golf buggies (Sally Hender)

 

A short break was taken for lunch, and flying resumed, Robert Lee being put through his paces with Simon Minson, and others being tested so they can do mutual flying, there was therefore a large number of simulated cable breaks and an awful lot of walking! Chris Warnes successfully flew the Trial flight visitor.  We even had a launch stopped, due to a gold child’s ‘0’ balloon floating across the airfield! - That’s a first. 

Aerotowing the Perkoz (Simon Minson)

 Everything was packed away by 6:00pm, with a team staying to help derig the Perkoz. And Cheryl reported seeing the first pair of swallows back at North Hill today.
Thank you to everyone who helped on the airfield, and stayed to the very end.  - Sally Hender

Sat 5th April

 There were only limited numbers in the Clubhouse for the advertised 9:15 briefing, and with the wind forecast looking challenging (to say the least,) and with so few members it was decided to scrub the day.
The day was therefore spent with members, doing jobs around the airfield, Dave Perriam starting work on the grass-cutting tractor, Bumblebee was given a wash down, Vicki was cooking cakes and making sandwiches ready for next week (going on holiday). Caravan owners were seen cutting grass and working/cleaning on the caravans, ahead of the summer. It was lovely to see Ruth Comer up to visit the club for lunch and a chat. 

30 knot gusts from North Hill weatherstation.

 

I also went around, anyone I could find to contribute/bet on the Grand National race later in the day, on top of all the people that had contacted me personally to make a purchase.
At 4pm, there was a group of us in the clubhouse ready to cheer on our relevant stead’s.

Grand National Results:

1st Nick Rockett £20 - James Hood

2nd I Am Maximus £15 - Graham Barden, Rob Hender

3rd Grangeclare West £10 - Ivan Roulson, Karen King

First Faller:  Duffle Coat £5 - Mark Courtney, Alan Rappaport

Thank you to everyone who supported the Trust, we managed to raise £100! - Sally Hender