Sun 24 August - Junior Nationals

What an end to the week…

Woke to a welcome change, gridding on the north end, so nice and close to the campsite! ⛺️ 
Briefing at 10:00am set Task A of 193.9km heading south first for a change. One of the turnpoints set at ‘Far Far Away’ very appropriate!

Forecast had it to cut off fairly early today, which meant Dan actually planned to start early off the start line. Launching began at 11:40am with the Start line opening at 12:57pm. However, Dan seemed to have a change of mind, and didn’t go immediately. Waiting for 10 mins or so before heading off. 

 

Dan with a new hat (Sally Hender)

We headed to the pub for lunch in the sun, while Dan made his way around the Task. The first turnpoint seemed to be tricky for everyone, most looking like they were getting low. Dan got to 900ft just after we ordered lunch at the pub!!! Fortunately it was a Ploughmans so we had decided we always had the option of a doggy bag! Dan however, had other ideas, and although later told us, “the cows seemed to be getting quite large”, he managed with his usual dogged determination to work his way back up to a reasonable height. 

The rest of the task seemed to be pretty straightforward, and he landed back after a 2 hour 13 minute flight, over 229.68km, at 103.08km/h, achieving 10th place for the day with 617points. His best result this week!

We were then able to derig quite easily (for the first time this week!), ready for the journey home tomorrow. 

 

Final position for the week 9th place, out of 38 competitors - a fantastic result, will done Dan. - Sally Hender

Sun 24 August

 A fresh start to the morning with quite poor visibility down the valley. All club gliders and ground vehicles had their daily inspection and were ready for the long day ahead. Briefing was at 9:15 where we decided to set up launch point to the North West corner. All gliders were towed up and ready for launch at 10:30. The wind had died down through the morning allowing for some really nice flights. 

Lily Sanders-Page was given 4 practice  launch eventualities which she had to deal with. Shortly after she was ready for her first ever solo! She did so well in fact that we had to tell her to come back down. She went again for the second time landing beautifully and waiting next to the glider with a smile that we could see from launch point - Congratulations Lily. 

 

Well done to Lily for First Solo (Mike Sloggett)

James Flory and Mike Sloggett worked hard to lunchtime where we stopped for 45 minutes. Thanks to Vicki for making perfect food as always. The wind started to pick up over lunch which meant we had to change the card colour to yellow. Simon Minson took over from James Flory for the afternoon where there were some nice thermals but people weren’t able to stay in them unfortunately, however we pushed through the two-seater list and the single seater list. We continued through until 17:30, when we began to pack up all the gliders and ground vehicles. We were finished for just before 18:00 resulting in a successful day at the gliding club. 

Many thanks to Mike, James and Simon for instructing throughout the day and to everyone that helped around the club today. Finally another congratulations to Lily for her first solo! - Adam Smyth

Sat 23 August

 A positive forecast for good weather and some good potential for cross-country flying saw a fairly busy Clubhouse for morning briefing.  The first dilemma to solve was one for James Flory who, in addition to standing in at short notice as the Duty Instructor, was also the rostered duty tug pilot.  A brief discussion ensued, at which it became apparent that even the multi-talented James Flory cannot be in 2 places at once.  Luckily, help was on hand in the form of Peter Smith, who kindly volunteered to bear the brunt of the morning instructional duties, and Robert Lee who, after enjoying 70 minutes soaring in his own glider, took over tug duties for some of the afternoon.  

K21 (Arthur Lean)

 

The triumvirate of James, Peter and Robert were ably assisted by some excellent teamwork on the ground, resulting in a great days gliding.  The two-seater  flying list was relatively short, with a mix of spinning, currency flying and training for new member Christian Sheer, a returnee from a recent trial flight.  Christian enjoyed an extended soaring flight of 54 minutes with Peter Smith, followed by 2 shorter flights with James Flory.  It was obvious that he had retained a lot of his skills from an Air Cadet gliding scholarship completed around 12 years ago, and we look forward to watching his progress now with DSGC.  

