Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 7th March 2026

The weather forecast showed an on coming warm front due to arrive around 5pm. Before that increasing cloud and very little wind was the order of the day. RASP ( Regional Atmospheric Soaring Predictor ) was very optimistic giving  serval hours of thermals. This needed sun on the ground to work properly. Curiously as there was 8/8 high cirrus with low cumulus at 1200 ft or so right from the start, I think that the cloud cover forecast part of RASP was just plain wrong.

The cloudscape early on

Although there was probably not going to be much soaring the air was beautifully smooth. This is of great benefit to trainees and low hours pilots alike as they practice their aircraft handling skills. As an experienced pilot I still find conditions like this delightful.

My instruction as photographer was to look windswept and interesting.
Rick, you need some acting lessons.

Jamie looking very relaxed

We started nice and early trying to maximise the flying opportunity. Rick made steady progress through the training list and the solo pilots kept both the K8 and Astir busy. Flights were just circuits until Malcolm bagged the K8 at about 11.30 and managed 13 minutes. 

The K8 off again

View from the K8

Mary Tavy

An interesting view from the K8

Cockpit view of the club's CS77

I watched the wind ( 2 knots or less )  gradually move around to the south which seemed to encourage a few buzzards into the air. By now the cloud cover was thickening and looked decidedly unfriendly but curiosity got the better of me and I took a flight in the K8. On the south side of the airfield, at the west end a shallow valley comes up from the south east, This valley was encouraging little thermal bubbles and I spent 22 minutes ( flight of the day ) riding the bubbles at 900 ft above the runway, At one point a little thermal kicked off which allowed me to climb about 200ft. Great fun.

In my capacity as Chairman I had to talk with Zack about wearing Speedos on the airfield

By 3.30 the cloud base was lowering and thickening ahead of the front so it was time to draw stumps , clean the equipment, and put it safely in the hangar. At this point, John Allen disappeared into the gloom driving the tractor and roller to repair ruts and smooth out the grass ahead of the coming season. He kept at this until darkness stopped him.  Thankyou John.

A good club day.

Steve