The DG505 was derigged into its trailer for a ten day holiday at Talgarth, and a group of private owners are preparing for the long haul to Portmoak.
Thursday 29th September
Bright sky and light and variable (mainly southerly) wind had us setting up on the south west run. There were not many people to start off with, but through the morning numbers swelled and all 4 two-seaters and a Junior were out. The completely blue sky meant no soaring, but allowed high tows for spin training and aerobatics.
The DG505 was derigged into its trailer for a ten day holiday at Talgarth, and a group of private owners are preparing for the long haul to Portmoak.
The DG505 was derigged into its trailer for a ten day holiday at Talgarth, and a group of private owners are preparing for the long haul to Portmoak.
Wednesday 28th September
With a forcast of hot weather we again had an early start, and again all the two seaters were in use all day, Roy LS7, Tim & Joe ASW19 were also flying, today we had a batch of 5 Exeter Uni students and one trial lesson.
The morning conditions were difficult with a fresh S/E wind with only circuits flown but with some usefull cross wind T/O & landing practices.
The afternoon was better with weak wave and good ridge soaring on the south ridge with longer and longer flights, the last glider landed just before 7.00pm. - JSt
Sunday 25th September
Two days ago I was very confident that it was going to be a classic “Day at the seaside” revisit.
When Jimbob was revving his engine outside my house at 6.45 am (yes Henry there is such a time ) it was lashing it down with rain and my confidence was following the water down the drain. Turning into the lane at North Hill I wondered if I would be able to see the beech trees, I couldn’t! As the clubroom filled with people I could almost read their minds “that’s him over there , looking at the met” and I was . To help ease their pain Simon L and myself gave lectures on Met (inc forms 215 and 214 ), followed by chart reading and prayers to the weather god . The last one must of worked because the sky looked much better.
Soon Simon and I headed to the coast in the Falke , the wind was about 210 deg (ssw) and aprox 15 mph but the cliffs were working well the only concern was the orographic cloud that was forming and drifting inland. We shot back to NHL just as flying was about to commence, the DG sat in the hanger and it begged us to fly it - what were we to do.
At about 2.45 we pulled to the airtow line and were soon following the tug towards the cliffs , as we climbed out and prepared to cross Exeter’s ILS Simon J opened dialog with Exeter ATC, to say that the next few minutes were manic is a little understated, it would appear that the entire fleet of Flybe aircraft decided that this would be a good time to land. We soon climbed to 4000ft, released from tow and did a straight glide to the cliff face near Branscome, as we descended we gradually felt our way along the ridge wondering as you do if the lift is going to be there and how strong it will be. We need not have worried it was strong and constant enabling us to loose control of our airspeed, sometimes the speed bled up to 130 kts as we raced along below the tops of the cliffs, onlookers peering down precariously balancing on wooden fence posts cameras in hand . The air off the sea is as smooth as silk nothing like you will ever experience unless you are in wave.
DG 505 over Sidmouth Esplanade, courtesy of John Jones of Sidmouth
Simon and I flew in between seagulls and crows along the length of cliffs between Sidmouth and Beer, they seemed to be having as much fun as us (if that was possible, I swear a crow had a big cheesy grin though).
We did consider following Captain Matt’s example of venturing almost to Portland (well almost) but with the amount of west in the wind we knew that it would be a one way ticket, with our trusted team (Jimbob, Henry and Andrea) sat on the beach at Seaton eating ice cream waiting for our call it did not seem fair. Besides they were having such fun talking to the locals explaining that there were real humans in that there plane and it really was not being controlled by the man at the top of the hill!
As the forecast front started to creep towards us, the suns welcome rays were becoming fainter, the cloud started to form along the cliffs - time for us to go. A quick climb and we were soon on circuit into a field next to the donkey sanctuary, our crew were soon to arrive, my god they have got huge ears, the donkeys not our crew ! The end of two fantastic hours flying and another reminder of the local potential of North Hill gliding site, I used to hate south winds, they are my new best friend (apart from Marther the donkey). - MC
When Jimbob was revving his engine outside my house at 6.45 am (yes Henry there is such a time ) it was lashing it down with rain and my confidence was following the water down the drain. Turning into the lane at North Hill I wondered if I would be able to see the beech trees, I couldn’t! As the clubroom filled with people I could almost read their minds “that’s him over there , looking at the met” and I was . To help ease their pain Simon L and myself gave lectures on Met (inc forms 215 and 214 ), followed by chart reading and prayers to the weather god . The last one must of worked because the sky looked much better.
