Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 5th April 2026

With storm Dave passing to the north of the UK, today would start with some blustery conditions and some sharp showers passing over during the morning. The showers delayed the start of flying, but we were able to get going at 11:20.

After a period away due to other commitments, returning member Edward Nicholson was first to fly with me. A couple of launches soon saw him right back in the groove. Hopefully not too many commitments will keep him away again.

A brace of K6's were rigged and brought to the launch point. Ed Borlase's Red K6 EWO and Viktor Skochko's Red Bear K6 DKG.

A brace of red K6's.

Viktor would enjoy four flights and Ed two flights. Ed's second for 2 hours 30 minutes would claim him man of the match today.

Misha Skochko was nex to fly with me for three flights making good progress and coping with the breezy conditions. The third trainee today was Rowan Guest. Rowan is making steady progress and enjoyed a 21 minute soaring flight to 4000ft.

Rowan getting ready to fly.

Climbing well.

Our view of the airfield.

We were joined by two visitors. Partners Sophie Bennett and Jiten Anand from Leicester. Jiten was first to fly with Steve Fletcher in the Twin Astir. Both flights were extended circuits.

Jiten and Steve in the Twin Astir.

Partner Sophie would fly in the K13 with Steve. Her second flight she experienced a cable break which Steve coped with in a calm manner that we are all trained for. This caused a delay at the winch and Steve had to leave due to a pressing appointment. Sophie's experience flights were completed by me with a hangar flight.

Sophie with Steve for her first flight.

Our other solo pilots took turns in the Astir 77. Jamie Young, John Smith and Sean Westrope all had soaring flights. John 18 minutes, Sean 56 minutes and Jamie with 1 hour 3 minutes.

Jamie's view to the south.

Ed's view from his K6 EWO.

Thank you to all at the airfield today. Maybe only 25 flights due to the later start, but all flew and some good soaring.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 8 April 2026

Forecast:  Sunny, blue.  Light Northeasterly breeze.

Duty Instructor:  Mike Jardine.

Guest Instructor:  Chris Bryning (Seahawk GC).

Duty Basic Instructor:  Gavin Short.

Visitors:  Tom Taylor (Two flight voucher).

Aircraft available:  Twin Astir 1 (DSL), two K-13s (FSD and FGR), and Astir CS77 (DNE).

Pitch:  Firm and dry.

Tea:  Brewed.

Morning brief:  Sunscreen, soaring hats, and water. It's going to be warmer than Marrakesh.

Wednesday Wavers:  Ready.

The flying schedule:  A lot of check and conversion flights, clearances to fly solo, and training.

A warm welcome for our visitors set against a wonderful azure sky

Things are happening this morning.  An empty hangar.

John Osment prepares his Standard Cirrus for the day

After a couple of check flights David Osment was cleared for further solo flight, of which he made three.  First steps, first steps.  Solo pilots Zack and Jamie flew the Astir CS77 and Viktor flew his lovely K6-CR, Red Bear.

David Osment delighted to be cleared by the Duty Instructor to fly further solo flights

Chris Bryning took Misha up for a set of three training flights in a K-13.  We welcomed Steve Lesson back to the field after his recent lay-off, and he sampled the delights of the Twin Astir with Mike.  Whilst more solo pilots took to the air; Peter flew the Astir CS77 and John Osment flew his Standard Cirrus.

Steve Lesson gets to grips with the Twin Astir while Malcolm looks on, probably reminiscing the many hours when he occupied that same front seat.

Today's trial flight visitor was Tom Taylor who used to live in Okehampton working as a manager at a mobile phone shop.  A decision taken on a change of career, to drive trains, saw him moving to East Grinstead.

Visitor Tom Tylor prepares to take to the skies with Gavin

However, canny mum, Pauline, who came to watch him fly, bought him the trial flight voucher for his birthday and so Tom had to come back at Easter (to see his mum!) and enjoy his flights over Dartmoor.  After an orientation flight Tom got to grips with the controls, and he tried the elevator and the ailerons.  By the smile on his face and enthusiasm he was thrilled to experience "silent flight".  We hope to see him again soon. 

