Monday 12 December 2011

Winters Back!!!

A picture of Bob Winters' back!
A cold clear start to the day with a moderate South Westerly and bright blue skies that brought out a number of folks. John & Sue were still here after the weekend festivities and Bob Winters was back to get current again after a couple of months off. 
Bob and I did a few circuits and a PLF to knock off the rust, then he took up DVX for a solo. Also out was visiting pilot and recently qualified BI from Thame, Peter Bryant. Peter plans to do some mid-week flying with us and we hope to see him doing some A/X instructing with us next summer. Eric was also out helping and later he flew the hangar flight, plus John L-C flying his DG. Gordon B also popped in from Long Marsden in his Rotax Falke. Others around included Lee, Christine, Phil M, Phil Z and Scott.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Early Birds...

Paul Noonan ran the day, and lots of folks turned out to make an early start and reap their rewards before the weather turned, which indeed it did as the forecast front came in. Meanwhile, the Leamington Volunteers were out selling vouchers at the Yuletide Fair.

Saturday 10 December 2011

The Legend of the Christmas Feast.

The sky was blue and cold, and much flying was enjoyed. Then retirement to the bar for the start of Christmas cheer, afore the famous feast began upon the seventh bell.
This was a Festive Day and we call'd it  the Christmas Feast of Shenington.
    All that joined this day, and comes safe home,
    Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
    And rouse him at the name of Shenington.
    He that shall live this day, and see old age,
    Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
    Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
    But he'll remember, with advantages,
    What feast he did that day. Then shall our names,
    Familiar in his mouth as household words -
    Meagher, Furesdon and Gould,
    Milligan, Le Maistre, and Wootton  - and many others too 
    Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
    This story shall the good man teach his son;
    And a Christmas Feast of Shenington shall ne'er go by,
    From this day to the ending of the world,
    But we in it shall be remembered -
    We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
    For he to-day that drank this toast with me
    Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
    This day shall gentle his condition;
    And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
    Shall think themselves accurs'd they could not join,
    And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
    That dined with us upon that Festive Day.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Bath O/R

Heroic effort by Graham Paul and Al Cook who took a winch launch in their Duo Turbo and flew down the Cotswold Edge to Bath and back, though they did admit to using the 'iron thermal' a couple of times, so no points on the ladder. Still, excellent use of the weather to perform a rare winter cross-country flight from Shenington.

Well done guys.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Cold - But Still Fun!

Tim stealing the K6e!
A frosty start! Jane J was out early, as was Dave L-M, and were preping the kit when I arrived. 'Duty Student' Martin J was back for the second day on the trot for, as was Tim D. Dave G provided an aero-tow for Jane and I to go spinning for her annual BI Checks, after which we did some winch launches. Dave L-M experimented on the ridge scratching out a short soaring flight from frankly quite difficult soaring conditions with the wind weaker than yesterday, as did Eric in his K6e, before offering Tim a flight in his pride and joy, only to discover that Tim liked it so much it was difficult to get it back! Rain stopped play at 3pm, but I think we got what we wanted out of the day.

Monday 5 December 2011

On The Ridge Again...

Derick ran the day with Tim assisting. Special Thanks to Dave L-M who started the winch driving and Keith taking over later. The wind was on the hill again and a number of folks were out taking advantage of the soaring to top-up their airtime before Christmas. DVX was out with for instructionand solo flying. Mike C was ridge-running in his Duo, John L-C flew his DG-800 and Phil B & I were operating XXI so I could fly with a couple of prospective course instructors for next year and show them our 'spectacular' ridge. A nother good winter soaring day at Shenington!

Sunday 4 December 2011

Challenges & Opportunities!


Dave Price starts work on his Bronze with Bruno.

Bruno was DI, Dave Price was LPC and Paul M drove the winch. Graham P helped Mike C rig the Duo for a trip to explore the Cotswold Edge, meanwhile Dave P started work on his Bronze with Bruno. It may be winter, but there's always opportunities to progress and challenges to meet. Tomorrow looks like another ridge day...see you at the launch-point!

Saturday 3 December 2011

Ridge, Wave and Aerobatics

Graham P was Duty Instructor with Tez & Mary sharing LPC duties and Charles S winch driving. The wind was on the hill and  a superb soaring day with ridge and wave. John D was out flying the K21 with Lucy and Paul M wave soaring at 4000ft+ and teaching aerobatics. 20 flights were flown with an average duration of 27 mins totalling just under 9 hours - not bad for December! Other out enjoying the soaring included Derrick, Paul F, Alistair F, Christian, Gavin, Robin, Tim, John R, Tess, Dave L-M, Terry T, John L, and Eric flying his K6e and gaining the longest flight of the day at 2:11.

Friday 2 December 2011

Bob Goes Solo!

Bruno congratulates Bob after his first solo in HVQ
Bruno ran the day flying with Charlie M and Bob K. The weather was great for the start of December and Bob flew his first solo before lunch. Also out were Robin flying the Falke. I flew with Gail to complete her annual BI Checks and AFR, and Mark H who then flew solo after a 6 month break.