Another Fox story

Well what to do? that was the question I tried to find the answer most of the day. Having decided to attend the briefing on flying the Fox, I felt reasonably well prepared.

During the day I was doing a duty and watched with interest the preparations and flights of those already on the list.

I did think at one stage I would be robbed of a chance to fly by what appeared to be a major problem with the tug, but a false alarm and it was now my turn.

Having seen other flights I must admit it was with some intrepidation I stepped aboard,well to be honest I was helped into the cockpit by Guy and Val, the old man's syndrome

So off went after a refresher briefing by Guy. What a super glider to fly smooth and responsive and not really as twitchy as I expected.

So it was time on the downwind leg of the aero tow to had over to Guy for rolls on tow. That was a super experience. I don't think I have ever been upside down in a glider with me hanging the straps and that came as a bit of a surprise.It was after that I realised that most of my body weight was hanging on a couple of lap and body straps, no wonder it felt unusual.

All was well and I really looking forward to the rest of the flight. Up to 4000 feet and off the tow to commence a number of manoeuvers, loops, rolls inverted flying and finally a bit of demonstration flying by Guy, Stall turn half roll out, barrel roll and final approach to land. The last manoeuvres at a height normally reserved for the final part of a gliding circuit.

All in all a fabulous experience and one to be repeated when coffers are again full.

Derrick

Foxing About!!!

Guy (front) & Ian flying the Fox

Getting on line.

An exciting week of aerobatics with Guy Westgate and the GliderFX Aerobatic team culminated in a beautiful high pressure weekend perfect for the training  that his team provided. Further details on the GliderFX website blog at: http://www.glideraerobatics.com/

Guy withour new Course Instructor Val before their flight.

Tug Pilot Gary in the Pawnee.

Guy makes a confidence inspiring entance to the Fox...!!!

More Soaring, K.8 Conversions and another Cross-Country

King of the sky - Bob converts to the K.8

End of week update:

Wed brought a cold front during the morning, but this cleared around lunchtime and Bruno went off soaring with Bob P in the blustery post col front thermals to work on Bob's AFR.

Thu was calmer again and Neil found himself in the K.8 as did Bob K who converted to it for the first time today. Others out included Dave L-M, Tim D, Clive S (BI work-up with Bruno and myself) with Graham & Al flying XC in the big Nimbus.

Friday saw more BI training with Clive W (from North Hill) joining in with Clive S and Bruno on another busy day with lots of launches and plenty of smiles from Neil A and Bob K as they continued to refine their K.8 skills. All in all, a very successfull week to start our midweek summer flying!





Graham & Al - Good Finish!

  

Gorgeous For Gliding



Neil after his hangar landing.



Beautiful weather for March with light winds and blue skies provided an excellent training day. Bruno ran the day flying 2 early training flights with Neil A, who then re-soloed. Neil flew further solos during the day including the hangar flight for DDB at the end of play. Craig P, who discovered the club as a result of our recent Whittle Jet Day, had a great introduction to gliding, flying in ideal "first day" weather with Jane on his Day Course, so much so that I'm sure we'll see him back for more. Mick F flew some solos on DVX whist Bruno carried on with Susie S-W and Scott T. Terry T also turned up and and flew 3 solos. 23 flights in all, plus John M in his RF-4 motor-glider.

Summer Ops: Day 1 - Super Soaring at Shenington

Bruno & Neil Climb Away From The Edgehill Ridge In DDB

Shenington Airfield

Day one of Summer Ops for 2012 and what a day! A bit blustery, but super soaring with a brisk NW'ly providing ridge lift easily accessible from one of Kath's expert winch launches. The ridge in turn acting as usual as our main trigger for 3-4kt climbs to 4000ft (I saw one at 5.2kt on my averager!!!).

Spring Skies

Soaring The 20!

Bruno was busy in DDB providing excellent soaring training for Neil A and Peter B. Private owners out today included Eric flying Cosy Pyjamas (K6e CPJ), John L-C in his DG, myself in my ASW20 (first day out at SGC this year not instructing - hurrah) clocking up 2hr 30min. The 25Kt wind at height made it tough to get anywhere although I managed a bimble to Gaydon and Banbury (and abandoned an attempt to get to the Cotswold Edge) whilst Graham & Lee managed to punch into wind in the Nimbus 4, but eventually unfortunately but safely ended up in a field near Southam to claim the first land out of 2012! All in all, a great start to the season! Don't miss the next soaring opportunity, keep up to date with the soaring forecasts at http://weatherton.blogspot.com/

Eric On My Wingtip

Soaring Above The Castle at Edgehill



Towing DDB Back To The Launchpoint

Saturdads at Bloxham

With the kind agreement of the K6 syndicate Clive, Robin and Jon took a K6 and rigged it in the car park at the Butterfly Meadows Childrens' Centre in Bloxham this Saturday.  This was timed to coincide with the monthly "Saturdads" session, where dads bring their pre-school age children for a morning of play (and the odd bacon roll for the dads).  The keen interest shown by dads and kids alike is shown in the photos.  We promoted the club and handed out leaflets.  We hope to see a number of the dads signing up to air-ex experiences and, you never know, possibly becoming future club members.

Post from Jon Cartlon

Winter Ops: Midweek Update

Wed - Aerotowing through the breaks in the 1500ft cloud was an amazing sight. Phil Z and Martin Lawence completed their aerotow section of his AFR but the day was called short to lowering cloudbase.
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Thursday - Lovely blue sky and nil wind, Martin Lawence completed his AFR with a few winch launches whilst Al Cook and Graham Paul flew the Nimbus and John l flew the DG800. Later in the day engineering expert Scott Taylor also flew 2 launches. Great day you should have been there.
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Lee