Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 31 December 2025 - New Year's Eve

On Christmas Eve, the Wednesday Wavers had been good.  No flying in the spirit of familial harmony.  And so it was meant to be for New Year's Eve too - NRI - No Rated Instructor on the calendar, which effectively means no flying.  But the old softy softened when he asked if anyone wanted to fly on the club forum.  He was inundated, so the Wavers were very pleased when Mike Jardine said that he would open the field.  Yippee!

So here we are on the last day of 2025.  High pressure in charge, frosty, light winds, sunshine, and a one-star forecast from RASP.  Well, it is the end of December, so let's make the most of it.  Indeed, the blog may turn in to a photo essay as we have something to celebrate.

In the clubhouse, the wood burner was working hard to take the chill off.  Whilst teas were being made, I could hand out the DGS haul of raffle prizes from the members' support of the Harrowbarrow and Metherell Community Shop (the Tamar Valley Pantry).  It has now been trading for two months and couldn't have made it without your support.  The haul; a six-pack of beers and cider, a six-pack of soft drinks, membership of Pentille Castle and estate, and a bottle of Glenfiddich malt whisky.  Not a bad haul.

The raffle prizes were handed out

The turnout today was tremendous, not just the Wednesday Wavers but more: three FI (S), four BI(S), and an IFP.  Oodles of instructors, maybe we could have loaned some out to another club if they were short and couldn't fly today?  Sean was keen to try flying from the rear seat of a K-13.  Initial steps in his path to Basic Instructor.

As expected, the winds were light.  Mindful of a wind change later when the wind speed would drop in the middle of the day, initially two K-13s and the Astir CS77 were ranged at the west end.  As we were setting up, we were joined by Christopher Morris from Seahawk GC.  Welcome back Christopher.

The initial set up on a frosty morning with long shadows

Low morning sun too

Look at the blue of that sky

It took a while before the canopy cleared, but frost clung to the wings of the Astir CS77 for several hours, despite being sat in the sunshine.

Ice on the fabric of the K-13 wings was less of an issue

Training flights for Misha, Michael M-S, David Moorley, Sean, Lance, and Neal were split between Mike, Peter, and Rick.  Mike also flew with Christopher Morris and John Smith.

First up with Mike was Misha. 
A rare photo of the CFI running the wing. 
He's normally in the back seat of a K-13.

You would think that an experienced helicopter pilot knew how
 to do his straps up, wouldn't you?  Michael M-S prepares for flight.

The Astir CS77 was taking ages to thaw so it was moved back towards the boundary fence, leaving an icy glider outline on the ground - It reminded me of a crime scene in a TV drama.

In the trailer park privateers were rigging; Discus, Open Cirrus, two K6-CRs (EWO and DKG), and a Standard Cirrus which was just catching some air and sunshine.

"Gentlemen, rig your gliders!"

The new kid on the block. The early bird catches the worm, or does he?

Open Cirrus rigging.  Yes, the fuselage is that far away from the wing tip.

A Discus with more conventional length wings

Misha on his third training flight

Blackdown, resplendent in the winter sunshine. 
Would it produce some thermals later in the day?

Mike and Misha's view to the south

The airfield, still quite green for late December

With three FI(S) on the field, all manner of training was taking place.  Rick took three flights with Sean in the rear seat, as a start to his BI(S) training.  Sean, welcome to the team.

Sean prepares to fly from the rear seat under the tutelage of Rick, the CFI.

Other flights were made by Steve Fletcher in the Open Cirrus, and Steve Lewis and Neal flew together in a K-13.

Back at the clubhouse, non-flying work was going on.  DB was fixing the Twin Astir Trainer trailer door closing mechanism and adjusting the ramp to ensure that everything closed as designed.  The new instrument panels are ready for installation and wiring up by John Allan, but Neal was keen to check that his 3D-printed sun shades fitted the new LXNAV LED Flarm displays.  There are a lot of steps, taken by many members and contractors, to get G-CHBK into service, but I am sure it will be very worthwhile.

John Osment hands off the work so far to John Allan, on the Twin Astir Trainer's panels and equipment.