A number of members enjoyed extended soaring flights with private gliders, some flights exceeding 3 hours.  To the amusement of a small audience of club members, Andy Batchelor emerged from a soaring flight in the Junior rather wet, having sat on a soaked cushion for about 75 minutes due to a very leaky Camelback.  Luckily, it was rather warm in the cockpit so conditions were akin to an airborne jacuzzi rather than a glacial lake!  

Simon Jordy looked after the trial flight visitors and helped out with some friends and family flying – happy customers all round.  All in all, an excellent days’ gliding enabled by some great supporting teamwork on the ground. - Andy Batchelor

Sat 23 August - Junior Nationals

 Gridding again was set before the 10:00am briefing. Most pilots expecting to grid squat for a few hours....then for the task to be scrubbed. The Competition Officials (and Treasurer) had other ideas!!!!!

JDP ready to launch (Sally Hender)

First launch was at 1:17pm, and Dan was more than happy to be near the back of the grid today, as we stood and watched every consecutive glider head towards what looked like the only thermal in the sky…. that gaggle looked pretty full on.

 As the grid shrank before him, Dan was heard to mutter, “I don’t think I’m getting back!”
The start gate opened at 14:10, after another efficient grid launch by the eight tug planes.
Rob and I then took a stroll to the Farm Shop at the end of the road for coffee and cake, while watching the proceedings on Glide and Seek again.
Dan got back to the airfield just before 5:00pm, and was very relieved to do so!

 

Dan: "I’ve never worked so hard on a task, at one point I was pleading with the glider to go up! It was not fun at all!!!!"

The winner for the day was actually flying, B19, the ASW19, Ruth used to own!!!
Dan, took 2 hours 16 mins to fly 127.43km, at 55.97kmh, (slightly slower than yesterday!!!) came in placed 12th with 428 points. Now up to 13th place of 38 pilots for the week. (One more day to go and all to play for) - Sally Hender

Fri 22 August - Course week

The final day of course week started bright and early, with vehicles out of the hangar by 08:30, HCX and KEK DI'd by 9 and a morning briefing from Steve Westlake shortly after. The 2 K21s and a Junior were towed out to the North Eastern end of the field.

The first flight was away by 10:00, which was Steve instructing Martin Cook in KEK: impressive cumulus clouds already forming to the North allowing for 22 minutes. Mike Sloggett and Adam Smyth jumped into the other K21 for checks, in which he pulled an awkward height launch failure. Before long, Adam was off on his second ever solo, thermalling all the way to cloudbase until he was a tiny spec at over 3300ft. He was called down and sent away again for another, this time managing 23 minutes. 

 

Benjie Pitts taking a launch into a great sky (Arthur Lean)

Having soloed the day before along with Adam, your humble scribe Arthur Lean had a similar check flight with Mike, before being sent off solo. Frustratingly, the cable broke on the ground run accounting for a DNF, but after a splice from Paul Summers the winch was back up and running, and I launched straight into lift, reaching 3700ft. Thermals seemed to be set to the Condor 'Bombastic' pre-set, because on the next flight I encountered +11 knots up. What an amazing experience for 2 newly solo pilots.

Steve Westlake flew checks with Benjie Pitts who also secured a solo flight, staying up at cloudbase for 31 minutes. The sky was highly populated in all directions with large relatively flat cumulus clouds, which had vast areas of lift - ideal for local soaring. Benjie and I were called down for lunch break - Paul Summers then taking KEK towards Cullompton for an hour.  

 

Congratulations to Luke Stabb converting to Junior (Mike Sloggett)

Luke Stabb flew a  simulated launch failure with Steve Westlake before getting sent off solo in the Junior. Manual read and with plenty of solos in the K21 under his belt, Luke launched confidently and flew a great circuit. If that wasn't enough, he experienced a genuine cable break on his second flight in the Junior, reacting quickly and landing ahead. He was back flying soon after the cable was fixed. 

