Dartmoor Gliding News - Sunday 23rd August 2026

A light easterly breeze, a 6 star rating on Rasp, Privateers rigging, would the weather read the forecast and live up to expectations for once. The field was set up to fly from the west end and club gliders, K13, Twin Astir and K8 were taken to the launchpoint. Right from the first launch with Scratch taking returning member for a 31 minute soaring flight it looked like it was going to be a good day.

I launched with Ed Nicholson for the first training flight which only lasted for a 10 minute circuit. A second launch resulted in a soaring flight to 3400ft and 24minutes.

Ed Nicholson soaring away.

Next was sister Jess Nicholson who was keen to do better that Ed. Passing 3400ft caused great delight which was only surpassed as we topped out just over 5000ft. A bit of sibling rivalry is always good. The height was put to good use with different stalling exercises. Overall plenty of stick time which is great in her early stages of flying.

An emptying launch point.

Meanwhile Andy Davey had launched in his Ventus on a 500km attempt. Also Ed Borlase had launched on a 5 hour silver duration attempt. More about these later. Duty BI Gavin Short welcomed one day course student Barry Richards. Barry, who had a short drive to the club from Crapstone. One should note that former naval officers and residents pronounce it differently (with a long "a" and a silent "p")!  Interested in everything that went on, he had some great flights with Gavin, extensive discussions on nuclear engineering, and an extended session on the winch talking to George.  So much so that it was difficult to get him back to the flight line.  Barry thoroughly enjoyed his day with us.

Barry happy after his first landing.

Barry receiving his certificate.

Training progressed throughout the day with Steve lesson, returning after a break and Rowan Guest. Also after 12 months away, Toby Irons returned to restart his training. All had soaring flights and all received upper air exercises with the available height.

What about those who had launched on their various tasks. Andy's account is:-

The weather this weekend look very similar for both day, with thermals starting fairly early especially so today (Sunday).  I put the task I had tried on Saturday in my Oudie and launched at 1030 and joined Scratch in a thermal which gave me a climb to 4000ft. There were good conditions down to Bodmin and then all the way to Ashbury which I turned at 1430. Just 200km back to Brentor again all went well till just north of North Hill where some sea air had come in I turned towards North Hill thinking I may have to land there but found a few weak thermals which allowed to creep towards Brentor just past Okehampton I found a good climb which gave me an easy glide back to the club.

This was the first 500km flight from Brentor. Well done Andy.

A radio call was heard from G-CEWO (Ed Borlase) "What was my take-off time?". It was soon confirmed that he had 10 minutes to go, so with another climb and a gentle float back to Brentor and landing, 5 hour silver duration complete. Well done Ed at last.

K13 climbing with Ed.

Catching up with Ed after 5 hours complete.

These were not the only great flights today. Steve Fletcher soared around west Devon and east Cornwall. Steve's words:-

I flew a square (ish) Brentor, Princetown, Okehampton, Launceston, Kit Hill, Yelverton Burrator, Princetown, Brentor. 120k. Max ht 5500ft. Some Pictures from his flight:-

Launceston.

Princetown.

Roadford Lake.

Burrator

Phil Hardwick visited the north Cornwall coast between Bude and Padstow.

Nr Bude.

Nr Padstow.

Scratch did attempt an out and return to North Hill, but turned the flight into a 3 hour flight around the local area and totalled a distance of 147km according to his trace. Sean Westrope managed a 1 hour flight in his Libelle. Freddie Purkiss was the only pilot for the K8. After 1 hour he radioed down to see if anybody wanted the aircraft. After confirming there were no takers, he stayed aloft for 2 hours 16 minutes, his longest flight in a glider. Unfortunately for him it was later confirmed that he had missed out on his silver height. Better luck next time.

Jess helps Freddie get ready.

Well, what a day. I think I have covered everything. Only 22 flights, but an average of 1 hour 20 minutes per flight. The first 500km from Brentor, a 5 hour silver duration, a missed silver height but a longest flight in a glider.

A special thanks to the winch drivers for the day who swapped and kept thing going, Steve Lesson, George Purkiss and Ed Nicholson.

Peter Howarth