Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 12 August 2026

There is an earworm running through my head today.

I can't light no more of your darkness,
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white,
I'm growing tired and time stands still before me,
Frozen here on the ladder of my life,

Don't let the sun go down on me.

Of course many of the Wednesday Wavers would remember when the song, "Don't let the sun go down on me" was first released on Elton John's 1974 Caribou album and his subsequent fantastic live performances of that classic.

However, younger DGS pilots will remember the Elton John and George Michael's duet of the song.

Why the earworm?  Today from 1818 to 2010 the Wavers could experience a partial solar eclipse at Brentor, the best in UK since the total eclipse in 1999.

So a close look at the weather is called for, and it appears that we should be cloud free.  The wind strong from the southeast, killing any late afternoon lift, probably would mean that hangar would be packed in time for viewing from the clubhouse terrace. 

Gavin lies down on the job of applying tyre pressure labels to the club gliders.

Today we welcomed three visitors each with two flight vouchers; Barry Thurgood from Ashburton, Russell Heath from Plymstock, and junior Rhys Ferguson from Ivybridge.  All would be under the tender care of Steve Fletcher, our Secretary and, of course, Introductory Flight Pilot.

Despite the number of Wednesday Wavers were less than normal the Duty Instructor had five trainees to fly.  In addition, he would have to depart at 1730 for grandfather solar eclipse duties.  Yes, it was new one on me too!  That meant that DB, Michael M-S, Ed Nicholson, Ian, and Ray would only have two flights a piece.  But with a breeze keeping most of the heat at bay no one seemed that concerned. 

DB struggles with his straps for his second flight.  "I wouldn't do it like that Dave if I were you!"

Michael M-S prepares himself for flight. 
 Yes, there is a pesky instructor in the back this time rather than letting you fly on your own.

Steve poses with Barry Thurgood, and almost-retired wellness coach. 
 I suppose a gliding club is as good an environment as any for reconnecting with nature. 

John Allan, Malcolm, and John Smith tried their hand in the Astir CS77 whilst Michael Bennett, Peter, and I flew the K-8 after the defective Flarm unit was swapped out first thing this morning.

Mike Bennett flies the K-8, FXB with its new Flarm unit.

Newly-retired Russell Heath appears not to have a care in the world.

Russell, still smiling while waiting to launch

Steve, ultra-chilled despite the heat.  Perhaps he is reminiscing
that it was exactly 11 years ago today that he came to the club
for a trial flight which led to him returning to flying after a gap of about 30 years!

Dave Archer tries to breathe life into his K-6CR.  He is a paramedic you know.

In the afternoon Neal brought his family to club.  His son, Ben flew two Friends and Family flights with Mike Jardine whilst Dave Archer flew his K-6CR, and Scratch his Standard Cirrus.

After all that exertion and a first flight it's time to rest in the shade.

Ben Oxley raring to go with the Duty Instructor

The southeasterly cross wind and the hint of wave meant the thermals struggled as did several pilots.  There were some soaring flights but none that exceeded the club 30 minute limit, although Peter and Malcolm came close.

Junior Rhys Ferguson, our third visitors, is helped by Ray and Steve.

Aviation enthusiast Rhys concentrates during Steve's briefing

For the second flight and a chance to get hands on the controls Rhys teams up with Scratch.

And today's prize for the silliest hat goes to....

Dave Archer, actually in his glider rather than fettling it, readies for a second launch.

It was hot but pleasant in the breeze that made for a rather laid-back day for those who came to fly.  The Wavers clocked up 29 flights.

 

A big thanks to those who drove the winch today and Colin for successfully reskinning the starboard side of FSD's cockpit.  This involved cutting the Ceconite fabric, sticking it using Superseam, ironing it, applying three coats of non-shrinking dope and then a coat UV paint.  Fortunately, he could do that in the airy hangar rather that the sweat box that is currently his workshop. 

What of the eclipse?  Those who normally stay behind and put the world to rights decided that viewing the eclipse at home was the best option.  I was the last out, or I thought I was.  Whilst locking the gates I was surprised to see Dave Archer return.  In the modern world you can't do much with your smartphone.  Even more so when it's in the pocket in the cockpit of your glider that is locked in its trailer.

 

The 95.5% totality caught on camera, together with a lens flare, at Harrowbarrow in East Cornwall.

Gavin Short

Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 9th August 2026

A light northwesterly breeze and rasp giving a possible 4 star rating, the prospects were for a good day flying. The K13, Twin Astir, K8 and Astir 77 were DI'd and taken to the east end launch point. There was a lot of activity amongst privateers rigging their aircraft. Andy Davey (Ventus CHG), Sean Westrope (Libelle CLM), John Osment (Cirrus JFA), Phil Hardwick (DG300 HME) and Ed Borlase (K6 EWO).

First trainee was Aiden Hughes. A couple of good circuits and a practice launch failure sees him progressing well.

Aiden getting ready for his flights.

