A CLUB REVIEW OF 2023
2023 has been a great year for the club not just for the success in getting our young service population flying through the Mechanics Endowment Fund (MEF), a total of 29 students flew with us on the MEF programme, but also the Go-Solo funded programme that allows them to continue their flying. We were delighted to see 7 pilots achieve solo this year and there were also for the number of individual achievements by club members through the year, this despite the overall reduction in flying days compared to 2022 due to bad weather in July, November and December that saw us having to cancel a number of days.
We can’t let 2023 pass by without thanking Alan Swan for all his hard work over his tenure as club Oic. Well known in the wider gliding community Alan was a long standing club member and played a huge part in successfully moving the club to its new home here at RAF Shawbury. He leaves behind fond memories and also a club that is on a sound footing for the future.
In his place as Club OiC we extended a warm welcome to RAF Shawbury based Kev Morley. Kev is a Silver C pilot, a Full Cat gliding instructor who flies with Cranwell GC and, when he has time, he is part of the RAF Active Editorial Team.
The bad weather in July, November and December saw an 8% reduction in flying days compared to 2022. However, we did achieve a 19% uplift in the number of launches and an 8% increase in the total flying hours when compared to 2022.
The reduction in the number of people who flew with us might be accounted for, inter-alia, by the cessation of the Soaring Eagles scheme and a reduction in the number of BIs.
January
January, bright, blustery and cold but we got off to a good start to 2023 with a new cohort of MEF students starting their gliding journey. All Will’s hard work and effort paid off as he achieved the BGA Assistant Instructor rating and it is fantastic to see so many of our younger members progressing through the system.
February
It really is super to see the benefits that the MEF scholarship programme initially brings for our students. Supported by the RAF Central Fund, the programme enables our young pilots to experience true unpowered flight in this challenging and exciting sport. Our first solo of the year was Harry, a phase 2 AR at Cosford, who completed the MEF programme then progressed to the Malcolm Club Go Solo scheme to continue his flying training to solo.
Alan Swan was awarded a BGA Diploma at the 2023 BGA Conference. The award recognised Alan’s leadership and guidance in the establishment of the gliding club at RAF Shawbury and his on-going support to both the RAFGSA and the wider UK gliding community.
In recognition of her passionate and on-going support to the gliding community, junior member Amelia was presented with a Caroline Trust Special Award at the BGA Conference awards ceremony.
March
The hard work of establishing the club at Shawbury was recognised at the RAFGSA awards ceremony in March.
Our club secretary and Bronze C pilot, Alun Williams was awarded the RAFGSA Malcolm Trophy for the junior rank (cpl or below) who made the most progress in the air. An enthusiast for all matters aviation Alun managed to fit in, around the day job, help with the establishment of a new microlight club at RAF Cosford whilst also assisting in the move of RSGC from Cosford to Shawbury
The club were awarded the RAFGSA Founders trophy for the most ab-initio 1st solos in the previous year and the RAFGSA Bicester Cup for gliding achievements. Will Dean was awarded the RAFGSA Topham Gill trophy as the youngest RAFGSA member to complete the instructor course and all Ian Gallacher’s inspired contribution to the world of gliding, both nationally and internationally, was recognised with the RAFGSA Andy Gough Memorial Trophy for RAFGSA Member of the Year.
March also saw Toby Jones (The Vicar) obtain his BI rating, this time with more hard work than divine inspiration!.
April
The start of the soaring season and it was the time to start earning those badges.
Andy Hagan claimed a 5 hour duration.
Jack Haynes achieved his Silver height in R66 (the Concrete Swan).
Sophie completed her Silver badge with her Silver distance.
Amelia completed her BI qualification and in so doing became the youngest pilot to become a BI. Her first BI flight was with Dad James, which was his first flight in a glider.
May
Our next MEF student to go solo was Connor. Connor progressed from the MEF programme to the Malcolm Club Go Solo scheme to continue his flying training to solo and has subsequently carried on with his flying. Top job Connor.
During the year there are a number of opportunities for our club members to take part in gliding expeditions that allow service personnel to further develop their flying skills. Expeditions are organised under the auspices of Adventurous Training and with help from the RAF Sports Lottery and RAF Charitable Trust the individual cost is kept to a minimum. Four club members were selected as some of the lucky participants to take part in the annual expedition to fly in the Alps at Sisteron, France,
June
Longer days and it’s time to think aerobatics. Well done to Laura on gaining her Aerobatics Badge – Standard.
Meanwhile, that man Gallacher was entertaining us all with his Cosford Air Show display which we got to see over a number of rehearsal days at Shawbury before the air show day. Well done Ian for a superb display.
On the ground we displayed R66, the single seat Astir, together with the BGA sim which is always a great crowd puller.
July
July was a virtual washout with just one day on which we accomplished what might be regarded as a normal flying day.
August
The club supported the RAF Shawbury Families day with a K21 on static display, the BGA sim that is ever popular and draws large crowds of youngsters, and Ian Gallacher’s superb K21 aerobatics display. A super day out for a very large crowd.
September
Whilst members made the most of the good weather to get in some decent soaring, our next MEF student went solo and well done to Glenn, the last student sent solo by Alan.
Richard Head, ex=Vulcan pilot and former Shawbury helo instructor re-solo’d during the year and then converted to the K18 (R43), the first single seat aircraft he has flown in a long and distinguished flying career.
October
Three more solo pilots was the high point for October. Congratulations to Shawbury based Chris sent on his first solo by Ian. A great effort Chris.
Congratulations too, to Will Dean and junior member Darcey Gallacher, For Will it was the first occasion that he had sent a student pilot solo. For 14 year old Darcey it was a complete surprise when Will hopped out of the back seat and told her she was on her own. Darcey is the youngest solo pilot in the history of the club over the past 50 years or so.
Next, it was the turn of another of our MEF students to go solo. Congratulations to Ben sent solo by Will.
Meanwhile, Amelia continued to conjure up her unusual ways of looking at the airfield - yes, that’s the SY Control Tower she’s heading for!
Finally in October a number of club members took part in the Autumn Exped to Lleweni Parc. It was a disappointing, rain interrupted week with just one day of great Wave conditions to enjoy. However, Sophie stayed on and probably had the best trip of the Exped over Snowdonia.
November
Just one decent flying day and we’re all thinking about currency! However, we did welcome our latest Junior Member Ffion who took her first flight with our latest BI Sophie. Many congratulations to both.
December
Despite the December weather trying to thwart us we ended the year on a high. Congratulations to Shawbury based George who re-organised his Boxing Day to be sent solo by Will.
New instructor Matthew Cooke qualified to instruct on aero-tows. A big well done to both Amelia and Toby on completion of your TMG rating – cracking job and just what the club needs as we look forward!
Finally, congratulations go to John Luke on qualifying as our latest tug pilot and taking his first solo aero-tow sorties.
And Another Thing……….
We saw another re-solo, a number of single seat conversions and some members took time out to fly at both Bicester and at Seighford.
We welcomed visitors from the Midland Gliding Club and North Wales Gliding Club with whom we enjoy reciprocal membership.
Land-outs – well we did a few and successfully retrieved them to Shawbury with no damage!
To ensure that the fleet stays in the air and that our vital ground equipment is maintained, it’s many thanks to all those members who volunteered their time and energy during the year.
It’s been a great , but at times hectic year and here’s hoping that 2024 is every bit as successful for the club.