DGD September 19th 2021

The car park opened at 09:30 with a few spots of rain and the horizon around the moors looked a little threatening. However the forecast proved pretty accurate and the conditions quickly improved and the initial westerly drifted N.Westerly allowing the long North South strip to be used for take off and landing. Martin briefed pilots before flying began to ensure we all knew the safety protocol that has become so important lately.  First flights circa 11:00 discovered some thermal activity and Chris got a pleasing 18 mins with his 1/3 scale Pilatus from working some lift after calling landing!

Around 20 people turned up, mostly pilots with electric or aerotow models and great fun and banter was had. Martin Tonkins was (at first) our sole tug pilot with his very powerful electric Wot 4 and worked hard dragging 2 x 1/3 scale models and an assortment of 1/4 scale models up to great heights. Felix Marten had kindly sorted out a NOTAM for the day allowing us to 1500ft. Martin was unfortunately limited to his battery life and around 2pm aerotowing ceased. I say ceased, but in fact we were all treated to a new pairing, David Ramsden and his OD Old Phoney towing Tim Naylor’s 3lb Spirit. Despite the long grass and fairly rough surface the Old Phoney pulled the Spirit up in a steady and safe way to a fair height before successful release on several flights…great entertainment and I imagine David will be looking for more customers with lightweight gliders and a release for further towing experiences.

Landing of the day has to go to John Hacker for the perfect approach and incredibly smooth scale landing in front of the assembled and spellbound with his ancient K8, the round of applause was well deserved! We won’t talk about some of the day’s other landings.

Eventually the scene was gradually vacated circa 3pm, with batteries and lift fading after a late lunch, short lived but good quality!

On a final note I will be asking for firm bookings for the Club Xmas Lunch shortly, it may sound early but the Dainton will require a deposit next month. For new members, traditionally the club holds a Xmas lunch at the Dainton Golf Club in December for members and spouses etc, unfortunately after many years Covid scuppered 2020 but we hope this year will be as normal as possible.

Regards

John

Check out our Gallery for more photo’s of the event.

 

Devon Glider Day 18th July 2021

Morning everyone, DGD went ahead yesterday in warm sunny conditions but flying was not brilliant. The clear blue sky made seeing models at height difficult, added to that the easterly breeze produced very little lift. Having said that, the small gathering enjoyed plenty of chat and of course the views were stunning.  Check out our Gallery

Two potential new members arrived to watch proceedings plus a very nice couple holidaying from the Isle of Man, both fly gliders but preferred slope soaring the island’s hills. I have attached a YouTube link to a recent video of that very couple doing some pretty extreme soaring on the island.

On another tack we will be resuming monthly club meetings at the Kingsteignton Council Hall as before from the first Monday in September, I will give more details nearer the time and of course the then current Covid situation will have to be considered. For any new members, these are generally just informal gatherings, have a coffee, bring a model and chat etc.

On yet another tack the club is installing a couple of small Beware Model Flying notices at the entrances to the LH strip, this is to satisfy one of the safety requirements of a risk assessment. Hopefully these will not be disturbed in any way.

John

PS: Sorry if your glider flight is not included but my camera had to leave early. Robert

Little Haldon Site Rules

Some of you may be aware the club has applied to BMFA for a ‘Site Permit’. This will be (if granted) to allow us to fly models over 7.5kgs above 400ft, and we think will last the season. There may be a requirement for a NOTAM (notice to airmen) as well but we are not sure yet. However, when we hold our open Glider Days models may turn up that are over the weight limit for above 400ft and of course some of us regularly fly such models.

When filling in the necessary forms for this application we also needed to accompany the info with a list of ‘site rules’ and a risk assessment. As we did not have definitive club rules for LH we had to come up with some. These are now on this website on the Club Documents and Safety & Incidents pages and can also be viewed by clicking on this link. Please have a read.

Hopefully you will agree the rules only reflect what we all practice already so no need to panic. The rules and risk assessment will be reviewed as required.

We may also need to put some form of signage up (with permission) to warn the public of model flying, we envisage these to be permanent low profile and at key entry points.

Although we have always prided ourselves as being an ‘informal club’ with the advent of Article16 and other legalities and restrictions, we now have to demonstrate a degree of responsibility and compliance, so please bear with us on this, the majority is only common sense.

Regards

John

Informal Aero-tow Sunday 30th June

Hi all, to anyone wondering how things went at LH last Sunday. Here’s a quick resume’. Steve Thorne and Graham arrived bright and early with their tugs and towing commenced circa 10:30 in a not too pleasant easterly and fairly brisk to boot.  My first tow with the Solution was exceedingly hairy as the dolly bounced the model off on the rough ground and I just managed to get away without striking the ground with both wing tips..phew! As can be expected the lift was lacking and flights were short. However by lunch time the wind was easing with more south and we changed to the N to S runway…much better for the 7 glider pilots and the tug pilots were very busy. A technicality with a tug meant a replacement tug was put into service and away we went again. David, a complete beginner to aerotow, accepted the chance to experience a couple of  launches with a 4 metre Alpina and thoroughly enjoyed it, so who knows may be we have another fan of this aspect of flying, although he is also dreaming of towing, check out his Old Phoney on this website.

By 3pm people were packing up their gear and heading off after a fun day. I have also to say that although contributions to the cost of fuel etc were volunteered our sterling tug pilots refused to take a cent..how generous was that? Many thanks.

Regards

John

Check out the Gallery for more pics from the day.

Article 16 update

The BMFA have issued an update on Article 16 which I think is a further slight change / relaxation of regulations for BMFA members Whereas the ‘open category’ has fairly restrictive regulations, the CAA have recognised the safe flying of BMFA members and other  model flying organisations. The main differences seem to be related to maximum heights and minimum age for pilots. The updated BMFA Quick Start Guide can be found hear https://rcc.bmfa.uk/article-16/quick-start-guide

 

Safety & Incidents

Dear members and visitors, we ask that you take a few moments to read the new “Safety & Incidents” page compiled by the club committee. A number of incidents have happened since we have come out of lockdown, crashing into pit area, crashing outfield etc. Safety must be our priority to each other and to the public who could be anywhere walking around Little Haldon visible or out of view. The new page provides guidance on how to be safe and lawful; and provides links to the BMFA site for further detail and instructions on how to report an incident.

DSSC Committee.

 

Some maiden flights are now on our Home page

With good conditions this Tuesday 27th April, two impressive maiden flights were undertaken with the help of Martin and his WOT4 XL tug to tow them up.

Johns; Jilles Smits 1/3 scale, 5 metre ws K7 and Chris’s; 1/3 scale scratch built Pilatus. Our Home page has been updated with flight photos and there a a few more pics in the Gallery that have been supplied by David Ramsden.