Dartmoor Gliding Society - Wednesday 5 August 2026

Wednesday's Weather from Andy:

With low pressure over Scotland we will be in an unstable westerly flow.

Wind westerly at 12kts there could be the occasional shower but overall the day should be quite good with thermals starting by 1100 and going on until late afternoon.  Cloud base should rise to 4,000ft early afternoon.

So a good thermic day for the Wednesday Wavers and the Aird brothers; Fergus and Roman who were our two junior one day course candidates today.

Skysight's windgram showed a lovely thermic day. 
The thermal strength decode is on the right-hand side.

The overnight road closure on the A386 between Horrabridge and Grenofen opened in tine to let the early birds arrive and start getting the field set up.

Two K-13s, a Twin Astir, and a K-8 were available.  We would be launching from the east end into a westerly breeze.

At the morning brief it was revealed that the Duty Instructor was lightly loaded today; Mike Jardine had just one trainee, Neal, who enjoyed five flights throughout the day with two of them soaring ones.

The RASP forecast for the day. The Duty Instructor said the top trace was like his last ECG.  Or that's what I think he is said!

But before we mention too much of the day's flying a determined last effort was taking place on the hangar apron with the Asrir CS77.  After reviewing all the work done and postulating why the main wheel brake wasn't working, stripping everything down, applying copper slip high-temperature grease, test fitting the brake hub and cable, came the Eureka moment.  Fault corrected,  the glider was declared serviceable and joined the flight line for a test flight after lunch.  There were too many involved in this repair and maintenance to name them all but special mention must go to John Smith for his perseverance and leadership of a disparate team.  Once he gets his teeth into a problem he never lets go.  There remains one final job that was left for another day; refit the undercarriage door that Andy repaired recently.  

Neal soaring on the first flight of the day

Mike and Neal's view of the runway from the east as the wind pushes them towards the moors

Following a networking event at Mount Kelly school Tara Aird contacted me several months ago for her two sons to come flying with DGS.  Booking proved to be more tricky than expected with limited dates and the desire for both to fly a One Day Course on the same day.  Eventually, we got the bookings sorted.  Henry, who is reading medicine at Oxford University brought Fergus and Roman to the airfield and sat in on their introductory brief.  Tara and daughter, India, joined the boys after lunch.  After seeing the activity Tara is keen that more pupils at Mount Kelly come and try their hand at flying.

The Aird brothers with guardian Henry and Gavin ready to start flying

Gavin starts the One Day Courses with Fergus Aird

And they are away!

We welcomed John Allan back from an extended deployment to North Hill.  He soared in the K-8 and later, when it came back online, the Astir CS77.  We will hear more of the latter later.

Second up, Roman Aird ready to launch with Gavin

Dave Osment rigged and took a circuit in his K-6, FUB before flying with Rick later for some advanced training.  The CFI just can't stop himself getting in the back seat, even when he is not on duty.  But there was a twist when Rick went soaring with Dave's Dad, John, he did so from the front seat with John training to become an Introductory Flight Pilot which involves flying from he back seat.

After its extensive wheel brake and undercarriage work Peter took the Astir CS77 for a test flight.  Looking at the altimeter I would judge that he will release it to service very shortly.

At the height he achieved in his test flight Peter had time to pause and admire the view to the north.

Pleased with his efforts, the old man of the air, John Smith, took the K-8 up for a soaring flight to show Dave Osment how its done.  Well done John.  Meanwhile, Phil rigged his DG300 and enjoyed an extended soaring flight in the local area before helping out at the launch point.  Steve Fletcher rigged his Open Cirrus but despite having a relaunch wasn't as successful.  The conditions, as forecast varied thought the day, just like an ECG trace!

His instructional duties with Neal, on pause, Mike went flying on his own.

Mike's view of the Tamar Valley and Plymouth Sound from his Standard Cirrus

By mid afternoon the weather had brightened up
and bathed Blackdown and Mary Tavy in bright sunshine

After its test flight Malcolm took the Astir CS77 up, and after a relight enjoyed an extended soaring flight whilst Mike Bennett took the K-8 aloft.  Late arrival Dave Archer "broke his duck" and soared for 20 minutes demonstrating that there should be nothing stopping him from doing the same in his Ka6-CR "Debbie".

