Dartmoor Gliding Society - Wednesday 15th July 2026

Andy's take on Wednesday's Weather.

High pressure is still in charge, so again Wednesday will see an easterly flow over the field at 10kts.  There will most probably be some high cloud cover (there is some difference between the models).  If we get the high cover it will dampen any thermal activity if not there could be some good thermals from midday on. There is a good chance of some wave in the morning but only going to 4,000ft this is why the thermals won’t get going till lunchtime and there is the chance the wave could mess it up all day.  We'll only find out by being there.

After welcoming Richard back, today's Basic Instructor, from two gliding competitions it was time for the first task of the day to rig K-13, CCY.  There was a sense of urgency as the Two Twin Astirs were both offline.   After being rigged, taped, the canopy cleaned, and the safety cushions installed the maintenance team took over to check the control deflections.  Adjustment was needed on the port air brake which was successful.  The other deflections were OK, but much work was expended getting them right in the middle of the range of the manufacturers design values.  The team were ably assisted by junior Rowan who logged the readings and worked out the direction of adjustment need so that the team wielded spanners in the correct direction!  Good preparation for his A-levels in maths, physics and geography which start in the autumn.  In other work Twin Astir, DSL, was offline for its annual inspection, planned, and HBK, with a hydraulic leak on its main wheel brake, unplanned.  Calliper seals and O-rings are being sourced.

The Twin Astir was derigged for its annual inspection on Sunday
and brought out for an initial look today

The suspect rudder pedal operating arm in DSL, which had excessive play, was removed and inspected.  The fix was new bolts and a new bush to be made, but not the bearings.

At the launch point Andy took the first launch at 0946 and climbed through the rotor, albeit it took some effort, into the wave for the flight of the day of 3 hours 56 minutes.  Then the training started with Ed Nicholson sampling the delights of the rotor for the shortest flight of the day at 9 minutes!

Next up was returning temporary member Walter Seip who was accompanied by his mother and grandmother.  It is great to see that gliding can be a family affair.  This was Walter's first introduction to wave, but the duty Instructor limited the flight duration, due to the effects of the turbulent rotor, to 16 minutes.  Not deterred, Peter in the mighty Kestrel, tried climbing in the rotor for a similar duration.  Getting through the rotor into the wave lift was the challenge in these morning flights.

Walter Seip on his way to 3,000 feet in the wave.  Just visible is the vario repeater, bottom right, indicating a climb of 9 knots (900 feet/minute)

Our veteran rotary-wing aviator, Michael M-S, was also undeterred with the prospect of a "little" vibration and took the third flight with Duty Instructor Mike Jardine to add soaring in the "Dartmoor Wave" to his log book.

Michael M-S climbing past 2,700 ft in a full, 10 knot, climb. It's fascinating to watch the speed at which the altimeter needles swings round the dial.  Who needs an engine Michael?

While Michael M-S climbs, Mike admires the murky view
to the south of the barely visible Hamoaze

The airfield looks small from 4,000 feet. 
This photo was taken just four minutes after Michael M-S was climbing through 2,700 feet.

When it was time to come down Michael opened the airbrakes fully; remember in the K-13 the air brakes are paddles above and below the wing. In 10 knots of lift with the airbrakes fully open Michael and Mike were still going up at 2 knots!  Time to find some sinking air to help the glider descend. 

On landing, Mike needed a rest after the three "full-on" flights and handed the glider over to Rick and Zack for a 31-minute flight.  Then Duty Instructor's schedule resumed with Neal clocking up 25 minutes in the wave.

Peter, after his relatively short soaring flight gave it another go and clocked up 2 hours 41 minutes and explored the wave patterns in the local area.  Biding his time, and only when he was convinced that Peter was fully established in the wave Sean launched his Libelle and clocked up a little over an hour. 

Fortunately, Richard's dance card was almost empty with just a Friends and Family flight experience for member Dave Osment; to fly Nick Miller which meant that he didn't have to wait for the work on CCY to complete and could fly in K-13, FGR.  Previously there was concern whether we could fly Nick at all due to the turbulent conditions but Richard, as ever, flew him very professionally for 19 minutes for a great flight.

Richard briefs Nick Miller before his Friends and Family flight

Running through their preflight checks

Whilst waiting for CCY to come online Rick got his syndicate's Standard Cirrus, FCN, out of its box and soared for 1 hour and 22 minutes.  The conditions seemed to be improving as the day progressed. 

Peter's view of Tavistock and the disused golf course to the south

And the airfield and Blackdown to the north

Later the view of the Rivers Tavy and Tamar were even murkier. 
We need a good cold front to clear the rubbish out of the air.

