Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 3rd December 2025

After such a long run of wet autumnal weather, it was strange to awake to a clear sky with a light southeasterly that was forecast to veer through the day.  There was even the chance of some mild thermal activity at lunchtime.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get to the airfield until mid-morning, so I didn't know the state of the airfield after all the rain and whether we could fly.  I feared the worst.  The day was so beautiful that I stopped on a lay-by on the A39O, just east of Callington at Sevenstones, to take some pictures of the Tamar Valley wreathed in radiation fog.  The fog was transitory, as it would slowly clear as the sun climbed in the sky.  It gave me a feel good factor for the day.

The glorious view of the Tamar Valley from the A390 looking to the Southwest

To the South

And to the Southeast

When I arrived at the club, it was delightfully sunny.  The field was not as wet as expected.  A K-13 and the Astir CS77 were taken to the west end launch point.  To conserve the field, the K-13 would launch from the track.

K13, FGR, and Astir CS77, DNE, ready to go to work

In the hangar, DB continued his overhaul of the pillar drill and rewiring to meet Neal Oxley's PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) standards.  I helped DB move the electric motor back into position.  An interesting exercise using an improvised block and tackle.  Yes, the Wednesday Wavers can turn their hands to almost anything, even gliding when the weather permits.

The red tractor's engine was given a run.  After the replacement of one of the huge rear tyres and an inner tube, the tractor is ready for work again.

John Smith's new shelving in the west end launch point means
we can look after our parachutes properly

John Osment, DB, and I opened the Twin Astir Trainer trailer, now back on site after its "paint and polish" upcountry, and pulled the fuselage out.  We had just about enough time to talk through the options on the instrument panel mockups, and bounce our thoughts off the Chairman, before admitting defeat to the sprinkles of rain that forced us to put the fuselage back in the box.

We pulled the Twin Astir Trainer out of its trailer to admire the new paintwork
on the fuselage and smart new registration letters.

After a leisurely start, flying commenced.  Duty Instructor Mike Jardine had just one trainee today, Lance Whitehead who is very much enjoying his transition from sail to sailplane.

Mike and trainee Lance enjoy the first flight of the day

Back at the clubhouse, Colin was moving on with his T21 trailer project; get it mobile and sell the aircraft.  Anyone wishing to recreate their teenage youth with the ATC, and become reacquainted with the COSIM variometer, this is where you can do it. 

Colin's van loaded up ready to take the A frame for the T21 trailer to be welded before final fitting

Despite "Padowan" Adam's best efforts with the K-8 rudder pedal refurbishment, they haven't yet met Colin's exacting standards.  Adam, its time for a final push. The K-8 devotees want their "wafting machine" back to allow them to play in those weak winter thermals that are rapidly approaching.

Chairman and Inspector in deep discussions over the progress of the K-8, GDK, rudder pedal repair

While Lance was enjoying his set of three flights the Astir CS77 was in use with solo pilots Phil, Steve Fletcher, John Osment, Peter, John Allan, and Malcolm.  Inevitably, Malcolm managed the flight of the day; six minutes.  As ever, he has ingenious ways of staying in the air longer than any of the rest of us.  Today he instigated a novel idea enabling him to stay in the air for a few more seconds.

Mike also flew some recency flights with John Smith and David Archer; a pair a piece.  A useful exercise as the weather is proving to be rather inclement this autumn (Cue: British understatement). 

Mike admires the view of Plymouth Sound to the south while John Smith does the flying

John observes the clouds to the south

On John's second flight, a right-hand circuit gives
Mike and him a grand view of the "L-shaped field".  No, not today please gentlemen!

Back at the "Glider rack" Viktor was busy with stakes in the ground and a laser tape measure as part of his initiative to optimise trailer parking at the west end.  Very commendable Viktor, but those in the know recognise your ploy to have an excuse to come to the club, open up your trailer and admire "Red Bear", your newly acquired glider.

John walks the wing of the K-13 back to the launch point, while
John Osment comes to a halt in the Astir CS77 on the south side.

Davide Archer ponders the line of cumulus that was generated
 in the south and streamed over the moors all day.

John Allan brings the Astir CS77 home with a brilliant blue sky as his backdrop

Recency flights complete, Mike made a further two flights with Lance.  Often the winter months can be the best time to learn.  None of those distracting thermals to worry about.  Lance is yet to experience wave flight.  Like many, until they have, he is a disbeliever.  Time will change your mind, Lance, we promise.

John Allan hands the Astir CS77 over to Malcolm

As discussion moved to how many cables were needed before we packed up, I donned a parachute for my turn in the Astir CS77.  My preparations were interrupted by the arrival of temporary member Paul Priscott who had seen the break in the weather and wanted to fly.

The Duty Instructor had had his fill of flights today and asked me to take Paul up.  As Paul had had flown his two flight voucher with me, I was delighted to continue his training as I shifted steeds to the K-13.  Paul was surprised that we were thinking of packing up by 1500, but he soon saw the problem of misting canopies as the day cooled.  We enjoyed a clear canopy launch and I maximised Paul's hands on time with him using the ailerons to conduct several "rolling the glider" exercises.  Back at high key, I set up to land the glider.  I showed Paul that a 35 degree heading off the line of runway, in the southerly cross wind, was needed to achieve the correct track over the ground to land.  It was quite an eye-opener for him.

We followed the Astir CS77 back to the hangar, washed the gliders down, and when the hangar doors were closed we retired to the clubhouse.  We hope that our Chairman has convinced Paul to join as a full member.  The Wavers would be delighted to see him again

Moonrise over Dartmoor, marking the end of the day's flying

The first Wednesday of meteorological winter brought the Wavers a pleasant day.  A chance to make 16 flights for training, recency, and to welcome a temporary member back after the spate of bad weather.

Gavin Short