Sunday 8th January

A misty foggy start as predicted and unsurprisingly members were few on the ground.  Why is the forecast always accurate when it's gloomy? We pulled out two K21s and a K13 for Simon Minson and JB in instructor 3 yearly check mode.

There were a few launches before midday but all ending prematurely either intentionally or because of cloud.  Simon and JB persevered with an aerotow, but the K13 was back on the ground before the tug on the only launch I witnessed.

At least we tried and did some valuable simulated launch failures. Thanks to Rowan for helping to get things moving. - Peter Smith

Thursday 5th January

It was a lovely sunny start with just a light breeze from the east, the pleasant forecast had brought out many members, so two K21's, two Juniors and a K13 were walked up the field.

Cold dry morning at North Hill (Mike Sloggett)

The first flight with Mike Sloggett and Mark Layton found some shortlived weak wave in the Broadhembury valley and it proved to be the best flight of the day from the winch of 18 mins. There were quite a few currency checks and most flights were extended circuits with lots of reduced sink. With so many members around, we staggered the lunchtime, but during the afternoon some cloud moved in dropping the temperature.

Interesting cloudscapes for Mark to get arty! (Mark Layton)

New member Glenn Turpin who has joined us from Keevil had his first solo flight at North Hill.

Glenn flies K13 (Mike Sloggett)

It was yet another very pleasant winter Thursday with a very busy launch point all day,with a total of 48 flights. 

A lovely sunset with Dartmoor silhouetted (John Alcroft)

Thanks everyone. - J&P

Wednesday 4th January

Today again saw a low turnout for the first Wednesday in the New Year, but the determination of the few members soon had everything out and checked in record time, only to find, although flyable a very fine drizzle and a 1,000ft cloudbase, so we decided to wait for the better weather that was forecast.

Busy with the DI's (John Street)

After a very early lunch the weather was much improved with breaks in the cloud, a 1,500ft cloudbase and the drizzle had stopped.  We had two visitors - a glider pilot from Australia and a Trial lesson, JB and Pete Warren looked after them.

There was little in the way of lift for most of the afternoon but later weak wave appeared and Chris Warnes managed 16 minutes only returning because of failing daylight. Pete Startup had the longest flight just pipping Chris by one minute but as Chris maintained - he only came down because he wanted to help put the kit away and it was getting dusk.

We had a good finish to 2016 last Wednesday and good start to 2017, l would like to wish all Wednesday blog readers a happy new year I also extend this all members of DSGC. - John Street

Bank Holiday Monday 2nd January

Mark Courtney said he would be there on Bank Holiday Monday (after a family Christmas) to fly, and by 9:00am he was joined by Simon Collier, Stuart Procter, James Hood, James Flory and Simon Leeson who were all shivering in the Clubhouse after a taste of the  -4.5degs chill factor in the strong north north easterly wind. 

 

However after a couple of hours drinking tea, the wind calmed down and they were joined by William Pope and Ruth Comer. After another look out of the window it was decided to get the tug and a K21 out, and take to the top end of the field and brave the cold.

Simon and Ruth enjoying the wave (Simon Leeson)

Stuart took the first tow of the year with James Flory demonstrating an aerotow. Everyone flew that wanted to in the very pleasant sunshine and there was even some wave that extended some of the flights.

Caption Competition? -  Three Musketeers / Peas in a Pod? (Mark Courtney)

 8 tows in total so not very busy but Stuart and James made good use of their new winter flying suits  (that looked very much like the one Mark had). - Stuart Procter

Saturday 31st December

For the last day of 2016, it was foggy to start with, but then it cleared enough to fly. Karen King passed her check flights but was confounded by the misting canopies and we all went for tea/early lunch.  With the continued lack of flying, James Flory practised a briefing on Ruth Comer for his Ass Cat prep, with Martin Woolner watching on -  Then we packed up. - Ruth Comer

And then in true North Hill fashion, a bit later on the sun came out,  Paul Summers wanted to fly so we pulled a glider back out and Stu Procter got the tug out and we had a lovely Mile High aerotow.  - Stu Procter

The sunny end to 2016 (Stu Procter)

Happy New Year to all our readers.

