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Artwork for The Thermal Podcast

The Thermal Podcast

Herrie ten Cate
Gliding
World Gliding Championships
Gliding Safety
Australia
Joey Glide
Aviation
Narrowmine
Fire Incident
Operation Market Garden
Boulder Airport
Martin Simons
Skysight
World War II
Frank Hughes
Pakistan
1,000-Kilometer Triangle
Colorado
Barbora Moravcova
Take Up Slack
Emergency Landings

The Thermal is a monthly podcast devoted to the sport of gliding. You'll hear about the latest cutting-edge sailplanes and technology. We'll also be talking about gliding safety, instructing, gliding history, cool pilot interviews, towing, winching and a whole lot more. New podcasts will be released the 1st Saturday of every month.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes71Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureTechnologyAviation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Thermal Podcast

Latest Episodes

Welcome to Episode #69 of The Thermal.

In this Episode of The Thermal, the Piper Pawnee has issues. Wing spar issues to be exact…we get an update from the Soaring Society of America's Ken Sorensen.

Electric Gliders and engine failure. Do you l... more

On Episode #68 of The Thermal - from stifling heat to well below zero…a crazy diamond height climb in Australia. We talk to the pilot who paid careful attention to the forecast and bagged his long sought after Diamond

And while we're south of the e... more

In Episode #67 of The Thermal, recording breaking flights in Australia. We speak to the pilots that just broke the continental distance record.

And going on safari in South Africa…a gliding safari. We chat with one of the pilots that was part of th... more

Welcome to Episode #66 of The Thermal – the JoeyGlide edition.

In this Episode of The Thermal, we find out what makes the Australian JoeyGlide for Junior pilots such a success. It's a training event that has a reputation for turning out world class... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Ken Sorensen
Director at large, Soaring Society of America
Soaring Society of America
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #69
Doug Bailey
Owner of electric self-launch glider and test pilot
Independent pilot / test flyer
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #69
Caroline Paul
Author of Why Fly? and aviation writer
Author
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #69
Jaden Bashford
Australian glider pilot who achieved diamond-height from a winch launch
Sun Razia Gliding Club, Mildura, Australia
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #68
Matthew Scutter
Founder and director of SkySight weather forecasting for gliding
SkySight
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #68
Chrissie Grote
Pilot and participant in a gliding safari in South Africa
Pilot for Arcus-M
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #67
Anushka Delechillard
President of the Australian Junior Gliding Club
Australian Junior Gliding Club
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #66
Josh Pease
20-year-old pilot from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, participating in Joey Glide.
QNIM Gliding Club
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #66
Kira Mack
19-year-old coachee and volunteer at Joey Glide.
Episode: The Thermal - Episode #66

Host

Harry Tenkate
Host with background in journalism and aviation commentary; appears across multiple episodes.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 114 ratings
  • Good show

    Interesting guests and good soaring subject matter however the interviewer tends to interrupt a bit too often when the guests are trying to speak.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    segelflugzeug1
    New Zealand4 months ago
  • Excellent, Fascinating Podcast

    Herrie’s a journalist by profession and a glider pilot by avocation. He’s interested in all things related to gliders and glider pilots. From training to contest flying to record flying to vintage gliders to WWII glider pilots and more. Something for everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mairi nD
    United States2 years ago
  • Best podcast about gliding

    As a new glider pilot and podcaster myself, I really enjoyed The Thermal. A wide variety of quality guests, and an enjoyable and educational mix of content in each episode. Herrie tee’s it up nicely and let’s the guests tell their stories.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    formulaphoto
    Canada3 years ago
  • Great Podcasting for Soaring Pilots

    This is a great forum to hear about the sport of soaring. Insights from fellow pilots and soaring localities as well as what it’s like to experience soaring around the world. Thanks to Harry for this effort and community spirit.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChristoB29
    United States5 years ago
  • The best aviation podcast

    Such an informative and interesting format. The ever changing subjects and laid back atmosphere make this podcast perfect for easy listening while getting some cardio in.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    VFA-87_Avionics
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate a knowledgeable, easygoing host who lets guests tell their stories.
Some listeners note occasional interruptions during guest turns.
High-quality guests and diverse gliding topics, with strong community focus.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#189
United States/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#63
Canada/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#66
United Kingdom/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#97
Germany/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#108
France/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#141
Australia/Leisure/Aviation

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Thermal - Episode #69
Q: How did the experiment get data to Yonkers and what was the response?
Data was shared with Yonkers; there was some controversy due to a software issue with the controller, but it was corrected, and the guest contributed information for broader understanding.
The Thermal - Episode #69
Q: What should you do when you have an engine failure in an electric glider, and how does the prop configuration affect performance?
The POH isn't explicit, but testing showed windmilling is generally better for glide performance than a stationary prop, improving glide ratio and reducing drag, so pilots should consider windmilling unless a dire emergency requires a different action.
The Thermal - Episode #65
Q: What were the actual records that you managed to break on this flight?
Two continental records were achieved: a straight distance to a goal from Minden to Garden City and a free distance from Minden to Dodge City.
The Thermal - Episode #65
Q: Was it something you were, were you ready for it?
Gordon explains that it was a 40-year plus dream, and he had been planning for this opportunity weeks in advance.
The Thermal - Episode #63
Q: So what are the main takeaways for you from this? What can we all learn?
There are a bunch of things, including organizing a fire crash box at the airfield.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Thermal Podcast

What is The Thermal Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on the sport of gliding, blending high-adrenaline pilot feats with technical discussion on weather, equipment, and safety. Listeners hear in-depth interviews with pilots and industry experts, exploring record flights, winch and tow operations, weather forecasting for sailplanes, and the evolving technology behind modern sailplanes. Episodes often weave practical tips (gear, planning, safety drills) with wide-ranging stories from the gliding community, from inspirational cross-country adventures to innovations shaping the future of soaring. It's likely to appeal to both current pilots and aspiring flyers who crave firsthand voices from the flight deck, the cockpit, and the shop floor, with a community-forward, informal styl... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Thermal Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Thermal Podcast:

1. Pilot's Discretion from Sporty's
2. The Finer Points - Aviation Podcast
3. Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast
4. "There I was..." An Aviation Podcast
5. I Learned About Flying From That

How many episodes of The Thermal Podcast are there?

The Thermal Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 71 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Thermal Podcast?

Recent guests on The Thermal Podcast include:

1. Ken Sorensen
2. Doug Bailey
3. Caroline Paul
4. Jaden Bashford
5. Matthew Scutter
6. Chrissie Grote
7. Anushka Delechillard
8. Josh Pease

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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