Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 24th June 2026

Forecast: HOT, hot, hot.  BLUE, blue, blue.  So sunscreen, hats, and water.  Lots of it.

Met Office.  Amber heat warning for Dartmoor and a rare Red heat warning further up country.  Elswhere on t'interweb yr.no predicted a high of 31C.

Met office heat warnings for today

This would be a challenge for the Wednesday Wavers and for our visitors which would include a One Day Course and two trial flights late in the afternoon. 

Unusually, we took the decision yesterday to cancel the trial flights.  During the phone calls I detected a palpable sense of relief.  I wasn't looking forward to delivering a One Day Course in the forecast heat either.  It transpired that our visitors were aged 70, 70, and 75 years old so it was sensible call.  We look forward to seeing them soon in less arduous conditions.

I had first-hand knowledge of those conditions having been at the club on Monday and Tuesday preparing our Twin Astir Trainer, HBK, for her maiden flight; fresh batteries, ARC and placards in the glider, instrument panels labelled up with John Allan's very smart "white on black" dymo tape.

On Monday it was 30C in the clubhouse and 31C in the hangar.  On Tuesday it was 32C in both.  Apart from a sweaty fleet manager getting through a litre of water and three cups of tea each day what was the problem?  Thermal expansion.  Namely, of the perspex canopies.  Getting them open and closed was a significant problem.  As part of the refurbishment we painted the canopy edges of HBK and I needed to carry out copious sanding to ensure the canopies fitted in the heat.  I had carried out the same on DSL earlier in the year as it had been refinished and painted sometime ago by the syndicate.

It wasn't pleasant work.  Hot, sweaty, with hot fingers from using the 80 grit aluminium oxide paper and then regularly hoovering the dust away.  The one upside is that the solar panels were producing plenty of power and could run "Henry the hoover", so I didn't have to run the generator.

After Monday's efforts Rick requested that I checked DSL's canopies on Tuesday.  They, too, were tight, and I had to work on the rear canopy.   I improved it a bit.  However, when I finished on Tuesday afternoon I was not sure whether we would have either Twin Astir available to fly on Wednesday.

It turned out that we could use DSL throughout the day with judicious use of canopy covers but that HBK would require more work (or the temperatures to drop), especially on its rear canopy.  So we could deploy a K-13 (no canopy problems there), a K-8, and the Twin Astir HBK to the east end ready for flying operations.

The first task was to clear the sheep from the field.  It's that time of year.  Despite their efforts the grass is growing faster than they can eat it, so the tractor with the grass cutting deck will be in action soon.  Perhaps on a cooler day!

Stop dawdling. Get eating!

I took the first shift on the winch accompanied by John Osment who was keen to complete his winch launch training.

First up to fly was Michael Malric-Smith who had nobly stepped up.  On the return leg of his Italian holiday he went via the Park (Bath, Wilts, and North Dorset Gliding Club) to collect our belly dolly that was used when I took the Puchacz, HCC, back to Heron Gliding club.  Thank you Michael.

What of today's planned activities?  A test flight for our Twin Astir Trainer, HBK, and the Chairman's conversion to a Twin Astir and flying from the back, and  also clearing John Osment as a winch driver.

The front instrument panel of our refurbished Twin Astir Trainer, HBK,
labelled up and ready to go

The instructor's view from HBK' rear seat

There was a new look to the hangar when the Wavers unpacked it. Two Twin Astirs and an Astir CS77 in front on a K-13 and K-8.

This is a first for DGS; more glass than wood on the hangar!

The first part of the day's plan didn't happen due to thermal expansion, as you have previously heard, but the rest did.

First flight of the day; Mike Jardine and Michael Malric-Smith

Chairman Steve readies himself for his first conversion flight
 in the Twin Astir, DSL, with the Chief Flight Instructor.

Today's trainees were Michael Malric-Smith, Neal Oxley, Ian King, and Lance Whitehead which was probably enough for the Duty Instructor to manage today.

Michael M-S continues his training. 
I suspect he won't get to the top of the launch on this one!

