Dartmoor Gliding Society News - Wednesday 19th August 2026

There was an autumnal feel to today's weather, a stiff westerly breeze increasing throughout the day and with the early morning showers and leaves falling onto the ground. It looked a lot more like a day in October.  

Gavin’s view on the way to the club.

After a parade of showers there was eventually enough enthusiasm to fly 

With a late start at 11:34, Duty instructor Mike Jardine took Michael M-S for a check flight and was then suitably cleared to fly 2 solo flights to add to a total of 9. 

First flight of the day, Mike takes Michael for a check flight  

Ivan and Richard strapped in ready for their first launch  

We welcomed one day course candidate Ivan Foster, who used to fly with the Cornish Gliding Club at Perranporth 27 years ago. After his first flight with duty BI Richard Roberts, it was evidently clear that he needed to fly with an FI. Peter Howarth stepped in, and by the end of the day he was flying the whole flight with only a few prompts. Ivan hopes to be able to return and join as a full member to satisfy his 27 year itch. 

Ivan managed to find his way into a more familiar K13 

Ivan and family 

David Osment rigged his K6, as did Dave Archer. Michael and David Osment each had their first experience of flying solo in stronger wins conditions. 

A blast from the 1960’s? This photo was taken today

David ready in his K6 

Duty instructor Mike Jardine flew with Ray Staines, Rowan Guest, Robin Wilson and Neal Oxley. Rowan's second flight saw him soaring for 19 minutes to claim flight of the day and looked at spin recognition and recovery. We also welcomed back Steve Lesson who had 2 flights in the Twin Astir.  

The view to the north

The view down the Twin Astir wing to the launch point below.

Rowan climbing nicely in the Twin.

Solo pilots Steve Fletcher (K8), Mike Bennet (K8), John Allan (Astir), Jamie Young (Astir), Gavin Short (Astir), John Smith (Astir) each had their turn. The only real success being Steve Fletcher with 16 minutes. Mike Jardine also took the K8 up at the end of the day and achieved 18 minutes. 

 Despite good looking cloud streets surrounding the airfield, it remained a blue hole for the majority of the day and most thermals were being broken by the 20+ knot wind at flying height. 

The strong wind straight down the strip made way to great launch heights for flying from the east end. I achieved a 1500ft launch flying the single astir, my personal best for flying from the east end. 

Back at the hangar, work was continued on K13 FSD for it's annual inspection and the single Astir had it's undercarriage door fitted. 

Colin recovering K13 FSD's fuselage

The Astir with refitted undercarriage door.

So despite a late start, we managed 33 launches, some soaring and a happy one-day course candidate.

Jamie Young

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 16th August 2026

A light northwesterly breeze and a 4.5 star rating on RASP saw a keen set of privateers rigging. Steve Fletcher (Open Cirrus), John Osment (Std Cirrus), Ed Borlase (K6) & Sean Westrope (Libelle) would be joined by club gliders K13, Twin Astir, K8 & Astir 77.

Chris Bryning requested a quick check flight as part of SPL recency, so we took the first flight and then Chris and I could work through the trainee list. Chris would first fly with Jess Nicholson and I would fly with Rowan Guest. Jess would work on trimming the glider, general handling and starting to fly the circuit whilst Rowan would concetrate on speed control in the circuit and on approach.

Jess happy with her flying.

Rowan getting ready.

Chris would next fly with our returning junior Freddie Purkiss. A couple of circuits and a launch failure, Chris was happy for freddie to have a solo flight in the K13. I gave the back seat of the Twin Astir to duty BI Phil Harwick as our first visitor had arrived. Chris Morris's grand daughter, Chloe Weaver had come to see what grandad gets up to.

Freddie and Chris ready for check flights.

Chloe being moved into position.

The early flights saw a cloud phenomenon over the area. Although not a typical example, Kelvin- Helmholtz cloud caused by one air mass moving across another could be seen towards the moors.

Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds.

Phil worked his way through the other visitors as they steadily arrived. Harry Buckingham and Harold Critchley both arrived with their families to observe their flights.