Soon Simon and I headed to the coast in the Falke , the wind was about 210 deg (ssw) and aprox 15 mph but the cliffs were working well the only concern was the orographic cloud that was forming and drifting inland. We shot back to NHL just as flying was about to commence, the DG sat in the hanger and it begged us to fly it - what were we to do.
At about 2.45 we pulled to the airtow line and were soon following the tug towards the cliffs , as we climbed out and prepared to cross Exeter’s ILS Simon J opened dialog with Exeter ATC, to say that the next few minutes were manic is a little understated, it would appear that the entire fleet of Flybe aircraft decided that this would be a good time to land. We soon climbed to 4000ft, released from tow and did a straight glide to the cliff face near Branscome, as we descended we gradually felt our way along the ridge wondering as you do if the lift is going to be there and how strong it will be. We need not have worried it was strong and constant enabling us to loose control of our airspeed, sometimes the speed bled up to 130 kts as we raced along below the tops of the cliffs, onlookers peering down precariously balancing on wooden fence posts cameras in hand . The air off the sea is as smooth as silk nothing like you will ever experience unless you are in wave.
DG 505 over Sidmouth Esplanade, courtesy of John Jones of SidmouthWe did consider following Captain Matt’s example of venturing almost to Portland (well almost) but with the amount of west in the wind we knew that it would be a one way ticket, with our trusted team (Jimbob, Henry and Andrea) sat on the beach at Seaton eating ice cream waiting for our call it did not seem fair. Besides they were having such fun talking to the locals explaining that there were real humans in that there plane and it really was not being controlled by the man at the top of the hill!
As the forecast front started to creep towards us, the suns welcome rays were becoming fainter, the cloud started to form along the cliffs - time for us to go. A quick climb and we were soon on circuit into a field next to the donkey sanctuary, our crew were soon to arrive, my god they have got huge ears, the donkeys not our crew ! The end of two fantastic hours flying and another reminder of the local potential of North Hill gliding site, I used to hate south winds, they are my new best friend (apart from Marther the donkey). - MC
Thursday 22nd September
The cloudy damp start soon gave way to blue skies and warm sunshine with a gentle westerly breeze, even though there were bands of spread-out during the day. Some members enjoyed decent soaring flights whilst others struggled to get away.
Wednesday 21st September
A reasonable forecast saw a large number of members on site early, we were ready to fly at 10.00am and soon all four two seaters plus the Junior were in the air.
Right from the first flight the ridge and thermals were working in the brisk westerly, later cloud streets added to the fun with a cloud base at over 3,000ft.
With a large influx of new members all four two seaters were in the air all day, thanks to Roly and John for helping out, without their help would not have got through the list, John arrived to fly the B4 and was kind enough to help after he had flown.
Tim and Jonathan were making good use of their new toy and Pete S had a long flight in the Discus, we had to encourage Keith in the last glider airborne to return after over an hour by letting the sheep out.
Karl is still fiddling about with the Falke and even had the new engine working, it was suggested to him that it would fly better if the wings were on. - JS.
Thursday 15th September
We were promised a bright, dry, warm day with a light south easterly wind. So we set up for a south westerly and got away with it.
It was sort of soarable from the word go, but did not really get going until lunch time when some of the private owners came out. That rare bird of prey, the Kestrel, was seen in the air over North Hill again. Jonathan had a play in his 'new' ASW19 again and Joe, who has just joined the syndicate, had a couple of winch launches - the second getting significantly higher than the first, memo to brain - must remember to lock the airbrakes next time!
Early soloists, Geoff, Tom and Malcolm consolidated their achievement with more flights alone, Rhodri completed his 50th solo - not bad in five months, he now leaves us to go to Uni in north Wales.
It was sort of soarable from the word go, but did not really get going until lunch time when some of the private owners came out. That rare bird of prey, the Kestrel, was seen in the air over North Hill again. Jonathan had a play in his 'new' ASW19 again and Joe, who has just joined the syndicate, had a couple of winch launches - the second getting significantly higher than the first, memo to brain - must remember to lock the airbrakes next time!