We were instructed to take care of each other in the heat. 
Keep the duty instructor cool before Neal's first training flight

Iced beer (non-alcoholic of course) at lunchtime in 32C heat

After a set of three flights with Steve, Rick took the K-8 and managed to find a thermal and earned himself "Man of the match" with 31 minutes aloft.  To say that he was "cock o'hoop" would be an understatement.  Especially as he had exceeded Peter's 12 minutes clocked up on the previous flight. 

Perhaps a special mention should be made for Ian King in the K-13 (with the duty Instructor of course) of a soaring flight of 12 minutes.  Although when I caught up with them in the K-8, trying to formate on Ian's thermal, who by that time he was intent on thermaling downwards.  That was a tad frustrating but safety separation in thermals is the paramount consideration!

You gotta stay cool.  Michael M-S parasol in action in the tower

Lance Whitehead returns from a sortie which was the penultimate flight of the day.

I know it lovely under there, but perhaps it's time to pack up

DSL's version of the Australian hot weather advice "Slip, Slap, Slop" to keep its canopies cool

Is that FXB casting a glamorous glance at the newcomer to the field;
Michael M-S' trusty 4x4 Fiat Panda?

A jaded Site Manager takes a break back at the clubhouse

The Wednesday Wavers achieved 20 flights today.  Despite the oppressive heat and humidity training continued.  Chairman Steve's instructor conversion to the Twin Astirs is now underway and John Osment was cleared as a winch driver.  Congratulations John.

The weather is due to break on Friday so perhaps the weekend will be back to more manageable conditions.  I hope so! 

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 21st June 2026

The summer solstice started with another Sunday and various forecasts all giving different wind directions. The winch had been left at the west end from yesterday, but the forecasts gave a slight preference to fly from the west end. So the winch was moved to the east end to start the day.

All aircraft were removed from the hangar as the K13 was at the back and was still required for training. Only the Twin Astir and K13 were initially taken to the launch point, but would be joined later in the day by the K8. Two K6's and a Libelle were also rigged ready to fly.

I would start flying with Ed Nicholson and Rowan Guest in the Twin Astir. Both are getting to grips with this new to them aircraft and were handling it well doing the whole flight. Aiden Hughes and Misha Skochko also had their first flights in the Twin Astir getting them used to it ready for some advanced training in the near future hopefully.

Rowan settling into the Twin Astir.

Duty BI Phil Hardwick welcomed One Day Course student Laurie Rippin to the club. They started the course in the K13, but swapped to the Twin Astir later in the day when the K13 was needed by me for training. Laurie enjoyed the experience of flying different aircraft and left saying he would return to make use of his three month membership.

Phil showing Laurie around the K13.

After Laurie's first flights, Phil turned his attention to our new junior pilot. Thirteen year old Jess Nicholson, Ed's younger sister receiver her introductory flights and some basic control lessons. Welcome Jess at the start of your journey with us.

Jess receiving information from Phil.

Off she goes.

Watched by parents.

The sky started to look a little better which tempted Andy Davey to take a launch in his Libelle. He managed to find some lift and could be seen slowly climbing away. Ed Borlase (K6) and Sean Westrope (K8) were also tempted, but unable to find anything were soon back on the ground. Training flights continued in a similar fashion for the rest of the afternoon. Andy returned after 2 hours 29 minutes when the conditions to the north deteriorated to claim flight of the day.

Andy returns.

Whilst Phil and Laurie swapped to the Twin Astir, I took over the back seat of the K13 to fly with Aiden Hughes and Misha Skochko. Three flights for Aiden including an awkward height launch failure sees him progressing well with his training.

Aiden's hat makes me thirsty on this hot day.

Misha launched and we found some weak lift and steadily climbed to wards 2000ft. When we thought it was time to return, Misha asked if he could practice some stalls to lose height. After three or four stalls, Misha asked "Peter, we are still at 1800ft, how do we get down?" After a little discussion, Misha realised he could use the airbrakes to lose height and they were not just for the approach. We landed after 47 minutes.

Misha's more sober hat.

Whilst we were soaring Ed Borlase was spotted above us in his K6. Ed finally landed after 1 hour 29 minutes.

Ed's view of Brent Tor church.