On a soaring flight Fergus and Gavin took in the wonderful views of the local area.  There was definitely a competitive streak between the two boys comparing heights and flight duration.

Looking southwest into Cornwall and at a fantastic sky

Looking north towards Lydford gorge

Many of us know that the audio tone XK10 vario gets really excited above 8 knots of lift. Today I discovered that if the lift exceeds 10 knots, then the warbling becomes a very loud, continuous, piecing tone.  I estimated the peak lift was 12 knots - that's 1,200 feet per minute. 

After Mike's flight in the standard Cirrus he handed the glider over to Scratch who enjoyed  a great flight. At 1600 he joined three other gliders in a thermal; Rick and Dave Osment, Mike and Neal, and John Allan.  There were no reports of who out climbed whom but from the back seaters photos it showed that capturing other gliders in a thermal is tricky.  These were the best they achieved:

The Astir CS77, DNE and the Twin Astir, DSL. Yes, you have to look carefully.

And the Twin Astir, DSL again

John Allan recounts:

No photos for the blog today I'm afraid.  I had a nice flight in DNE at the end of the day, including a fun thermal with three other gliders to mark my 1,000th flight in a glider since taking up gliding in October 2019.

Congratulations John. 

Roman and Fergus receive their course completion certificates. 
They were definitely buzzing after their flights.  This was the best out of five photos taken!

It was good to see the whole Aird family visibly happy with their day whether in the air or on the ground.  Tara definitely wants to try it as does India, that is when she gets a bit bigger and can reach the controls!  A quick word of thanks to the Flight Instructors and members who made the delivery of these two One Day Course a slick and seamless operation.

Malcolm readies the K-8 for the penultimate and last soaring flight of the day.

Fergus and Roman's late grandfather was a big fan and collector of classic cars so following their mum's request a few of the Wednesday Wavers brought their classic steeds along.  Gavin, his MGC GT and Dave Osment, his Mark 1 Ford Cortina.  Sadly, Colin needed his tools in his van and so didn't bring his bight red Triumph TR4.

Fun fact:  At three litres the MGC GT has twice the engine displacement than the Ford Cortina, two more cylinders, and two more carburettors!  And you thought glider pilots only compared wing spans.

Preparing the Twin Astir to go in the hangar.

The Astir CS77 basking in the sunshine before hangar packing, and undoubtedly pleased to be back in service

Peter summed it up: "A great day" that saw two Junior One Day Courses delivered, the Astir CS77 back in service, all three flight Instructors clocking up valuable solo time, and smiles all round.

Well done the Wavers.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 2nd August 2026

Arriving at the club it was earily quiet. Slowly a few members arrived so we could manage to fly. The forecast was for a light easterly breeze with thermals developing during the morning under a blue sky and RASP giving a five star rating. So where was everybody? No trainees arrived so a K13 was taken to the launch point and two privateers rigged.

The only club member requiring the K13 was Michael Malric-Smith, who after a quick check flight was told he could make as much use of the aircraft to add to his solo count as long as he made the aircraft available for the duty BI to fly our visitors.

Michael getting ready for his first solo of the day.

The first visitor arrived. Graydon Widdicombe arrived from Paignton with his partner. He enjoyed two flights with Phil and was asking plenty of questions before flying.

Graydon interested in the instruments.

Graydon settled and ready to fly.

By the time they landed the next visitors arrived. Josh Moore and Roxanne Kelly from Tavistock and Plymouth respectively. Josh had an enjoyable soaring flight and Roxanne a slightly shorter flight. Sorry, no picture of Roxanne.

Josh being briefed by Phil

Josh ready to go.

The first privateer launched. Ed Borlase in his K6 EWO. He had soon disappeared and Glide & Seek soon showed him above 4000ft.

Ed ready to launch.

Ed's view of the river Tamar.

Sean Westrope came from the winch and launched in his Libelle CLM. He stayed aloft for 1 hour 4 minutes. Ed radioed down to ask if I would like to fly the K6. I said no, you stay up and enjoy yourself. Ed eventually landed after 3 hours 10 minutes. Michael had an additional two solos in the K13. With the K13 not in use I decided to take it for a solo flight and enjoyed 46 minutes aloft.

My view of the airfield.

My view looking down on Ed.

