Tues 4th April - Course Week

The early low cloud was the same, but the wind was 90 degrees cross from the North. More enthusiasm seen in all, wanting to get the ground kit out and only then stop for coffee and lectures.

The day got better, but no less interesting than Monday with a strong cross wind but some launches even got to 1000 ft  by the day’s end. Peter got bored with Gordon’s flying (or questions?) and set him off to fly the K21 solo to give everyone some peace!  

Still a bit cloudy at lunchtime

All course members flew a good number of flights and a lot was learnt. So day two and lots of circuits achieved (hope this sets a trend for the years courses, but soaring will not be turned down!). Here is  to Wednesday and learning to fit in with a club day flying system. - Gordon Hutchinson

Mon 3rd April - Portmoak

Monday at Portmoak started with a strong Southerly wind, launches and getting on to the ridge was a rough ride but Stu, Simon, Pete, Rowan and Wyn all took a launch. 

The ridge was working but it was very rough, after a while Stu then Simon got into wave then Rowan.Simon and Stu got to 5000ft Rowan to 3000ft  and the others spent 3 hours ridge bashing.

Stu in KMV - mind the new gel! (Stu Procter)

All in all another good bit of flying. We were then joined by Matt W with 611 for tea. - Stu

Mon 3rd April - Long Mynd

For the third day in a row blue skies with a favourable wind direction and strength meant there were many optimistic discussions taking place over breakfast as to what the day might hold.

With a Southerly wind the launch point was set up in the middle of the North end of the field to provide landing areas either side and flying was under way mid-morning with a steady stream of DSGC private gliders being towed across for launching - and most stayed where they had been towed as the sky provided little encouragement of lift of any sort and with insufficient Westerly wind component for the ridge to work.

During the morning various DSGC members completed check flights or simply flew their gliders to build experience of flying at The Mynd and then a stop for lunch was called.

Over lunch the sky began to encourage enthusiasm and as is often the case with a gliding site once a couple of members decided to launch into a sky suggesting some thermal activity but potentially wave even more so suddenly the launch point became rather busy.

Is that Mark in the 20? (Mike Sloggett)

But with The Mynd retrieve winch in full flow, and with good team work from Midland GC members and DSGC members, soon the gliders were being rapidly launched into the air with wave being contacted initially and then with the wind going round to West as the wave diminished the ridge started to work.

Wave up to 5100ft (Mike Sloggett)

And then the wind went back round to more of a Southerly direction which meant that the wave re-started, just when George V and Mike Sloggett launched in the DG505 - much to the delight (annoyance really) of the other DSGC members as slowly but surely the DG505 climbed in the wave to 5100', the highest George has been in a glider to date. Several hours later and George's smile can still be seen from some way away.... Mike Sloggett

 

Mon 3rd April - Course Week

The first course of the year started in proper 2017 season style, Peter  Field and Paul  C (they who must be listened to) collected James Smart,  Jeff Cragg, Steve Howell, Gareth Rhys Evans, David  Bourchier and Gordon Hutchinson into the standard morning huddle and looked at the Orographic cloud!

That done and kit prepared we retired to the clubhouse for tea and coffee and introductions (proper course start then?).

Introductions and lectures waiting for the weather

The day did improve and even some launches before lunch were done, the conditions were interesting with a strong southerly cross wind to add interest and challenge. We all flew and day one was a stated to be a success, when we stopped just after 5pm to review. - Gordon Hutchinson

Sun 2nd April - Portmoak

Sunday at Portmoak started with smooth waters across Loch Leven and a forecast of a beautiful sunshine until late afternoon. Ron set a task to Pitlochry. But first, tea and one of the lovely breakfasts from the new club kitchen. Then onto the gridline and launching began by 11:00. Ron launched first and headed to the Bishop. Simon and Pete were lucky to hit a thermal right off the winch climbing up almost to 3000 feet, with Ron and Wyn joining in and then headed out. The thermal broke apart so Stu, Tom, Rowan and Eric went to the Bishop for some scratchy ridge bashing. Came early afternoon and the thermals would form up then break apart so there were a mass of gliders and a few duvets still on the ridge venturing out but then scurrying back.

Stu enjoying the scenery (Stu Procter)

Pete rounded the turnpoint but then had to fight off a field landing north of Perth. Ron and Dan decided to turn short and head back. Simon turned back as well, but poor Wyn landed out. 

Wyn's 1st field  of 2017 (Tom Sides)

Tom came off the ridge to retrieve him - 

Wyn's retrieve - we saw the field was wet, so Plan A was to open the gate and drive fast to dryer ground. Started well with trailer flying, but then the van became stuck. Wyn and I pushed the trailer across the field to the glider (lighter of the two), then derigged. The nice farmer used his pickup to first tow out the trailer then the van. Typically uneventful retrieve!