After a delay, the reason for which will be revealed later, the K-6 team rigs Viktor's "Red Bear"

Daily Inspection, Critical checks, and Positive checks complete, KDG is at the launch point.

But before Viktor was allowed to get in the cockpit, a number of things needed to happen.  The check flight with the DCFI which would include the inevitable launch failure, followed by a flight in his glider and a type conversion brief.  Then, and only then, will Viktor be allowed to get in the cockpit.

Someone is about to fly my glider!

Viktor briefing Peter.  I thought it was meant to be the other way around.

Strap him in tight

And away he goes

On a safe approach over the boundary fence

You can't miss that colour!

Peter brings "Red Bear" back to the field before giving Viktor a type conversion brief.

That's how to do it Viktor

Tail tow-bar and wing dolly on, ready to back to the launch point for Viktor's turn

Meanwhile, Richard takes a launch in his Discus

A worm's eye view

And then silence returned for the worms

We welcomed Colin back from his holidays in Portugal (it was a bit warmer than the West Country but very wet, apparently).  He checked Adam's work on the rudder pedals of the K-8, GDK and released the glider to service.  I conducted a Daily inspection and Malcolm conducted a positive check.  As always, it flew beautifully, but the electric vario wasn't working (a power lead problem was later discovered).  I headed over to Blackdown and made use of the winter thermals, climbing 350 feet in occasional 1.5 knots of lift.  Ten minutes of blissful solitude and silence, what a great way to end the year.  A gentle, relaxed circuit, and then down to earth before letting Malcolm, John Allan, and David Archer sample silent flight too.

Gavin checks GDK before flight

Ed's EWO ready for the off.

But first Ed had to show Viktor the way in EWO.

And today's colour is RED!

EWO flying high and touching the moon

An apprehensive Viktor.  Just remember your training and all will be well.

The K-6 is a snug fit.

"Canopy closed and locked. Air brakes closed and locked.  Cable on please."

Time to level the wings

"All out, All out."

She flies

She accelerates

She climbs

Approaching the top of the launch

"Fly me to the moon".

Viktor returns to the airfield after his first flight in "Red Bear".

K-6s are photogenic from any angle

Looking great in the winter sunshine

Final approach

Nicely does it

The debrief amongst friends

Viktor shows Rick and Misha the intricacies of Red Bear.

Then Viktor conducts his ABCDE checks prior to his second flight

By now the Astir CS77 was thoroughly defrosted and Rick took it for a flight following a flight with Scratch in a K-13.

Viktor's take on his day:

Today, it all came as a surprise to me. I was completely unprepared — my instrument panel was left at home, and the glider documents were as well. I’m very grateful that all of you helped me get through this.

I quickly drove back to get the panel, Dave helped me fix the electrical side of things. Gavin completed the daily inspection logbook. John, Ed, and Gavin helped me get everything out, assemble it, and—most importantly—pack everything away again afterward. Peter carried out the test flight.

I was incredibly happy when I released and could finally feel how it flies — it was amazing. I caught myself thinking how hard it was to believe that this moment had actually arrived. It had been a long and emotional journey from the moment I first saw the advertisement to the moment I could truly enjoy the first flight. It was incredible.

I’m really glad this all happened this year — it genuinely feels like a logical and very satisfying conclusion to the year.

Thank you all.

 

As ever, thanks are also due to the log keepers, retrieve drivers, and winch drivers.  Thank you.

Scratch at full throttle

David Archer, wings level, ready for the last flight of the year

Launch!

David Archer takes the last flight of the day in the recently returned to service K-8, GDK

"Well, I was happy with that!"

With the toys packed away for the last time in 2025 the sky turns pink.

Heading home for New Year.  The last sunset in 2025.

Thirty-six flights on a day we didn't think we would be flying.  Sean starts a journey into instructing, we keep current, trainees continue their training, and today's highlight; Viktor flies his "Red Bear" for the first time.

To all our readers, I wish you a Happy New Year 2026.  The challenge for 2026 is to get all five Ka6-CRs rigged and on the field at the same time.  Readers have to decide is the colour order they want to see them in; two reds, two whites, and one yellow are the mix to choose from.

Gavin Short