Meanwhile duty BI Richard Roberts and Steve Fletcher had a flight in the Twin Astir ready for visitors to arrive.

Steve and Richard launch in the Twin.

Next trainee to fly with me was Misha Skochko who managed a soaring flight during which stalls with wing drop were practiced also sees him progressing well. The first visitor, Adam Earl arrived and enjoyed two flights with Richard.

Adam being briefed by Richard.

And receives his certificate.

Shortly after the second visitor arrived. Simon Wood enjoyed two flights, one slightly longer in the improving conditions.

Simon looking forward to his flights.

It was time for Richard and I to swap aircraft. Rowan Guest has been training in the |Twin One short flight followed by a soaring flight during which Rowan experienced his first spin training exercises. Richard took over the K13 to take the final visitor Derek Bond. Derek was supported by his family.

Derek and family.

Whilst all this was happening the privateers were launching. Andy Davey in his newly refinished Ventus flew for just over three hours in the East Cornwall and surrounding area. John Osment also enjoyed 1½hours in his Cirrus.

Andy launches in his Ventus.

Phil spreading his wings.

The other privateers all had flights of various durations, but not as long as Andy and John. Today Freddie Purkiss returned from his Army training and enjoyed three flights with me. A little rusty, but it was all coming back after the three flights.

Freddie settling back into the K13.

After a week away flying with the ATC at Upavon, Ed Nicholson was glad to get back into the K13 as well.

Ed happy back in a K13.

K13 soaring above the Twin Astir

And soaring with Ed in his K6.

After working on his K6 Viktor came to the launch point and flew the K8. Also after a stint on the winch John Smith flew the Astir 77.

Viktor launches in the K8.

Thank you to all at the club today. 33 flights and several soaring flights. A good day flying.

Peter Howarth

Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 1st August 2026

 Generally we have low pressure in charge after the "blocking" high that was responsible for the July heat wave has moved off towards the continent. Today's forecast was for a steady breeze from the NW. The soaring forecast was reasonable with the intriguing possibility of a convergence forming in the late afternoon.

Rick had quite a short training list today; not a surprise after the very good soaring both Wednesday and Friday ( aerotow day ). We only fielded two privateers today in the shape of Gavin and his immaculately presented Std Cirrus. and Dave Archer with his K6.

Dave's K6 waiting under a nice looking sky

Soaring was very good initially. Gradually the promised convergence made an appearance well to the south out of gliding range from a winch launch; oh for the aerotow facility of yesterday. To compound this the convergence had dragged in the sea air over the airfield which cut off the soaring for a couple of hours. eventually the soaring conditions returned and a great time was had by all.

K13 CCY on appraoch

Nice to see this glider flying again

We welcomed 3 visitors today Carl Thomas for a One Day Course, Eve Birrell and Alex Sloan for Air Experience flights. 

Eve

Alex and myself

A good day.

A quiet sky at the end of the day

Unknown to us, a passing visitor, Mandy from Bude, managed to take some photos from directions that we normally don't see and sent them to us for our viewing. The following are a photos are a flavour of what she took.

DSL flying overhead

DSL on approach

K13 FGR take off and ...

... rising into the sky

K13 FGR on approach

Steve

Dartmoor Gliding Society - Wednesday 5 August 2026

Wednesday's Weather from Andy:

With low pressure over Scotland we will be in an unstable westerly flow.

Wind westerly at 12kts there could be the occasional shower but overall the day should be quite good with thermals starting by 1100 and going on until late afternoon.  Cloud base should rise to 4,000ft early afternoon.

So a good thermic day for the Wednesday Wavers and the Aird brothers; Fergus and Roman who were our two junior one day course candidates today.

Skysight's windgram showed a lovely thermic day. 
The thermal strength decode is on the right-hand side.

The overnight road closure on the A386 between Horrabridge and Grenofen opened in tine to let the early birds arrive and start getting the field set up.

Two K-13s, a Twin Astir, and a K-8 were available.  We would be launching from the east end into a westerly breeze.

At the morning brief it was revealed that the Duty Instructor was lightly loaded today; Mike Jardine had just one trainee, Neal, who enjoyed five flights throughout the day with two of them soaring ones.

The RASP forecast for the day. The Duty Instructor said the top trace was like his last ECG.  Or that's what I think he is said!

But before we mention too much of the day's flying a determined last effort was taking place on the hangar apron with the Asrir CS77.  After reviewing all the work done and postulating why the main wheel brake wasn't working, stripping everything down, applying copper slip high-temperature grease, test fitting the brake hub and cable, came the Eureka moment.  Fault corrected,  the glider was declared serviceable and joined the flight line for a test flight after lunch.  There were too many involved in this repair and maintenance to name them all but special mention must go to John Smith for his perseverance and leadership of a disparate team.  Once he gets his teeth into a problem he never lets go.  There remains one final job that was left for another day; refit the undercarriage door that Andy repaired recently.  

