Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 30 April 2025

High pressure, blue, south easterly wind but no wave forecast by RASP or Skysight but the Wednesday Wavers know that you should never say never at Dartmoor Gliding.  Thermals were forecast to build in the afternoon with a maximum height of around 1,700 feet AGL.

John Smith's fitting out of the west end launch point is drawing to a close.  I was invited to choose the type of work top for the "office desk" and the type of handles on the kitchen cabinets.  At last I have left my mark on Zack's Shack.  The next stage is the installation of the electrical system and solar panels for which John Allan has the lead.  Yes, Dartmoor is green.

John Smith works on the kitchen cabinets while Alasdair maintains his supervisory mode.

Training got under way with a set of three flights for Raymond Staines who has come back to the sport after a year's lay off; two circuits and a soaring flight started to knock off some of the rustiness.

 

Ray returns after his second flight as the next pair of winch cables arrive at the launch point

"Take up slack".  Ray readies himself for his third launch of the day

1,500 feet, 42 knots, and wings level. 
It doesn't seem that Ray has forgotten much during his extended lay off.

While Ray is flying  Mike enjoys the view of Tavistock and the Hamoaze (Tavy and Tamar estuary) in the distance

We had a walk-in this morning. Connor Redburne, who has booked a One Day Course in a fortnight's time, came to see what this gliding lark was all about and make himself useful.  After a quick introduction from me, Neal gave Connor the guided tour and Connor got stuck in helping run the launch point.  A photography professional by trade he quickly realised the potential and will bring his camera gear next time.  Ed, may have to up his game.

He then observed Neal cracking out the next set of three training flights while Mike Bennett indulged in a little wafting around in the K-8. 

Our first visitor sadly was a no show. We hope that she will rebook soon.  Our second visitor was the mysteriously named Madgwick which turned out to be three friends, reunited in the West Country for a few days.  I showed them around while the ladies indulged in a lot of discussion. The intended lady to fly was Shelia but after much toing and froing Sue Gumbrell, from Hampshire, stepped up and had a single flight with me.  We found a little broken wave at 1,200 feet AGL and while I worked it Sue enjoyed the sights; Dartmoor, Plymouth Sound, and Bodmin Moor.  Most importantly I pointed out Mary Tavy and the Mary Tavy Inn where the three friends were going to have lunch later.

Sue Gumbrell all smiles before flying with Gavin

The day was starting to get thermic and Harvey Hunt had just two flights with Mike Jardine as the second one was a soaring flight of 33 minutes whilst Steve Lesson was flying the Astir CS77 for a 32 minute flight - well done Harvey, your pipped Steve.  With these two in the air Peter couldn't not take the K-8 for a flight to join them.

Sue receives her certificate whilst Shelia considers what could have been if she had chosen to fly

After the ladies departed DB came up from the hangar and took a short flight with me in the Puchacz

When Peter landed he was awarded with the "Man of the Match" after a flight of one hour nine minutes.  Then in anticipation of much of the same Malcolm took the Astir CS77 up but only managed 15 minutes with similar length flights made by Mike and Alasdair in the K-13, and also David Archer in the K-8.  Was the sky cycling or were the conditions changing?  Peter, buoyed from his success promptly took over in the winch from Phil.  Immediately there were a couple of launch failures, that were handled well by John Smith and I.  Could there be any causality here?

Peter's view of Brentor Church from the K-8.  What is the mystery glider below heading to the church?  The K-13 and the Astir CS77 were flying at the same time but it looks like neither.

The airfield from the North.  The bright fields in the distance are poly tunnels not solar panels.

Then it was on to our third visitor flight of the day; Isabelle Hazel for a surprise Eighteenth Birthday treat of some glider flights.  Her Dad, Phillip, and I had been in conversation for a while, planning this event despite the local council trying stop it by digging up the road at Chez Hazel.  Despite the multiple changes in the booking it was a well kept secret as neither Isabelle or younger sister, Charlotte, knew what was afoot until they turned into the car park and saw the "Dartmoor Gliding Society" sign.  Me thinks that Mum and Grandma's presence in the car for a "country drive" might have indicated that something was a foot.

Paperwork completed and parachute brief given Isabelle enjoyed two extended soaring flights with me.  The first one involved climbing 400 feet in thermals over Blackdown and in the second we climbed 200 feet in wave over the A386 between Mary Tavy and the Peter Tavy static home park.

Birthday girl Isabelle Hazell ready to enjoy her surprise treat of a pair of glider flights

Alasdair and Mike spot David Archer in the K-8 whilst enjoying a soaring flight together

Then they spot Isabelle and Gavin shortly after the Puchacz launched

The Puchacz quickly centres in a thermal and shares it with Mike and Alasdair in the K-13

Gavin opens up the radius of the thermal turn to put some distance between the Puchacz and the K-13

Younger sister Charlotte didn't want to miss out and after Dad put his hand in his pocket she flew in the K-13 with Mike.  Mike had suggested that we form up so that the sisters could meet in the air.  However, I failed to make it happen.  In my defence I was distracted by contacting wave and we all know that the Wednesday Wavers can't resist the temptation to exploit it at every opportunity.  That said while Isabelle and I were in wave Charlotte and Mike where thermaling just to the west of us in close proximity.  Such proximity of wave and thermals is very unusual.  Normally one knocks out the other.  After their adventures the sisters were reunited with Dad, Mum, and Grandma.  Both walked away happy with their certificates and temporary membership cards, after experiencing the thrill of "Free flight" as our Canadian cousins call it.  Happy Birthday Isabelle. We hope to see you and your sister again soon.

Isabelle's younger sister Charlotte is determined to join in the fun

Later Malcolm, and Mike and Alasdair persevered and enjoyed some extended soaring flights too.

At the end of the day, Mike, the Duty Instructor, had some spare capacity and took Connor for his first flight, a soaring flight for 17 minutes, which was a  nice introduction to our sport.  Meanwhile Phil took Mike Bennett aloft in the Puchacz for some instructor patter practice.

After everything was packed away we helped Phil get his trailer out of the glider rack ready for him to take it home before setting off for Shobdan airfield, home of Herefordshire Gliding Club, at the weekend.

Phil ready to depart on another gliding adventure

The Wednesday Wavers made twenty seven flights today, flew three visitors, made an early start for a One Day Course candidate, and of course some of them lived up to their name in the wave.

Finally, a cautionary tale.  At the end of the day it helps to close and lock one's trailer before setting off for home, unless the owner of the Club Libelle means to offer it to the club!

Gavin Short