After discovering a puncture in his main wheel during his Daily Inspection Steve Fletcher had a later start than he intended but connected to the wave and enjoyed almost two hours aloft

Glide and Seek's view of Steve's flight that topped out at over 5,000 feet.

There were periods when the launch point was devoid of gliders.  Looking from the apron whilst working on CCY's control deflections four, sometimes five gliders could be seen climbing in the wave.

Sean's Libelle after his flight

By now the rotor had subsided and the "Old man of the sky", John Smith took the K-8 aloft for almost 40 minutes.  Solo pilots John Osment and Junior Jamie matched John's flights. Inspired, Dave Archer rigged his K-6, "Debbie" and flew for almost half an hour thereby doubling the flight time in his log book for this year!

Sean reminiscing his flight with an attentive audience (Rowan's mum)

The maintenance team released Rowan from the apron so that he could fly ad enjoy the wave with the Duty Instructor.  It was then David Moorley's turn to soar in the wave.

Dave Osment's immaculate 1967 Ford Cortina powered by a mighty 1500cc engine. 
Note the maintenance team still hard at work on the hangar apron behind.

The glider rack waiting for the privateers to return

The launch point late afternoon with the solo ships about to launch

Mike then took over the Standard Cirrus to get some solo hours in and achieved just over an hour.

Mike's view from his Standard Cirrus in the wave to the west of the airfield

Malcolm took the last flight of the day in the K-8 and landed at 1823.  All who wanted, had enjoyed their flights in a surprisingly good, but challenging day.  Unfortunately, after his great soaring flight Peter suffered a puncture on landing.  Andy helped him to change the inner tube of the mighty Kestrel's 5-inch main wheel (which is the same size as those in the K-13s and Twin Astirs) - pricey!

A day of wave and thermals.  Turbulent rotor and initially a challenge to exploit the access the abundant lift that was there.  Many exploited it well.  Seven training and visitor flights, and 13 solo flights.  Total flight time was 17 hours 49 minutes.  The average flight time of 53 minutes; with the easterly wind the Wednesday Wavers are back on form.

Before I sign off bear a thought for those who didn't fly because they were winching, processing equipment we had received from Seahawk GC, and the maintenance team working hard to get gliders back online. They all deserve our gracious thanks as without them, we wouldn't get to fly. 

Postscript.

On Sunday Scratch and I attended a party at Seahawk GC.  This was to mark the 60th Anniversary of the club's existence.  Sadly it also marked the closure of the club.  After 60 years of operating at RNAS Culdrose it had become impossible for the gliding club to have a home on the base and operate there.  Disappointingly, this was a repeat of the closure of Heron Gliding Club at RNAS Yeovilton in 2018.

Seahawk Gliding Club 60th anniversary cake

A defence planner might analyse the situation and conclude that with ever reducing funding, defence cuts, consequential tightening of regulations, restrictive operating practices, had led hard-pressed senior managers to conclude that the cost of operating gliders was too much.  As ever it's easy to know the "cost" of an activity but never appreciate the value of it.  That there is no gliding at any Royal naval air station in the 21st century is a damning indictment and perhaps a telling measure of the level of decline of the United Kingdom's Naval Service.

The name board over the Seahawk GC clubhouse bar

Looking positively, the long-standing relationship between the clubs is not all lost.  Although we won't be able to fly gliders at RNAS Culdrose, the doors are open at Dartmoor Gliding Society for those members of Seahawk GC who wish to continue to fly gliders.  However, it won't be in their beloved Cornwall.  A number of Seahawk instructors and members are already flying at Brentor.  They, and anyone else from Seahawk who wants to sample "The Dartmoor Wave", are most welcome. 

The "Clagged Inn" sign now in pride of place in the DGS clubhouse marking the close relationship between the two clubs over the years.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding Society - Wednesday 8th July 2026

Another blue day with some heat, up to 25C, with light southwesterly veering westerly winds.  Skysight had the maximum soarable height as 2,100 ft AGL whereas RASP had four stars.  So what would the Wednesday Wavers find?

Firstly, a busy day with visitors: five two-flight vouchers (three adults and two juniors) and a single flight voucher, so the duty Basic Instructor (me) would need the Wavers' help to lighten the load.  Speaking of load, the Duty Instructor had four trainees to fly and Morien Steinhardt, a trainee from Seahawk GC, who joined as a junior full member after a gap year in the far east.  Welcome Morien.  So a full dance card for the Duty Instructor as well.

It dawned warm but moist which was reflected in the views of low cloud encountered while driving to the club.

The view east on the A390 at St Anns Chapel.  Where did the moors go? 
 Yes, I was parked when I took this photo.

Peter's view from Southway.  Where is Brentor church?

There it is (on the left).  The Chief Flying Instructor managed to find it.

With light variable winds forecast the obvious choice was to set up at the wider east end with initially five club gliders. Training commenced at 1030.