Paul Medlock got out JDD, however missing the best pre-lunch conditions as  a Sea Breeze appeared to be coming in from the South. Lily Sanders-Page, on the brink of going solo, flew 3 flights with Mike Sloggett. Had the wind not swung around to the South, she would've gone solo too - fingers crossed for fair weather so that it can finally happen in the coming days or weeks. Mike also took Lily's Mum Hayley for her first flight in a K21, who came back with a large grin on her face.

Benjie got the last flight of the course, launching into dead air thanks to the sea breeze and into the circuit. As the gliders were packed away, Richard who had been driving cable retrieve came to Luke with a souvenir from his launch failure - the broken section of cable with the end entirely melted. 

 

Great course for all (Angie Pitts)

What a day it was to finish of an amazing week's flying. Of 6 trainees, 5 were under 18s - with 2 re-soloing, including a first solo in the junior, and 2 first solos - soon to be 3 when Lily gets hers. Weather allowed for flying every day of the course, beginning with wave, then low cloud but finishing off with an excellent soaring day at the end! A huge thank you to all of the course helpers who enabled this to happen, and a special thanks to Julian West who was helping all week! And to the instructors Mark Courtney, Steve Westlake and Mike Sloggett for their excellent training and for giving so much of their time to the 6 trainees. Mike Sloggett even pitched his tent on the downslope at the edge of the field, where he camped for the entire week. With all the steps he clocked up on launch failure retrieves, I’d say Mike has practically earned himself a Duke of Edinburgh Award!

Thank you and well done to everyone involved for an awesome course week. - Arthur Lean

Fri 22 August - Junior Nationals

Purr-fect day at 10:00am (briefing), with a fancy dress ‘Shrek’ theme, and oh, the costumes were a sight to behold! An Assigned Area Task awaited, with 3 hours for Task A. Afterward, they all posed for photos on the grid, showing off their feline flair. 

 

"Puss in Boots" - Sally Hender

 The first launch was at 12:20pm, and Task B was called instead, lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes. Our ‘Puss in Boots’ was near the front, sniffing around the first turnpoint while waiting for the start line to open. With plenty of lift around, Dan soared above 3000ft with ease. The start gate opened, and though he waited a bit, he was one of the first to pounce on the Task. 

Fancy Dress day (Sally Hender)

 
 Dan: “I flew the first leg 10 minutes over the time on delta, so I had to venture further into the second sector than I planned, however, the lift in the second sector was better than expected, so it didn’t affect me that much. I returned 1 minute and 5 seconds over the 2.5 hours, and I was thrilled with my timing and speed. Plus, I still haven’t landed out!”

 

The new hat was too big to wear in flight (Sally Hender)

Dan clawed his way to 13th place today, with a fantastic result of 109.64km/h over 276.15km, earning 824 points and 14th place overall (out of 39 competitors). Meow-velous job! - Sally Hender

 

ed: (AAT) Assigned area task is a  fixed time task, where the pilot has to make a judgement for his actual distance into each sector. Has to manage his time round the route to try to get back as close to the set time as possible (penalties for over and under), but bonus for extra distance going further into the sector round the turnpoint. Fortunately, the Oudie helps with the calculations providing you know how to drive it!

Thurs 21 August - Junior Nationals

 After two non-flying days, the briefing was again set for 10:00am, but first thing it was changed to 10:30am, but at least they grid before briefing…. a better start to the day! 

First launch was an earlier start at 1:15pm, and watching them around the task, most stayed at about 3000ft, which made it look fairly easy. 

Dan went off early again, and managed the 105km, in 1 hour 5 mins at 107kph! Rob and I went off shopping and looking around Gloucester, lunch out again😉 so missed his launch and landing!!! 

Team Hender retrieve crew enjoying lunch (Sally Hender)

Dan finished 12th place for the day, with 247 points, 17th place overall. Karaoke this evening, so don’t think it’ll be an early night!!!!! - Sally Hender

Thurs 21 August - Course Week

With the grey skies of the first 3 days of the Course week being replaced by a forecast of blue sunny skies it was good to see that the forecast and actual weather agreed. After a joint Club and Course briefing it was again a question of walking gliders down to the West end of the airfield but flying was soon underway with the Club and Course members sharing the gliders.

