For the Autumn/Winter period we switch to Sunday flying and this, our first Sunday saw 31 launches and over 18 hours of flying time. With cloud base hovering just below 5,000 ft and booming thermals, it was a day for all to enjoy.

A large turnout saw new members on the MEF scheme, continuity training for our aspirational basic Instructors (BI) and a conversion to single seat flying. With 3 two-seat aircraft and 3 single seaters at the launch point, the tuggies were kept fully occupied, particularly new tuggie Nick Lewinton.

With the dry weather full advantage was taken of the parallel hard and grass runways that permit concurrent launches and landings and help to maximise the launch rate.

It started to get thermic at about mid-day at which point the single seaters all launched. Thermals were very strong and with clear viz the views around were fantastic with the Radio Telescope at Jodrell Bank 55kms away to the North well in sight .

K18 R43 and Astir EEO went off to see what was going on at Ternhill and Sleap. Sleap was, as usual, very busy but a shame to see that there is still no air cadet gliding at Ternhill, although the lawn was beautifully mown and the hangars look great!

At one stage K21 R35 and Astir EEO found themselves sharing a thermal over the Battlefield Recycling Centre and judging by the thermal strength and smell, the incinerator was going at full chat!

Highlight of the day was Richard Head’s (AKA #VulcanBomber #iPhonenotaclue) conversion to the single seat K18 following a check flight with the Ian G in the K13. Despite his long and illustrious RAF flying career Richard has never flown a single seat type before. Well done for dogged determination Richard.