Flying Report Sun 13 Sep 26. A 1st solo for Billy
A “Mint” day as described by one of our students.
For our older members, when a member of the younger generation uses the utterance "mint," you must immediately banish from your mind all thoughts of garden herbs, after-dinner chocolates in green wrappers, or the Royal Mint where the King’s currency is struck! When the youth declare a thing to be "mint," they are, in their remarkably lazy and truncated fashion, attempting to communicate that the subject under discussion is exceedingly good, top-tier, splendid, or in an unblemished state of absolute perfection.
Thus it was, and a busy day with a good turnout that might have placed our resources under pressure had it not been for Team Adlard unexpectedly pitching up and providing both their instructional expertise and K13. Top job!
Welcome to new MEF gliding bursary student members Lennon and Hugh and also to Olly, a Fish Head on holding at Shawbury, and it was Liz in her K13 that took Hugh and Lennon on their first trips into the magical world of unpowered flight.
A low cloud base and the tail end of the front meant that there was little thermic activity until late afternoon, but the morning conditions were benign and perfect for a first solo by Billy following a check flight with Geoff M. Many congratulations Billy.
Had Veteran Andrew had time he too, would have been sent solo today – maybe next time Andrew.
And another first today with Army Will taking his first trip in the club Astir R66. Later in the day Will went on to claim hog-of-the-day. Well done Will.
Also coming along really well is junior member Douglas. Douglas is very near to going solo and has been advised to get his PMD completed.
Building up his solo trips in the K21 is Lewis and we are looking to convert Lewis to the Astir in the next couple of flying days.
Until mid-afternoon it was pretty well up and down but the sun eventually burnt through at which stage a couple of veteran Veterans, if we add up their ages and add the age of the K13 it’s about 211 years, decided to get airborne with the Army in the front and the RAF quite rightly in the rear!!
Our other student pilots are all making excellent progress…..
….and it will not be long before Shawbury Olly re-solos.
30 launches signposts just what a hard day it was for instructors and tug pilots to whom goes our thanks.
The last flight of the day went to Ian who, fresh from his exertions on the European mainland, took Bella along as back seat ballast.
The only disappointing element of the day was that there was no cake, with some lame excuse from #vulcanbomber that he was on holiday in the Lake District. I mean, hasn’t he heard of Deliveroo??