After I landed Michael had another solo in the K13 to add a total of 4 flights and 41 minutes to his solo career.

Thank you to the few at the club today who managed to fly three visitors and enable those who wanted to, to fly. Also thank you to George Purkiss for his help and winching.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding Society -- Wednesday 29th July 2026

The last Wednesday in July.  How the year is rattling along.  I initially wrote the last flying day in July, but that would have been wrong as we have an aerotow day planned for Friday 31 July.  It looks to be a good day for soaring as well.

Back to today.  Andy's forecast was promising for wind direction and thermic activity, with Skysight predicting some cumulus in the afternoon.

Skysight's windgram for Wednesday

We deployed to the east end two K-13s, a K-8, and the Astir CS77 ready for its test flight after recent extensive work on the undercarriage and wheel brake system.  Later, after measuring the control surface deflections, as the final part of its annual inspection and ARC, the Twin Astir DSL also joined the flight line for a test flight.

Five visitors today; A family of three from Hayle, one from Helston, and one from Plymouth.  The briefing was routine, and it would be initially blue and hot; water, hats and sunscreen required after the morning fogginess had burnt off.

Today would allow Michael M-S to consolidate his solo flight in K-13, CCY on Saturday.  Sunday's flying had been curtailed after the duty instructor's test flight.  Far too gusty.

A number of privateers rigged their ships; two Libelles, a DG300, an Open Cirrus, a Kestrel 19m, and two K-6CRs.

We were joined by Albert, John Smith's grandson who flew on a Friends and Family flight with Steve Lewis for an extended soaring flight. "An amazing flight with an amazing instructor". What an epithet!

Sean prepares his Libelle

The Chairman and Lance discuss the finer points of daily inspections

Ray and Aiden conduct positive checks on K-13, CCY

I am sure that there is something missing on Steve Fletcher's Open Cirrus.

There's always fettling to be done.  Phil works on the headrest of his DG300.

Andy even Andy is at it with his Libelle.

Meanwhile, at the hangar Colin and Steve measure the control surface deflections
of Twin Astir 1, DSL, after its annual inspection prior to releasing it to service.

First up was Dave Osment for a check flight before being cleared to fly his own glider, K-6CR, FUB.  Then Michael M-S for a check flight, a simulated launch failure, and then he made his second solo in a glider.  Well done Michael. I hope you are enjoying the peace and quiet in flight after thousands of hours with those noisy engines, and rotor blades whizzing around above your head.

Lance and Mike look down on Zack in the K-8

Our first visitors, the Hughes family clan, came en masse.  I never did manage to count them all, but it took several trips in the seven seat Volvo to get all three, at least, generations of Hughes, to the launch point.

Sisters Tegan and Morva, bought their dad Gerrard a pair of flights.  Then they decided to fly as well in support of him.  Will the other two sisters do the same in the future?  Gerard enjoyed a couple of extended circuits before Tegan took to the air and soared with Gavin.

Tegen and Gavin ready to aviate

All the Hughes family wanted a go

A proud mum and daughter. Gavin just photo bombed the picture!

The thermic activity spurred Andy, Phil, Sean, John Osment, Steve Fletcher, Jamie, and Peter into long flights although not all "got away" on the first launch.  Zack too had a long flight to achieve his second hour-long flight as part of his Sailplane Pilot Licence qualification.  As ever in life its always worth reading the small print of what is required rather than listening to hearsay.  Flying three times the duration required will get you doing chores at home for a very long time to pay for your flight!

Ed Nicholson soaring in the Twin Astir 1, DSL

The duty instructor flew six trainees today in the K-13 and then the Twin Astir, after a successful test flight; Michael M-S, Lance, Ed Nicholson Aiden, Raymond, and Neal.  Lance and Ed enjoyed some soaring and appreciated the extra time in their log books whilst Aiden added a number of launch failures to his flying experience.
 

Steve Fletcher's view overhead Horrabrifge

Now it was Morva Hughes' turn.  My ABCDE checks revealed that wind had freshened and was now straight down the runway.  The conditions had changed.  After a reasonable launch we found sink everywhere.  After just three minutes we were back on the ground.  On finals the vario showed 7 knots down and that was before I opened the air brakes.  On our second attempt we enjoyed an extended soaring flight.  Much better.