Tom raring to go again. "Is this more exciting that driving trains?"  I think so!

John Smith tried the Astir CS77 which I think is becoming his favourite.  Alasdair was quickly on his heels to be next in the cockpit.

We also welcomed back Edward Bailey, One Course Candidate from last Wednesday, who was keen to continue his flying.  So Mike took him up in our new flagship, the Twin Astir 1. In the afternoon he was accompanied by his mum, Julie, who is keen to reestablish DGS's relationship with Mount Kelly, where Edward goes to school.

Mike Bennett ensure that Edward is safely strapped in before flying with Mike Jardine

There was another a warm welcome back given to Freddie Purkiss, almost unrecognisable with his new haircut, on Easter leave from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.  I am sure the CFI will find solace with Freddie on the field in the future.  Rick sometimes feels outnumbered by the ex Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, including RAF Regiment, personnel in the club.  Visiting instructor Chris (ex Fleet Air Arm!), after a check flight with Freddie, which included "an interesting circuit", re-cleared him for solo flight.  After his subsequent flight in FGR Freddie waited until the end of the day, when the conditions were forecast to be better, and took a 15-minute soaring flight in FSD earning him "Man of the Match".  Welcome back to Dartmoor, Freddie.

Pundits young and old put the world to rights

More flights in the Astir CS77 were made by Malcolm, Jamie, and Zack.  Brentor International was proving to be a busy airport this afternoon.  

The training flight line at Brentor International

Scratch made a further familiarisation flight in the Twin Astir with Peter whilst Mike flew with our new membership secretary, Neal, in a K-13. That was followed by some training flights with Jamie demonstrating there is no shame as solo pilot in flying with an instructor regularly.

Junior solo pilot and the Duty Instructor discuss what they are going to do in their next sortie.

After the inevitable fettling after rigging David Archer brought his K6, G-DHEB, up the field and took two flights including a hangar landing, or were both hangar landings?

 

Some readers may be aware that Schleicher wooden gliders have to have the tailplane removed, and the elevator inspected, every 500 launches.  For most gliders this is carried out at the annual inspection.  But for our hardworking K-13s that also occurs during the flying season.  These statistics are tracked diligently.  With the benign conditions and one launch remaining in the count, Colin brought his inspection trestles and tools onto the airfield rather returning the glider to the hangar and disrupting flying operations.  He had plenty of willing helpers.  Inspection done, the tailplane was refitted.  Scratch took Mike Bennett up for the test flight - "It's lovely!" was his verdict.  The aircraft was then released to service.

John Smith looks on as David gets ready for another solo flight

By 1700, all had had their fill and the gliders were landed at the west end and returned to the hangar.  The privateers derigged.  After his flights Viktor carried out some pilot/owner maintenance back at the "trailer rack".  He changed the tyre and inner tube on his main wheel.  Like trailer tyres, glider tyres never wear out they just age out.  So a sensible precautionary measure at the start of the soaring season for Red Bear.

 

There were 46 flights today.  The lovely conditions were however combined with an inversion layer at about 2,500 feet QNH which put a cap on almost all soaring aspirations.  What thermals were present were bouncing off the inversion layer which was clearly visible to the north of the site.

 

After packing up the Wavers headed home satisfied after a satisfying and hot day.  We all had fun, and it was cheaper than the Easy Jet fares to Marrakesh, where it would have been cooler.

 

Duty Instructor Mike extended a big thank you to Peter and Chris for assisting him with check flights, amongst others, in the K13s and the Twin Astir, in what was a very busy day.  

The only negative news we received on leaving the club is that the Aerotow day (where the Devon and Somerset GC Eurofox tug, from North Hill, joins us for the day) planned for Friday, has been postponed to due to strong cross winds forecast from the south.  Oh well, you can't have it all in life, but It's nice to try.

