The Early Birds Catch the Worms
Long before the sun graced the skies of Shawbury with its presence, an ambitious crew amassed at Hangar 4. Brad and Gally had managed to persuaded Wing Commander Haynes and #Vulcanbomber to extricate themselves from their pits for an early start to enable Brad to undergo essential aerobatics training as he works towards displaying a sequence designed by Gally the GOAT himself. The early start would ensure normal club operations were not disturbed and also gave them an advantage over the weather, as Storm Dave was forecast to deliver winds later in the morning that would exceed our flying limitations.
WG and R35 were soon out on the airfield and at 07:10 (or the middle of the night as our teenage viewers will be thinking), the earliest launch at RAF Shawbury Gliding Club took place. During the flight, Gally instructed Brad on how to fly quarter clovers, an aerobatic manoeuvre consisting of a loop combined with a 90o roll, looking like a clover leaf upon completion. Over the course of the following three flights, the two continued to work on finessing the quarter clovers and practicing display wingovers before working on a sequence comprising of loops, wingovers and quarter clovers that Brad will soon be assessed on.
As today’s motley crew for the day started arriving, Brad and Gally finished throwing R35 around the skies above Shawbury, and as a thank you for waking up at such an ungodly hour, #vulcanbomber took a flight with Gally the GOAT in R35… after all, the chicken farms are easier to land in when the chucks are still sleeping in the coupes!
Many thanks to both Colin and #vulcanbomber for volunteering their time and making this morning happen. It is much appreciated, chaps.
With the early morning aerobatics complete, our club met professor and duty instructor for the day, Will, took over for the morning brief, where, as expected a limited flying window was to be expected. No time was wasted in kicking things off, and soon, the Colonel had commandeered R22 for a flight.
With wave lift forecasted in amongst the strong winds, Geoff M was keen to investigate and launched next in 243. After much persistence by Geoff, and teasing by Mother Nature, the wave was not as strong as anticipated and the iron thermal in the back was fired up which ventured him above the clouds.
Meanwhile, back at Shawbury, Go Gliding Scholarship student, Jenson flew with Nigel, where Jenson learnt to negotiate the straight and level glide, a sporting task with the increasing winds. Back on tera firmer, Jenson got stuck into ground handlings and keen to give the old boys a break, took over wing running duties on the launches. Top job, Jenson; we look forward to seeing you again next weekend.
Jenson running the wing of R35 with Will and Lizzie at the controls.
Speaking of old boys, veteran instructor, Nick, and #vulcanbomber were next in R22 as Richard continues to work towards his SPL. The two enjoyed a couple of flights trying to source the wave before returning to base, where winds were beginning to become rather sporting.
After a quick solo in R35, instructor Will next flew with Lizzie, who ended up experiencing wave for the first time (albeit weak). Cracking job you two! With winds soon picking up, and rain looming over Shrewsbury, as Geoff M – then over Shrewsbury - informed us, the decision was made to land and scrub.
Congrats to Geoff M – and the iron thermal - who bagged the longest flight of the day with 2hrs 1min airtime.
The early stack gave Nick, being the gent he is, the opportunity to continue with cosmetic works on R2 to ensure it’s is gleaming condition for Norm. Sure, he’ll be grateful, Nick!
Many thanks to Mrs #vulcanbomber for supplying us with Chocolate cake for breakfast and lemon drizzle for lunch…
Club News:
Saturdays: Todays marks the start of us transitioning to Saturdays as our standard operating day. There will also be the opportunity to fly on selected availability Sunday afternoons. Availability for the Sunday afternoons will appear on the member’s area of the website nearer the time to the selected Sundays.
Women in Gliding (WinG) Day – May 31st: Due to the success of the WinG Day organised by Laura last year, we will be running the event again this year, organised again by Laura. The WinG Day is the perfect opportunity for us to promote our sport to like minded women and girls and encourage them to take up gliding. If you’d be willing to volunteer your Sunday afternoon to assist with the vent, please register your availability on the member’s page of the website.