The Thermal Podcast

After a six-month hiatus – the Thermal Podcast is back with episode #64

The soaring season in the Northern Hemisphere has pretty much wound down. But in early November Chester Fitchett had a record breaking 1750 km wave flight on the East side of the Rockies. Chester puts us in the cockpit as he rockets back and forth       across the Canada – US border.

And in the southern hemisphere the gliding season is in full swing. We chat with John Riedl…who's on a circumnavigation of Australia in his Stemme S12 motor glider. One of the many highl...

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 whe...

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...

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 make uncontrolled airspace safer for everyone.

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...

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 in general.

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 with almost unlimited visibility and you have the Ultra-Vision glider concept. I...

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 the Flying Coffin"…puts us in the cockpit with American combat glider pilot...

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 represent her Ukraine at last summer's...

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 Hunter Sant Cervantes. And we...

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.

In this Episode of The Thermal – the devastating impact of the cheating scandal at the 2019 Women's World Gliding Championships. We speak to a pilot that was a member of the disqualified Australian Team.

The next Women's World's are happening this summer in the UK. Elena Yakymchuk is a Ukrainian pilot who will be going to the contest….despite the terrible war that's ripping her nation apart. We hear her story. 

And a primer on this summer's Women's World Gliding Championships…we talk to contest director Liz Sparrow.

That's all on Episode #33 of The Thermal

In this Episode of The Thermal, we hear from a young Ukrainian glider pilot and what's happening to him and his fellow club members as the war rages around them. An un-imaginable situation for most of us.

In California…glider pilots are exploring new areas of wave and having spectacular flights. Ramy Yanetz tells us what's like to fly over San Francisco.

And a young man with ambition. Noah Kleeberg wants to be the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe…and he's hoping to do it in a motor glider.

That's all on this epis...

In this Episode of The Thermal, we remember gliding legend Ingo Renner, who has died at the age of 81. We chat with fellow pilot and friend Bernard Eckey.

Tow pilot emergency. We hear from the Pawnee pilot who had the wherewithal to figure out what to do when the control stick separated in flight.

And a new take on an age old problem…training and retaining glider pilots. We find out about the CuNim gliding club's Objective Oriented Training program.

That's all on Episode  #31 of The Thermal.

Episode #30 of The Thermal…the Kiwi edition.

In this Episode of The Thermal, Terry and Abbey Delore tell us the story of their remarkable Tip to Tip journey from one end of New Zealand to the other. 

And the life and times of John Roake. We'll hear from a long-time friend about John's lasting impact on both the New Zealand and International gliding scene. 

And Kahu Soaring is a new commercial outfit in Omarara…the pilot behind this venture gives us the inside story. 

That's all on Episode   #31 of The Therma...

In this Episode of The Thermal a 1600 KM wave flight over the Canadian Rockies at a blistering average speed of 140 knots. We talk to Arcus pilot Chester Fitchett.

We also hear from the Air Traffic Controller and glider pilot who helped facilitate this flight through controlled airspace.

And the story behind a lovingly restored Robin glider from the 1930s. We talk to glider pilot and restorer Doug Fronius.

And last but not least…a moving poem about the big inevitable Final Glide… that all of us glider pilots will all eventually face.

Th...

In Episode #28 of The Thermal…Katrin Senne and what it was like to fly in the recent Gliding Grand Prix final in France….where she placed 4th!

And a feature interview with Gisela Weinreich. She's an accomplished competition glider pilot, role model for women in aviation and now…the recipient of the prestigious FAI Lilienthal Award. 

That's all on Episode  #28 of The Thermal…the all women, all German glider pilot edition.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we hear from a Dutch pilot who placed second at the recent world championships in France. It was a very tough fought contest with challenging flying conditions. 

We also hear from a novice pilot who narrowly escaped a final glide that went wrong…leaving field selection to the last possible moment.

And the British Air Training Corps is 80 years old. Many, many British glider pilots got their start with this organization. We look back at its history. 

That's all on Episode   #27 of The Thermal.