Ian King and the Duty Instructor prepare for the first sortie of the day

And away they go into the clear blue sky. 
The view of the launches would be the same throughout the day.  Blue!

The next trainee was Michael M-S with a set of three, including a simulated launch failure and some soaring.

Michael M-S demonstrates the hand signals he used in his driving test in 1973

Our first visitor was Paul Bridgman from Totnes.  As he towered over me, it occurred to me to ask him his height!  6 foot 5 inches (or 1.96m as we say in the 21st century).  That height would be a no, no in a K-13 but after a trial fit in the Twin Astir, DSL, all was well, and Paul could fly with us.  An extended circuit was the result as the day was not yet thermic.

Paul Bridgman gets settled in.

It was good to see Robin again and the CFI took him up for a set of three in HBK.  I think there is a trend here with Rick being very magnanimous and volunteering to fly people from the back seat when he isn't the duty instructor.  It appears that the CFI likes our new acquisition to the fleet very much.  In amongst those flights Dave Osment took a pair of launches in K-8, FXB.

Robin tries out the Twin Astir Trainer, HBK, with CFI Rick

The next visitors were the 18yro twins Sperry brothers; Sam and Finn, visiting relatives in Ivybridge for the week whilst on a family holiday from Massachusetts.  In amongst their school studies they are keen yachtsmen and dingy sailors.  Dad and elder sister were keen to try their hand but sadly our dance card was full today.  Maybe the next time you are in the UK?

Twin Sam Sperry gets ready for his first flight in a glider in a "Twin"
whilst the old man of the sky looks on.

Sam enjoyed two flights the second of which was an extended soaring flight while "scratching" over Blackdown.

Michael M-S takes the first thermal of the day to 1,500 feet QFE.

While Michael M-S was busy soaring over Blackdown, Instructor Mike looks back at the airfield

The Duty Instructor then moved on to Ed for a set of three training flights.  Although there was some soaring to be had most pilots were back on the ground after a short circuit which led to long launch queues and our busy visitor schedule was starting to slide right.

Peter, in the K-8, looks down on Sam Sperry and Gavin
scratching over Blackdown in their soaring flight

Jamie sought to emulate Peter's K-8 soaring flight, but in the Astir CS77 but sadly only managed a circuit.  Suddenly there was a new glider on the launch point - Ka-6 CR, FUB.  Suitably briefed by the Duty instructor and supported by Dad, John, it was time for another type conversion for Dave Osment and a chance, finally, to fly his own glider.

Dave Osment gets ready to fly his K-6, FUB for the first time, and he soared it too!

Later his Dad took FUB, and soared for 27 minutes to show Dave how it's done.  Familial rivalry at Brentor?  Surely not.

Rick then flew with Morien in HBK.  All new experiences for Morien.  After a year off he was naturally rusty and slightly intimidated by the "tiny" airfield and lack of options compared to RNAS Culdrose's capaciousness and military length tarmac runways.  Welcome to real gliding from a winch rather than autotow (Note: Following the closure of Seahawk GC there is no site in the UK that offers autotow, which is launching on a wire using a big US diesel RAM 350 pickup truck, or V12 Jaguar, roaring down a military runway to get one airborne).  A nice entry to have in your log book.  Meanwhile, the old man of the sky, John Smith, soared for 21 minutes in the blue.

Now Finn Sperry had a chance to fly with me.  As well as sailing Finn is interested in aviation.  Sadly, mother nature provided us just a pair of circuits whereas his brother had managed to soar.  Would there be any familial rivalry later?  Who knows?  More importantly, would either of them have a chance to try gliding elsewhere in the world during their forthcoming gap year?  We hope so.

The second "twin in the Twin".  Finn Perry preparing to fly in a glider for the first time. 
Yes, it was a bit different from his grandfather's float plane.

With the visitor schedule sliding right Peter kindly stepped in and flew Alan Berry in our flagship, HBK.  Alan had come the shortest distance to the club today; Tavistock.  After an introductory flight Alan enjoyed some local soaring on his second flight.

 

"Calling Mr. Alan Berry.  Your flight G-CHBK is ready for boarding".

Alan Berry ready to fly with the BGA's 2024 Instructor of the Year

Our next visitor was Robert Didymus from Saltash whose opening line was that he had flown gliders from this airfield 55 years ago.  I'll let that sink in.  55 years ago.  Bob as a 15yro would retrieve gliders when they landed and tow them back to the launch point using a tractor.

He was a member of the Albatross Gliding Club that predates Dartmoor Gliding Society.  The club had three winches and flew a T-21 (side by side open cockpit glider).  A long circuit was a launch followed by a 360-degree turn and then landing, typically three minutes.