As the day unfolded the thermals started to appear and gliders were soon disappearing off into the yonder, some further afield to others - the conditions being so good that with only one Junior, pilots had to be “invited” to land so that others could fly.

Congratulations to Arthur Lean for first Solo (Mike Sloggett)

 

Congratulations to Adam Smyth for first Solo (Mike Sloggett)

The Course members continued to make progress with a double success for two of our junior members - after some final eventuality checks for both,  Arthur Lean, watched by a proud Dad (Richard) and grandparents, completed  his first solo around lunchtime and later in the day Adam Smyth completed his first solo watched by proud parents. 

Well done also to Pete Harmer who soared the Perkoz for over an hour after the extended medical timeout.

 

Well done Pete back solo (Jill Harmer)

Nicholas Johnson was the last to land and achieved his 5 hour flight for Silver duration - well done Nicholas.

The day continued to be quite thermic into late afternoon by which time both Club and Course members were ready to put the gliders and ground equipment away ready for the course dinner.  

Course dinner enjoyed by all (Mike Sloggett)

Many thanks to Vicki and assistant Layla  for another great course dinner- Mike Sloggett

Wed 20 August - TSC Pocklington

 The Northhill nomads started to congregate on Pocklington Airfield from Thursday 14th to set up camp. The Club DG505 travelled on Friday. Saturday was rigging day for DD3, JZK and the Blue Eagle AXJ. 

Sunday started with a long brief, a task was set and all gliders proceeded to the grid. The first launch was scheduled, delayed, delayed, delayed again then Scrubbed! Weather 8/8 cloud NNE wind cloud base 2000ft.

Monday same conditions Scrubbed, Tuesday same conditions Scrubbed again. Wednesday slightly better conditions and a task was set with five options ranging from 31.3km to 200.2km.  

 

Unpromising sky (John Borland)

The Club DG505 was on private hire by Shaun Dayman and John Borland sharing the flights with Mike Armstrong P1 - a high scoring veteran of the two seat competition. Shaun and I flipped a coin and I went first. 

Aerotow to 2,000 at 15:20 into a very unpromising sky. 8/8 cloud NNE 10kts - and the whole task was down wind. Mike worked his magic and we eventually turned Doncaster then decided on turning back taking Task 3 and then the long slog back up wind for 92.1 km. The Drax power station saved the day and we got back with a few feet to spare. Two hours 31 minutes to cover the 120.8 km task in very difficult conditions. 

The Save from Drax power station (John Borland)

The results placed JZK first in the “Hot Ship” class with the Eagle AXJ taking first place in the Wood category (and first place for the whole day) after a brilliant downwind run by John Pursey and John Burrow. Phil Morrison and Alan Rappaport  took DD3 to Pontefract and back.

As I write Thursday has proved worse than Wednesday. For once North Hill has got the good weather. Enjoy!! - John Borland

Wed 20 August - Course Week

 The day started off with quite a cool north Easterly breeze meaning everyone was putting on layers as the day went on! We had a joint briefing with all members and an extremely slow computer to help us along. 

Back to winter clothes (Mark Courtney)

 

Once briefing was over Steve Westlake and Glenn Turpin agreed on getting all club gliders out and towed to the western side of the airfield. After 2 flights set off we then moved the launch point further down south between points A and B. With flights not being much longer than 10 minutes each we were able to get through most of the list before 13:00. We then stopped for lunch and were watching the microlight aircraft arrive into North Hill despite us not telling him about the curl over on the western side of the airfield! The afternoon came along with some flights being able to stay up for longer than 10 minutes. We have Luke Stabb and Benjie Pitts going solo again in the ASK-21. 

Luke resolos (Mark Courtney)

 

The sun was trying to break through as the day was coming to an end. 

