The Thermal Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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 pilots and their missions in World War Two.

That’s all on Episode   #41 of The Thermal.

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 Women’s Worlds.

That’s all on Episode #37 of The Thermal.

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 go to Holland where we learn about a very special k-8 that’s now a flying work of art…stained glass to be precise.

That’s all on Episode #35 of The Thermal.