Dartmoor Gliding News - Wednesday 4th February 2026

The forecast reckoned that we could go flying; there was a window before the wind increased significantly and the rain set in.  So the Wednesday Wavers did just that.  However, despite the strong easterly breeze Skysight wasn't predicting wave...

A K-13 and a K-8 were deployed to the west end, the former to take off from the track as we have done on several days this winter.  Duty Instructor Mike Jardine took FSD for a test flight.  Ten minutes later he returned disproving Skysight's forecast concerning wave. To be fair the Mary Tavy "hydraulic jump", was probably the cause of the rising air rather than classic mountain lee wave.

The weather window allowed those who wished to fly to have a single launch each; David and John Osment, Mike Bennett, Robin, and Neal.  The K-13 was consistently achieving 1,400 foot launches. This and the snippets of wave made for extended flights throughout.

Above the cloud base looking towards Mary Tavy

Perfectly trimmed for 40 knots, John Osment keeps a good lookout.

John holds the nose of the glider steady into the easterly wind. Were Mike and John making any headway over the runway, or drifting backwards, in the strong upper wind?

Back at the hangar, Viktor arrived with his family, for a short while.  He wanted to check with Colin on a small repair they had previously made to his canopy frame, and of course to do some fettling.  His daughter Veronika was fascinated by the winch launches of the gliders.  Alas, as she is not yet two years old, so it might be a while until we can fly her.

Peter took a launch in the K-8 and found himself almost stationary over the airfield at times in the strengthening breeze.  He managed to climb several hundred feet from his low point following release from his launch.  Due to that strong wind aloft, his downwind leg and circuit were rapid, but his flight of 30 minutes earnt him the "flight of the day".

Can you see the K-8 in wave in front, and below, the K-13's starboard wing tip ?

A sparkling day to be flying

It's been a while. Neal gets ready to get back in the air by launching of the central track

Ominous, threatening clouds were approaching the airfield.  Flying was stopped, but not quick enough to return to the hangar without the heavens opening.  And open they did, and very quickly too, necessitating a copious amount of cloths to dry the gliders when the hangar was packed.  John Smith, the winch driver, got absolutely soaked in what seemed to be a monsoon.  Maybe it was divine retribution for his efforts in trimming the bottom of the clubhouse door that had been sticking earlier in the day.

After the heavy rain a rainbow appears

After the hangar was packed, we were visited by Tom Jenkins, a security consultant with Dormakaba.  We had an interesting hour with him and look forward to receiving his findings and recommendations in due course.

Meanwhile, Colin and David Osment took the time to investigate an emergent defect on FSD and plan the way ahead.

Frustratingly, the weather got better as the afternoon continued.  Should we have waited the showers out?  However, the Duty Instructor had to leave early, but Peter Howarth was on standby to run the field.  Decisions, decisions!  Agonising in retrospect.  Such is the life of a glider pilot.

Today was the first flying in February, with just seven flights in total.  The Wednesday Wavers had waved and currency was maintained. For many, the day felt better than the whole month of January.  Let's hope the improvement continues.

Gavin Short