It's early July and finally a few not quite so good weekends but nonetheless some flying was had. We have had a recent intake of new members so welcome to them, the instructors will be kept busy.

Our forum blew up so we have created a new one which is worth visiting, you will need to register. We apologise if you had posted in the old one, it is likely that the data is lost but, if it ever returns we'll endevour to copy the data to the new one.

Task Week will soon be upon us and hopefully we'll be able to unveil the new Launch Control wagon - pictures to follow.

Mid June. More excellent flying conditions, Sunday 14th especially. Many pilots' aloft for many hours with Peter Robinson flying from Bovington - Bridgwater - Lasham and home again. Congratulations to Barry Stuckey who completed his silver badge by achieving the required height gain. A special mention for Carol who worked tirelessly throughout.

To June. The good flying conditions continued as the club members' enjoyed the weekends and late May bank holiday. Many hours of soaring was enjoyed by all with Ian Bateman aloft for nigh on 6 hours in his discus.

Tony Law passed his Basic Instructor exam and is now flying some of the many trial lessons, congratulations go to him.

The new trainees are making rapid progress due them being able to make the most of the soarable conditions and get lots of "stick" time.

The club has flown on some Wednesdays and the instructors have been busy flying groups from Milton Abbey school.

A group of members have been refurbishing a super Falke powered gplider which is now close to completion and will hopefully be flown during June. Hopefully some pictures will be posted later in the month.

May Day Bank Holiday. What a fantastic weekend, the good start to the soaring season continues. With the tug undergoing some essential maintenance the club's winch was going to be busy. It was quite difficult on Saturday as the winch had to be safely located away from neighbouring campers which affected launch heights, however that did not stop Colin Weyman who, with one launch, achieved over 4 hours in his Libelle - not bad for £6.50. The Bank Holiday sunday turned out to be a corking day, the brisk north westerly allowed the winch to be located in the ideal location for good launches, heights up to 1700 feet were achieved. Everyone, apart from Shaun that is, was getting away. Shaun, now nicknamed six down, failed on a number of launches to connect with any lift and became the butt of all jokes. Ian Bateman however had a marvellous flight of over 5 hours in his Discus. Shaun did finally get away and achieved his goal of a 2 hour flight towards his cross-country endorsement. Club gliders clocked in excess of 30 hours for the weekend and we didn't fly on Monday, not because it was not flyable but because it was a little overcast and thus not as good as the previous 2 days, people were generally "all flown out" - monday was our day of rest

Easter, and the preceeding weekend turned out to be the best of the year so far. The cross-country pilots got away with flights across the region. The sea breeze provided good conditions however it did catch one or two out with Peter Robinson landing out at Winterbourne Whitchurch and  Gerry and Shaun landing out, due to sustained sink ( got GPS trace to prove it! ), in the club's K13 near Bere Regis - no damage done in either land-out (except, no doubt, to one's pride). Everyone enjoyed the conditions over the Easter weekend with a number of members camping or caravaning at the site and once again a number of cross-country flights with all returning safely to base.

To April. A series of flyable weekends has marked a good start to 2009, flights of up to 3 hours have been possible with many other flights of an hour or more. A heath fire adjacent to the site did not go unnoticed to the club's K13 and Astir as they made good use of the lift generated by its heat. A number of new members will keep the instructors busy for the season as they progress towards their solo flights and beyond.

There's going to be quite a demand for club gliders this soaring season as last year's new members will all be working towards their bronze and silver awards.

Remember, it's also membership renewal time and the new prices for 2009 have been posted.

The club is always looking for new members so, if you are interested, why not pay us a visit.

Valentines Day. For those who had prepared in advance for Valentines Day, had enough credits in the bank, and were able to go gliding or, for those who had forgotten ( you know who you are ) and went gliding anyway, Saturday 14th turned out to be the best day of the year so far. The soaring season has arrived!. Gerry ( who knows who he is ) enjoyed a 3 hour flight in his Libelle. Nathan and Dave had 1.5 hrs each in their Nimbus. The club's Astir, K8 and K13 all enjoyed good flights and it was good to see gliders congregating in thermals. After a wet, snowy and relatively poor January it was a fantastic weekend - long may it continue.

Task Week 2009 will be from 25th July until 2nd August. Barbeques, camp overs and lots of flying from dawn til dusk. Put it in your diaries and book the time off of work. 2009 is going to be the best for years. Trust me

December - Some good flying in week 2 with a whole weekend of still conditions and blue sky. Nice to get into the air again.

Dorset Gliding Club would like to wish all its friends a very merry christmas and a happy new year and let's hope that 2009 is a prosperous one and the best gliding year ever.

Why not read Peter Robinson's web site article about his gliding experiences to solo and in Australia.

Two of our members, Mike and Nick, took a pre-christmas soaring holiday to Omarama in New Zealand. Stunning scenery and amazing wave flying, see how they got on by clicking here ( see article for 21 Dec ).

November - We now know what the "No" in November means, only one flyable weekend, a disappointing month.

October

Wessex Fm will be transmitting "Gliding on the radio" on the lunchtime show during the coming week starting Monday 27th October. Listen on 96 and 97.2 FM or online at http://www.wessexfm.com/

Your solo flight is always a flight you will remember and congratulations go to Anthony for gaining his wings on Saturday 19th October (see picture left). On his second solo that evening he had the foresight to recognise the excessive sink he was experiencing and made the correct decision to modify his circuit and select an alternative landing area on the field. Well done Anthony, his solo was the highlight of an excellent day's gliding with members' making the most of the good weather and thermic conditions.

After a major refurbishment one of the club's two K13 gliders came back into service (see image right) . A superb job by Barry (seated front) assisted by Alan (seated rear).

A good start to the month, the second week of the month saw a busy weekend of flying. Shaun converted to the club's Astir.

We had a visit from Wessex FM who are going to run a little piece about us - watch this space for transmission date and further details - gliding on the radio, who'd have thought it?

Peter Robinson who recently wrote an article for Sailplane and Gliding purchased for himself a Standard Cirrus.

September

Nicoloa Rayner of the Dorset Echo who visited during our Task Week wrote an excellent article about the club and her trial lesson - click here to view the pdf. We just wish she'd not made mention of Nathan so many times, her instructor on the day - he's become difficult to live with

Flying conditions improved and we begin to catch up on some of the Trial Lessons that have had to be re-arranged.

We flew quite a large contingent of "Milton Abbey" boys and thanks go to Carol for her instructing efforts that day.

Paul Hale completed his 2 hours flight towards his cross-country endorsement and many pilots enjoyed the good conditions during the latter part of the month.