Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 18th July 2026

High pressure is still very much in charge. Today we were presented with a light northerly breeze. RASP was very optimistic predicting a 6-star day with cloudbases of up to 6000 feet. Would this actually be true? 

An early start for launching at the east end with the first launch at 09:57, it was Mike Bennett and Rick Wiles in the K13 who already reported that there was thermic activity about. After their sortie Mike was cleared to fly the K8 and Rick worked his way down the flying list. 

Only one visitor today, Brandon Fisher enjoyed two extended soaring flights.

Brandon about to have his first taste of gliding

Despite the forecast, it remained eerily quiet at the launch point. The syndicate standard cirrus was the only private glider that flew. Mike Jardine, Scratch and Rick each had flights of over an hour. 

CCY was also bought to the launchpoint for a test flight. Mike Jardine volunteered and then took Rowan for a set of three flights. 

Trainee Rowan about to launch and .....

... off he goes

Myself, Zack and Alasdair each had long soaring flights in the K8, visibility was generally poor but the strong climbs made up for that and there were reports of cloudbases of up to 5000' AGL. 

Overhead Lydford

Looking East over Dartmoor

During the afternoon, a convergence was slowly moving towards us from the south and was eventually reachable with enough care.

Rick's view of Tavistock while climbing up the side of the convergence

Riding the convergence

A view of Roadford Lake through the murky sky

After a sterling effort working on the single Astir in the hangar, John Smith and Malcolm each flew. Returning Culdrose member Nic Beretta also had a soaring flight in the K8 in the weakening convergence. 

Scratch claimed flight of the day in his Cirrus with 2 hours 7 minutes before air braking down to allow Rick to fly. A day where although the forecast didn't live up to expectations, it was still a good day.

Jamie Young