 

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 1 April 2026

Guess who didn't listen to the perceived wisdom "Ne'er cast a clout till May is out"?  Having been suckered by the recent warmer weather I foolishly left my thermal vest at home.  Boy, was it needed today.  It was that cold in the north-easterly breeze I had to fly with my coat on which I very rarely do.  There was no rain, the occasional glimpse of sunshine, and cloud base rising to over 4,000ft QNH.  Skysight forecast some thermal activity but alas it wasn't enough to change the day from one of, slightly extended, training circuits.  Spring will come but perhaps not until after Easter.

Today comprised a number of milestones.  The first was our first One Day Course of the year; 14 yro junior Edward Bailey.  Edward hails from Bray Shop, Callington, in Cornwall.  He goes to school in Tavistock and so the club is very close for him.  He was accompanied by Dad, Alex, who is a photographer and later by Mum, Julie.  Edward's long-term ambition has been to fly, and perhaps to join the Royal Air Force.  Here at Dartmoor Gliding we can help to make those dreams come true.

With the wind from the Northwest we set up at the east end and deployed a K-13, FSD, Astir CS77, DNE, and a Twin Astir 1, DSL.  After the morning brief, a video (more details later), and the One Day Course brief for Edward and Dad, Alex, listening in, flying commenced.  Peter took Steve Fletcher for some instructor conversion in the Twin Astir 1.

Diesel in da house!  DSL, the Twin Astir 1, has entered general service at DGS.

Steve Fletcher continues his instructor conversion to the Twin Astir 1 with DCFI Peter Howarth about to initiate a simulated launch failure.

Meanwhile, the Duty Instructor's focus was David Osment and making sure he was current and could handle simulated launch failures.  He obviously was...

The Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine, says those amazing words to David Osment.  "Would you like to try that again, on your own?"

"K-13, Solo. All out, all out!"

Nervous Proud Dad, John, records the event for posterity.

Mike Jardine awards David Osment his glider pilot wings.  Congratulations David.

David Moorley ready to take his first flight in the Twin Astir 1... with the Duty Instructor that is!

The Wavers got to grips with the tow out gear for the Twin Astir.  It makes manoeuvring the heavy-tailed glider easier, and it is a bit quicker in bringing the glider back to the launch point

With the Twin Astir now in service first flights were made by Mike Bennett, Ian King, Dave Archer, and David Morley who all handled the aircraft well.  Other members will be queuing up to fly DSL, and in due course HBK our second Twin Astir, in the forthcoming weeks.

There was a second Astir on the field today, albeit with the rear seat missing.  John Smith took two flights in DNE.

Edward and Gavin return from their third flight.  A nice "two point" touchdown.

After a set of three flights Edward and I handed the K-13 back to the Duty Instructor to allow him to fly with Michael Malric-Smith for a pair of flights.  The first just scraping in to get "Man of the Match" with a dizzying eight minutes of flight. 

It was quite a day for Michael.  After surviving the embarrassment of an impromptu showing at the morning brief of an old YouTube clip of "You Bet" with Matthew Kelly and our Michael spot landing his helicopter after an autorotation, it was back down to earth with duties in the launch bus.  Michael was making a new strop for glider launching and took the opportunity to demonstrate rope splicing to Edward.  Engrossing stuff, so much so that we didn't get Edward in the tower to observe radio communications and take part in the logging of glider flight times.  Next time then.

After a lunch break Edward and I went to the winch so he could witness "the power and the glory" of the V8 engine of our auto winch on full song.  Robin was the winch driver and gave a doctor's analysis of the procedure.  No scalpels were observed, but the precision needed to get the drogue and wire on to the field in the cross wind was evident.  After witnessing a number of launches by Robin we returned to the launch point to continue Edward's course.

As well as the Twin Astir we had launched K-13 twice with Christopher Morris.  The first with Instructor Peter Howarth and the second on his own.

Christopher Morris, Seahawk GC, pleased to be cleared to fly solo, again, at Brentor

Mike Bennett enjoying the delights of the Twin Astir after a good launch

The visibility wasn't brilliant today.  Even Mike Jardine's fancy iPhone couldn't focus on the horizon

Study of the flight log back in the clubhouse revealed that we had another contender for "Man of the Match" with the two Mikes achieving eight minutes aloft too.  Great stuff Mike (Bennett), as I think that was your first flight in a Twin Astir.