In Episode #26 of The Thermal - tow plane bird strike and a remarkable story of survival. We hear from a young pilot who narrowly escaped with his life.

The International Vintage Sailplane Meet at Harris Hill, New York has wrapped up. We talk to one of the pilots who went and what it's like to fly a very special vintage ship. 

And Baptiste Innocent has done it again. This time, he set new National and European records by flying to the Island of Corsica from mainland France and then home via Italy. Baptiste gives us a...

In Episode #25 of The Thermal, we hear from racing pilot Katrin Senne who just flew in the Italian qualifying round of the World Gliding Grand Prix.

On the other side of the English Channel, we catch up with G Dale…gliding author/coach and competition pilot. He has just finished writing Edition #4 of The Soaring Engine. 

And SoarAmerica – one pilot's quest to fly from the West Coast to the East Coast in stages. We catch-up with this intrepid pilot in Mississippi.

That's all on Episode #25 of The Thermal.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we hear from a Norwegian pilot who recently ditched his glider in a lake. He walks us through the decision making process and how training made all the difference.

On Gliding Club Confidential, we go to Australia and the Balaclava Gliding Club…home base for Bernard Eckey – gliding guru and author.

And finally…gliding and COVID brain. We've all been affected by COVID-19. But what does it mean for us when we get into the cockpit? We hear from the Soaring Association of Canada's National Safety O...

In Episode #23 of The Thermal, a new European free distance record has been set in a Pyrenees wave flight.  We talk to Baptiste Innocent, one half of this record breaking crew. 

On Gliding Club Confidential, we go to Australia and the Temora Gliding Club…

Covid-19 has had a particularly hard impact on our commercial pilot friends. We check in with glider pilots who are also commercial pilots to find out how they're fairing. 

That's all on Episode #23 of The Thermal.

In Episode #22 of The Thermal, an analysis of the 2020 gliding accidents and incidents in the US. What do they have in common and are there any emerging trends? We talk to FAA safety guy and glider pilot Stephen K Brown.

Gliding Club SOS. This month on Gliding Club Confidential we go to the AKKA GLIDING CLUB in Suriname. A small Caribbean  club that's fighting for its very survival.

And…the beauty of soaring at the tip of a paintbrush. We chat with aviation artist Robbie Roberts about his work and his motiv...

Welcome to Episode #21 of The Thermal.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we celebrate the life of the legendary Hans-Werner Grosse. A glider pilot who set the bar for long distance flying. We speak to long-time friends who remember this remarkable man.

On gliding club confidential, we go to Colorado for an in-depth look at the Boulder Soaring Association, where the Rocky Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to flying in this part of the USA.

Further to the North-East…in New Hampshire, there's a single glider wing  up in the mountains above the loc...

Welcome to Episode #20 of The Thermal. 

In this Episode of The Thermal, we truly go global. From Australia to Colorado and from Denmark to Germany and the UK. 

You'll hear about a heart-warming K-6 restoration, how to set your gliding goals, a contest for Old Glass, a fabulous new site called Nordic Gliding and WeGlide…the new kid on the block that's serious competition for the OLC.

That and a whole lot more on Episode   #20 of The Thermal.

In this Episode of The Thermal, a 1300 km convergence line flight in Australia. Pete Temple tells us what it was like and how cold it can be at 10-thousand feet.

Liz Sparrow is one of the people behind WGUK – Women Glide United Kingdom. She tell us about the challenge of getting more women into gliding and the upcoming Women's Worlds Gliding Championships.

Julia Clitheroe – took to gliding like a duck to water or is that a hawk to a thermal? This 16-year old tells us what it's like to become a licens...

On Episode #18 of The Thermal  – a near death gliding video from New Zealand that's gone viral. What if anything can we learn from this incident? Gliding guru G Dale…gives us his two-cents worth. 

And an interview with Bernard Eckey…the gliding legend behind Advanced Soaring Made Easy. We talk to him about edition 4.1

On Gliding Club Confidential, we go to the CuNim gliding club, nestled in the foot hills of the Canadian Rockies. Spectacular scenery and spectacular flights.

And we turn back the hands of time to 1964 and...