Harry Buckingham with Phil.

Harold and dad with Phil.

The last trainee, Misha Skochko had four flights with me. The last one we changed the landing area and Misha landed the K13 on the stub runway. Well dine Misha.

The privateers had tried launching throughout the day. The only real success of the day was Steve Fletcher in his Open Cirrus who managed 48 minutes.

Steve preparing to fly.

A parched airfield and area seen by Steve.

Other solo pilots flew the K8 and Astir 77. Malcolm W-J and Chris Bryning each had a couple of flights in the Astir and Freddie was allowed to fly the K8.

Freddie back in the K8.

With the day coming to an end I took the Twin Astir for a solo flight and hangar landing.

Me launching in the Twin Astir.

38 flights and only one soaring flight. The weather hadn't read the forecast, but all had enjoyed their days flying. Thank you to all at the club today and kept things moving smoothly.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 15th August 2026

Thermals were on the cards for Saturday, although RASP had flagged a blip with more overcast conditions rolling through between 14:00 and 15:00.  As forecast, a 7-10 knot crosswind from the north kept things interesting for those launching.  I discovered on my own training flights that there was some sink to the north of the airfield, at one point reaching a strong 8-10 knots down.

Here are the clouds at the start of the day, and the windsock showing the northerly crosswind.

Duty Instructor Rick had a full list, ably supported through the day by Scratch as the duty Basic Instructor.  Rick's first trainee was Val, who had three short flights in the K13, FGR.  Later she flew with Scratch, as a passenger, for a longer 18-minute flight.

Val and Rick coming into land on their second flight.

I had four short flights with Rick in the Twin Astir, DSL, working on slow flight handling and had a high-speed stall demonstrated.

 

We welcomed two visitors today.  Herbie Higham was a One Day Course candidate and flew five times during the day in both the Twin Astir and K13 as well as having a good introduction to flying operations.

Herbie and Scratch ready to go for their first flight of the day,
with his family watching behind

Club members and visitors alike watch as Twin Astir DSL soars to the south of Brentor Church.

Herbie and Scratch launch again.

Our second visitor, Ethan Meek, had a two-flight voucher, starting with an extended flight with Rick in the K13 before a second flight with Scratch.

Rick hands Ethan his certificate.  We hope he will return when he is older to start his training!

The team working in the hangar bade farewell to Ethan and his family.  They reported that he was definitely on "Cloud Nine" after his flights. 

 

Among the privateers, Phil rigged his DG300, HME, and had two soaring flights, the second a very respectable one hour and five minutes, which was the longest flight of the day.  Mike Jardine took his Standard Cirrus, FCN, up for 20 minutes, which doubled as a test flight for the newly installed radio antenna, fitted with help from Dave Archer.  I could hear the transmissions in the tower clearly.  A definiate improvement!  Dave Archer also had a short flight later in his Ka-6CR, HEB.

John Allan in the club K8, waiting for a cable to take him for his first flight of the day.

John Smith about to launch in the single seat Astir.

In the club gliders, Jamie put together a good hour soaring in the single Astir, DNE.  Once the overcast had cleared through, John Allan got away on his third flight and flew quite a distance in the single Astir.  Alasdair had a nice long flight in the K8, FXB, after assisting Colin and Gavin with the annual inspection of Gavin's Standard Cirrus for most of the day.  It was fitting that he had the distinction of being the last to land after his hard work in the hangar.

Alasdair hangar lands the K8 after a nice soaring flight to end the day of flying.

On the ground, Colin completed the final bits of the ARC on Gavin's glider, which passed, and is ready for the rest of the season.  A good, varied day's flying for everyone involved.

Rowan Guest

Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 12 August 2026

There is an earworm running through my head today.

I can't light no more of your darkness,
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white,
I'm growing tired and time stands still before me,
Frozen here on the ladder of my life,

Don't let the sun go down on me.

Of course many of the Wednesday Wavers would remember when the song, "Don't let the sun go down on me" was first released on Elton John's 1974 Caribou album and his subsequent fantastic live performances of that classic.

