Sunday 20th January

Despite no chance of flying a few intrepid members braved the hills to enjoy the snow-covered vista, a social chat and a nice hot cup of Tea.  The snowmen who appeared on Saturday were now dressed in their Sunday Best bow-ties and coloured buttons.

While the Elevenses Syndicate were polishing in the workshop, sounds of enthusiastic construction were emanating from the MT workshop.  Soon Henry and Liam emerged, ready to test drive their MK1 sledge.  Some low-level, high-speed passes ensued, to raucous laughter, cheesy grins and snow down the back of the neck.  Not wanting to be left out, Ruth had a go and inadvertently practised her spins.

"This can only end well!" - Liam

Covered in snow and just from filming

Thu 17 Jan - Predictions, promises and personal gain.

Driving to DSGC at 7:15 this morning I was trying to prepare my mind for a series of lectures that I was going to try and bumble through.

I had made the prediction that the day would be a wash out with low cloud and an unfavourable wind, mistake number one.

The Thursday crew were as usual rolling up with devoted predictability, included in this group was Adrian P. Adrian told us how he had managed 35 min on Wed, I bet him a pint that he could not repeat that feat today and promised to pay up, mistake number two!

And then there were the personal gains, Jonathon S had a 35 min flight just 7 min short for his 50 hours, it took another launch and an 8 min flight to secure his personal goal.

Paul M returned from a four month break to fly as if he never left, everyone was tested in the sometimes blustery southerly wind and they all coped well (that Pete H has been a good master).

There were many flights over 30 min with areas of zero sink or weak lift. As I left the club room for home Texas Tom our new treasurer was hoping that Adrian would somehow encounter a massive down-draft that would keep his own 37 min flight (the record at the time for the day) intact, sadly as I drove out the gate with darkness approaching I could see Adrian's teeth gleaming at 600 ft on the South ridge, OK OK I will buy you a pint!

Mark C

Wed 16 Jan

For once the weather did what it said on the tin, although quite cold the conditions stayed good all day we even had some extended flights on the South ridge.

Due to the weather and Christmas many pilots hadn't flown for over a month and there was a lot of happy faces at the end of the day, the field is drying out nicely in most places, but there are still areas we need to avoid, care is required when setting up the winch.

                                           Captain Slow and JS survey the scene

Adrian had the longest flight with Joe S a close second Pete & Matt tried to soar Hembury Fort in the K13 with the usual result - a quick run for home! JS.

Sunday 13th January

Yee Haa! - Flying again. The field is still a bit soggy in places, but with a light northeasterly wind we were able to aerotow from the top end. There were a lot of members present and all four two-seaters were in action all day. 

What is the collective noun for Cirrus?

 Additionally a pair of Cirri ?  with Andrew and Henry did some formation flying. JB completed his 5 year Refresher with Simon M. There were 24 aerotows all told - well done Simon J for keeping going all day with just a little help from Robert over lunchtime.

There was a competition for the best sunset photo.

Setting sun by Ruth

And by James

Saturday 12th January

Another wet and windy day and the Duty Instructors called for an early bath, - well the cloudbase was meeting the water table!
In the evening, John Si gave a very entertaining talk on his life in Naval flying including ditching a Gannet, followed by another excellent carvery supper from Maria.

Wednesday 10th January

We marched them up to the top of the hill........ and we marched them down again....... Not quite 10,000 members but a good number who were all desperate to fly. The field had drained, the sun had come out and there was a light north easterly wind. The gliders were all positioned at the far end and then there was a quick lunch stop but unfortunately, the sun's small amount of heating just had the effect of stirring up the near 100% humid air, causing cycling of low cloud at field top height throughout the day.

Sunday 6th January

AHHRRRRRRR - 'Twas a dirty, dank and  drizzly day an' the fog rolled across the bleak and barren wastes of North Hill - makin the sheep look like ghosts lurking on the edge of time. A sense of Dooooom filled the air as a distant Jackel cut the silence with ……

No, we couldn't fly, so JB had a classroom session with Si before lunch and after lunch Si and JB did a 'Standardisation session' on Circuits with a group of Instructors -  Lisa, Andrew, Stu and Pete W. Useful day. - JB

Saturday 5th January

The field continues to drain, but it's still very soft and squidgy with no chance of winch launching yet (although it's improving every day), unfortunately the cloud was too low for aerotows as well. Both Falkes took advantage of a clearing sky late afternoon to get airborne.

VG  with Carl and Dave  from SC with Mark C & Mike S

 Adrian gave a briefing on map reading to a small interested group. Thanks also to Pete C for checking out some parachutes that had been in the naughty cupboard with some rodents.
In the evening, the Clubhouse was full with 40+ members and Karon - BGA Child Protection Officer presented a seminar and led discussions on child protection. Notes from the seminar will be available in members area of DSGC web site. Following the seminar, with the Clubhouse quickly rearranged, 30 members enjoyed Cheryl & Steph's hearty stew and pud.

Wed & Thurs 2nd/3rd January

The K21 was rigged on Wednesday after the 3000hour and annual check -thanks to Andrew L and the team.
The weather has changed but we still can't fly due to low cloud. Having stored the christmas decorations for another year, John Si gave the Thursday tea club a lecture on spinning.
William and Pete reinstated the running water in the Clubhouse and Pete had some success discovering the cause of the excavation by the caravans.

Tuesday 1st January - New Year's Day

New Year - New weather - let's hope!

The rain has stopped and the airfield started draining as usual, some sunshine and a fresh north westerly wind helped the process. And with a lateish start a dry line was identified on the high ground to enable aerotow only launches. There was a good (desperate?) group of members after nearly three weeks with no flying.

Mike Fitz took the honours (56 mins) with the first flight of 2013 in the Junior with the ridge working well and occasional thermals.

The Fitz

Stu and Martin went to check out the south coast in VG.

K21, Junior and Ka6 all soared on the ridge although at times it got a bit tricky with more north in the wind, most got over 20 minutes of soaring. Ruth flew her first training aerotows, John Si raced the tug back in his usual 'upside-down' way. Henry had the longest flight (59mins) mid-afternoon all at low level on the ridge.

All the tuggies got back in check sharing a total of 15 aerotows, and a good time was had by all. The longest flight was one minute short of an hour!

There was a good deal of washing at the end of the day.

Muddy patterns

Happy New Year to all our readers.