Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 20th July 2025

A small crew gathered today and were greeted with low cloud and possible showers. Ever optimistic that the forecast improvement would arrive the ground kit was set up, but the aircraft were left in the hangar. Eventually after several cups of tea and coffee, lunch consumed, the rain cleared and the sky started brightening up. A K13 and the K8 were liberated from the hangar, DI'd and taken to the east end launch point.

First launch at a leisurly 14:34 was a check flight for Viktor Skochko. Successfully flown he was allowed another solo to add to his total.

Viktor ready for his check flight.

And ready for another solo.

After spending yesterday on the winch launching all the licensed pilots, John Smith was first to jump into the K8.

John getting into the K8.

Off he goes.

Perfect landing.

We were joined today by another naval pilot. Keegan Coetzee is a Royal Marine posted with 42 Commando in Bickleigh. With a PPL behind him, he wanted to take up gliding so he was a candidate to fly with me. With three flights he was starting to get used to coordinated turns and trimming the glider.

Keegan receiving his parachute brief from Steve.

Settling into the front seat ready to fly.

The only other trainee today was Edward Nicholson. Three flights was spent improving general flying and crosswind take-offs and landings. His final flight was a hangar landing during which we enjoyed a 21 minute soaring flight when the conditions improved. Steve Fletcher also had a circuit in the K8, but Ed Borlase mamaged 20 minutes on his hangar flight.

A big thank you to Phil Hardwick who winched and retrieved for the 13 flights today. The last flight landed at 18:05.

Peter Howarth