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

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 18 March 2026

The sun rose into a clear blue sky.  The wind was from the southeast and the Wavers were ready for it.  Certainly the Mary Tavy "hydraulic jump", caused by air flowing down off the moors, should be working.  However, the forecast was for the wave to set up in the north, perhaps around Lifton.  Could the Wavers connect with it?

Skysight's forecast of wave to the north of the site in the southeasterly breeze, but there was just a smidgen of all important lift over the runway.

Thursday, with the wind backing slightly to the east, looked much more promising and a poll was running to see who wanted to open the airfield and make use of the Dartmoor Wave on Thursday.

There were a few non-flying jobs scheduled for today.  Fit the new flue to our wood burner and inspect the internal baffles and see what else needs replacing.

Steve Fletcher had been busy yesterday collecting Heron Gliding Club's Puchacz trailer ready to return "our" long term loan Puchacz, HCC, to the Park.  With the Puchacz derigged it would allow us to experiment with the Twin Astir 1, DSL, with its bigger wingspan, to see how we can pack a Twin Astir 1 into the hangar.

Andy launched first in his Libelle followed by Mike Jardine and David Bourchier in The K-13.  The wave exceeded expectations.  In the morning it was working to the north at Lifton and Okehampton as forecast.

Another wave day at Brentor as seen from Andy's "office".

Andy heads north, climbing at 2.5 knots at over 5,000 feet QNH. 
 He eventually topped out at around 8,000 feet QNH.

Dave Bourchier on his way up to 3,700 feet AGL

Apart from a training flight with Chris Morris a steady stream of privateers launched: John Allan (Mini-Nimbus), Peter (Kestrel 19), Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus), Phil (DG300), and John Osment (Standard Cirrus, JFA).

Apart from the two gliders to the north, the airspace above the airfield  was busy.  I picked out Peter in his Kestrel 19 sat at over 3,400 ft QNH steadily climbing.

Steve bravely puts his camera phone out of the DV panel.

With an amazing clear blue sky soaring hats and sunglasses were the order of the day.  A sight not seen so far this year.  From the ground the sky was awash with gliders heading into the southeasterly wind and then occasionally repositioning.

Steve looks up and admires "Phil's dirty bottom"!

We had some visitors; Chris Morris (Seahawk GC) who is becoming a regular, Steve Lesson after an enforced layoff, and Tim Bralesford (DCFI of Buckminster GC, Saltby).  Tim was down on business in the South Hams but couldn't resist joining the Wednesday Wavers.  He enjoyed a 24-minute wave flight with the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine.  Robin then enjoyed two soaring flights with Mike.

Mike and Saltby visitor Tim enjoy the sparkling view towards Plymouth Sound and a closer view of Phil in his DG300. 

The Puchacz was derigged and carefully stowed in its trailer ready for its return journey to the park.  Colin checked K-8, GDK's wings and found a few minor defects.  So he switched targets and investigated FXB's wings.  It was decided that this would be the next K-8 to come online.  After much shuffling of wings a crack team returned the clubhouse (Mike Bennet, Sean and Gavin) to have a close look at the wood burner.  A new baffle and fire bricks were ordered.  It turns out that the Franco-Belge wood burner is very well-supported in UK.

Derigging the Puchacz.  K-8, GDK wings under inspection in the hangar.

The Puchacz fuselage and tailplanes about to be pushed into the trailer.

With so many long soaring flights, as the wave was proving better than forecast, it would be invidious to name a "Man of the Match".  There were four flights well over four hours, one flight well over three hours, and another flight well over two hours.  If in doubt about a forecast "Never say never to wave" at Dartmoor.

Later the wind backed a little which changed the characteristic of the wave.  It was no longer strong wave, but you could still contact it off the wire.  However, it needed much patience seeking out fractions of a knot of lift.  It focused the minds of John Smith and Gavin achieving 46 and 59 minutes respectively.  Just trim the Astir CS77 and let it do it's stuff.

Gavin with the Astir CS77 trimmed, hands off, admired the view to the east over the moors.

Tavistock and the sea glinting to the south.  Climbing from launch height of just under 1,500 feet AGL to over 1,800 ft AGL took a lot of patience and careful repositioning in the lift to climb in the, by now, weak wave.  Running through one's Flight Instructor's patter helps pass the time.

Mike looks north past Mary Tavy as Robin climbs in wave on the final flight of the day

Robin and Mike climbing in the company of Gavin (out of shot) in the Astir CS77

But boy was there some strong rotor on the approach to the airfield!  It was typically from 500ft down to the ground.

The end of the day. The club gliders in the hangar it's time for the privateers to pack their toys away.

Today's flights totalled 28 Hours 52 mins.  The Wavers had made 16 flights with an average flight time of 1 hr 48 mins.

That average could have been higher but Dave Archer's seven-minute circuit in the K-13 dragged it down.  How does he do it?

For those who decided not to come to the club today because the forecast wasn't that promising:

"And gentlemen in England now-a-bed / Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here."

Spoken by King Henry V in Shakespeare’s Henry V (Act IV, Scene III).  These lines are part of the "St. Crispin's Day" speech, encouraging his outnumbered soldiers that those absent will regret missing the battle.  How apt!

Gavin Short

An addendum by John Allan.

I found weak lift of about 0.5 knots straight off the wire, which soon increased to 2 knots.  Once I was at 3,800 feet QFE (field elevation) I crept northwards to join Andy near the A30, just west of Sourton, with up to 4 knots of climb at its best.  Eventually we got to just above 7,000ft QFE.  

Great views, including the distant mountains in South Wales.  At this height it was possible to skirt all the way round the northern edge of Dartmoor to turn the Okehampton East turn point, and transit to Roadford reservoir without losing much height. 

John's track - Who needs thermals to go cross-country?

Meldon reservoir and Meldon quarries to the left

An unusual view for DGS pilots. The moor from the north looking south.  Okehampton army camp is on the far left. Well known to many a Ten Tors participant.

Which way home?  The brown spur of Blackdown is the clue.  The airfield is to the right of its tip.

Ahhh!  There is the airfield. The K-13 prepares to launch. Peter's Kestrel is in the trailer park after his three-hour flight.  He was driving the winch when this photo was taken.  Thank you, Peter.

Addendum edit by Gavin Short