A rather cloudy day with a light S/E wind ideal for training and early solos, Dylan & Rhodri managed quite a few flights each, Dave C had a couple more flights in the Junior and his first solo attempt at a hangar flight (he certainly was determined not to overshoot).
We welcomed a new member Steve, who has returned to gliding after a break of 30 years, Pete D, spent most of the afternoon circuit bashing in his Skylark 4.
We handed over to John Si for the evening trial lesson group for Taunton Round Table just as the sun came out, John and the helpers were heroes as they managed to fly the whole group with two gliders and only one instructor - JSt
Bank Holiday Monday 29th August
Somebody forgot to tell the Met Office it was a Bank Holiday because the weather was perfect, a light N/W wind and very thermic with cloud streets as far as the eye could see and perfect visibility as well.
All the gliders were out early, a lot of club members turned up to fly and the two seater list was long, John S & John S managed to get through the list with help from Roly and Stu, the two Juniors also spent all day soaring.
Pete D flew his Skylark 4 for nearly 3 hrs for his second Cross Country Endorsement soaring flight and there was a long list of private gliders on various tasks. - JS.
The cross country pilots sat around for a long time waiting for the top cover to clear to allow some heating through, eventually around midday it did and quite rapidly abundant thermals to 3000'QFE were to be had. A 220km task to Okehampton and Dorchester was set and six gliders set off (Ron/Dan ASH25 711, Phil ASW20 611, Matt ASW20 M5, Rowan Libelle CLM, JB Ventus KJW and Pete/Jill Duo OL). The first leg was quite a battle with a strong into wind component and several reported "sticky" points. Once round the turn it just got better and better, except for those who insisted that there would be a sea breeze front and headed for the coast - it was a lot better to stay on track, a few miles inland.
The cliffs of Matt's epic video - from somewhat higher!
All made it round in about three hours, except Rowan who decided that one trip away from home was enough and headed for NHL half way down the second leg, and unfortunately missed his Silver height by 100'.
Bridport, Chesil Bank and Portland in the distance
Pete (Discus 230) must have worked doubly hard all morning, as he managed to get the afternoon off to run a quick 100km run to Eaglescott and back. He reported brilliant conditions out to our northwest and it looked good all the way into Cornwall, the 220km could easily have been extended to over 300km as the streets stretched over the NW horizon for a couple of hours after finishing. A brilliant day for what is probably the end of the season - but we can all hope for more. Interestingly only three Clubs posted cross countries on the National Ladder for today, Portmoak with some very long and fast wave flights, Lasham along the south coast into Kent and North Hill - well done us.
All the gliders were out early, a lot of club members turned up to fly and the two seater list was long, John S & John S managed to get through the list with help from Roly and Stu, the two Juniors also spent all day soaring.
Pete D flew his Skylark 4 for nearly 3 hrs for his second Cross Country Endorsement soaring flight and there was a long list of private gliders on various tasks. - JS.
The cross country pilots sat around for a long time waiting for the top cover to clear to allow some heating through, eventually around midday it did and quite rapidly abundant thermals to 3000'QFE were to be had. A 220km task to Okehampton and Dorchester was set and six gliders set off (Ron/Dan ASH25 711, Phil ASW20 611, Matt ASW20 M5, Rowan Libelle CLM, JB Ventus KJW and Pete/Jill Duo OL). The first leg was quite a battle with a strong into wind component and several reported "sticky" points. Once round the turn it just got better and better, except for those who insisted that there would be a sea breeze front and headed for the coast - it was a lot better to stay on track, a few miles inland.
The cliffs of Matt's epic video - from somewhat higher!
All made it round in about three hours, except Rowan who decided that one trip away from home was enough and headed for NHL half way down the second leg, and unfortunately missed his Silver height by 100'.
Bridport, Chesil Bank and Portland in the distance
Pete (Discus 230) must have worked doubly hard all morning, as he managed to get the afternoon off to run a quick 100km run to Eaglescott and back. He reported brilliant conditions out to our northwest and it looked good all the way into Cornwall, the 220km could easily have been extended to over 300km as the streets stretched over the NW horizon for a couple of hours after finishing. A brilliant day for what is probably the end of the season - but we can all hope for more. Interestingly only three Clubs posted cross countries on the National Ladder for today, Portmoak with some very long and fast wave flights, Lasham along the south coast into Kent and North Hill - well done us.
Sunday 28th August
It was hoped that there would be less showers today, and apart from a short break just before lunchtime, we managed 48 winch launches and 14 aerotows. Eric Duo Discus OL, Matt ASW20 M5 and Justin all flew for more than 2 hours once it became soarable although cloud bases took a while to rise to 2000ft. Pete Dugdale was signed off solo aerotow. Our first trial lessons with the new arrangements with Bovey Castle guests were enjoyed by all. Flying continued through the pleasant soarable evening sunshine.