Wyn's car and trailer stuck in wet field. Thanks to farmer's 4X4, all escaped. (Tom Sides)

...then shortly after Pete landed as well (in sight of the Bishop no less). Simon and Stu stopped flying and picked up Pete......

Pete's field (Tom Sides)

 .......then came back and flew again till 7pm.

So it was a somewhat frustrating day, but still great to be flying again at Portmoak. - Tom Sides

Sun 2nd April - Long Mynd

Early morning and the local pilots were predicting one of the best days of the year so it was a group DSGC breakfast at 8, followed by various briefings of what or might not be achieved during the day.

With a Northerly component to the wind a decision was made to set the launch point up towards the South end of the field which then meant more briefings for a number of DSGC pilots who had not launched or landed at that end of the airfield.

Then it was a question of moving numerous gliders to the South end of the field and as the morning progressed, with the thermals becoming stronger and cloudbase getting higher, then slowly but surely gliders were being launched, check flights completed and most gliders staying up in the evident improving conditions.

Early afternoon a decision was made to change ends due to the increasing Southerly element to the wind.

And then flying continued on until early evening by which time most of the visiting DSGC pilots had flown either in various directions on cross country and back to the airfield or for some familiarisation flights in the DG505.

So two flying days out of two available days making it a very positive start to the expedition and with the next few days also looking optimistic weather wise the mood within the visiting DSGC group of members is a very happy one.... - Mike Sloggett

Sunday 2nd April

RASP predicted good soaring conditions for Sunday but as the the forecast period shortened so did the expectations. Plenty of club members around first thing and as predicted a difficult choice for how to set up the field.

Despite many being away at Portmoak and the Mynd there were lots of instructors on hand to enable the Airfield to run like clockwork. Many thanks to  Peter Smith, JB, James Hood, Roly Clarke, Paul Summers, Peter Warren, Chris Wool and John Street for helping out.

South east launch point seemed the best option and first launch with Mark Wallis and Peter Smith was away soon after 9:30 to tackle a list primarily of check and currency flights with trial lessons as well. We persevered from the east end until late morning but the wind was occasionally veering making simulated launch failures of which there plenty potentially too challenging so the decision was made to change ends and sides.

Ready after changing ends (Peter Smith)

Inevitably the wind made the same decision, (why don't we learn?) and before the field was set up the forecast westerly component arrived. With that the Sky improved and there were some good soaring flights. Glenn Turpin found lift straight from the launch that went to 3000ft and others followed.

Steve Cotteril and Paul Summers waiting to launch (Lisa Humphries)

There were also a number of family and friends flights and 3 booked Trial lessons in R37 flown on the  winch or aerotowed  behind the Rotax Falke (Thanks Ian).

John Pursey (HOG) flew to Okehampton and a few local turnpoints for 214 kms in 3hrs39 and Pete Bennett started off the season (attempting to follow JP) in HEB but turned back at Crediton for the better weather in not quite 2 hours.

A lovely day at North Hill with 57 winch launches and 4 aerotows and great team atmosphere.  - Peter Smith & Lisa Humphries

Sat 1st April - Portmoak

We all flew on our first day with the Bishop working well and strong lift out over the loch and beyond . - Wyn Davies

Portmoak view (Wyn Davies)

Sat 1st April - Long Mynd

Traditionally the first day (days) on a gliding holiday are spent mostly drinking tea,chatting and eating.
Although a fair amount of this was done on our first morning it was clear that things were going to get better, and indeed they did!

On day one there were only a few of our expected contingent so we were able to give longer than normal check rides. The ridge was going well and there was a mixture of energy scattered across the area, the scenery was spectacular as usual with views well into Wales and down to Talgarth.

Weather improved! (Mark Courtney)

Paul Medlock got cleared by Simon Leeson and subsequently flew his DG, Gordon Bonny who is familiar with the Mynd enjoyed a long flight only coming down for a comfort break!

There were only a few Mynd members here today so we managed to blag a K13 and fly Ray Buzza, Mike Harris had a long flight with myself and subject to cable breaks is cleared to fly here.

Shropshire cloudscape (Mark Courtney)

Simon Leeson hangar flight resembled a jet ski, he had a spectacular arc of water either side of the skid as they hurtled towards the hanger. Flying had to stop as dinner was being served at 7:30.

Mynd sunset (Mark Courtney)

Probably the best first day of any trip I can remember, with the boys in Scotland having similar fun it looks like this year our expeditions  could reward us with some decent flying!

Never thought I would say this but I might not be sitting in the best coffee shop in Church Stretton so much this year !  - Mark Courtney

Saturday 1st April

The change of month inspired some different weather, but there were very few members around. With so many off enjoying themselves on expeditions it was thanks to the stand in Instructors  Martin Woolner and Peter Smith for getting 3 flights airborne before the cunimbs and hail really got going. Alan Turner was quoted as sheltering in the winch from the hail before packing up. - J&P