Bob Didymus about to be amazed at the performance of the Twin Astir
 following his previous experience of an open cockpit, side-by-side, Slingsby T-21

Bob was full of stories.  It would have been great to hear the full history of the Albatross GC, but time was pressing, and we needed to get flying.  A couple of circuits but the performance, the glide angle, of the Twin Astir was mind-blowing for him.  Bob had never been that far out over Blackdown and still be within easy gliding range of the airfield.  He was also amazed that 16yro Zack was soaring high above us for 53 minutes whilst we made short two flights.  Bob, please make use of your temporary membership, and come back on a better soaring day and have some real fun.

There were training flights for Seahawk GC member Chris Morris and our membership secretary Neal.  While Malcolm had a turn in the K8.  Sadly the "liftmeister" didn't find any today as the sun got progressively lower.

Former Seahawk GC member Morien Steinhardt about to take
his third flight with Rick and make his first hangar landing

The last visitor was Stephen Butler.  Apologies for no photo but it was getting late, and hangar landings had begun.  Stephen's wife bought him the voucher (psst: for the big 40!) but sadly she couldn't be with him to see the flights.  Stephen hails from Lydford.  In fact, he can see Blackdown from his house so it was novel to see it from the air.  He leant about the grisly history of Gibbets Hill atop Blackdown, and how highwaymen on what is now the A386 from Tailstock to Okehampton, were dissuaded from plying their trade.  We finished the day's flying with a hangar landing, coming to a stop right on the cross track.  The airfield seems much bumpier in a Twin Astir than a K-13!  Stephen helped with returning the gliders to the hangar.

With all the gear packed away it was time for the Wednesday Wavers to disperse.  But there was a bit of humour to be had at the Deputy CFI's expense.

Back at the clubhouse Peter proudly models his £3.70 bucket hat from Trago Mills. 
Could this be a new line of merchandise for the club?

And with the hat removed he demonstrates that he ready to join the blue rinse ladies in Southway.  So maybe we need to purchase some pre-laundered denim hats instead.

A blue and hot day which I think the forecasters underestimated the temperature.  I am sure the real temperature reading started with a 3!  Low launch heights in the calm conditions and little thermal activity to be had, made us run late.  We thank our visitors for their patience. 

Forty-two flights, but only seven soaring flights, six visitors, another type conversion, and the two Twin Astirs in regular use.  Oh, and the airfield had a haircut.  Thanks Scratch.

Postscript: While the Wavers were busy today DHL made a large delivery at my house.
  All will be revealed on Saturday.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 5th July 2026

I'm not sure whether it was due to a possible long late night for some or the email requesting trainees to limit themselves attending due to no rostered instructor yesterday, but I ended up with one trainee. Although one more would arrive later it would be a relatively easy day for me. This would allow more time to look after our french visitors (more later).

The morning greeted us with low cloud which would hang around longer than any forecast predicted. The first flight eventually happened at 12:03. A weather check to see the cloudbase was actually high enough to fly.

Let's see how high the cloubase is.

Cloudbase about 1000ft so let's fly. Ed Nicholson settled in the front seat for an initial set of two training flights.

Ed looking out on one of his flights.

We handed the K13 over to Steve Fletcher who was looking after our visitors. Steve's account of his day:-

Today we hosted Isabel and Mark, her Camera man, from a French TV company making a documentary about Peter Lanyon an artist who used to fly gliders in the 1950s and 60s from Perranporth. His abstract pictures hang at the Tate modern in St Ives and were inspired by his love of flying. He was tragically killed in  a gliding accident in 1964 in Taunton. They filmed our flying operations during the day and Steve Fletcher flew the camera man for 2 flights to get aerial footage giving a commentary as they flew. Steve also gave an interview explaining how a glider flies and how the pilot controls it but how Steve’s description will translate into French we will probably, and luckily, never know! The crew were very grateful to us hosting them and enjoyed their day. The only question they asked Steve was what the yellow button on the top of the K8 control column was for, he kindly explained that this was for the machine guns! Hopefully no damage was done to Anglo French relations.

Filming a launch.

And a landing.

Mark ready for the aerial shots.

Steve gets wired.

With not many trainees, Ed stepped back into the K13 for some more training flights which included a go-around launch failure, landing in a different direction and the last flight a land ahead launch failure which served as a hangar flight.

Ed (in case you don't recognise his face) happy with his flights.

Having painted the benches outside the clubhouse, Val came to the launch point to have three flights with me. Those approaches and landings are coming along. Keep going Val.

Val getting ready.

Val looking out.

A few solo pilots were also trying their luck, but conditions were not as per forecast and only circuits were achieved.

Johns and Ed taking it easy.

Thank you to all at the club today. I think we maintained international relationships OK.

Peter Howarth.