Sunday 17th March

Another pitch inspection with the overnight rain making the field unusable. More trailer fettling in preparation for the long trek north to Portmoak. Jill gave a metform briefing for those trying to get ticks in boxes on the cross-country training card.

Taunted by the sky,  denied by the field

Saturday 16th March

It's only taking a little bit of rain (well ~20mm) to make the field unusable for winching again, and with the Pawnee away on its Annual, there was only trailer fettling going on.

In the evening, Chris gave the second in his series of talks - this time describing The Red Arrows, and following the well-subscribed talk, with the Clubhouse 'bulging at the seams', we managed to seat over 50 members and families for a carvery.

Thursday 14th March

The forecast was just 'a nice day' - it was a cold bright north westerly, clouds started popping at 11:00 and the gliders started to soar at about 12:00. The word had got round to the 9 private owners who were leisurely rigging gliders before lunch.

The launch grid (first of the season)  and the sky were something to relish.

It turned out to be quite difficult to get away initially,with the usual wave influence, but cloudbase soon rose to over 5,500ft QNH enabling Mark L Cirrus 477 and Adrian DG100 HMS to achieve silver height. 

Pete St Discus 230 took the prize for longest flight just short of 3 hours and Ron, ASW20 611, James ASW20 ENW, Adrian and Mark all flew for more than 2 hours, visiting various nearby turnpoints (don't forget to put them on the ladder)

ENW respendent in new colour scheme - (eat your heart out Uncle Mark)

Ray D and Gordon B both converted to the Junior.

Ray converts to the Junior

Whilst all this flying was going on Malcolm V was successfully completing his Bronze paper.

A great day was enjoyed by all, and long overdue for this spring. Thanks to everyone for making it such an enjoyable super Thursday.

Wednesday 13th March

The freezing weather continues but it didn't seem quite as cold because the wind had dropped or we are all getting used to it!

 

All the gliders were out early and ready to go by 10.00am but the Northerly crosswind made for difficult launches at about 12.00 the Northerly veared to the East and made launches even more difficult, with a NNW wind forecast we decided  to stop for an early lunch and see what the wind was going to do before changing ends.

 

After lunch, the wind had backed a little so we stayed where we were to everybody's relief, there were some soaring flights but with poor launch heights the thermals were difficult to reach, at about 3.30pm a huge storm was brewing so we called it a day.

 

Work is underway clearing the old sheep pen of gorse & brambles and taking down the old fence - it should make a huge difference to the S/W corner. - JSt.

Sunday 10th March

Amidst the evil, cold easterly wind and snow flurries, and maybe because it was Mothering Sunday, only a handful of members showed up today. And some of that was responding to Andrew’s request to put the K13 into the workshop for the annual (which we found out the Saturday team had already done). But we did get to welcome John Si back from his sunny holiday, who had the audacity to show up in the insulated winter  overalls but with a super tan.

After a bacon sarnie break, it was decided not to pull the kit out, but other work continued. Thanks go out to Liam and Ollie  for cleaning off and repainting all the white reference markers at both ends of the field. Boy it was cold out there!! - Tom

Saturday 9th March - Master Chef and the Doghouse

The kit was got out, the field was set up, and the kettle was on - all quite early, unfortunately all we could do is drink tea and wait!

The Rotax Falke set off to establish cloudbase which turned out to be only 700ft above the site, so it was back to drinking tea. Super Stu and the rest of the Super Falke gang headed off to Dunkeswell,  to rig their pride and joy after it had a new rear canopy fitted.  They had to wait until a big shower went through before they could fly her home to North Hill so they also drank tea - all be it at another airfield.

Paul S flew in the Rotax to practise patter and stalling in preparation for his May instructors course, Simon L and Mark C also flew in the Falke to practise the aerotow rope break exercise.

In the club house it was very busy, some people were listening to Pete and Jill chatting about their NZ exploits, I think we could have an evening organised on this subject - any chance Pete? (ed: may take a while to sort out the photos)

The workshops were kept busy, Rowan and Adrian were grappling with trailers, getting them ready for the fantastic summer we are going to get!  

The Fournier RF5 with Simon J did a low pass over the airfield whilst we had lunch followed by the Super Dimona from Dunkeswell, although concentrating hard on piloting the low pass Ian M was still able to see that Mark C had left the DV panel open by 1 inch on his "baby" (Rotax) whilst it was raining! That's Mark in the Doghouse once again.

Mark tries to make amends by cleaning and polishing Ian's Falke

Rowan tried to  made an impression in the kitchen today, after recently winning 'Master Chef' he was keen to show off his new uniform in the kitchen, but with bacon sandwiches tainted with grease and rust he was never going to impress this fussy clientele! 

Rowan fails to impress even with his new uniform

Members are really chomping at the bit now, they can sense that summer is just around the corner, in fact most of us are praying hard for a cracker - anything to cheer up old grumpy chops (Pete St) !!