However, younger DGS pilots will remember the Elton John and George Michael's duet of the song.

Why the earworm?  Today from 1818 to 2010 the Wavers could experience a partial solar eclipse at Brentor, the best in UK since the total eclipse in 1999.

So a close look at the weather is called for, and it appears that we should be cloud free.  The wind strong from the southeast, killing any late afternoon lift, probably would mean that hangar would be packed in time for viewing from the clubhouse terrace. 

Gavin lies down on the job of applying tyre pressure labels to the club gliders.

Today we welcomed three visitors each with two flight vouchers; Barry Thurgood from Ashburton, Russell Heath from Plymstock, and junior Rhys Ferguson from Ivybridge.  All would be under the tender care of Steve Fletcher, our Secretary and, of course, Introductory Flight Pilot.

Despite the number of Wednesday Wavers were less than normal the Duty Instructor had five trainees to fly.  In addition, he would have to depart at 1730 for grandfather solar eclipse duties.  Yes, it was new one on me too!  That meant that DB, Michael M-S, Ed Nicholson, Ian, and Ray would only have two flights a piece.  But with a breeze keeping most of the heat at bay no one seemed that concerned. 

DB struggles with his straps for his second flight.  "I wouldn't do it like that Dave if I were you!"

Michael M-S prepares himself for flight. 
 Yes, there is a pesky instructor in the back this time rather than letting you fly on your own.

Steve poses with Barry Thurgood, and almost-retired wellness coach. 
 I suppose a gliding club is as good an environment as any for reconnecting with nature. 

John Allan, Malcolm, and John Smith tried their hand in the Astir CS77 whilst Michael Bennett, Peter, and I flew the K-8 after the defective Flarm unit was swapped out first thing this morning.

Mike Bennett flies the K-8, FXB with its new Flarm unit.

Newly-retired Russell Heath appears not to have a care in the world.

Russell, still smiling while waiting to launch

Steve, ultra-chilled despite the heat.  Perhaps he is reminiscing
that it was exactly 11 years ago today that he came to the club
for a trial flight which led to him returning to flying after a gap of about 30 years!

Dave Archer tries to breathe life into his K-6CR.  He is a paramedic you know.

In the afternoon Neal brought his family to club.  His son, Ben flew two Friends and Family flights with Mike Jardine whilst Dave Archer flew his K-6CR, and Scratch his Standard Cirrus.

After all that exertion and a first flight it's time to rest in the shade.

Ben Oxley raring to go with the Duty Instructor

The southeasterly cross wind and the hint of wave meant the thermals struggled as did several pilots.  There were some soaring flights but none that exceeded the club 30 minute limit, although Peter and Malcolm came close.

Junior Rhys Ferguson, our third visitors, is helped by Ray and Steve.

Aviation enthusiast Rhys concentrates during Steve's briefing

For the second flight and a chance to get hands on the controls Rhys teams up with Scratch.

And today's prize for the silliest hat goes to....

Dave Archer, actually in his glider rather than fettling it, readies for a second launch.

It was hot but pleasant in the breeze that made for a rather laid-back day for those who came to fly.  The Wavers clocked up 29 flights.

 

A big thanks to those who drove the winch today and Colin for successfully reskinning the starboard side of FSD's cockpit.  This involved cutting the Ceconite fabric, sticking it using Superseam, ironing it, applying three coats of non-shrinking dope and then a coat UV paint.  Fortunately, he could do that in the airy hangar rather that the sweat box that is currently his workshop. 

What of the eclipse?  Those who normally stay behind and put the world to rights decided that viewing the eclipse at home was the best option.  I was the last out, or I thought I was.  Whilst locking the gates I was surprised to see Dave Archer return.  In the modern world you can't do much with your smartphone.  Even more so when it's in the pocket in the cockpit of your glider that is locked in its trailer.

 

The 95.5% totality caught on camera, together with a lens flare, at Harrowbarrow in East Cornwall.

Gavin Short