Tues 3rd October - Denbigh

After a wash out Monday, Tuesday forecast was one we were holding on to as positive. Chris Gill was definitively positive in the briefing but then he always is! 

With two sorties to fly, the DSGC team had the DG505 on the grid ahead of the pack. With Alan Rappaport as P2 , sortie 1 tested the ridge with no records broken visiting the far south TP and Prestatyn TP with a bit of wave dabble in the middle to 6000ft. The expedition from Essex had people in the right place at the right time and were pushing 10000ft. After 3 hours and with Mark to fly, the circuit was joined and Denbigh rotor really did its thing! Very boisterous, 80kts approach until within 50ft and then the whole long float thing to make a rolling finish at the far end. High concentration, water was needed before speaking! 

Above the clouds (John Pursey)

Pete Startup, JB and DD3 Phil Morrison and Nick Jones were meanwhile clocking up ridge TPs, some with more vigour than others… 

Challenging classic Denbigh Day (John Pursey)

 Sortie 2 for the DG505 with Mark Wallis had a bit of everything from sitting confident in smooth wave assisted ridge, high cruising to perilous ridge scramble on the lower slopes followed by wave. The wave was very challenging as the starting wave entry slipped into the airway and the cloud hole sphincter had a tightening spasm and squeezed out all those too low. Mark had the joy of multiple showers to navigate before the day finally became more benign and the last roll trip out to an obvious wave cloud gave a climb to observe the setting sun. A dash to 8000ft and then a spiral down to beat the sun. 

Race to beat the sun down (John Pursey)

 Another classic Denbigh day, 19000ft for some but smiles for all. - John Pursey

Sunday 1st October - Denbigh

 With more poor weather at North Hill - flying  was wiped out yet again (fog/low cloud this time -  September  was another wet month and had released 146mm of rain in total).  The DG505 had been relocated from Long Mynd to Denbigh for another private hire. 

Sunday morning briefing was held in the Lleweni Park clubhouse by Chris Gill and was relatively optimistic that the weather would steadily improve after 1pm, the DG505 was rigged in anticipation and taken to the west end of Lleweni (welly) park. 

 

A late aerotow at 4pm to the ridge found weak wave which got us up to 4,000 ft from there we ventured northwest to Rhyl where there were better conditions to be found. With a bit of guidance from Pete Startup we found the good stuff and worked our way up to 11,000 ft fairly quickly in 3knot wave. Conditions were surprisingly smooth and warm at altitude and stunning views of the Conway valley, Anglesey and even Liverpool in the distance were to be had. 

 By 18:30 the sun was getting low and it was time to head back to land before sunset. In the evening everyone was treated to a delicious Sausage casserole and mash cooked by John Pursey and Phil Morrison, with drinks and tales of yore. A great day, and special thanks John Pursey for his patient tutoring on wave flying and for reminding me to fly smoothly and straight to make the most of the conditions. - Mark Wallis (first time blogger)

Fri 29th September - Long Mynd +....

 At last the Mynd weather really delivered, and delivered it did in spades. Friday was always looking to be the best day of the week and it didn't disappoint. With an almost due west 15 - 20 kt wind, first thing we started launching to the knoll before switching to a short westerly when the wind speed started pushing 25 kts. 

Midland Gliding Club -The Long Mynd  (Shaun Dayman)

 

Mike Sloggett FUN, has now officially flown the shortest short west launch at the Mynd courtesy of a slight misunderstanding resulting in the launch point being located within spitting distance of the winch. So much so that Mike could see the whites of the winch drivers eyes as he rotated into the climb! 

Halo round the Libelle (Andy Davey)

  Mark Courtney, Simon Leeson, Steve Westlake and Rob Hender all flew in the DG505 along with Mark Layton in 477, John Borland in FAJ, Andrew Logan in FMS and Dan Hender JDP   who all had enjoyable ridge soaring and thermal flights. Andy Davey M, got the longest flight of the day with 4 hours 6mins. All had fun flying up and down the ridge no doubt impressing the local hill walkers in the process. I did my best to join them but at max rough air the Mynd Junior just kept going up at 3 knots! A cracking day's flying to end yet another successful DSGC trip to the Mynd. 

Longest flight by Andy Davey M (Shaun Dayman)

 Thanks to everyone that made the journey to the Long Mynd and making it such a fun week. Thanks to Midland Gliding Club for being such a welcoming site. Helen and Dave for keeping us fed and watered with their amazing food as usual. Thanks also to James Shaw the lead instructor for the week, for your professionalism and optimism. - Shaun Dayman (first time blogger) & Sally Hender 

Ian takes delivery of the Eurofox (Robert Lee)

Meanwhile, back at North Hill there was a small reception committee to see the Eurofox arrive as it was flown in from Kent and handed over to Tugmaster Ian Mitchell, Ian will be overseeing the training and conversion for DSGC Tug Pilots.

