Back down to Earth… again
Optimism had been amassing throughout the week, as today had been forecast to be a reasonable flying day – nothing sensational, but after only three flying days total in the past three months, we’ll take whatever we’re given! However, just to rub what little salt there is left in the jar into the still present wound, the forecast for today had deteriorated drastically over the course of yesterday, and heavy showers were forecast for the very early afternoon.
Despite arriving at an airfield blanketed in fog, Dr Will was leading the charge of the optimists, encouraging gliders and tugs to be DI’d and taken out the hangar so we could fly before the forecasted front was due to pass in the early afternoon. With the fog lifting, the signs were taken out; rather frustratingly though, the fog had decided not to lift all that much. With low cloud looming over us, duty instructor Matt rounded the brigade for morning brief.
With Matt taking a realist’s stance – or pessimistic, as the optimists among us would say – he warned flying would be unlikely unless a sudden miracle was to occur. Despite a suggestion to sacrifice the recently rigged B4 (tin shed) as a met scout, neither a B4 pilot, or tug pilot were willing to sacrifice themselves to the weather gods, and so work was sought in the hangar instead.
All eyes on Matt…
Despite everyone’s best efforts to look busy, Mike had managed to catch those slower to scarper to rig 243 after completion of it’s annual. Meanwhile, Laura got on the business end of a bucket and cloth, and ensured the B4 and K21’s was looking fresh out the showroom.
Colin’s apprentice, Ben - who continues to work towards his volunteering section of his Duke of Edinburgh with us - was tasked with re-taping R66’s wings, and what a Stirling job he made of it...
We were pleased to welcome new MEF students today, Clara and Joe, both of whom are aircraft technician apprentices at Cosford. With the prospect of flying looking slim to absolute jack, fellow Cosford recruit and instructor Brad took them onto the simulator to introduce them to the basics of gliding. After finishing off taping R66’s wings, they were joined by Ben, who after a session on the basic effects of controls with Brad, was talked through landing a glider by Wing Commander Colin… word on the street is he’s quite the natural.
Elsewhere, John and Matt took WG for a met check flight, and after professionally scaring themselves, having to descend through cloud in the normal gliding circuit, making for a sporting approach. Thus, the decision was made to scrub flying. Our moods were all reflected in Dr Wills facial expressions….
Even grown men shut down when they can’t play…
With the scrub called, we could now regain currency in putting the aircraft to bed, given we had exercised getting them out. All that was left to do was KE’s first engine run checks after its annual. Unlike most parts of the annual, the engine runs were a success with no leaks and having synced the carburettors, all that’s left to do is some securing of components and fuel lines and a test flight next weekend (if it’s not blowing a gale, tipping it down, blizzarding, dense fog, or whatever weird and whacky wonder mother nature can hurl our way). Thanks to Nigel, Colin and Tony for their efforts.
A increasingly familiar Sunday sight…
Today also saw the return of the Vicar, having some brief rest bite before he heads out to Dubai to partake in the Burj2Burj half marathon. As appealing as it sounds, we’ll all just cheer from the side lines, thanks, Vicar. We think he’s mad, but we wish him all the best and hope he finishes well.
The Vicar mastering the art of levitation…
Once again, we thank Mrs #vulcanbomber for letting #vulcanbomber out to play and sending him with two lemon drizzle’s… that were made light work of.
Once again, a disappointing outcome for today… we can only hope this means there’s one hell of a soaring season ahead!
Colin subtly implying he had heard enough from Nigel…
Club News
06.02.26 - 08.02.2026: R2 is now prepared for it’s expedition to Denbigh this coming weekend for the UK Junior Gliding Winter Series Round 2. Elizabeth, Beccy, Hoss and Brad hope to experience some surreal Welsh wave with CFI Gally the GOAT over the course of the weekend.