Sunday 29 January 2012

Good-bye G-OFER

Paul Noonan (or is it 'Pot Noodle'?) was Duty Instructor and Charles S was the morning Duty Winch Driver. There was a good turnout of folks and we got things rolling early with the intrepid DI taking a solo weather check in DDB. The low cloudbase, however, meant it was prudent to wait a while longer to commence flying proper, so when Clive W (visiting from North Hill, Devon before his upcoming BI Course with us in March) he was just in time to grab a cup of tea in the clubhouse and meet everyone.

G-WAVY with DDB at the launch-point

President Phil with Robin J

Clive W from North Hill with 'Pot Noodle'
The weather finally improve around lunch, by which time everyone was itching to fly. The K8 also came out and did a number flights with pilots including Clive S, Robin and Mick F. Martin L flew with PN in DDB, as did our visitor, who found our friendly welcome so much he decided to join! Another success for "the friendly gliding club!"

Clive S started his BI prep with me. Tim and Gary flew G-WAVY for a bimble round the Cotswolds. Young Christian popped in later and grabbed a quick flight. Phil B flew DDB solo and then relieved Charles on the winch so that he could take the last aero-tow behind Mary's beloved Super Cub, G-OFER, flown by Dave G before she leaves us for her new home at White Waltham.

Finally, I couldn't resist a final good-bye buzz down the ridge past The Castle and round the local area in the aircraft I "cut-my-towing-teeth" in way back in the '94, so I claimed the final flight in G-OFER, with Tess W joining me for a lovely 20 minute trip.


Paul F launches DDB whist the K8 tows back on line
 
G-OFER
Good-bye G-OFER... Fly Safely, Have Fun!

Tonight President Phil shared his widom from twenty-plus years of flying at Shenington about the potential hazards of our site entitled "When the wind blows..." Everyone there learned something worthwhile.

Friday 27 January 2012

Soaring into the New Year...

Graham rigs his new big wings.

Preping the K13.


Nigel solos the Falke.

Alan slices the Haggis.

It’s been a long time since the last flying report, so here’s an update of some of the things that have been happening over the Christmas period and into the New Year.

Robin J flew the last flight before Christmas with a trip in the Falke on Christmas Eve.

More flying between Christmas and New Year included Clive taking the last flight of the 2011.

Graham took delivery of his new Nimbus 4DM (how long are those wings) and he and Al have made several test flights and achieved some winter wave and thermal soaring! Incidentally Graham won the BGA Distance Ladder for 2011 flying well over 10,000kms! The New Year’s Eve party was fun with a quiz organized by Lee. Our landlord, Joe, and pals popping in for a seasonal beer!

The weather for 2012 has remained pretty decent for the time of year so despite short days and misting canopies there have been a number of decent flying days with our hard runways and ridge allowing us to operate when some of our neighbours are waterlogged.
Pilots have been working on their AFRs with some ridge soaring to boot! Mick F and Paul D are now both back on line for BI flying and Nigel B has gone solo in the Falke! We also had a great Burn’s Night with Alan L cutting the haggis and treating those present to a recital - now a Shenington tradition!
Last Monday Mick, Liz, Keith, Peter B, Martin, Dave L-M and I had a great day trying to stay up a very soft ridge with Martin L , Dave and Mick also flying the club Ka8. Peter B managed to lock his keys in his car (Doh!) so we ferried his spares up from Haddenham in the Tug where his wife met us to hand them over!