A change to our flying programme saw the first Sunday’s flying at RAF Shawbury and it proved to be a fantastic day with over 25 hours of flying time and also a day of high achievement. 

With a large turnout we were more than grateful to have the assistance of Simon Adlard and Nigel (Land-Out) Lassiter, both instructors with the Midland Gliding Club.  It was Nigel’s first day at Shawbury so after a site check with Geoff Matthews we set him to work.

Meanwhile we had asked Simon Adlard to put Nick Lewinton through his paces at the end of which Simon was delighted to confirm Nick’s Assistant Instructor rating, subject to paperwork and the CFI’s endorsement.  Well done Nick, a great achievement.

Next it was a check ride with Alan Swan for Liz Adlard, an experienced pilot, before her first flight in a K18.  Congratulations to Liz on conversion and a flight of over an hour.

Another first was our first, as far as anyone can recall, Polish BI visitor.  So good was his flight over the Shropshire countryside in the very capable hands of Will Dean, that Lucasz is now looking to take up gliding as a hobby.

The final achievement of the day was a Cross-Country endorsement for John Pickard, one year to the day after his first solo at the club.  Having spent the first hour of the day sitting in a cockpit genning up on Elementary Navigation for Sailors, John satisfied Alan Swan that he could, firstly, navigate and secondly in the manner of Land-Out Lassiter, demonstrate that he could land out in a field.  Congratulations John, and it is now a race to see who is the first to achieve their 50K X-Country  - either John or Will Dean.

Thanks to everyone who put so much work into making it a great day. See you all on our next flying day on Sun 19 Sep 21.