Welcome to Episode #63 of The Thermal. I’m your host Herrie ten Cate. In this Episode of The Thermal, fire in the air. Possibly the worst thing that can happen to any pilot. Well, that happened to me on May 23rd of this year. The glider caught fire during the climb. My training and Lady Luck got me back to the runway with a burning glider This is the story of what happened.
In Episode #62 of The Thermal, the global tariff chaos and the impact on American glider pilots. We talk to the man behind gliding supply shop Cumulus Soaring to find out what is and isn’t happening. Looping a glider is fun when done properly. It’s something that most of us have done at some point or another. But breaking the Guinness Book record for the number of loops is a completely different matter. We speak to the two Australian pilots who now hold the world record. And what’s it like when ...
In this Episode of The Thermal, we find out from the man behind Mountain High oxygen systems…why canula is most often better than a mask. And a group of UK pilots who’ve come up with their own Canopy Flasher. We find out why they didn’t just buy off the shelf. It’s the time of year when glider pilots are polishing gliders. Either to bring them out of hibernation or put them away for the winter. We find out the tips and tricks to keeping your polyurethane coated glider looking glamorous. Hint…the...
In this Episode of The Thermal, expedition flying at its best and a feature interview with pilot Chris Gill. Imagine crossing the Irish Sea, hoping to make the other coast and all you can see is ocean…that’s exactly what Chris and his copilot did earlier this month, flying from Wales to Northern Ireland and back across the Irish Sea to Scotland.
In this Episode of The Thermal, long time gliding blogger Ritz de Luij has put away her keyboard . Ritz talks to us about her love of gliding, her passion for the sport and the triumphs and tragedies she experienced along the way. And we go to Australia and speak to an octogenarian glider pilot with over 6000 hours who just keeps on flying. That’s all on Episode #59 of The Thermal.
In this Episode of The Thermal, an epic Christmas Day flight that covered most of the eastern Adriatic and 4 countries with a blistering average speed of 160 kmph and a distance of some 1100 kms. And hitting it hard with a 50 year old glider. Who says you need the latest hot ship to have fantastic gliding adventures. We talk to a pilot who’s checking all the boxes. We also hear from NAV Canada and their concerns about glider traffic conflicting with commercial traffic. We try to unravel how to m...
On Episode #57 of The Thermal, going the distance in an Archaeopteryx . What’s that you ask? Well, it’s a low performance hybrid glider that an intrepid Australian glider pilot just flew for over 600 kilometers. And wave flying in the Canadian Rockies. We learn why the Cowley Wave Camp is the go to event for Canadian glider pilots looking for their Diamond Heights. That’s all on Episode #57 of The Thermal.
In this Episode of The Thermal, a feature interview with Patrick McLaughlin – the man behind the Mountain High Oxygen system. He has won the 2024 OSTIV award for his contribution to gliding safety. And combining passions. We talk to Tobias Barth about his new book called Framing the Sky and how he combines his love of gliding and photography. That’s all on Episode #56 of The Thermal.
In Episode #55 of The Thermal, Dutch racing pilot Jeroen Verkuijl on flying at the World Gliding Championships in Uvalde, Texas. And he tells us about the special day team Orange finished 1st in all three classes. And a solution to the ever-increasing cost and number of flights for students to solo. We speak to an OSTIV award winner about what the Toronto Metropolitan University’s gliding club has done to get students to solo sooner. That’s all on Episode #55 of The Thermal....
In this Episode of The Thermal, we’re devoting a full show to the story of WW2 British combat Glider Pilot Frank Hughes and his role in Operation Market Garden…also known as the Battle of Arnhem. It’s a remarkable tale of a young man who flew a fully loaded HORSA combat glider into a war zone and survived the ensuing battle.
In Episode #53 of The Thermal, gliding superstar Sebastian Kawa on his incredible expedition to Pakistan and flying around k2. This adventure wasn’t for the faint of heart. Overcoming adversity both in the air and on the ground was a constant battle. That’s on Episode #53 of The Thermal.
On Episode #52 of The Thermal, a feature interview with Clemens Ceipek about his soaring adventures and goal setting over the State of Colorado. He also gives us an update on the threat of closure to Boulder Airport.
On this Episode of The Thermal…pushing the boundaries of gliding exploration. We hear from Gliding legend Sebastian Kawa who is in Pakistan and will soon be flying over the infamous K2… if everything goes to plan. And gliding from Europe to Morocco to explore the flying conditions over the Sahara. We hear from the lead pilot on what is was like to thermal with sand. That’s all on Episode #51 of The Thermal.
In this Episode of The Thermal, we speak with American glider pilot Bill Hill who has written a fabulous auto-biography, where he talks about everything from airline flying, catching big wave in Argentina and working as an Air Traffic Controller. But first we start with a Dutch gliding safari…where a group of students and instructors had some serious fun. That’s all on Episode #50 of The Thermal.
In this Episode of The Thermal…a feature interview with Czech competition pilot Barbora Moravcova. We find out what makes this up and coming pilot tick and why music helps her fly. And there’s a new kid on the block when it comes to keeping track of flights at your club. The software is called Take Up Slack and it’s brought to you by the same gang that brought you Proving Grounds…the innovative task setter for x-country beginners. That’s all on Episode #49 of The Thermal....
In this Episode of The Thermal, WeGlide’s…Moritz Althaus gives us an update and tells us about a new feature called Co-Pilot. The Libelle - arguably the prettiest glider every made…is turning 60. We find out why this glider was so revolutionary. Starting a new gliding club is a huge under taking. A group of glider pilots in Montana is trying to make it a reality. And finally…some new gliding tech that works with XCSoar…and a new gliding trade fair in Germany. That’s all on Episode #48 of The The...
