Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 15th March 2025

The weather forecast looked favourable today. No rain, clear skies with long sunny spells and wind NE 10knots on the ground and up to 25knots at flying heights, Thermal forecast was good with RASP getting really excited and awarding the day 4 stars at noon. Even though there was a lot of east in the forecast neither RASP nor Skysight were showing any wave.

Andy preparing the Libelle at 8.30am

By 10.30 the sky looked like this

Not put off by this Andy Davey decided to take and early launch in his Libelle to see if the wave was there before the thermals started; thermals can breakup or enhance wave systems and visa versa. He launched at 8.30am and spent 30 minutes searching around for any significant wave, maintaining height in rotor and thermals. Very impressive for such an early flight. On landing he announced that there was already some thermal activity.

Today's instructor Mike Jardine's first flight was with junior Elliot who promptly soared for 34 minutes. Not to be outdone Mike's second flight was with junior Aiden who also soared for 34 minutes. That looks fair Mike. 

Elliot soaring

And his view of the airfield

There was a lot of soaring with Scratch and Alasdair recording a flight of 2 hours and 3 minutes in the Puchacz. Other notable flights were a cross country by Richard in his Discus who flew Brentor to Hatherleigh to Plymouth West and back to Brentor for 101km total returning after 1hr 51 and longest flight today was one of our Culdrose visitors Chris Bryning who clocked up 2hrs 45 in the DGS Astir.

Alasdair and Scratch ready in the Puchacz

Alasdair soaring

the K13 joining the Puchacz in a thermal

Richard's flight

As for visitors today we flew brother and sister Drew and Beth Wotton who had 15 min air experience flights each. Our other visitor today was another Culdrose visitor Steve Moore. He flew a circuit and 2 practice cable breaks with Mike after which he flew the K13 solo.

Beth ready to experience flight for the first time

And Drew

K13 on final approach

As always the flying was not the whole story. John was working on the bus / Zack Shack project. This is making real progress and the control tower should be installed soon. Any volunteers to paint the bus? In the hangar, K13 FGR was rigged, and the wheel box cleaned out. The K8 C of A is continuing. 

A busy day

Steve