Dartmoor Gliding News - Saturday 5th September 2026.

Today started as a fairly ordinary late season day. The gliders were removed from the hangar and prepared for the day with workman like efficiency. This included diagnosing and rectifying a wiring fault with with battery one in Twin Astir DSL - thanks Scratch. 

The weather forecast seemed favourable with light NW breezes backing southerly later. RASP showed some definite thermal potential in what was forecast to be a blue sky. This is interesting as there was some overnight cloud cover which was eventually replaced with cumulus cloud marking the days thermals. I suppose RASP is only a forecast. The forecast ended with a celebration of Val's birthday including a cake and a rendition the traditional birthday song. I think club singing lessons would be beneficial.

The club fielded both Twin Astirs,  a K13, K8 and Astir CS77. We were joined by a Libelle, DG300 and Std Cirrus from the private fleet.

K13 G-CFGR being readied for flight

We welcomed 2 visitors today both with 2 flight vouchers. Martin Finch was up first and he enjoyed a couple of soaring flights with me. Later in the afternoon Denise Joll attended and was treated to an extended soaring flight.

Martin with me hiding in the back sesat

Denise and Husband

By 1:30pm it was obviously quite thermic and this lead to Phil Hardwick launching in his DG300 and disappearing for 2hrs 10 for the longest flight of the day followed closely by Mike Jardine in his Std Cirrus who achieved 2hrs 8mins. The club single seaters both managed the maximum time flights - set at 1 hour today in fairness to the other pilots waiting to fly.

Single seater grid ...

... needed a wider angle lens today

In the afternoon it was hot enough to need the
Twin Astir's new heat reflecting canopy cover.

Early afternoon I noticed that 15 year old trainee was being given a series of practice launch failures initially by FI Steve Moore and then by CFI Rick Wiles. The arrival of Elliot's dad at the launch point confirmed my suspicions. Elliot then launched for his first solo flight - a nicely flown circuit. Congratulations Elliot.

A relaxed Elliot with FI Steve

Elliot flying a modit=fied circuit from a practice cable break

Elliot and Dad before the solo flight.

Elliot receiving his Wings from CFI Rick

Well what a day.  A birthday celebration followed by a First Solo all wrapped around a pleasant soaring day. Excellent

Steve