Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 1st March 2025

The weather forecast for several days leading up to this Saturday was looking really good, blue skies and gently NE breezes, The soaring forecast was suggesting a good day with thermals in the middle of the day with a cloud base at 4500ft. This created a lot of excitement amongst the club members. Arriving at the airfield the excitement was obvious. There were pilots rigging gliders everywhere. In fact, in their drive to get their steeds ready after the long winter slumber they had forgotten to get the club aircraft out. I quickly sorted this out and we were ready to go with 2 K13's and a K8 from the club an numerous private gliders.

Some of the early rigging

Waiting for the off. The day winning K6 with one of the Libelles

After the morning briefing it was on with the show. Today's instructor Peter Howarth had his first flights with junior member Elliot. Their first flight was an slightly extended circuit followed by a short soaring flight. This was followed by me flying with Anna Johnson who had Join the club today with her father Graham. We found a thermal straight off the wire. I think we had brought it up with us. The core was an astonishingly strong 6 knots which may well have been wave enhanced. We climbed at about 3knots average - yes I know I should have done better but this was my first proper thermal in a K13 this year, arriving at cloud base at 3500 ft above the airfield (QFE). This was followed by Anna's controls lesson after which we airbraked down to complete a very satisfying 28 minute flight. Father Graham followed with a soaring flight of 38minutes with Scratch. Welcome to the sport of gliding both of you.

New members Anna and Graham

Anna enjoying her flight

As might be expected  the K13s starting to soar triggered a rush of privateers all keen to get involved. There were 2 * Libelles, a DG300, an Open Cirrus, A Mini Nimbus, a Standard Cirrus and last but certainly not least the bright yellow K6 pilotted by Adam Hoskin who posted today's longest flight at 4 hours and 14 minutes. Several of the privateers ventured on short Cross Country flights. The highest reported cloud base was 4300 ft QFE with is 5100ft above sea level. A truly remarkable start to the season.

John Allan's track

and Gavin's meanderings

Watching the K6 soaring below from a K13

John's view of Plymouth and the Dockyard from overhead Saltash

Roadford Lake with the A30 in the foreground

We had several visitors today from Culdrose who were flying with us because they cannot access their own aircraft due to faulty hangar doors. You are very welcome. The final visitor today was Dan Hender from North Hill. He arrived in the Junior's K6 after visiting Launceston from North Hill but found making progress back to his home airfield very challenging in the strengthening easterlies. Another welcome guest.

Dan waiting for his retrieve crew

What a day the kick off the new season with 30 flights averaging over 55 minutes per flight.

A nice view south showing the estuaries and the sun shining 
on the west end of Whitsand Bay.

Steve