 

The sun was trying to break through (Adam Smyth)

All instructors were able to get through all the flying lists with not too many issues. And we had all gliders and ground vehicles packed away for around 18:45. Overall a great day from everyone at the club. Many thanks to Kai Mudd and Jack for making the walk from Dunkeswell just to be here! Written by Adam Smyth

Tues 19 August - Course Week

 The day started out with spitting rain and a lively north easterly wind. The course members assembled in the clubhouse at 8.30 for the briefing, where it was established that most were eager for cable-break practice! The gliders were brought out of the hangar and while the Daily Inspections took place there was a brief stop to monitor the rain - and let Mark have his breakfast. 

Once the rain had slightly reduced, flying began. The first 2 launches of the day resulted in cable breaks, and so the flying was paused while the rope was re-spliced by Paul Medlock. Flying resumed until lunch, where Vicki served a lovely chicken and rice meal. Benjie soloed for the second time after lunch, with Luke also re-soloing after a break of a few months. 

 

Benjie on 2nd and 3rd solos (Mike Sloggett)

However, the misfortune of the morning's issue with the cables continued, as the nose wheel of KEK went flat - leading to the tyre needing a replacement. Dave Perriam and Paul Medlock swiftly arrived to replace the tyre, allowing flying to continue.

 

Dave and Paul working on the nosewheel (Lily Sanders-Page)

The longest flight of the day was 12 minutes flown by myself (Lily) with Mark Courtney in the back, achieved despite a lack of promising weather. 

Thanks to all the helpers and the instructors Mike Sloggett and Mark Courtney for making the day possible. - Lily Sanders-Page

Mon 18 August - Junior Nationals

 Later briefing today, 11:00am, and after hearing the partying at 3:00am this morning, it was probably needed!! With the low cloud cover, and conditions not set to improve until early afternoon, small tasks were set again today. Task A 124.25km first launch was taken at 2:30pm!

However, Rob and I had popped into Cirencester for supplies, and got sidetracked having lunch, so missed his launch!! We therefore sat in the sun watching Dan on Glide and Seek with a glass or two! 

Dan got back, with a deteoriating sky (Sally Hender)

The task was another challenge! Again the boy went early, but this time it looked like a good decision. On the third leg, he scraped around in a 1 knot thermal for ages, trying to get some height, ending up going into cloud. With the little height he had, he made the choice to turn around and head for home, again realising those around him were struggling, and landing out. 

Fortunately, he made it back again, which meant he didn’t have a retrieve, and with worsening skies, it was definitely a good decision!
Seventh place today with 222 points, (first place only achieved 308 points), 16th place overall so far for the week. - Sally Hender

Mon 18th August - Course Week

Today marks the first day of the latest summer course week. Course members gathered in the clubhouse early doors for a briefing. The course members were presented with some more challenging conditions than expected with a brisk easterly breeze.
The first flights of the morning were lucky to experience some wave with some varios showing six up ! 

 

South Easterly wave at North Hill (Luke Stabb)

Instructors Mike Sloggett and Mark  Courtney flew the course members equally throughout the day, taking a short break for lunch. The day was ended with an aerotow briefing and practice in the Club Simulator  

Overall, the most was made of a challenging day with all course members receiving 2 flights each. 
Thank you to all the course helpers - it wouldn’t be possible without your help.  - Blog written by Luke Stabb

Sun 17 August - Junior Nationals

 Briefing at 10:00am, the tasks today were set with yesterday in mind…. a similar forecast, just with more blue! The Juniors were the second group on the grid so a 200km A Task was set. Gridding began at 11:45, and again we waited!!!!!! First launch was finally taken at 2:30pm, taking a number of pilots by surprise (most thinking it was going to be scrubbed that late in the day) Task B being chosen, 109km. 

Dan on the grid (Sally Hender)

With eight tug planes today, again the huge grid was efficiently launched. Shrek class went first, then Juniors, then Donkey class last today. Dan was also very near the front  of the Juniors again. The gate was opened over an hour later, Dan true to form, didn’t hang around going through the start gate, following him on Glide and Seek, he seemed to do well, keeping high, and getting some good lift, however, on his return, he admitted it was a tricky task. 