And to the north.

Ed looking forward to his flight.

A hot busy day at the club today. Thank you to all at the club today. Some good flying and progrees made with one new junior member joining.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding Society - Wednesday 17 June 2026

It rained heavily overnight, and cloud base was low when I left my village. Up on to the A390, and I was then into the cloud.  No view of the Hamoaze or Plymouth this morning.  On the back roads to the club the cloud/fog got thicker and thicker and then the rain started.

This is the road to the club.  You can't see, but there is a tractor coming!

When Ollie Riggs, today's One Day Course candidate, phoned in from Plymouth he was not surprised when I told him we wouldn't be flying.

So much for a flaming June.

Resigned, the Wednesday Wavers started to work down the to-do list.

One of the ground radios was not transmitting.  I suspected a setting, one of 42, had been changed.  After a half hour stepping through and comparing the suspect radio with a good one and my own radio the job was done.

The Twin Astir 1, DSL, needed its wing tape renewed, and we took the opportunity also to tape the tailplane and put fresh a fresh yaw string on the front canopy.  Phil adjusted the wheel brake.

Dave Archer investigated the quiet radio transmission from the Astir CS77. 

Cattle and countryside noises were eerily loud in the fog.

It was still drizzling, and foggy of course, so we had to wait to be able to commence outside jobs.  A few tried the simulator whilst others debated the social media ban for under sixteen-year-olds.  The weather clearance never came. 

However, other jobs were underway including on private gliders.  Viktor came up to say hello and work on Red Bear.  The weather in Launceston was nice, but not so at Brentor so he left.  If anything the fog was getting thicker.

Three pundits standing away from the noise of Mike and John cleaning the patio
with shovels and a leaf blower

Club planning continued into the afternoon.  Then we received some great news.  One of our parachutes had a damaged thigh strap safety clip.  I sent it back to Thomas Defence Systems yesterday.  It arrived in Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, before midday.  They finished the repair work in three hours and its on way back to us. That's outstanding customer service.  Thank you.

The last of the Wavers left the site and disappeared into the fog.

Saturday looks much better!

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 14th June 2026

Who would be a Duty Instructor? No matter which forecast I looked at, everything looked different, and the wind could be anything from North easterly right around to South Westerly, even the wind sock was not much help, just hanging limp and pointing nowhere. So the choice was the safe one with more options for eventualities, and we would fly from the east end. Five privateers would rig and after a general leisurely start, the first launch was at 10:54.

After only three launches, it was obvious the forecast that turned up was not the one I used and the tailwind forced a change of ends. This presented trainee Aiden Hughes with the problem of launching in one direction and landing the other way at the opposite end of the airfield.

K13 waiting for a clear airfield.

With only two trainees today, Aiden had five flights and managed to nail the circuits and approaches in the benign conditions.

Looking down on the launch point.

Duty BI Phil Hardwick had two visitors today. First to arrive was Andrew Simmonds. Andrew had last flown in a glider back in 1992 and was visiting his son in Yelverton. He enjoyed two flights with Phil, one an extended soaring flight.

Andrew and family with Phil.

The second visitor was Anita English from Plymouth and also enjoyed her two flights with Phil.

Anita waiting with Phil.

The Twin Astir returns.

Whilst I stopped for a bit of lunch the five privateers started flying. Scratch decided not to fly and allowed Viktor (K6), John Osment (Cirrus), Sean Westrope (Libelle), and Ed Borlase (K6) to have their turns to fly. Viktor thought his 30 minutes would earn him flight of the day, but he was topped by Ed Borlase with 50 minutes. The second trainee Ray Staines had three flights with me getting back into the swing of things after being away for 12 months with a 26 minute soaring flight.

K6 thermaling with the K13.

And seen from the ground.

I took the last flight of the day and Aiden decided to sit in the back seat of the K13 to get a different view of things.

 

Aiden watching over my shoulder.

Only a small crowd at the airfield today, but everybody got something from the day. Thanks to all.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 10th June 2026

The mission for today was to get K-13, CCY into its trailer ready for collection by Devon and Somerset Gliding Club which is going to rent it to allow their members to fly some "Wood". 