Early soloists, Geoff, Tom and Malcolm consolidated their achievement with more flights alone, Rhodri completed his 50th solo - not bad in five months, he now leaves us to go to Uni in north Wales.
Wednesday 14th September
A promising forcast of a sunny day with a moderate N/W wind brought everyone out early, only to be greeted by low cloud and rain.But, having a little faith, we set the field up and as soon as the weather started to clear we were ready to fly.
Justin, a silver C pilot from Rufforth joined the club and started with some site checks & launch failures. As the day progressed the weather also improved and by mid afternoon the conditions were booming, most pilots had long soaring flights with the cloud streets extending to North Devon with a cloud base of over 3,000ft (just).
John Si, Pete & Jill, Matt and Roger & Sheila in their visiting DG 1000, all had long flights in their own gliders over 50 flights were logged not bad for a late start. - JS.
The streets looked too inviting to ignore. Matt, in ASW20 M5, followed 'Ron's Rule' - always go down wind first, then at least you have gone. Pete & Jill, in Duo OL, opted for the more conventional go up wind first, then you can always get home. Both got a bit over 55km away before turning back, M5 to Beaminster and OL to Barnstaple.
In the evening, the first of four visits to Exeter ATC took place inspired by the CAA Airspace and Safety initiative "Visit ATC". Everyone found it very informative.
The streets looked too inviting to ignore. Matt, in ASW20 M5, followed 'Ron's Rule' - always go down wind first, then at least you have gone. Pete & Jill, in Duo OL, opted for the more conventional go up wind first, then you can always get home. Both got a bit over 55km away before turning back, M5 to Beaminster and OL to Barnstaple.
In the evening, the first of four visits to Exeter ATC took place inspired by the CAA Airspace and Safety initiative "Visit ATC". Everyone found it very informative.
Friday 9th September - Course week
Today, unfortunately, was not flyable so the morning was spent giving lectures on
spinning and a fantastic introduction to operating the launch computer was
demonstrated by Jonathan. - LH
Thanks to Lisa and Peter F for instructing and Cheryl, Jonathan and Les for helping on the ground.
Thanks to Lisa and Peter F for instructing and Cheryl, Jonathan and Les for helping on the ground.
Thursday 8th September - Course week
The forecast was dire, three warm fronts in quick succession to give low cloud and drizzle all day. However the morning produced low cloud, but no drizzle, time for the course to practise launch failures. Meanwhile CFI tried to sort out the lighting in the clubroom.
At lunchtime it brightened up, to enable full circuits and a little soaring under the 1500' cloudbase, visibility was spectacular. Course members 'Texas Tom' and Malcolm soloed and Mark re-soloed after a few lean months. Roger, visiting from Rattlesden with his DG1000, was winch converted and took Tom for a flight, who was impressed by the upgrade from K21.
Jonathan flew his new toy for the first time, and likened the move from Junior to ASW19 to jumping from a Fiesta to a Mercedes.
Tom before his first solo winch launch
Malcolm after his first solo in a glider
At lunchtime it brightened up, to enable full circuits and a little soaring under the 1500' cloudbase, visibility was spectacular. Course members 'Texas Tom' and Malcolm soloed and Mark re-soloed after a few lean months. Roger, visiting from Rattlesden with his DG1000, was winch converted and took Tom for a flight, who was impressed by the upgrade from K21.
Jonathan flew his new toy for the first time, and likened the move from Junior to ASW19 to jumping from a Fiesta to a Mercedes.
Jonathan about to sample his new plaything
Wednesday 7th September - Course week
The forecast for Wednesday was good with what seemed
the best weather prospect of the week, a strong westerly wind made some interesting
long flights possible the only problem was the frequent showers with up to four
gliders have to make a quick exit from the ridge.
The Wednesday club and Pete & Lisa's course intergrated well and everybody flew before
rain stopped play at about 5.30pm.
JB, Matt & Rowan abandoned an expedition to
Nympsfield at Taunton returning to N/H, JB & Matt rigged and soared our
ridge for a while before returning because of a rain shower, JB made an
interesting landing across the field caught out by some strong sink. -
JS.
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