Evening debrief (Rob Hender)

Proved by another round of landouts, including a member of the British Team! Dan did one of the local retrieves, so wasn’t available for comment on his flight! However, he did the task in 1 hour 34 mins, at 74.06kmh. 15th place today with 408 points, overall 20th place. - Sally Hender

Sat 16 August - Junior Nationals Aston Down

 Briefing was called for 9:30am, and three tasks were set for 220km, 202km and 133km. With the Regionals set a similar route. Gliders were gridded before briefing, and first launch wasn’t before 11:00am.
However, as always the start time was delayed again, and again, and again. First launch finally took off at 2:05pm, with Dan Hender JDP launching 21st out of the 48 competitors. (79 in total including the Regional competitors) which was. 

 

One of Dan's new hats! (Sally Hender)

Even before the start line opened we could see that it was going to be a challenging task, as everyone seemed to be struggling to gain height, cloud base was only about 2700ft, and only achieving 1 or 2 knot climbs. The start line opened, and the first leg was into wind, so noone made much definite progress. Dan made it nearly halfway up the first leg, before heading back to the start line to restart the task, hoping the conditions may improve. However, as he was doing so, he realised more and more of the grid were landing out further ahead. He then made the sensible decision to land back at the airfield, to avoid a long retrieve and a late night, making it harder tomorrow! (A good decision, as it saved us in fuel!!!) 
Shennington Gliding Club, were taken by surprise with the number of visitors they had today! - at least nine gliders landed there. 
Dan finished in 27th place with 62 points! with the winner achieving 203km  (but devalued to only 395 points) - Sally Hender  

(Follow the Competition on https://control.cotswoldcomps.co.uk/web/2025/tracking  )

Thurs 14th August

 After a sunny sunrise, some low cloud unexpectedly rolled in. During the morning some drizzly bursts came through, and the gliders had to be wiped down several times, in between the simulated launch failures. Late morning , it all cleared through and allowed some low-level thermals and from 2pm more soaring was achieved. 

 

Cloudbase lifting a little (Jill Harmer)

Thanks to all those who tried to sort out the problem with the winch (later identified to need a new water pump.) Thanks also to Paul Medlock and Graham Barden for changing the winch cables on Friday in preparation for next weeks course.

 

Changing cables in the midday heat (Peter Smith)

Good Luck to the teams competing at Two-Seater Competition  at Pocklington DD3, the Eagle and DG505, and to Dan Hender JDP in Junior Nationals at Aston Down, starting at the weekend, follow the action on Glide and Seek. - J&P

Wed 13th August

After yesterday's third heat wave of the summer gave way to a day of predicted slightly cooler weather it was still a surprise to drive to NHL this morning with the windscreen wipers clearing the 'baby rain' for most of the journey! 

 

Weighing the Perkoz (Mark Layton)

The clearance never really arrived until mid afternoon which gave time for various members to carry out a few tasks around the club. George Sanderson and his crew weighed the Perkoz, which was a challenge in itself as it had to be lifted surprisingly high to get the correct angle before the measuring could be done. Afterwards they also weighed Chris Woodward's Astir which in comparison was a much easier task. A few others started cutting up the old wooden club house roofing ready for the log burner when the weather gets colder and the rest either drank tea, fettled gliders or made use of the simulator. 

Blue sky yesterday - well done Chris (Ian Mitchell)

Well done to Chris Woodward for completing his cross-country endorsement nav test with Ian yesterday.

Cloudbase to an acceptable level!! (Mark Layton)

 After lunch as the cloudbase rose to an acceptable level two K21's and a Junior were taken out to the north east corner. The first few flights had extended circuits or were used for cable break practice or in some cases real ones (three times). The sky cycled a bit as the temperature dropped and it felt like the sea air had moved in which opened up some big blue holes before closing in again. A strange and frustrating afternoon. 
 Luckily everyone who wanted to had a flight, although some were shorter than they would have liked. - Mark Layton

Sun 10th August

 Peter Smith kindly stepped in to cover Duty Instructor today. Briefing at 9.15am gave promise of blue thermals, and possible cross country opportunities, but with fog in the valley, launching was delayed slightly.
 There were eleven names on the two-seater list, and with Dan Johns stuck on the M5 closed in both directions, Ron Johns kindly offered to help with instructing. By the time Dan arrived John Pursey appeared and also helped Peter work through the list.

