Sat 17th February

The rain continues to soak the airfield with another day of 20+mm, not to mention the low-flying cloud / fog,   but there were a few jobs to be done...

A sparkling Gator with the CFI (Simon Leeson)

Mark Courtney and Simon Leeson gave the Gator some overdue loving care and attention with a full-clean valet. 

A sparkling mower (Peter Smith)

Similarly Peter Smith, John Borland, Tom Sides and James Hood teamed up and serviced and pressure-washed the airfield  mower ready for those long warm days that surely must arrive soon. This will be the eighth year for the freshly sharpened original blades and hopefully they are good for a few more yet,  similarly the drive belts. 

James Hood the pressure washer (Simon Leeson)

 The Eagle AXJ components were returned to North Hill for preparation for painting and new trailer fettling. 

AXJ ready for painting (John Pursey)

In the Club Simulator, new member Josh Newland has flown more time in the simulator than in the air, Hans Jenssen capably flew round the Club 100kms Knowstone - North Tawton with support from Stewart Henshall and Pete Harmer - the sun always shines in Condor. 

Hans' story 

So like everyone else I'm suffering from an acute flying deficit. Correction, it's been going on so long I think it has become chronic. However, I concur wholeheatedly with the CFI's recommendation of using the sim to keep those skills alive and well. A bit of prodding from Mr Henshall had me up at the club on Saturday rather unprepared but with the intention of attempting a club 100 NH2 Knowstone North Tawton NH2. After a chat, entering the task into XC Soar and marking it on my chart, I was sat in the cockpit ready to go. For genuine jeapardy, the conditions were set to variable and the Q function disabled. Wind at 7kts from the NW so a reasonably "typical" NH day. The simulation started with a winch launch and of course having to find the first climb, which was dragging me into the Dunks Drop Zone (again, typical NH!) but after some messing about I got some height and made it to the start. 

Setting off on track passing Tiverton to the north was relatively easy, with strong thermals keeping me well over 3000'AGL most of the time. Confirming what I could see with the chart was a useful exercise. Turning  at  the first turnpoint - Knowstone -  SW towards Okehampton I could see Dartmoor to the south and Barnstaple to the west and flew on track using the compass and glancing at XC Soar to confirm. And there was the first big blue hole. I was high to start and could see a cloud in the distance somewhere near the  next turnpoint so got some speed up and set off. I think The cloud was a little to the east of North Tawton so I did the turnpoint first and then went for the cloud, which surprise surprise didn't work very well. Still had some height to play with so circled in 2up 1down for a bit and assessed my options. Some better looking cloud roughly on track back to North Hill looked reachable so off I went. By this time I had a bit of an audience who were full of good ideas as to where the best lift might be so I changed my mind a couple of times about which way I was going- I'm sure that will resonate with many of you- If it's not voices from behind, it's voices from within! A couple of bitty sketchy weak thermals later I made a positive choice to go for a cloud that looked good to me, and it worked. 

Hans - nearly home (Stewart Henshall)

 I could see Tivvy and Cully by then and the west ridge in the distance. I was able to climb to a safe distance above final glide and then flew home. Phew.

I felt genuinely tense for much of the second and third legs and was proper knackered at the end. My first time flying cross-country, I appreciated being coached through it (thanks Stewart) and felt it is a tremendously useful way to prepare for the real thing. - Hans Jenssen

Meanwhile back In the Clubhouse, a small subcommittee convened to discuss succession planning. - ed mashup

Sat 10 February

Saturday started well, with calm winds and blue skies, although the forecast for the day was for rapidly increasing southerly winds, a lowering cloud base and some rain. It looked like most members were indeed deterred by the rather dreary forecast, and by 08:15, a grand total of just four club members were in the clubhouse.  The main topic of conversation was, of course, the weather, with Andy Batchelor’s pessimistic outlook being challenged by Dave Perriam's more optimistic and positive predictions.   

K21 ready - Eurofox ready (Andy Batchelor)

By 08:30, Team Optimistic were pulling ahead, with the arrival of the Duty Tuggie (Stu Proctor) declaring conditions were suitable for aerotowing and Duty Iinstructor James Flory announcing that the field was useable for aerotow.  Given the low numbers, the EuroFox and a single K-21 was prepared, and at 0938, Alan Turner took to the first flight of the day to do his EuroFox Aerotow conversion with James. With Peter Smith arriving and offering to help with instructor duties, a second K-21 was readied, with conditions now being at the upper end of yellow card and trending to blue card conditions.  A short pause in operations ensued to allow some low cloud and light rain to pass through, but this quickly passed and, with some lift evident on the south ridge , members were able to make the most of extended circuits.  While the air aloft was generally smooth, the same can’t be said of the sub 300ft conditions, which were challenging on both take off and landing.

