Our 100th MEF Student takes to the skies!
Much like the lioness’s finals game, the day was one of two halves. A late start was scheduled due to poor conditions forecast for the morning. With a squadron of eager aviators assembled - including new student Becky, our 100th MEF bursary recipient, and Zak who has recently commenced military flight ground school training at Shawbury – duty instructor Nigel kicked proceeding off with the morning briefing, and planned to operate from Runway 23. The gliders and airfield were set up in record time, just in time in fact, for the oncoming downpour that clung onto the back of the passing front. Whilst most of us sheltered in the vehicles, Nigel decided to reinstate social distancing and take cover in R22’s front cockpit.
As the showers passed, the wind also took it upon itself to veer round with the changing airmass; consequently, and much like the lionesses game again, we had to change ends on to Runway 36. From here, the day only got better. Nigel took the first solo launch at 13:25, followed shortly by Gally in R66, who took advantage of the convergence between the southern airmass and ‘Cheshire Gap’ airmass, piloting a 50km out and return to Oswestry – someone forgot to pass the memo it must be 50km in a straight line for a silver distance claim!
Now, if I’ve not mentioned it already, our 100th (Mechanics Endowment Fund) MEF Bursary student joined us at Shawbury today! Welcome to the club, Becky; it was a pleasure to have you fly with us and we look forward to you returning and progressing towards solo and beyond. AR Rebecca Hall - a training avionics technician at Cosford and future aspiring fast jet pilot - took two flights with fellow Cosford recruit, and basic instructor Brad in R35. Becky really enjoyed her flights, and instructor Brad was impressed with how quickly she picked up the basic handling of the glider – a natural in the making! Additionally she was keen to get involved with all aspects of ground handling activities and was launching gliders herself by the end of the day.
Becky and Brad take off on their first launch in R35
… and of course, with Rebecca being the 100th MEF student, a commemorative photoshoot was in order…
The MEF bursary scheme has provided service personnel in phase two training with the opportunity to start their flying journey by providing a bundle of seven 2000ft aerotows, an aerobatic experience flight and an hour’s instruction in one of the club’s motor gliders. Sincere thanks go out to the hardworking members who organised the MEF bursary and the RAF Central Fund for funding it; here’s to many more MEF students in the future!
Our BGA Discover Gliding Visitor Flynn took the next launch with instructor, Nigel. Pleasure to host you, Flynn. We hope you’ve caught the flying bug and look forward to seeing you again.
MEF bursary student, Hoss, was next in the hotseat with Nigel; they managed a 38-minute soaring flight in the convergence. A few more exercises ticked off for Hoss, now well on his way through the syllabus. A ‘Go Solo’ bursary application is in the pipeline me thinks. Well done, gents; a Stirling effort.
Geoff took the Shropshire air in 243, after it’s holiday for the past month at Seighford (Staffordshire GC). He too, made the most of the convergence, and achieved an hour and fifty minutes soaring trip out to Peplow, Church Stretton and Wenlock Edge. Rob and John Luke took the final flights in R66, whilst Nigel an #vulcanbomber took R22 for some thermalling practice. A strong effort, gents, on what was a difficult soaring day. Surprisingly, the Vulcan was not well known for is thermalling ability, but did achieve its diamond goal in May 1982, completing an put and return task from RAF Ascension (just). Our extended gratitude to Mrs #vulcanbomber once again for keeping us well fed with two lemon drizzle cakes.
A warm welcome to new veteran member Tony Garrod, who flew twice with instructor Nick in R35. Tony comes to us after previously flying with Kestrel GC at RAF Odiham. He soon reacquainted himself with the K-21, and it’s fair to say, there were smiles all round after. We look forward to seeing more of Tony.
Tony and instructor, Nick, upon their return from their first flight.
It was a pleasure to welcome back new junior member Douglas, who flew with instructor Brad in R35. Still in the early stages of the syllabus, Douglas covered the scan cycle, trimming the aircraft as was demonstrated a 1g stall. He enjoyed it so much in fact, he decided to do it all again, taking the last flight of the day in order to refine and hone his newly acquired skills. A short intermission in proceedings was due first as a result of an arriving Jupiter returning from training ops.
A huge thanks team for ensuring another successful day at Shawbury. A total time of 7hrs 43mins across 15 flights was flown. We look forward to welcoming the 101st MEF student soon!