A fault on the WG oil pressure gauge brought a premature end to flying last week and despite best endeavours during the week it looked as though we might not fly today.

Thankfully, and with tug KE stil U/S, some in-depth fault finding this morning identified and rectified the issue so, whilst there was a delay to the first launch nevertheless we went on to enjoy a good day with a 3,000 ft cloud base and some booming thermals.

First away were check flights for The Vicar and Andy with some really testing launch failures thrown into the mix.

The Vicar went on to fly R66 but, with no divine intervention, fell out of the sky and didn’t need to take much out of the collection plate to cover three of the shortest flights of the day. After his last flight he was heard to mutter from Psalm 55:6 ….“Oh, that I had wings like a dove!…..” Errr, he hasn’t🤪

***The Vicar enjoys another flight in sink!***

Andy later pottered off on his syndicate’s ASK18 R43 as did Jack.

***Amazing that it still flies with all those bits missing!***

With most of our MEF gliding bursary students away for the BH weekend it was left to Max on his first day on the airfield, and also to Grace to fly the flag. A big well done to Max who made it to Shawbury by train and Uber!

New members Ged and Robin drive from Mostyn in North Wales each flying day and that is some commitment. Ged took a couple of trips in R22……

…..and Robin flew with Simon in JMJ.

Robin, an Air Cadet and looking to join the RAF, later flew with Colin in WG at the end of the day.

The Ventus 243 iron thermal jobbie is bust and only firing on one cylinder which, given their age, is not dissimilar to the 243 syndicate. So they gave it to Nick to fly and despite the now inert and heavy lump of iron behind the cockpit he managed Hog-of-the-Day. Top job Nick.

Cloud base settled at around 3,000ft and for those who ventured over to the quarry, there were some booming thermals to be enjoyed.

Last launch of the day went to Elizabeth in JMJ.

We called it a day at 16:00 with a front approaching supressing the lift and also with R35 to rig after it’s annual; thanks to all for lending some weight to the task.