Good to see the sun again (Andy Batchelor)

By 11:00, the increasing southerly crosswind and turbulence at low-level brought the days flying to a close.  All that came and had wanted to fly did so and were grateful for the opportunity to do so.  A win for Team Optimistic!  By midday, everything was washed down and packed away, and everyone adjourned to the cafe for a very welcome lunch.  A great effort by everyone present to grasp what we could from the day.  Thanks to all.  - Andy Batchelor

Thur 1st February

The low cloud on Wednesday that prevented flying gave way to a bright sunny Thursday as a high pressure edged in, only marred by some high milkiness restricting the strength of the sun and cancelling any winter thermals. A good crowd of Thursday regulars turned up and after a pitch inspection all was set up and ready to go by 9:30 waiting for canopies to clear. With zero wind the launch point was set up in the North East. The first flight  launched at 10:18. A good day for keeping or renewing currency and progressing card checks. 7 or 8 minute flights were the order of the day from the winch and 20 minutes for a 3000ft aerotow. In total  27 winch launches and 7 Fox aerotows.

Simon Jordy in the Eurofox (David Clements)

The last flight landed a few minutes before 3pm with everyone having flown at least once. Shaun Dayman continued his BI training with Chis Wool. Andy Davey took a 5000ft aerotow to practise aerobatics and Ron Johns gave Andrew Chisholm a first trial flight. All in all a good day of winter flying. 

Helper for hangar packing (Mark Layton)

 

Thanks to Ron Johns and Chris Wool for running the day and Simon Jordy tugging in the EuroFox. - John Borland

Sun 28th January

 A murky start and it didn't really improve, but a number of members were present dealing with various tasks or there just because they could be.

Steve Westlake flew with Jonathan Erskine and new member Josh Newland in the simulator and Simon Jordy also tried it out.
Tom Sides and I constructed an emergency exit ramp from the newly clad tug hangar using timber surplus from the trailer shelter. -Tom was particularly engaged with it as it was achieved at nil cost to the Club.

New emergency exit door and ramp on the Tug Hangar (Peter Smith)

 Meanwhile Chairman Nick spent more time with the tractor and roller getting the field in order after the long wet winter, a task needing much perseverance and patience. Many thanks Nick. - Peter Smith

Sat 27th January

 Initially only a handful of members showed up this morning, but as ever enthusiasm beats numbers everytime and by the time I arrived the ground kit was out and DI'd.  By 9am several  more people had arrived.

After a morning briefing it was decided we had enough people to winch but with some interest in aerotowing  Stu Procter also got the Fox ready for its first outing in a while. The weather did pretty much as forecast with one welcome exception, the southerly wind wasn’t quite as strong as predicted.

South ridge is working (James Flory)

 
With everything ready, Robert was the first to go taking  a tow with grandson George. I was quickly behind with the first winch launch with Connor at the controls. The cloudbase was reasonable and the southerly breeze meant the south ridge was working quite nicely in places, giving good extended flights. With no more aerotows Stu helped work through the list with me and also gave previous member James Sydney a friends and family flight, nice to see James back. 

Cloudbase was reasonable (James Flory)

As the day progressed the southerly wind strengthened leading to blue card conditions on approach, so having flown everyone on the list the decision was made to call it a day by 2:30.

Overall a nice day with some good testing conditions with the reward of nice extended flights along the south ridge.  - James Flory

Fri 26th January - Ad-Hoc Day

 With a poor forecast for Thursday, the Chairman called an Ad-Hoc Day for Friday with blue skies and light winds and the ridge should be working again. The forecast turned out spot on and a reasonable number of members and instructors were able to change plans to get some flying in the pleasant conditions, thanks to Guy Adams for picking up the duty.

The two K21s and a Junior were flying all day, including well done to Kevin Fairburn for getting solo again, and Shaun Dayman enjoyed some Instructor training with Chris Wool. 

JB & Pete Harmer in Perkoz (George Sanderson)

The Perkoz was got out of the hangar with JB and Pete Harmer enjoying an extended soaring flight with an aerotow from Ian Mitchell in Bumblebee G-FLBX.

Phil Morrison enjoyed a nice flight with Ian Mitchell (John Allan)

  Private gliders of Pete Startup 230, Wyn Davies W7 and Eric Alston G29 all had long ridge flights and at times there were even a few thermals kicking off.

End of a great day (Paul Summers)

"Good days are precious - we can't afford to waste them" - Nick Jones

Another good call with 24 winch launches and 1 aerotow, - sorry to the weekday workers who missed out. -  J&P

Wed 24th January

A fair crowd turned up to be greeted by a brisk westerly wind and lurking low cloud, expecting to aerotow but inspection of the field bought the good news that winching was possible and the field set up accordingly. 

Launch Control (Library pic Mike Sloggett)

The duty instructors carried out a check flight, tasted the ridge and concluded that flying was possible and worthwhile. - And so it was. 

Initially the cloud base was limiting launches to about a thousand feet but that improved to as much as 1700 feet, the ridge worked according to ones skill level and the club aircraft averaged 18 minutes a flight. Two privateers  Pete Startup 230 and Eric Alston G29 had long flights - two to three hours - setting the target for the rest of us, Everybody managed two launches and some managed lunch as well.

