Flying Report Sun 4 Oct 26
Demonstrating that the pen is mightier than the sword, well done to guest blogger Rob for stepping up to the task.
The forecast showed a chilly start with blue skies and clouds developing during the day. Most of the diehard flyers of the RAF persuasion, arrived suitably attired with jackets and long trousers with some even wearing their woolly hats for the first time since last winter.
However, our token Fishhead, Ollie decided that he was Ruff, Tuff and Hard to Bluff and arrived in shorts and T-shirt, although he did add a sweatshirt a bit later.
The early risers opened up the hangar and pushed out the tug WG to enable our latest MEF student, Amir to go for his hour in the motor-glider, with Norm.
Gradually more people arrived to prepare the gliders for a busy day ahead, including keeping a weather (geddit!!) eye out for the odd hot-air balloon!
A number of the Cosford students were unable to attend due their driver not feeling well, but we still managed several, including Grace, and Matthew, who were joined by a couple of junior members and a Visitor from the Mynd, who came to fly with Simon in his K13 to carry out spinning exercises.
The first flight of the day went to Jack, who is undergoing training to become an instructor, flying several flights with Alan Jolly in the morning and another with Simon in the afternoon.
Grace followed next, and carried on with handling exercises under the expert tutoring of Colin.
Early solo student, Lewis continues to progress and had several check flights with Laura, before having another flight on his own in one of the K21s.
Next up was one of the junior member, Robin, an Air Cadet from Chester, who had several flights, getting ready for his first solo. First flying with Gally to practise his circuits, later flying in Simon’s K13 to carry out spin awareness before carrying out eventualities with Colin, finally being let loose on his first solo, watched by his proud father Ged.
After having a pre-flight briefing on the bus, Matthew went for a couple of flights with Nick
After her training flights in the K21 Grace went for a back seat flight in the Duo Discus R2 with Norm.
Once she was sat comfortably in the rear seat it became apparent that she could have done with a bigger cushion, but as Grace wasn’t flying it wasn’t a critical problem. Grace used the flight to enjoy the views of Shrewsbury and take loads of photos.
During the day Rob and Elizabeth took turns on the log but eventually they both decided it was time to fly. Elizabeth took a solo flight in her K13 while Rob went up in the Astir. Both managed to find some weak thermals over the village of Hadnall and both managed 20 minutes. Rob was the only person to fly the Astir and his plot on Glide and Seek showed his flight from take-off to landing.
A cracking day in some balmy October weather with 33 launches and nearly 10 hours of flying time.
Club News
The club will host a visit by 1st Wem Cubs on the evening of Tue 3 Nov 26 in Hangar 4. It’s a fun evening and you can get a flavour fo what goes on from the last cubs’ visit in our Blog @ https://www.rafshawburygc.co.uk/blog/v45zwg9ud0845x1k304uk9su3b932g .
We’re looking for vounteers to assist with running the evening so please sign on in the normal way if you feel you’d like to get involved.😁