We Mist Being On The Airfield
The forecast initially suggested whilst mist would dampen any chances of flying in the morning, there would be a clearing from midday onwards that would allow aviation to be accomplished.
The picture that greeted us on Sunday morning.
As there was no rush to get the gliders and kit out, Nigel and Brad welcomed our new MEF students, James, Amelya and Lacey with a tour round the hangar. James is currently training as an aircraft mechanic technician at neighbouring RAF Cosford, whilst Amelya and Lacey are training as Survival Equipment Specialist at Cosford also. All three are little over a month into their courses, and were encouraged to apply for the MEF bursary after hearing of its offering from our CFI, Gally the Goat, whom is also a Human Factors instructor at Cosford as one of his many quivers to his bow.
With the aircraft being DI’d, this gave Nigel the perfect opportunity to provide our new MEF ab-initios with a cockpit familiarisation brief, comprising of how to don a parachute – and how to use it, not that we like to advertise ourselves as a potential skydiving centre! Whilst sitting in the hot seat, they were shown through the cockpit layout. Unfortunately, though, this as close as they’d get to flying a glider today due to naff weather, to use the technical term.
Lacey (cockpit) and Amelia (right) receiving their cockpit familiarisation from instructor, Nigel.
Whilst Nigel and Brad were showing our new MEF guys round, Colin and his apprentice Ben continued with essential club maintenance tasks, which will look great on Ben’s portfolio as he nears completion of his Duke of Edinburgh award.
Meanwhile, Gally and Nick continued with polishing and retaping the control hinges as well as touching up any blemishes of the gel coat on their ASW20, FCV, to give it that extra edge in performance while flying - an edge Nick thinks could easily be knocked off through duff flying. She’s looking competition ready, chaps! Thanks also, Nick, for the calendar photos for next year as well… seems you’ve warmed to the camera alas after all these years!
With the weather offering little to the square root of jack all chance of flying, our new MEF recipients, along with current MEF student Elijah and ab-initio, Will, were taken on the simulator with Nigel and Will. They all got the chance to fly the sim, demonstrating the effects of controls and how to manoeuvre the glider. Elijah and Will were able to refine what they have already covered in the SPL syllabus.
Nigel, not attempting to mute his students, but utilising his resources to demonstrate how a glider moves around the three axis of movement.
Nigel then demonstrated an aerotow on the sim, this being it first one on the sim; it’s fair to say, this was evident. Those well acquainted with Condor 2 will be aware that the aerotow is as precarious as walking a tightrope blindfolded. Kudos to Nigel for staying committed!
Nigel unintentionally attempting to overtake the tug…
With the day showing no signs of improving, a scrub was called, and the kit was packed away. With our MEF students leaving, it was just the golden oldies, and the boy with the camera remaining to discuss the usual gliding club detritus. Despite the poor weather, a productive day was still had. Thanks all for your efforts!
Last of the Summer Glider
RSGC is proud to be a BGA Women in Gliding certified club, and we were delighted to see some girl power in the hangar, not just because it drastically lowered the average age of the present members, but mainly, Sunday was International Women’s Day. At present, only 7% of UK glider pilots are female, an all too low statistic. We are very proud of the female members within our club; they are true ambassadors for the sport, and we look forward to welcoming more into our sport and showing them just how accessible gliding is for all, and the opportunities it can offer. Later this year, we hope to host another Women Go Gliding day, much like last year, where can set out to achieve this very goal.