Although we bought CCY from Mendip GC there is a symmetry to this arrangement as Mendip GC had previously bought it from Devon and Somerset GC.   "What goes around comes around".

Forecast:  Pity we didn't fly on Monday.  A showery, windy day with gusty lift in the afternoon.

The morning focus on CCY inevitably took a number of attempts to get the glider loaded into its trailer and everything prepared.  The morning brief was early and then my One Day Course Candidate, Alan Cracknell, arrived and received a brief.

Privateers rigged and made their way to the east end under a less than promising sky.

New member Harley brought his sister, Hollie, for a Friends and Family flight.  Hollie was first up with the Duty Instructor, Mike Jardine, and they went soaring.  "It's booming" was the statement when Mike handed over the K-13 to me so that I could start Alan's One Day Course.

Hollie, "This is a bit different to an ATC Viking glider that my brother normally flies"

Grob Viking T.1s in the 626 Volunteer Gliding Squadron hangar (how, the other half live!)

The pin on Google Earth is wrong.  It's RNAS Predannack!  Look at the size, length, and number of runway options to land on even before you consider the grass.  Amazing.  Has a DGS instructor introduced Hollie's elder brother Harley to our stub runway yet?

The conditions were challenging with gusty thermals but Alan and I enjoyed some soaring flights.  He tried the controls but was actually happier being flown and taking in the fantastic scenes and sensations.  He was fascinated with how the approaching rain showers appeared from the air and how they engulfed Kit Hill, over the border in Cornwall.

With his first flight under his belt Alan looks forward to a soaring flight with Gavin

Lance was the first trainee of the day with a set of three flights in the Twin Astir.  The third flight included some soaring which allowed Lance the chance to get to grips with a Twin Astir after most of his training has been in a K-13.

Today was the first outing of the CFI-inspired and recently purchased steps to aid access to the Twin Astir that sits considerably higher off the ground than a K-13. I saw 76-yro Alan eyeing them enviously as he clambered into our K-13.  That said, getting in and out of a glider sounds positively routine than Alan's recent experiences of getting in and out the basket of a hot air balloon.  Landing in a glider sounds benign compared with "brace for impact" when you land in a hot air balloon in case the basket topples over.  I had naively thought that ballooning was a gentle pastime.

Standard Cirrus, FCN, had its ARC on Tuesday and was test flown today by Scratch and Rick.  The work on the release and cable paid appeared to pay dividends as they now were achieving 1,250 foot launches consistently.  With that out of the way Scratch did some soaring proving that all was well with their glider.  Rick followed suit later in the day.

Alan and I took a break for lunch which allowed Dave Osment to have some check flights and a practice launch failure, with Peter, before being cleared solo in the K-13 in blustery conditions. 

Phil Hardwick readies his DG300 for launch, and a bit of soaring, while Phil Hayward looks on (well it makes a change from everyone at DGS being called Steve!)

Andy and Steve Fletcher launched into promising skies and earned a joint "men of the match" with 48 and 47 minutes apiece.  Steve managed to get to 2,700 ft QFE but had to air brake down before the heavy rain set in from the west.  After his flight Andy spent a while on the winch and introduced visitor Alan to the "Power and the Glory" of winch launching.

Steve Fletcher's rare view today of Plymouth Sound not wreathed in rain showers.

Ian King was the next trainee, but his set of flights were cut short by the next rain shower.  This one was particularly heavy which saw all the Wednesday Wavers and visitors sheltering in the launch bus for 10 minutes while it passed.

It was good to see Robin Wilson back in the saddle (the Twin Astir).  He also took the opportunity to show Harley our defibrillator and conduct the quarterly checks.  All was well.

Harley continued his conversion to gliding the BGA way with a set of circuits as another shower had damped down the thermal activity.  CFI, Rick is keen to get Harley out of his comfort zone of a Twin Astir (Viking in ATC speak) and into a K-13 to start challenging him. 