In Episode #17 of The Thermal, SkySight founder Matthew Scutter on flying an all-electric contest with his FES powered Diana 2.

And on Gliding Club Confidential, we go to Western Canada and the Invermere Soaring Centre.

That's all on Episode #17 of The Thermal.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we break away from our normal format for a a feature interview with professional glider pilot, coach and instructor G. Dale. Volume 3 of his series entitled The Soaring Engine is now out. This volume focuses on human performance and gliding. Whether you're a novice or an experienced x-country pilot…you will learn something from this interview.

In this Episode of The Thermal, a glider crash and rescue in the mountains of British Columbia. The CFI of the Invermere Gliding Centre gives us a first-hand account of this remarkable story.

On Gliding Club Confidential, we go to Israel and the Megiddo Gliding Center, where flying cross-country means avoiding hostile land-outs.

True Gliding is a comedic look at the world of Gliding. It's just been translated from Swedish to English. We speak to the author.

And letting go of the apron strings…there's a new innovative cross-country program called Proving Grounds. We...

Episode #14 of The Thermal is now available at your favourite podcast provider.

In this episode , we get an update on how one Canadian gliding club is dealing with the COVID pandemic and flying operations. (1 minute and 50 seconds into the show)

In California, Jim Payne has been breaking records in Nixus – a one of a kind 28-meter, two-seat super-ship with a fly-by wire control system. We talk to Jim and the glider's designer Paulo Iscold. (12 minute and 43 seconds into the show)

On Gliding Club Confidential we go to Denma...

In this Episode of The Thermal, we hear from the two pilots who just set a new US multi-seat record by flying from Minnesota to Tennessee in an Arcus M. This flight wasn't a spur of the moment decision. It was literally years in the making.

In the UK, the British Gliding Association has noticed a disturbing trend in towplane upsets. We talk to the Chair of the British Gliding Association's Safety Committee to find out why and what's being done to stop it from happening.

Parachutes…believe it or not…sometimes glider pilots actually have...

On this episode of The Thermal, we will check in with glider pilots from Australia, Germany, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.  We will find out what's happening during COVID and when gliding will potentially start up again.

And…are you in lock-down and want to learn something new? Why not become an Official Observer and help your fellow pilots claim badge and record flights? We find out what's involved from a Senior Official Observer.

That's all on Episode  #12 of The Thermal….the COVID edition. The interviews on this s...

 Episode #11 of The Thermal is now available.  

In this Episode of The Thermal, we hear from Contest Manager Richard Owen on how his team of volunteers    managed to keep this year's Senior's Contest in Florida going amid the pandemic.

We also have an interview about competitive on-line gliding. Because let's face it, we can't do the real thing. We talk to Daniel Sazhin about chasing thermals on the computer screen.

Mark Maughmer is a long time glider pilot and engineer. And is largely responsible for glider winglet design. He's just won a major awar...

Hello and welcome to this special edition of The Thermal Podcast.

The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented in scale and its global reach. The infection rates are climbing and the world's medical professionals are being tested like never before.

Social Distancing is becoming the new norm and everyday life is being affected in unprecedented ways. And that includes gliding clubs across the globe.

Dr Dale Guenter is a family physician and President of SOSA, the Southern Ontario Soaring Association which is located an hour west of Toronto, Canada.

I've reached Dale in...

In this Episode  -  an incredible 1730 KM record breaking flight in New Zealand. Pilot Terry Delore puts us in the cockpit for the flight of a lifetime.

Denmark is a small nation with a small but intense group of glider pilots. Morten Bennick tells us how he exploits every possible island-hopping cross-country opportunity.

On Gliding Club Confidential, we go to Scotland. Pilot with a Paintbrush paints a loving portrait of her club…the Deeside Gliding Club.

Are you prepared if your flight ends in an unexpected way? Do you carry a Perso...

Welcome to Episode #9 of The Thermal…the antipodean edition. I'm your host Herrie ten Cate.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we go to Australia and hear about the impact of the devastating bush fires from the head of the Gliding Federation of Australia.

