The Thermal Podcast

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 Thermal.

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.