Saturday 27th August
The large number of showers made soaring quite difficult, but Ian M borrowed LH for a 2 hour flight, and Justin made his annual visit flying his Antares round the Quantocks before landing near Taunton.
Thursday 25th August
The bright start soon clouded over in the light southerly wind and we had rain showers before mid-morning. After a short rain break we were able to continue for the rest of the day in increasingly strong and gusty southerly wind. Matt and JimBob were ready and waiting for another trip to the seaside, but showers and disappointingly low cloud base prevented any exploration. It was reasonably soarable in the low thermals on the south ridge. Longest flight about one hour. We handed over to the evening group from Exeter University.
Wednesday 24th August
Wednesday began sunny with a moderate S/W wind, all the gliders were out and ready at the launch point by 10.00 am, things started well enough with a little bit of ridge and thermal but as the morning went on the wind picked up and gave us some interesting landings.
At midday it started to rain so we all went for lunch, after lunch things did'nt look very promising so after a prolonged cloud burst we decided to put the kit away, then quess what, as soon as everything was put away it cleared up to give quite a pleasant afternoon.
The afternoon was not wasted though a team serviced one of the Land Rovers and fixed the door on the Disco and another team had a good clear up. JS.
Brilliant news after the results of the Inter Club League had been calculated. DSGC have won the local South West League, narrowly beating the team from The Park by one point. Well done to all those that have flown or helped in any way, and particularly Muggles who has driven it all along. Just need to find a team for the final at Dunstable in ten days time.
At midday it started to rain so we all went for lunch, after lunch things did'nt look very promising so after a prolonged cloud burst we decided to put the kit away, then quess what, as soon as everything was put away it cleared up to give quite a pleasant afternoon.
The afternoon was not wasted though a team serviced one of the Land Rovers and fixed the door on the Disco and another team had a good clear up. JS.
Brilliant news after the results of the Inter Club League had been calculated. DSGC have won the local South West League, narrowly beating the team from The Park by one point. Well done to all those that have flown or helped in any way, and particularly Muggles who has driven it all along. Just need to find a team for the final at Dunstable in ten days time.
Sunday 21st August - ICL
Sunday dawned with more optimism, as the rain had gone through overnight, however the veil of high cloud was stubborn to move and let any heating through. Tasks were set to Shaftesbury and Tiverton, but following a delayed start and rebrief, they were reduced to Sherborne, Tiverton East 122km. Teams were similar with Simon M ASW20 SM in the pundit class replacing Ron who was Duty Instructor.
Well done to Simon for completing the task, in the patchy conditions. Martin & Rowan in DG505 landed within a few kilometers of completing the task, Jimbob Junior made a valiant attempt but landed at Chard. Full results to follow when all the logger traces have been verified.
Well done to Simon for completing the task, in the patchy conditions. Martin & Rowan in DG505 landed within a few kilometers of completing the task, Jimbob Junior made a valiant attempt but landed at Chard. Full results to follow when all the logger traces have been verified.
Saturday 20th August
North Hill was hosting Inter-Club League at the second attempt this weekend, the team selection was Jimbob Junior Novice, Martin & Rowan DG505 Intermediate, Ron ASW20 Pundit. The weather didn't want to play ball, with rain on and off for most of the morning, at the second briefing the captains agreed to scrub. During the late afternoon, the weather improved enough to get some local club flying, but with a howling southerly cross-wind, circuits and approach was rather boisterous. It calmed down nicely for the evening group from Kingkerswell Pharmacy, a double barbeque followed.
Friday 19th August
What a difference a day makes.......
Thursday was rain and drizzle all day and Friday was sunshine, although not soarable until 4:30pm. The course made up for lost flying time, with all course members enjoying many circuits and launch failure practice. Once the wind picked up on the south ridge, some thermal into wave soaring was possible, and all experiencing the lift.
An enjoyable course, thanks to all the helpers Dick, Dick and Les, and the other unofficial helpers, and to JB, Muggles and Paul for instructing.
Thursday was rain and drizzle all day and Friday was sunshine, although not soarable until 4:30pm. The course made up for lost flying time, with all course members enjoying many circuits and launch failure practice. Once the wind picked up on the south ridge, some thermal into wave soaring was possible, and all experiencing the lift.
An enjoyable course, thanks to all the helpers Dick, Dick and Les, and the other unofficial helpers, and to JB, Muggles and Paul for instructing.
Wednesday 17th August- course week
It started off dry but cloudy with a chilly north east wind, a few flights for course and club flying were possible before the rain and lower cloud arrived. A bright slot after lunch enabled everything to be flown back from the other end of the field before the rain returned. JB gave presentations on stalling/spinning and use of flaps. The Devon Strut evening group was cancelled prior to the clearance arriving.
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