Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 12th July 2025

 High pressure is very much in charge of the weather. The forecasts were showing SE winds fairly light with mostly blue skies. Skysight was showing moderate soaring possibilities locally with much better soaring towards the north coast. Sun screen and plenty of water were the order of the day to combat the 30º + temperatures.

Busy rigging area

An absolutely blue sky. 

The day started with Rick flying with Alasdair who was looking to complete his Bronze flying tests. Mike Jardine flew with Elliot Flannery, our only trainee today. They completed 2 soaring flights before Mike switched to flying his Std Cirrus.

Busy launchpoint

Sharing a thermal with K13 G-CFGR

We had a full list of visitors today. James Byles for a One Day Course and Jugal Sheth, Aishwara Rokade and Brodie Langman for Air Experience flights. 

James

Jugal

Aishwara

Brodie

The solo pilots had a good day today with Adam Hoskin recording 3hrs 6 min in his bright yellow K6 just pipped for longest flight by Andy Davey ( Libelle ) at 3hrs 9mins. Most enterprising flight was by John Allan ( Mini Nimbus ) who soared to the North coast to experience the forecasted stronger conditions. He turned Hartland Point returning back after 2 hrs 48.

This is what John had to say.

"Had a good flight today. Completely blue conditions to start with, which makes things more of a challenge, but as forecast a lot better towards the North coast. Managed to get round Hartland Point (nice view of Lundy) - but turned out to be a 38Km glide back to the Upper Tamar Lake and where the good lift (convergence) was. Cloud bases up around 6400ft made it possible."

Approaching the North Coast

North Coast

Rounding Hartland Point

John's flight trace

Today saw junior pilot Zack Smith convert to the K8 in which he recorded 1hr 4mins on his first flight.

Briefing from Rick

Bit more briefing

Off he goes

He looks pleased with himself 

A very successful day

Steve