 

Justin Wills in the Rhonbussard (JB)

Justin Wills took a launch at 12:55 in his Rhonebussard (387) heading for Lasham, we’re unlikely to see him again! Eric Alston (G29) and Ron and Dan Johns (711) followed.
 After a lunch break, flying resumed with JB taking over from Peter Smith, and JP continuing down the list. Barbie Fairclough (DFK) also took a couple of launches late afternoon. The last two launches were for Harry Dunbar and Arthur Hier, unfortunately Arthur’s  launch was a cable break, which meant Callum Ellis and James Smart had to splice before being able to pack away the winch, thank you for your efforts. We were packed away by 6:00pm. A lovely sunny summers day, what a way to spend a Sunday.
 - Sally Hender 

 

The Rhonbussard (JB)

 I flew with Sally Hender for an hour, Arthur  Hier for 46 mins and then with Harry Dunbar for 40 mins. All showing determination to battle the frisky thermals in the heat. I then let Jonathan Erskine take me for two circuits. Then flew Harry again and was trying to give Arthur a second go when the launch failed at 1ft and the crew all opted to pack up rather than give us another go!  Ron and Dan in 711 wandered off for 94 mins. Big news will be Justin Wills got to within 7k of Lasham and landed on a private airstrip - then found the gate was locked!  They did eventually escape with the glider in the trailer! - JP

Sat 9th August

Paul Summers had a busy day flying three trial lessons, in particular Simon Harris was a returning solo NHL pilot from over 35 years ago and now celebrating his 70th birthday with a surprise gift from his wife – Simon was only informed of his flight on Saturday morning and was joined by 10 family members and their dog to celebrate his birthday and watch the trial lesson flight!!.

 

Busy day for Paul Summers - big family event for one grandfather (Simon Leeson)

In particular, Simon was able to relive memories of years ago when he used to fly with his late father which for him was extra special and a big thanks to everyone who made the family and the earlier visitors feel so welcome at the club. - Paul Summers

Recorded to relive memories (Simon Leeson)

 Great day and wonderful to see Fred Marks back as a return member getting to grips with the winch again!  

It was also good to see Justin Wills back at North Hill, he took JB for a ride in DD3 to Lasham and back. The day was rounded off with a lovely aerotow from Simon Leeson with Paul Medlock surveying the countryside from the back seat. - Lisa Humphries

Fri 8th August - Course Week

 The start to the last day of the course began shortly after 10am, most being circuit flights. With a few course members missing Kai Mudd joined in and flew with Mark  Courtney spin training in the Perkoz. Chris Cooke and Simon Leeson took many flights in the morning, so much that some people forgot he was here! 

 

Kai Mudd with Mark Courtney (Jack Sewell)

Tara flew with Steve and Mark with a few soaring flights. Andy Pickrell managed to get away in the Junior for the  rest of the day. Jack Sewell and Steve Westlake went for a bit of stall training and finished of with a few loops. 

 

Jack checking out the back seat (David Sewell)

A great day with thermals getting better throughout the afternoon, with Dan Hender JDP and Simon Minson SM taking spare cables for an afternoon whiz to Salisbury and back.