Junior Edward Bailey gets ready for his fourth flight of his One Day Course with Gavin

Edward got to grips with the three primary controls during the day and enjoyed the encounters with some lift on the north side of the airfield.  By the beaming smile on his face all could see that he is well and truly hooked on "free flight", as our Canadian cousins call it.  We look forward to welcoming him back as a temporary member over the next three months which is part of the One Day Course (and trial flights) package.  His last flight was a hangar landing.  It gave him a chance to witness the Astir CS77 doing the same as we cleared the runway and walked our trusty steed, FSD, down to the hangar.  Edward helped with the hangar packing.  Afterwards in the clubhouse, he received his certificate and temporary membership card.

Today the Wednesday Wavers made 27 flights, ran the first One Day Course of 2026, continued instructor clearance for rear seat flying in the Twin Astir, introduced four Wavers plus a former syndicate member to the delights of the same, cleared a Seahawk GC member solo at Brentor, and of course sent David Osment solo.  Congratulations all.  What a day!

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 29th March 2026

Firstly I must apologise for not writing a blog for Sunday 22nd March 2026. Today's weather would give us chance to fly, but an approaching front from the NW could curtail flying at some stage during the afternoon.

After a delayed start due to low cloud, it was action stations for the small group of attendees to finish setting the field up and start flying. Lance Whitehead was first to fly with me. On his second launch we had a launch failure which was turned into a demonstration of a land ahead eventuality. One for the memory banks Lance.

Lance receiving some information for the next flight.

After a small delay at the winch, we welcomed our visitor today. Mark Kessell hailed from Plymouth. This was a birthday present from his wife Jane who had previously flown with us when Mark had bought her a trial flight for her birthday. Mark enjoyed two flights with duty BI Phil Hardwick.

Sorry no photos as the Sunday Soarers were a little remiss.

Only one privateer rigged today. Viktor brought his immaculate K6 (the Red Bear) to the launch point and enjoyed two circuits as he gets used to this lovely aircraft.

Viktor in the Red Bear.

And returns smoothly.

Ed Borlase hadn't rigged his K6 today and was gifted a flight in the Red Bear. A little nervous about flying somebody else's pride and joy, but enjoyed the experience of flying another K6.

Ed at home in a K6.

Training continued with Misha Skochko and Aiden Hughes. Only two flights each as it was obvious the front and rain were approaching from the west. We just managed to get the toys safely back into the hangar before the rain arrived.

A big thank you to Sean who winched throughout and didn't manage to fly today. Only 12 flights, but most flew and enjoyed what the day presented.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 28th March 2026

Saturday was a somewhat difficult day with a strong north westerly wind and due to this, visitor flights had to be postponed and unfortunately some people were unable to fly the Astir. 

Despite this, some good flying occurred with Scratch having the flight of the day at 45 minutes in the Astir. However some were not as lucky. For example, Jamie came off the cable straight into 10 down and had to enter circuit shortly after this. 

Final Approach view of the runway

Looking south towards Plymouth from under a dark cloud

Overall though, the flying was fairly good with some strong (but tight) thermals with the risk of being blown to the southerly side of the airfield if you weren’t careful. Airfield operations were fairly smooth also with only one aborted take off. It was however very cold due to the wind chill so wrapping up warm was very important. 

Steve and Phil enjoying a flight together in a K13

Now that's a thermal - 8 knots up

Rick and Phil also managed a hanger landing in the new Twin Astir “DSL” at the end of the day so hopefully soon enough Rick will be able to fly some of us trainee members in it to get us used to the aircraft as well. To conclude, Saturday was a good day of flying despite the challenging conditions and we are excited to see the Twin Astir become gradually more integrated with the fleet!

In the hangar the progress on the G103 Twin Trainer continues and K8 FXB is undergoing work for it's ARC/CofA prior to re-joining the fleet.

