ATC Visit
An expedition party from Shenington visited Air Traffic
Control at RAF Brize Norton on Friday.
We were hosted by Sgt George Day of the ATC squadron who, despite his
apparent youth, was we discovered one of the more seasoned controllers.
Over the course of the afternoon George gave us a
teach-in on air traffic control, including procedures and activities of
particular relevance to glider and GA flying.
As we approached the ATC building, which is next to the runway, we had
the spectacle of a C17 doing touch-and-goes at close range – very impressive.
There then followed a visit to Approach Control, where we
were able to see controllers in action and witness at first hand the amount of
“clutter” (not least glider traffic) which adds to the challenge of an air
traffic controller’s day. Finally, we
climbed up into the tower and enjoyed the panoramic view of the airfield, while
learning about the tasks and challenges which fill a tower controller’s day.
We left enthused and educated. We hope that George will come and fly with us
at Shenington in the near future.
Jon Carlton
meanwhile, back at the airfield......
I arrived at the club on Friday late morning, having driven back from Brussels to find a busy club - Bruno with two course pupils and Gavin also in to help out with another.
I
wasn't intending to fly, but went up to the launch point about 1545 to see what
was going on. K21 XXI was sitting there and Gavin persuaded me to have a go.
Not too much persuasion needed really as the sky looked brilliant! Took
a winch launch and thought I was about to embarrass myself, but finally contacted
reasonable lift at a height I'm keeping to myself... That
climb took me to 4000'.
From
then on spent an hour's easy soaring with 6 and 8 knot climbs up to about
5500', and in one place out beyond Long Marston discovered cloud base was as
high as 6000' above site.Could
have done with a couple of those climbs during the Regionals! Then
back home with some aerobatic practice.
A
good day had by all...
Bill
Gordon re soloed at the end of the day
after best part of 40 year break.
Rowan Griffin