Older sister Morva Hughes ready for her flights

Steve Fletcher encounters Peter's Kestrel in flight somewhere over west Devon

Delays on launching and a busy launch queue meant that Steve Lewis flew our fourth visitor Brian Cauley, a 90yro retired policeman, so that we could keep on track with our visitors.

Steve introduces the K-13 to Brian Cauley (centre in the light blue shirt)
and son-in-law Nick Beable, who bought the flight voucher

Whilst waiting to be retrieved back the launch point Steve Fletcher catches Peter
on his final approach after a cross country flight

Our final visitor was Nick Maidwell.  Nick is a former hang glider pilot, he had tried gliding at our sister club, Devon and Somerset, GC twenty years ago and last year at Seahawk GC.  With the latter now closed Nick was interested in what DGS has to offer, especially the training regime, and the possibility of joining the club.  I hope that my two flights with him, which included a soaring flight, helps him in making that decision.

The launch queue was busy later on with the K-6 aficionados; the two Daves (Archer and Osment) cranking out multiple circuits.  Unimpressed, the old man of the sky, John Smith took the K-8 and showed them how to soar late in the afternoon.

After 44 flights it was time for the Wavers to pack up after a successful day.

Back in the clubhouse Ed Borlase's Camelback has been on the table for weeks. 
I am pretty certain that in this heat the contents are a biohazard
 worthy of the attention of Porton Down biochemists and scientists!

With the hangar packed the verdict on the new tow out gear for the Twin Astirs was universally positive.  No more lifting heavy fuselage booms. 

After a last pot of tea the Wavers departed after having let the sheep back on the airfield to do their thing and save us the cost of diesel in mowing the airfield!

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Friday 31st July 2026

After a couple of previous attempts, would today be the day North Hill bring their tug to Brentor for members to experience aerotow launches again. Avid watchers watching on Glide & Seek saw the tug take off from North Hill only for it to turn around just past the M5 and head back to North Hill. The reason a thick bank of cloud prevented passage. After an eager wait and spotting the tug outside the hangar start to taxi, would it manage the passage to Brentor. Further watching saw it inbound to Brentor passing Black Down.

Tug arrives at Brentor.

First aerotow was a check flight for myself. Mike Sloggett took to the front seat of the Twin Astir to see that all was well. A smooth climb out and tow to release, all went well with a couple of minor comments so it was game on for me and the Twin Astir (nobody else wanted to sit in the back seat of the Twin on aerotow). I would gradually work through those requiring aerotows in the Twin, Lance Whitehead (experience flight), Jamie Young (revisit spinning as part of SPL), Misha Skochko and Aiden Hughes (Spin Training towards solo).

Aiden prepares for his aerotow.

Twin Astir off on another aerotow.

We haven't seen the airfield that small for a while.
Can you see it?

North Hill instructors Mike Sloggett, Mark Courtney and Stuart Proctor took both DGS pilots and visiting DSGC pilots for various flights both on aerotow and winch. Steve Fletcher and Michael Malric-Smith had aerotows moving towards getting their aerotow qualification. Visiting pilots Callum Ellis, Charlie Fabb, Roger Davis and Chris Woodward all enjoyed flights of various durations over Dartmoor and the surrounding area. Callum probably left with the biggest smile after being cleared to fly his LS4 and soared for 2 hours 27 minutes.

Before the tug arrived, some DGS privateers launched into some promising conditions. Andy Davey (Libelle) tried a 250km flight. Phil Hardwick (DG300) ventured away from the local area (sorry no task details) and Gavin Short (Std Cirrus) circumnavigation of the moors. Here are a few of Gavin's photos:-

Harrowbeer airfield Yelverton

Lee Mill claypits.

View towards Torbay.

A diferent view of the moor.

Earlier in the day Steve Fletcher took Michael Malric-Smith for a ride around to keep his hand in.

Michael enjoying his flight.

Our CFI Rick Wiles had a busy day. After flying with Mark Courtney earlier in the day resulting in him qualifying as a BI Coach (well done Rick) he then took his Std Cirrus for a 1 hour 11 minute flight.

Gavin looking down on Rick.

Rick being congratulated by Mark.

Another very successful aerotow day at DGS. A very big thankyou to our friends at DSGC who make this possible and to all at the airfield who made operations as smooth as possible.

Peter Howarth