Flying Report Sat 25 Apr 26. Hats off to the Aerobats
The last flying day in April and the top line is that Brad completed his evaluation and achieved the standards required to be awarded a CAA Display Authorisation. It’s a great credit to Brad, an RAF Cosford apprentice, for achieving the standard whilst also keeping pace with his training at Cosford.
Subject to confirmation, Brad will be the RSGC Glider Display pilot at the 2026 RAF Cosford Air Show and we don’t that doubt Brad will be the youngest non-professional aviator pilot in the RAF to hold a CAA recognised Display Authorisation. Great work Brad but we understand from Prof “Plopper” Dean that the only part of the display syllabus you still need to cover, is descending on aero-tow.🤣🤣
Advice to Newcomers. You’re exploits on the airfield may be captured in perpituity in the annual Club Calendar and, from time-to-time, may resurface!!
It’s also hat’s off to our other aerobaticist Laura who is in training with the British Aerobatics team in preparation for the World Championships in Fayence, France later this year. Earlier this month Laura won the 2026 British Aerobatics Dan Smith Memorial Trophy. Brilliant stuff Laura 😍😍
A hot blue-sky day on the airfield and a large turnout tested us with just one tug and a K21 available. However, Simon kindly threw his K13 into the mix and we also saw the DuoDiscus out on the launch point.
We also borrowed a Myndie instructor (they all come here in the end!). Welcome to Sam Prin who took a check flight with Laura……
……and Eventualities……
……before being pitched into the fray and many thanks for your help during the day.
First away in the K13 were Matthew and Simon who went off to do some spin checks.
To the relief of the pensioners out on day release it was a delight to see so many youngsters on the airfield to do the pushing and pulling. The Vicar took them under his wing (sic!) for the Parish notices and some launch point health & safety and ground handling skills training.
Great work team after which there was some much-deserved cake courtesy of #vulcanbomber and Jenson’s Mum – much appreciated.
Welcome to new MEF gliding bursary students Sam and Grace who enjoyed their first flights with us today.
Sam described Grace’s flying as, err………….Graceful!!!. It was wearing Geoff C’s hat that did it!
Grace is training in Birmingham to be an RAF Operating Department Practitioner so it’s kind of comforting to know that we have both The Vicar and Nurse Grace to hand if needs be!! Marvellous🤣🤣
It was a blue-sky day and an inversion was slow to clear but by about 1400 the single seat jockeys decided that it is was time to launch with Astir EEO, Astir R66 and the Ventus 2CT 243 joining the Q on the launch point.
The key was to check out the known trigger points, and the pick was the quarry with booming thermals that topped out around 4,000ft.
Rob in R66 and Geoff C in EEO linked up near the quarry.
Our junior contingent were kept busy with Jenson, Ben, Douglas and new member Robin all getting in decent trips.
Great to see the DuoDiscus out and during the day five club members took check rides, all commenting that is it’s a great aircraft but that it tests their need to be more accurate in their flying.
The trip of the day was in the DuoDicus. Ian and Brad (not the aerobat laddie Brad L-K but Brad S), took a trip to RAF Cosford to see it was still there. It was shut - some waffle about “…..aerodrome authoity request…” On the return leg, at 1,000ft West of the Wrekin, a field had already been selected and a recovery crew stood by but with encouragement and prayers by radio from The Vicar they managed a “plop” over the airfield boundary!
Another new member joined us today with Robin’s Dad Ged signing up as a member. Welcome Ged and thanks for your hard work on the airfield. We look forward to seeing more of you in the coming weeks.
Most launches in the day - #vulcanbomber. Two launches, a further abandoned launch and no landings.😂😂😂 a calendar entry!
Sadly, flying ended early when the tug developed a fault. Nevertheless, we completed 27 flights with nearly 15 hours of flying time. Thanks to all for the big team effort.
Club News
Sisteron. It’s Sisteron Exped time again 2–17 May 26. Our DuoDiscus R2 is going with club members Ian, Alan and Adey Hobson, together with former club member Josh Milner. Also attending are the “Two Harrys”, both the product of our MEF gliding bursary programme and the RAFGSA Go-Solo scheme. They both went solo with the club in Jan 25 and have continued their gliding journey at their stations. Top Job lads.
Women in Gliding 31 May 26. Laura is looking for volunteers to assist on the day. Sign in if you can help.