Thursday 29th December

North Hill was sticking out the top of the freezing fog again, so after some slippery, foggy journeys to the Club, the gliders were put out in the sun to enjoy the rays. Sunglasses were an essential during the morning in the very light southwesterly wind. With really good launches to 1500ft, and a very gentle float down in smooth air, most flights were 8 or 9 minutes with John Pursey in SF27 holding on the longest. 

Clear blue sky all morning at North Hill (Mike Sloggett)

Whilst John was exploring the south ridge, he was surprised to find some clouds forming underneath him at 800ft, and then just before lunch the whole sky filled in very quickly at just under 1000ft, which rather messed up the aerotow!

The low clouds started thinning at sunset (Jill Harmer)

After lunch, it was much less pleasant with no sun and it got a lot colder, but we continued with various card checks and other low circuit practice until the clouds started thinning again at sunset. - 36 flights in total. Happy New Year to everyone from the Thursday Regulars. - J&P

Wednesday 28th December

Most members left home in freezing fog with sub-zero temperatures and the prospect of a southeasterly wind -  so it was no surprise there were few members here today.

North Hill (Lisa Humphries)

Well - the last Wednesday of 2016 went out with some superb flying. Apart from the first two flights all launches contacted wave at the top of the winch launch, the wave was strong and easy with every  flight having to airbrake it down after 45min so all could fly. 

Above the clouds (John Street)

Richard from Dartmoor joined us today and joined in the fun.

John Street & Richard Roberts in K21 (Rich Roberts)

Lisa was treated to a Sillett special descent shaking up the Christmas leftovers.

John Sillett just before the upside down bit (Lisa Humphries)

So with wave experience being a first for some members, lets hope the winter continues with some good flying. - John Street

Monday 26th December - Boxing Day

With a call to action on Google groups by CFI Stu, a small group of members took advantage of the quiet Boxing Day weather (to avoid the Sales and Relatives) by  going flying.

James doing his Fred Flintstone magic trick (Jill Harmer)

 A nice ridge of high pressure brought a light north westerly, but not quite enough wind for the ridge to work, although there was some wavy-like reduced sink. 

Stu and Georgie (Jill Harmer)

 With a few mince pies and sweets and quite a number of visiting walkers (including Muggles and family) the assembled few enjoyed 8 aerotows with some family and friends. - J&P

Thursday 22nd December

A clear blue sky and light westerly wind after a cold damp night meant a lot of dripping gliders initially, but the sun had  a bit of warmth in it (even though it's as far away as it can get!) and we were up and running by 10:30am.

There were quite a few names on the flying lists keen to make the most of the calm before the next storm (Barbara). With Pete Harmer working his way through the check flights and Martin Woolner  completing Instructor checks with James Flory. Pete Bennett flew Stuart from Queens College Taunton and some family and friends flights. 

The first signs of cloud (Mark Courtney)

At lunchtime the first signs of the cirrus started invading the sky, and the lovely warm morning had turned into an increasingly chilly afternoon. The cloud quickly filled in but with continuing high launches,  most flights were extended by some "wavy" lift, with Paul Little in his Open Cirrus managing the longest of 20 mins.

Martin checking out Hans (Mark Courtney)

The second Trial lesson flight was for Peter (on Christmas holiday from Harare) and should have been a Mile High, but had to be split into two flights due to a horseshoe shaped cloud of light rain which suddenly almost enveloped the aerotow - the second flight fared a lot better.

Bit of a squall line (Paul Little)

Thanks to everyone for making it a pleasant winters day of flying (39 flights) after yesterday's gathering at Washfield Church. - J&P

Wednesday 21st December

Today, many of our members and gliding friends from other clubs remembered the coolest ‘dude’ Matt at a special service in Washfield Church, Tiverton. 

Matt Wright  1969 - 2016

 It was a privilege to meet Matt's family and to hear his childrens tributes to their father,  I am sure Matt would have been very proud.

Thank you to JB for his excellent organisational skills which enabled the day to run as smoothly as possible. 

A very sad, but lovely way for us to all remember him. - Lisa Humphries