FXB's wings inspected and ready

The Twin Trainer rear panel with the new 
microphone fitted

Elliot Flannery  

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 25 March 2026

Wednesday's reality was "Hail, Caesar!"

I was seduced by Skysight's optimistic forecast of soaring in a brisk northeasterly so I packed my flying kit, batteries, and parachute in the expectation of some time in the air in my Standard Cirrus.

I should have listened to the voice of reason on the other side of the bed this morning. "Yr.no reckons that there will be 20 knots of wind, showers, and a wind chill of -1C at Brentor today.  You will need your thermal vest".  As ever it was a lesson in why one should listen to one's better half.

Early morning delivery of aggregrate 803 type 1 from Holcim Ltd for track repairs

And so it was on arrival at the club, scrabbling to don my jacket and hat in a hailstorm while opening the gate.  These hail showers continued relentlessly all day.  Even the Duty Instructor got caught in a hail whiteout while inspecting the pitch.  No flying for the Wavers today.  It would be a day of jobs in the clubhouse and the hangar.

Delivery boxes unpacked in the clubhouse

First order of the day, after tea of course, was the wood burner.  The replacement baffle, clip, and four vermiculite fire bricks had arrived from Northern Ireland.  Where else would you get spares for a wood burner made in Merville, Northern France?

With the old misshapen baffle and old firebricks removed adult Jenga commenced.  Whichever way I tried I could not get the baffle in place, so the top had to come off.  This led to a trip to Tavistock Stoves to get new fire rope for the wood burner top and the base of the glass door.

The top of the wood burner removed the firebricks could be inserted and then the baffle

Peter carefully cleans the old fire rope from the underside of the wood burner top

The secretary gave me a lift to Tavistock Stoves and back.  Rhetorical question: Is a car with white leather seats the most appropriate vehicle for use at a gliding club on Dartmoor?  It was a first for me; being asked to go and wash my hands before getting in Steve's car!

Despite the vicious hail showers there was other activity, in the clubhouse.  Mike Bennett conducted a Site Manager handover to John Smith.  The outgoing Treasurer (Mike Jardine) did some accounting training with the incoming Treasurer (David Osment). This included the timely processing of my receipt for word burner consumables bought that morning.  Also, there were discussions on membership renewals with the membership secretary, Neal Oxley (Yes, there will be a test later on the composition of the new committee).  I took the opportunity to talk Michael Malric-Smith through the mysterious world of glider airworthiness and the associated paperwork.

Yet more hail fell on the cars

Neal and Mike sorting out membership renewals.  The cry of "I can't find the Chairman's renewal form!" didn't overshadow the first "burn" of the wood burner, seen in the background.

Some Wavers did brave the weather.  Scratch and Mike Jardine managed to straighten the bend in the outer gate using stops and Škoda (Cue skip jokes anyone?).  Dad, John Osment, got the fuselage of his Standard Cirrus out and fettled in between the hail showers.  Strop assembly and making was happening in the hangar.  The Chairman led visualisation sessions on how we could pack two Twin Astirs and K-13 in the hangar, along with an Astir CS77 and a K-8.  K-13 tailplane sanding and K-8 floor plan work was underway in the glider workshop.

A new hangar layout.  Now imagine a second Twin Astir in there,
 back to backand a few other gliders too.

In between the hail showers the sky looked promisingly thermic
 albeit a little raggedy in the strong wind

By mid afternoon the Wavers had started to end their way home satisfied that the most important project of the day had been successfully achieved.  Their success was underlined by the shock at stepping out of the toasty clubhouse into the incessant hail showers and biting wind.

6kw of heat. Toasty.

Very homely

Finally, a heartfelt thanks to Mary Wells of Saltash for her kind donation of the Franco-Belge Monaco wood burner to Dartmoor Gliding Society.  The Wednesday Wavers were pleased to bring it back to life with some tender loving care and servicing.  I think the results speak for themselves.

That was Wednesday: "Hail, Caesar!"

Gavin Short