Thurs 28th September - Long Mynd

 With another excellent daily brief by James Shaw, the local Long Mynd duty instructor, who whilst tried his  best to be optimistic about today's flying there was plenty of evidence that unfortunately it would likely be less so. 

Team Hender (Mark Layton)

 

The club gliders were brought out of the hangar along with the DG505 which had been safely stored amongst them sheltering from Storm Agnes yesterday. Three NHL private gliders FAJ John Borland, FMS Andrew Logan and 477 Mark Layton were also rigged in anticipation. 

Shaun Dayman in the Mynd Junior (Mark Layton)

In reality all gliders did circuits or slightly extended versions, mainly due to the heavily overcast sky and the variable wind occasionally  swinging round to SE which is not an ideal direction at the Mynd. That being said everyone flew, making the  most of the conditions with the opportunity to practice approach and landings at a different gliding site.

John Borland  (Mark Layton)

In the evening we all enjoyed the traditional steak night provided by Helen and Dave, which as always was excellent (as has the food all week). Afterwards we enjoyed another quiz from Sally, who having beaten all newcomers gave us one that was more suited to our level ie not too difficult and with plenty of pictures! - Mark Layton

Wed 27th September - Long Mynd

Well storm Agnes put a dampener on today's flying, so change of plan and indoor activities were chosen. Mike and Dave took the leisurely option of Powys Castle. While the rest of us chose indoor carting in Stourbridge. We left at 10am and drove the half-hour up the road (well nearly!). 

Team photo - Karting (Simon Leeson)

After the safety briefing and fitting of racing suits and balaclavas (a few of us were more optimistic than others!). We were sat in the carts for our five lap qualifier, with our starting positions decided.
Then to the race proper…. 35 laps of the 300m course. After the first few laps of seeing the backs of other competitors, who I couldn’t identify, I realised I wasn’t getting a podium position!!! But we had a great time racing around the track, avoiding each other and barriers. Dan won the day by lapping everyone, Simon Leeson came second and Mark Layton came third. Needless to say I was at the back of the pack!!! (Dan lapped me four times!).

Dan was the winner (Simon Leeson)

We then drove back to the Midland Gliding Club stopping at the Carding Mill and Valley Tea Rooms for a spot of late lunch.  Another evening, eating Helen and Dave’s delicious food, and a cryptic quiz which wasn't quite so well received!
Oh well, tomorrow’s weather looks better…….. - Sally Hender

Tues 26th September - Long Mynd

 The forecast for Tuesday was not good with a strong south to SSW wind and low cloud initially.- It wasn’t wrong. The morning briefing suggested flying would be possible by late morning improving during the afternoon as the wind went further west. Morning coffee and cakes called and a visit was made to Church Stretton. 

Some of the gang on the bench in Church Stretton (Rob Hender)

 The Mynd K13’s were the first to fly just before midday. Six short flights followed. The wind strengthened and veered more  to the west. The sky looking more promising.

Waiting to go (Mark Courtney)

 The DG505 launched with Mark Courtney and Simon Leeson and didn’t  come straight back down. From this point, flight durations steadily improved, however problems with an ever increasing crosswind and a troublesome retrieve winch (replaced mid-afternoon) plagued the afternoon with the ever-patient winch driver having to retrieve the cable from the rough terrain downwind as the need for layoff became more extreme. 

Scaring the birds (Rob Hender)

 

Prize for the best layoff going to Andy Davey who also gets the prize for getting his Libelle rigged early. The prize for the worst layoff was not awarded but resulted in 35 minutes of time lost in launching as the cable was retrieved.  

Waiting (Shaun Dayman)

 

The only other North Hill single-seater rigged, Dan Hender DG200, who then had the longest flight, 2 minutes short of two hours. In all three DG505 flights one Libelle and one DG200. Stewart Henshall also flew a Mynd K13 for 96 minutes. 

Another Sunset (Simon Leeson)

 

The hangar doors were eventually closed by 18:30. Storm Agnes is promised for tomorrow!! - John Borland

Mon 25th September - Long Mynd

The briefing today was run by the duty instructor James Shaw at 9am, and was a very clear, concise and well prepared review. We then all went out to rig the packed-away gliders, and unpack the hangar. 