A quite satisfactory day - 24 winch launches in all. - Glenn Turpin

Thurs 18th January

Thursday started as forecast with a bitterly cold northerly coming right across the airfield.  The usual early team of Dave Perriam and myself had a quick coffee break and then set to work getting the ground equipment DI'd and out of the hangar.  Other than a couple of starting issues all was ready by the time Mike Sloggett and Mark Courtney arrived.  With the earlier arrival of a few other hardy members Mark quickly set us to work in anticipation of a busy day.

Thankfully the launchpoint was set up at the east end avoiding a cold walk to the far end of the airfield.  With a few more members arriving gliders were taken out of the hangar, DI'd and moved to the launchpoint opposite the glider hangar.  Flying  commenced with a mixture of training and check flights.  As the day progressed the anticipated high turnout failed to materialise.  This enabled a number of instructors to fly for their own benefit, most notably Ron John's and Chris Wool taking a aerotow in the DG505 to the Wellington monument.  Later in the day the Junior was free and Mark Courtney appeared at the launchpoint. They were quickly put together and Mark was able to take a solo flight on the west ridge. 

That's Mark Courtney in a Junior! (Ashley Thomas)

As part of their progress to their BI rating Dave Perriam took a number of back seat flights in the Perkoz with willing volunteers in the front seat and Shaun Dayman likewise had a number of flights with Chris Wool. The Eurofox was taken out of the hangar and a small group was seen grouped around the engine cowling. Later in the day it was decided to take a test flight and this was followed later by a aerotow with a K21 crewed by Mike Sloggett and Geoff Lawrence. 

Pawnee was available (Mark Courtney)

A welcome lunchbreak was called when everyone took advantage of a warm clubhouse and the opportunity of having some hot food.  Motor Falke VG also had two flights.   

By the end of the day most members had had multiple flights.  With the temperature dropping quickly it was decided to take the gliders to the hangar as they landed.

A good day was had by those that braved the cold weather.  Total of 23 winch and 6 aerotow flights. - Ashley Thomas 

Sun 14th January

 In gliding there are a number of variable ingredients necessary to achieve a good day’s flying including serviceable gliders, good weather and enough instructors and members with sufficient enthusiasm to fly. Today we had them all but just not quite as needed to make for a perfect day of gliding - however enough ingredients to get some flights in to maintain/regain currency. (Thanks to Ian for the speedy turnround of HCX Annual and for the team who rigged it yesterday).

That we got any gliding in at all was down to the perseverance of those present with a great deal of patience as ever needed, and plenty of warm clothing in the chilly conditions. The forecast suggested flying might be possible as the day unfolded but with the dew point and forecast humidity levels indicating that low cloudbase might be one of the key factors to get in the way of our optimistic plans for the day. 

Orographic cloud appearing (Mike Sloggett)

And just as we were thinking about getting the gliders out low cloud, specifically orographic, appeared eerily from the South, as someone commented ‘a bit like The Fog film’ - fortunately nothing scary appeared out of the gloom but the cloud did delay the start of flying. And then almost as soon as it had arrived the orographic cloud disappeared allowing the first flights of the day to get into the air. 

Wispy orographic (Mike Sloggett)

  

The day then saw us slowly get through the flying list in and amongst further bands of orographic cloud resulting in further delay in the winch launches - not that anyone minded the opportunity to return to the Clubhouse for warm food and drinks.

The last flight of the day saw Mark Courtney encourage Ashley Thomas to fly from the back seat of a K21.

Mark Courtney with Ashley in the back seat (Mike Sloggett)

 A good day of teamwork to get everyone into the air at least once, with currency maintained or regained suitably.  And in the DSGC Simulator, we now have more realistic spinning and other traffic to watch out for (ghosts) - thanks to the team of Stewart, Connor and Kevin. - Mike Sloggett

Thur 11th January

The forecast was for a flyable day, but very cold and windy. But not as windy as yesterday (Wednesday) and that’s what we got. A small group of hardy Thursday regulars turned up. Air temperature 0degC but -7degC with wind chill. The good news was the field, previously too soft, was now rock hard (Frozen). 

Second Briefing (Mark Courtney)

  The wind was ENE 15kts and not too gusty (although unfortunately too much for the Trial flight visitors). The only issue was some annoying patchy low cloud being blown along on the wind. The launch point was set up at the west end and one K21, DG505, and  a Junior were DI’d and walked to the west end. The patchy low cloud caused some problems on the first two launches so a halt was called as the cloud thickened and all retired to the Clubhouse for an early lunch (thanks Julie).

The Brentor wave bar (Glenn Turpin)

The sky started to clear at midday and flying resumed just before 13:00. Five / six minute circuits were the order of the day until Aston in the Junior discovered a weak wave  just NE of the field (43 minutes) followed by Ron Johns and Glyn Bellerby in a K21 (31minutes). 

Weak wave (Mark Courtney)

 Both returned as the lift disappeared - never to be seen again - as we reverted mainly to sink and short circuits. Three hangar landings completed the day and all flew who wanted to and hadn’t frozen. 12 flights in all and all the kit safely put to bed. - John Borland