Neal soaring on the first flight of the day

Mike and Neal's view of the runway from the east as the wind pushes them towards the moors

Following a networking event at Mount Kelly school Tara Aird contacted me several months ago for her two sons to come flying with DGS.  Booking proved to be more tricky than expected with limited dates and the desire for both to fly a One Day Course on the same day.  Eventually, we got the bookings sorted.  Henry, who is reading medicine at Oxford University brought Fergus and Roman to the airfield and sat in on their introductory brief.  Tara and daughter, India, joined the boys after lunch.  After seeing the activity Tara is keen that more pupils at Mount Kelly come and try their hand at flying.

The Aird brothers with guardian Henry and Gavin ready to start flying

Gavin starts the One Day Courses with Fergus Aird

And they are away!

We welcomed John Allan back from an extended deployment to North Hill.  He soared in the K-8 and later, when it came back online, the Astir CS77.  We will hear more of the latter later.

Second up, Roman Aird ready to launch with Gavin

Dave Osment rigged and took a circuit in his K-6, FUB before flying with Rick later for some advanced training.  The CFI just can't stop himself getting in the back seat, even when he is not on duty.  But there was a twist when Rick went soaring with Dave's Dad, John, he did so from the front seat with John training to become an Introductory Flight Pilot which involves flying from he back seat.

After its extensive wheel brake and undercarriage work Peter took the Astir CS77 for a test flight.  Looking at the altimeter I would judge that he will release it to service very shortly.

At the height he achieved in his test flight Peter had time to pause and admire the view to the north.

Pleased with his efforts, the old man of the air, John Smith, took the K-8 up for a soaring flight to show Dave Osment how its done.  Well done John.  Meanwhile, Phil rigged his DG300 and enjoyed an extended soaring flight in the local area before helping out at the launch point.  Steve Fletcher rigged his Open Cirrus but despite having a relaunch wasn't as successful.  The conditions, as forecast varied thought the day, just like an ECG trace!

His instructional duties with Neal, on pause, Mike went flying on his own.

Mike's view of the Tamar Valley and Plymouth Sound from his Standard Cirrus

By mid afternoon the weather had brightened up
and bathed Blackdown and Mary Tavy in bright sunshine

After its test flight Malcolm took the Astir CS77 up, and after a relight enjoyed an extended soaring flight whilst Mike Bennett took the K-8 aloft.  Late arrival Dave Archer "broke his duck" and soared for 20 minutes demonstrating that there should be nothing stopping him from doing the same in his Ka6-CR "Debbie".

On a soaring flight Fergus and Gavin took in the wonderful views of the local area.  There was definitely a competitive streak between the two boys comparing heights and flight duration.

Looking southwest into Cornwall and at a fantastic sky

Looking north towards Lydford gorge

Many of us know that the audio tone XK10 vario gets really excited above 8 knots of lift. Today I discovered that if the lift exceeds 10 knots, then the warbling becomes a very loud, continuous, piecing tone.  I estimated the peak lift was 12 knots - that's 1,200 feet per minute. 

After Mike's flight in the standard Cirrus he handed the glider over to Scratch who enjoyed  a great flight. At 1600 he joined three other gliders in a thermal; Rick and Dave Osment, Mike and Neal, and John Allan.  There were no reports of who out climbed whom but from the back seaters photos it showed that capturing other gliders in a thermal is tricky.  These were the best they achieved:

The Astir CS77, DNE and the Twin Astir, DSL. Yes, you have to look carefully.

And the Twin Astir, DSL again

John Allan recounts:

No photos for the blog today I'm afraid.  I had a nice flight in DNE at the end of the day, including a fun thermal with three other gliders to mark my 1,000th flight in a glider since taking up gliding in October 2019.

Congratulations John. 

Roman and Fergus receive their course completion certificates. 
They were definitely buzzing after their flights.  This was the best out of five photos taken!

It was good to see the whole Aird family visibly happy with their day whether in the air or on the ground.  Tara definitely wants to try it as does India, that is when she gets a bit bigger and can reach the controls!  A quick word of thanks to the Flight Instructors and members who made the delivery of these two One Day Course a slick and seamless operation.

Malcolm readies the K-8 for the penultimate and last soaring flight of the day.

Fergus and Roman's late grandfather was a big fan and collector of classic cars so following their mum's request a few of the Wednesday Wavers brought their classic steeds along.  Gavin, his MGC GT and Dave Osment, his Mark 1 Ford Cortina.  Sadly, Colin needed his tools in his van and so didn't bring his bight red Triumph TR4.

Fun fact:  At three litres the MGC GT has twice the engine displacement than the Ford Cortina, two more cylinders, and two more carburettors!  And you thought glider pilots only compared wing spans.

Preparing the Twin Astir to go in the hangar.

The Astir CS77 basking in the sunshine before hangar packing, and undoubtedly pleased to be back in service

Peter summed it up: "A great day" that saw two Junior One Day Courses delivered, the Astir CS77 back in service, all three flight Instructors clocking up valuable solo time, and smiles all round.

Well done the Wavers.

Gavin Short