Category: Flying Reports

Report from Stan Oram:

Despite varying interpretations of the weather forecast the optimists turned out to host a group of former Royal Navy Artificers and their family members for a Gliding Experience day arranged by our club member and their social Secretary , Stan Oram.

As it turned out the optimists got it right and we had a very good day’s flying. If you include Stan and his grandson James (now a club member himself) and Martin Henegan, of Portsmouth Naval Gliding Club (who renewed his acquaintance with old chum Steve Barber on the field) and himself a former artificer, who came along to help out with instructional flights for the day, there were eight RN and Families attendees who together clocked up 2 hours and 12 minutes for a very successful day, hosted by a variety of very helpful and obliging club members.

There were a couple of short breaks for heavy showers to pass through but everyone who wanted to fly (including club members) got to fly before we all packed up by about 5.30pm. All in all a very successful day which included an invitation from Martin, in his email thanking the club for a very warm welcome, for our club members who wish for a refresher on aerotows or to use a motor glider to arrange through him to visit PNGC.

Stan’s very appreciative thanks go to the club members who in typical jovial and willing fashion made it all worthwhile by doing all that needs doing to make flying operations possible.

There are times when I feel proud and privileged to be part of Shalbourne Gliding.  Tuesday 25th July was such a day.  A day of flying young people that will be remembered fondly both by our visitors and our members who generously gave their time and expertise to make the day happen.

Members of the 1st and 4th Newbury Girl Guides were camping at Linkenholt and had decided to include gliding as one of their activities.  They certainly picked a good day to trek the 4 or 5 miles to the club, fly and trek back.  All 27 of the group (girls and leaders) flew and learnt about powerless flying – including 3 who were very apprehensive about flying.  With gentle encouragement and support from the guide leaders and our members they took to the air and returned happy.  One of the 3 was a young leader I flew with from whom I heard a sharp intake of breath when we changed wings on the ground.  Approaching the top of the launch she declared “I would have been a fool to miss this”.   The way the girls kept safely clear of the launch point, patiently waiting their turn to fly and keeping themselves occupied was a credit to themselves and their leaders.

There was terrific support from club members enabling the day to happen.  Ken H, Alan S and Paul B kept the cables coming; Mary B and Martin S provided exceptional launch point organization; Stan O, Alan B and Jonty H ran around launching and retrieving gliders; Bob B, Peter E, Ken R and Colin B got the best job flying our visitors (though it took great determination to pass on some great lift in the interests of getting everyone flown).  With such a good turnout of club members we were able to get the K8 out and some members enjoyed some soaring.  After the Guides had left we continued flying as the sky still looked great but nobody managed to connect with anything.

44 launches in total with 27 of those being trial lessons

 

As ever our airfield looked beautiful as the sun rose over stunning scenery,
…ah hold on wait that was Umbria, Italy on friday, got my photos out of order.

The airfield was beautiful as ever but framed in the moody greys of a typical British summers day.

Looking at the radar there looked like a slot between the rain in which we could do something useful. Unfortunately the duty winch driver had eaten the puffer-fish at a Japanese restaurant and wasn’t available to join us, a call went out and many thanks to Stan and Steve for coming to winch for us.

We dodged a few showers and got some flying in, one of the students having climbed to 2000ft misjudged their circuit in the strong lift conditions arriving at low key at 1000ft, I took control flew back up to high key at 1200ft, lost height to that more appropriate before suggesting they try again 😉

Eventually blanket persistent rain stopped play and we put the toys away.

Bet you thought we’d scrubbed!

On Saturday Pete S sent out an email/SMS requesting a winch driver – there was a terrific response to the plea, Unfortunately they didn’t arrive until Sunday.  Two more turned up but not in time for the photo shoot.  3 launches don’t go very far between 9 winch drivers.  Just 3 launches before the gliders were packed away out of the rain – one less than they managed on Saturday.