And we also find out what it's like to fly in the Women's World Gliding Championships in extreme heat and smoke.  That contest was recently held in Lake Keepit, Australia. We hear all about it from 18-meter pilot Katrine Senne.

And from New Zealand gliding guru and author G Dal...

On Episode #8 of The Thermal Podcast:
- Pilot with a Paintbrush
- History making 1958 flight across the English Channel
- London Gliding Club on Gliding Club Confidential
- And...a small wind turbine to keep your glider trailer ventilated during those cloudy winter months.

Make sure you listen to Episode #8 for a special voucher code for a two week free trial of SkySight..

Welcome to Episode #7 of The Thermal. I'm your host Herrie ten Cate.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we take a look at weather forecasting and how to figure out that perfect 500 km day. The good news is that it no longer requires a crystal ball.

First up – Matthew Scutter, the man behind SkySight, the fantastic weather app for glider pilots. He'll tell us the story behind this app, that has become indispensable for many pilots.

We also speak with Andrew Blum – the author of The Weather Machine – A Journey Inside the Weather Foreca...

Welcome to Episode #6 of The Thermal. I'm your host Herrie ten Cate.

 In this Episode of The Thermal, smashing records in the UK. We speak with top British pilot Ed Downham about his spectacular flights while flying his unique 28-meter open glass glider from coast to coast and then some.

 Simon van den Eijkel aka Flying Simon – is a member of the Dutch Junior team and he'll be talking about his soaring reading list. There's something for everyone…from highly technical to easy reading.

 Also, we get an update on the Perlan Project's latest...

On this episode of The Thermal – a look behind the scenes of the 2019 Pan American Gliding Championships and the role of Contest Director. We speak with Ken Sorensen, who is a well-known American competition pilot in his own right.

And Rocky Mountain High… Chester Fitchett tells us about his multiple 1000 km wave flights and crossing into American Airspace. Chester flies out of the CuNim club near Calgary, Alberta and his flying can be summed up with "Trim forward and Go!".

Have you ever thought about gliding in Argentina? On our first instal...

Episode #4 of The Thermal has released from tow. I'm your host Herrie ten Cate.

In this show, I speak with two club class pilots who both placed first but on different continents. British pilot Jake Brattle flew in the World Junior Championships in Hungary and Argentinian pilot Carlos Iucci

flew in the Pan Am Gliding Championships in Canada. Both of these pilots were flying older gliders but were having just as much competitive fun as the pilots flying the latest greatest glass ships.

We're also going to go back 75 ye...

Episode #3 of The Thermal podcast is now out

In this Episode of The Thermal, the Jonker JS3 Rapture is cleaning up at competitions around the world. We talk to Uys Jonker one of the brother's responsible for this cutting-edge sailplane.

Also, a feature interview on the life and times of British gliding icon Derek Piggott and his vast contribution to the sport of gliding. Derek died earlier this year. 

And the little glider that could…the Schweizer 1-26 has been described as the VW Beetle of gliders. We cha...

Welcome to Episode #2 of The Thermal. I'm your host Herrie ten Cate.

On this show, we speak to competition pilot John Seaborn who has just won the US 18-meter Nationals in Hobbs, New Mexico. We'll hear about a low save at 1200 feet that turned into a 13-thousand-foot climb.

We will also be talking parachutes and survival with Mr Parachute…Allen Silver of Silver Parachutes. Is your parachute past it's best before date and do you carry survival equipment. If you don't you probably will after listening to Allen.

Fin...

Welcome to Episode #1 of The Thermal. I'm your host Herrie ten Cate.

 On this show, Perlan chief pilot Jim Payne will tell us what it was like to break the world altitude record for gliders while flying the Antarctic wave in Argentina. 

 And an interview with Richard Carlson, the Chairman of the Soaring Safety Foundation to talk about what they're doing to increase gliding safety.

 Closing the show will be one pilot's first-hand account of tangling with a massive thunderstorm and living to talk about it.

Episode 0 is a brief introduction to The Thermal and what type of gliding related interviews the listener can expect to hear. There's also information on host Herrie ten Cate's flying experience.