On Episode #47 of The Thermal - doing it right when your sustainer motor won’t stow. We talk to a pilot who executed the perfect emergency landing. Existential Angst…the anti-aviation movement targets Boulder Airport and the local gliding club. Unbridled enthusiasm. We talk to a 14-year old glider pilot that can’t stop smiling. That’s all on Episode #47 of The Thermal.
In Episode #46 of The Thermal, we talk to the pilot and author behind The Art of Soaring. A book that puts you in the cockpit with amazing photos and stories. We also speak to Monique Taylor, the author of Suicide Jockeys – The Making of the WW2 Combat Glider Pilot PureTrack is a new gliding tracking App from New Zealand. We find out why it’s gaining in popularity. And finally - remembering Martin Simons. The author of numerous books about gliding and a huge contributor to the gliding movement i...
On Episode #45 of The Thermal, a feature interview with longtime American contest pilot Chip Bearden. Chip is the author of Goodbye Papa Golf. It’s an autobiography about Chip’s life as a contest glider pilot, marathon runner, tech entrepreneur and family man. It’s written in a way that’s fascinating for glider pilots but is also a good read for those not necessarily interested in aviation.
On this Episode of The Thermal, competing at the 15 meter World Gliding Contest in Narromine, Australia. We follow-up with Dutch competition pilot Jeroen Verkuijl to find out what it was like. What do you to when you’re about to turn 80? Well, you buy a high performance motor glider and go on an epic cross-country flight to Australia’s famous Morning Glory wave system. And get your glider pilot’s license in the process. John Riedl tells us all about it. ( reedle like needle) Imagine a cockpit wi...
In this Episode of The Thermal, a primer on the upcoming World Gliding Championships in Narromine, Australia. I speak with contest organizer Beryl Hartley and Dutch competitor Jeroen Verkuijl will be flying a JS-3.
Welcome to Episode #42 of The Thermal. In this Episode of The Thermal…a feature interview with gliding rock start Gordon Boettgner. Gordon will tell us first-hand how he broke the world distance record for gliding along with his co-pilot Bruce Campbell. We’ll find out about the equipment and tactics and how a combination of skill, luck and mother nature made this 3000 km flight happen. That’s all on Episode #42 of The Thermal.
In this Episode of The Thermal, I speak to Dirk Corporaal…the winner of the 2022 FAI’s Pirat Gehriger Diploma. Dirk has spent over 20 years writing and developing an exceptional student manual for glider pilots…that’s now available in multiple languages. And remembering a rock star of aviation and gliding…Einar Enevoldsen…the man behind the Perlan Project. His longtime friend Ed Warnock tells us about this remarkable man. And a history flashback. Scott McGaugh the author of “The Brotherhood of t...
On Episode #40 of The Thermal…a feature interview with IGC President Peter Eriksen and the growing concern over mid-air collisions. I also speak to this year’s winner of the BGA’s Bill Scull Safety Award. Wolf Rossmann tells us all about his on-line safety tool FlySafe. And Dr Dan…talks to me about the real danger of Altitude Decompression Sickness and the impact on glider pilots. It’s another danger we need to pay attention to. That’s all on episode #40 of The Thermal....
In this Episode of The Thermal, Mathias Schunk tells us what it’s like to crash a JS-1 at 100kmh and survive. It’s a hell of a story…not to be missed. And we hear from Dutch pilot Jeroen van Dijk and his epic 2022 summer flying his LS-3. Jeroen flew not just one but two 1000 km flights out of his home base…the Amsterdam Gliding Club. That's all on Episode #39 of The Thermal.
In this Episode of The Thermal, Crisis in the Air. We hear from a British pilot who kept cool and saved himself and his glider. American pilot Roy Bourgeois knows how to escape the Northern Winters. He has just returned from his 27th gliding adventure in South Africa…he gives us the inside scoop. And there’s a new App for analyzing IGC files. One that will help you figure out if you’re a safe pilot. That’s all on Episode #38 of The Thermal.
On Episode #37 of The Thermal…pilots who make a difference. Beryl Hartley has been a cornerstone of gliding in Australia for almost 60 years and has just been recognized with an FAI award. Liz Sparrow – was one of the key movers and shakers behind last summer’s highly successful Women’s World Gliding Championships that were held in the UK…lets us in on the recipe for success. And Elena Yakymchuk (Elaina Yak-um- chook)…a pilot from Ukraine who with some help from her friends in the UK was able to...
In this Episode of The Thermal, we go to Namibia and Northern Australia. Epic flying adventures that should be on the gliding bucket list for all serious soaring pilots. We will hear first-hand what it’s like to fly over the Kalahari and what it’s like to chase the Morning Glory wave clouds over Northern Queensland. Episode #36 of The Thermal is now ready to launch.
Welcome to Episode #35 of The Thermal. I’m your host Herrie ten Cate. It’s great to be back after a long summer hiatus and a big move. My wife and I sold up in Ontario and moved to Invermere, British Columbia. It’s a bit of a drive…some 3700 kilometers but well worth it. The first story is about a record breaking cross-country flight from Alaska to Tasmania. It’s not on the OLC but only because the pilot is of the feathered variety. We also go to Scotland and get the inside scoop from Wave Hunte...
In Episode #34 of The Thermal, an inside view of the scandal plagued 2019 Women’s World Gliding Championships at Lake Keepit, Australia. We talk to the Contest Director and get her take on what actually happened. And gliding from Switzerland to the UK…I speak with an adventurous Swiss pilot about his epic adventure. And we hear from a pilot who’s flying this year’s 2-seater championships in the UK, where the onus is on having fun. That’s all on Episode #34 of The Thermal....