Flying began at 11am after waiting for the early shower to pass, with James starting on their flying list (of three pilots!). This was quickly followed by Rob Hender and Mike Sloggett in the DG505 getting 11 mins! However conditions improved as the day progressed, and everyone had the opportunity to get airborne.

 

Steve & Sally (Sally Hender)

Dave Perriam and Shaun Dayman flew the Mynd's Junior, with the other solo owners all flying. Dan Hender (JDP), Andy Davey (M), Mark Layton (477) and John Borland (FAJ), all getting in the air before lunch, when we had to take an enforced break due to another shower. After lunch flying continued, Andrew Logan (FMS) finally getting a chance to launch.

Dan JDP landing (Rob Hender)

Many then taking a second launch as again the conditions improved. The DG505, staying in the air for the majority of the afternoon with a variety of pilots in the front and back seats, (I even got a little flight with Steve Westlake, thank you). 

Mark & Simon DG505 (Rob Hender)

  Longest flight of the day goes to Andrew Logan with 105 mins. However, with a number of flights close to or over an hour, a good day was had by all. 45 flights in all. 

A Mynd sunset (Simon Leeson)

 Now we are all looking forward to Helen’s fish pie this evening, and of course my quiz!! - Sally Hender

Sat 23rd September

In view of the forecast a good turnout of members meant that all available gliders were put on the grid.
Some gliders were (rightly) prioritised for those training/returning instructors and conditions were good and several times we had all gliders airborne. In spite of a couple of winch break downs (flat battery again) some flights of over an hour were recorded and heights around 2000ft achieved all through the afternoon. With the sun getting low and the wind freshening a little to the south, later flights could be extended with some careful ridge work. 

Library picture

Excellent teamwork and well-managed launch marshalling meant that 2nd flights were enjoyed by some single-seat pilots.
Several trial lessons and introductory flights were also provided.
At the close of the hangar doors all had smiles and some enjoyed a beer and a reflection of the day as the sun set over the field on the autumnal equinox. - Mike Willmott

Sat 23rd Sepember - Long Mynd

 After arriving nice and early yesterday and getting JDP rigged for Dan, we had an early start this morning for the first flying day as we needed to get the DG505 out of its box and rigged. We also needed to get John Borland's DG300 and Andrew Logan's ASW15 rigged. Mark Layton arrived with the Cirrus whilst we were rigging (after a 5.30am start this morning). Once done it was back inside for breakfast and a 10.00am briefing.

Team Hender with Shaun DG505 (Simon Leeson)

 Rob Hender and Simon Leeson took the first flight of the 2023 Mynd trip in the DG505, and to be honest I was quietly thinking to myself we’ll be down soon. How wrong was I! Simon and I managed to stay airborne for an hour and a half, having thought about returning  on a couple of occasions but deciding to stay up as we were having too much fun. Eventually we thought we really had better return so we dropped down from the 3200ft that we were at and landed, only to find that Steve and Mark had gone for a cup of tea. 

Great unexpected flight (Simon Leeson)

Dan Hender JDP 72 mins lunch break then 70 mins, John Borland FAJ 172 mins, Andrew Logan FMS 128 mins and Mark Layton 477 54 mins  had all taken launches.
After putting the 505 back online and shooing Mark and Steve out of the club house, they took a launch and had a 100 mins of flying. 

Get in then Mark & Steve (Simon Leeson)

 Shaun Dayman finally got his Mynd check flight (after Sally politely reminded the duty instructor he was second on the flying list) so he is ready for the rest of the week.

Arriving Mark & Steve (Rob Hender)

 

Whilst not flying, we all took turns with various tasks, wing running, hooking on etc and Sally spent most of the day logging! All the DSGC gliders were off the field and de-rigged or pegged down by 17:30 pending the arrival of Hurricane Nigel.
Helen and Dave served up the first evening meal of the week at 19:30, by which time we had been joined by Stewart & Su Henshall and Andy Davey.
Lets see how the rest of the week goes! - Rob Hender

Mon 18th September - Portmoak

 Briefing at 9am and a few cups of tea, saw the Bishop slowly revealing it's glory.

The familiar picture of the Bishop (Wyn Davies)

711 - Ron Johns and Chris Wool, M - Andy Davey, 230 - Pete Startup and W7 - Wyn Davies, took winch launches about midday. We all enjoyed hours of frustration, running the ridge, taking ragged thermals and eeking out every inch of wave to dizzy heights exceeding 4000 feet over the field. 

Another familiar picture Loch Leven (Wyn Davies)

The pictures tell the story best. 

 

Above cloud in the wave (Wyn Davies)

Gliders were then pinned down, for the impending high winds that are due soon. - Wyn Davies