MC

Thursday 8th March - Burn, Burn, Burn - our ring of fire

No flying today but a whole lot of fun ! Very few members of the crazy gang (Thursday crew) turned up today, but those who did set about the great clear out . We welcomed back our travellers from afar-  Pete and Jill.

 All the MT equipment was taken out of the old hanger so work could commence , Paul S was left in charge of lighting  the bonfire, unfortunately he failed his test for a "Ray Mears fire lighting badge" . With a bit of help from a can of avgas though he managed it , I wouldn't say that everything was burnt today but it was close to it ! 

Paul and his ring of fire

Apologies to Adrian P as we burnt his tatty sandwich box unknown to us it did contain some lovely fresh caviar rolls with Nigerian beaver cheese - yummy !

Some heavy items are now in John S 's tunnel , we will be attacking that soon but we need the old wizard to be there before we make his prized  possessions disappear ! 

What a clean floor!

After lunch Pete displayed one of his flights from NZ onto the projector screen , it was fascinating and humbling at the same time, that sort of gliding is the stuff of dreams and well worth seeing if you get the chance !

Quick reminder that anyone with items stored at the club have until the 31st March to either remove them or gain permission for storage. Only the Tug hanger , Tunnel , and surrounding areas to be tidied now ! - MC 

PS from Pete & Jill (for those who don't read google groups)

1) Thanks to everyone for holding the fort whilst we were away

2) Red Arrows night dinner- unfortunately the dinner list has gone missing so I have started a new list, Please email me if you were on the list, I will also see if we can expand into the cleared briefing room, to accomodate a few more. I'll put a new list up by the kitchen at the weekend.

3) CAA charts -  I shall place an order on 18th March for both new southern England and older (latest) Scottish charts. Please see list on noticeboard or email me.

Wednesday 7th March

Well yet again the weather Gods got it completely wrong and instead of a day of rain as forecast we had a full days flying and not a drop of rain was seen!

A reasonably early start paid off for a lucky few when wave set up of the back of the West ridge. The surface wind wasn't great but it increased rapidly with height - perfect for wave setting up. Unfortunately it didn't last long(enough), the end being marked by Pete S dragging 230 up the field for the first time this year and promptly managing 2 short circuits. Said he was still happy though as it tested his new vario - whatever. Day winner by far was treasurer Tom who flew for well over an hour in the Junior.

Everybody had a good if unremarkable days flying, but when will this Easterly driven air mass go away and bring us "proper" soaring weather?

The Committee met last night and we await their deliberations.

Sunday 3rd March

Most members were dressed more for a trans-antartic trek than for gliding but we managed to get all the gliders up to the N/W corner without frostbite, Mark & Roly did a met flight to report a 600ft cloud base, so back to the clubhouse for an early lunch.

After lunch and after a lot fumbling and heated debate we at last started flying, there was a hint of wave but apart from some extended flights nobody managed to contact it.

JB & Rowan continued Rowan's training in prep for his instructer rating in the K13, there were several BI flights flown by Roly & Mike S, also there was a good showing from Exeter Uni, everybody flew, last glider landed about 5.30pm.

 

Normally at this time of the year we eagerly await the return of the swallows but it has been reported, but not confirmed that penguins were seen in the N/W corner!  JS.

Thursday 28th Feb - Life in the Freezer

Well If I had my way we would move the clubhouse to the West end of the field as we seem to spend most of our time there at the moment!

Bitterly cold again this week but people seem to be adjusting to Life in the Freezer, we even had Chris W turning up dressed like a polar bear complete with his little Penguin Thermos Flask. The instructor team consisted of Chris W, Steve W, and Mark C and they were kept busy all day from just before 10 am till hanger closing just before 6 pm. A tricky day with large areas of sink, the wind was NE , and  at times around 20mph, there was an upper wind gradient that caused several fast launches at the top and broken links .

We had a visitor today from Brentor,Steve Raine. Steve is converting from wooden gliders to fiberglass as he has purchased a Grob. The usual Thursday members all continue to progress and there has been a very marked improvement in everyone’s flying of late showing that it pays to fly in all conditions not just calm white card days - (remember them boys and girls?). As conditions began to calm a few members flew solo in either the junior or the K21.

Despite the now compulsory instructor short breakfast break we managed approx 30 launches again, winch only, with the tug going away for its annual inspection for two weeks.  It is a relief to see the field in such amazing condition.

Another great day with good company. Pete and Jill are back next week so normal service will resume from next Thursday. Steve and I will be regular attendees from now on but Pete will have his capable hands firmly on the tiller. From a personal point of view I can say that I have a had a fantastic time looking after Pete’s babies whilst he was away, the best thing about being an uncle is that you can always give them back ! (Only joking lads thanks for your support).

Steve looks content after his breakfast!

Steve from Brentor looks to be enjoying himself!

The now compulsory Instructor breakfast break!

 

Mark C