This morning we welcomed back a lapsed member, Ray Staines, who now sports an impressive white beard.  Ray paid his annual membership fee and got stuck into launching gliders as if he had never left.  He commented on several changes since he was last at the club, especially in terms of standardisation which was music to the Fleet Manager's ears.  He enjoyed a number of extended circuits, with perhaps a smidgen of soaring, with Mike.  Ray we look forward to seeing you more often.

The DCFI, Peter Howarth, moves into the modern age
with a "digital" photo of Ray Staines and Instructor Mike.

The K-8 was enjoyed by John Smith and Peter with the latter making two soaring flights. We have done a considerable amount of work on FXB after its test flight recently.  The radio now works well and the instrumentation, including the Total Energy system appears to be OK.  Peter and I have a cunning plan to improve the effectiveness of the trim. Like all good "Blue Peter" plans it involves the extensive use of sticky tape.

As you heard the main effort has been getting CCY ready to go to North Hill.  But there were some other maintenance developments during the week.  I received three sets of brake pads for Twin Astir Trainer, HBK, from Saftek Friction that they made for us.  I also had the news from Navboys that the Twin Astir tow out gear that the club has ordered should be with us next week.

The "top cover" persisted throughout the day.  Without it conditions could have been great.

As the day's flying came to a close glider pilots were instructed to make their last flights hangar landings.  This included Dave Archer in the Twin Astir and Rick in the Astir CS77.  Rick reported that the trimming system needs adjustment.  There's no rest for the maintenance team at DGS.

After observing the winch launches I had a cup of tea with Alan in the clubhouse.  I handed over his certificate and temporary membership card.  He was keen to start his 2 1/2-hour drive back to Chipping Norton which is just south of Bath.  As I bade him farewell I noticed something different near the clubhouse before getting roped into packing the Twin Astir in the hangar, which Alan witnessed.

"There is a disturbance in the Force".  Farewell CCY. Your departure leaves a gap in our lives!

The winch returns to the Motor Transport hangar as the sky finally brightens. Typical!

So a day that didn't follow the forecast and where the showers persisted all day.  When the sun was allowed to work its magic there was some soaring to be had in the strong wind.

36 flights, a One Day Course and normal training delivered, and a young air cadet introduced to real flying.  Not a bad achievement by the Wavers on a very showery day. 

Gavin Short 

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 31st May 2026

A light westerly breeze and dry conditions greeted the Sunday Soarers. The assembled pilots removed a K13 and Twin Astir from the hangar. These were the only club aircraft required today as privateers Andy Davey (Libelle), Sean Westrope (Libelle), Ed Borlase (K6), Viktor Skochko (K6) and Phil Hardwick (DG300) set about rigging their aircraft.

First two flights of the day before things got busy were ultra-low failure demonstrations for Misha Skochko and Aiden Hughes.

All Out and All Stop.

After these launches, eagle eyed Viktor noticed a mark on the front wheel. Inspection found a bubble in the wall of the tyre which caused a delay in proceedings whilst a replacement was sourced and refitted. Throughout the day Aiden received five further training flights and Misha another four (one was a soaring flight). Each also received a demonstration of how to cope with a balooned landing. Some good progress for both.

Aiden and me discussing the next flight.

Today duty IFP Steve Fletcher would have three air experience visitors. First to arrive was Rachel Hirsch from Okehampton who arrived with her partner. Rachel really enjoyed her flights including a slightly extended flight on the second.

Rachel with Steve.

The next to arrive were Sophia Harris-Aldrid and James McInnes-Slegg who were part of an extended family and friends who came to watch. Both enjoyed a couple of flights with Steve.

James and Steve waiting to launch.

Sophia waiting for Steve.

After the Red Arrows passed by yesterday we witnessed our own Red Arrows.

Our very own Red Arrows Viktor & Ed.

Red One waiting to launch.

The other privateers enjoyed flights of various times. Sean Westrope (Libelle) 10 minutes and Phil Hardwick (DG300) 41 minutes to claim flight of the day.

Sean discussing tactics with Phil.

One name missing from above is Andy Davey who realised he had left batteries and Oudie at home so didn't fly. As a self imposed punishment he spent a large part of the day on the winch. Thanks Andy.

Thank you to all at the airfield today A 'wheelie' good day overall.

Peter Howarth