Flying Report Sun 16 Nov 25
It was touch and go whether we would fly at all today. The gardeners will all know how much their grass had grown after the recent spell of mild weather, and so has the lawn at Shawbury. Couple this with the recent heavy rain, evident in the air from the swollen brooks and rivers, and we had all ingredients that make for a scrubbed flying day.
In dull, overcast conditions and with Nick in R22, a tentative first launch got away after an extended ground roll, and we decided to go for it, setting up on r’wy 18 (Grass).
From the air it looks as though all work on the hard surfaces is complete and, r’wy 18 (Hard) was clearly in use today.
Given the conditions and the flying list, it was decided to give everyone an initial launch and then follow up with further flights as required. Welcome to Cosford based Charlie, our latest MEF gliding bursary student and after flying with Nick, they took to the bus for a debrief.
Fresh from her nomination as a British Aerobatics team member for the World Championships in Fayence, France in 2026 it was back to more basic stuff for Laura. Well done to Laura and Arron who won today’s comp for best hat and sunnies combo…..
…before Laura took new junior member Lizzie for her first trip at RAF Shawbury. Welcome Lizzie and hope you enjoyed your day spending Dad’s money🤣🤣.
Elsewhere the Haynes duo took their ASK18 (R43) for a trip – not together, it’s a single seater - in the process recording the lowest temp of the day.
And the Astir (EEO) syndicate members also had an outing.
With the next front rolling through and the clag building up, temperatures dropped and we called it a day at 15:30
Just 16 launches such is the challenge of operating off the grass in these conditions. Thanks to all for your perseverance and generally mucking in when required.
Blessed are the cake makers – we were overwhelmed with cake today🍰🍰!