 

Thank you  to all the Course Helpers and the Course Instructors  Mark Courtney, Steve Westlake and guests - Jack Sewell

Course Summary

 What a week! Grounded on Monday due to Storm Floris, so a good opportunity for some theory in the classroom and practice on the simulator. Then summer weather returned – a strong crosswind and rough thermals on Tuesday, kinder lift Wednesday, not much Thursday (and showers after lunch) and a cracking day on Friday.
A huge age range of attendees – the youngest not old enough to do a paper round and at the other end me, seventy something. And a vast range of experience too including Andy Pickrell (quickly cleared for going solo in the Junior), the youngsters with near vertical learning curves and my shall we say much more modest gradient.
Sorry that young Tom Bennett-Dixon and Paul Dixon had to pull out due to illness after a good start. Tara Ashwood made great progress gaining many more ticks on her card. Jack Sewell and friend Kai Mudd were outstanding. Andy Pickrell disappeared out of sight solo, and I was very happy to have so much time aloft coached by very patient and learned instructors in the back seat. Which proves a course at DSGC is fun and so beneficial for students of any age and ability. 
Huge thanks to instructors Mark Courtney, Steve Westlake, Peter Smith and Simon Leeson and vital helpers Tim Petty, Shaun Dayman, Brian Knight, Kevin Fairburn, Chris Coville (and a few others who did a shift or two). No flying without the helpers!
And of course Vicki and young Layla in the galley. All your time and experience is very much appreciated (especially when rather low a long way out from North Hill!). 
Late Friday afternoon Simon Minson and Dan Hender each returned from solo out and back cross country flights of well over three hours, performing over the airfield like swallows arriving in spring before landing. What a sight! And particularly fitting that the very last launch of the week was Simon Leeson taking Layla for a flight.
Next year’s goal? Do a Dan! Out to Salisbury Cathedral and back!! Dream on …….
Chris Cooke

 

Thurs 7th August - Course Week

 The forecast was for drizzly rain, but it seemed to get stuck further west - so make the most of the opportunities ... There was an increaing southwest becoming southerly wind, but the cloudbase was initially 3000ft reducing during the later morning to a murky 1500-2000ft and the increasing gusty southerly made it interesting. 

 

Kai Mudd getting his first introduction to DG505 with Mike Sloggett (Kai Mudd)

But another positive - the south ridge was working to a good level. The drizzly rain did eventually come in,......

Course Dinner ( Jack Sewell)

.......but then there was the course dinner to look forward to with thanks to Vicki and Layla. - J&P 

Wed 6th August - Course Week

 Day 3 of our course and the weather looked promising, and so it turned out to be. After a couple of early check flights and launch failure simulations, the thermals kicked in by 10:00 and people were away soaring, off a winch launch. The staggered, but single line of glider system seemed to work well, with less hanging about and efficient launching, though the help of a decisive ground controller is a big asset. Club flying easily slotted in between course launches despite the numbers.

With the thermal base rising in the afternoon it got trickier to connect without an aerotow, so course flights became a bit shorter.

Many private gliders came out to play enjoying the cross country soaring conditions, all disappearing over the horizon to the envy of us lesser mortals. 

 

CFI Same pose as yesterday (Jack Sewell)

All in all a very good day, with everyone getting at least one long flight during the day and all making steady progress and instructors being hassled for their training card 'ticks'.

A big thank you to Vicki and Layla, the day was very busy and  they worked hard keeping us all fed and watered all day long. - Andy Pickrell

Cross-country stories

230 NH2 - Nunney - Molton - NH2 218km
"Task set to get home before the high cover/sea air ended soaring at NHL. Great run to Nunney and across Exmoor, slightly trickier around Molton where the high cover was already present, but then back to the sun and good air home.
Normally my ladder posts have 'started too early' in there somewhere - today I should have started earlier!" - Pete Startup

V5 NH2 -  Molton - Okehampton - Molton- NH2 150km
"Just getting the excuses in.......on a 150km only, I had a loan car today, no tow hitch, needed to collect my car before 5pm, late on site as had to drop car off........
That should cover it I think, but it was a 300km in the SW obviously, if you got going early enough . Well done JA good flight from Dartmoor." Rich Roberts

FAJ NH2, - Knowstone - North Tawton, NH2. Club 100. 
"The initial climbs were good, but became more difficult as Knowstone was approached. I got uncomfortably low after turning Knowstone and ended up regaining height after a good climb over MUD. (Jill and Pete's house) well off track. Eventually turned North Tawton then the run back to NH2 became much easier." John Borland