A delayed start with a tasty crosswind at the start of the day and strong winds late afternoon that brought an early end to flying could do nothing to dampen enthusiasm.

The lawn had been mown at Shawbury which meant that we could launch off the grass at last. Many thanks indeed to the Shawbury greenkeeper for all your mowing during the week - top job!

Again, may thanks to the Lagan folk working on the pan for enabling access to the launch point from Hangar 4. Big thankyou guys.👍👍

After a ground recce of the best launch run a detailed brief from Will followed and paying particular attention to eventualities.

In line with protocols an initial launch by a TMG and followed by an instructor piloted glider launch assessed the suitability of the selected take off run

With R35 in maintenance we brought out R22 and R66 to the launch point. The emphasis was on currency and getting everyone familiar with launching on a bumpy surface that is quite unlike the smooth hard surface that we have been used to at Shawbury.

Jack, working toward his X-Country endorsement, undertook a coaching exercise with Ian. It’s a really useful exercise involving pre-planning of routes, airways, considerations, radio frequencies, eventualities, etc before departing on a 100k NAVEX in KE to put all that into practice.

Welcome to Shawbury based Emily who joins us on the MEF gliding bursary programme. Whist we waited for the crosswind to abate, Emily and Nigel took WG on a local familiarisation trip. Hope you enjoyed your introduction to the world of gliding Emily.

Once we got going the conditions were superb with booming thermals for all to enjoy including WingCo Biggles in the newly syndicated ASK18 (R43). LCpl Biggles then assumed command of R43. BTW there are a few more Biggleses in the syndicate. It’s nice to think that the aircraft will continue to grace the skies over Shawbury.

Last launch of the day, before the wind picked up in strength saw Brad take his first BI trip at Shawbury. Brad had taken a check ride with Ian earlier in the day and, having been signed off, Brad then took new member Matthew on his introductory flight. Matthew, an RAF veteran is a paramedic so, not unexpectedly, was warmly welcomed by some of the old lads who had managed to stagger on to the airfield today from their care home.

In the shortened day we achieved over 7 hours of morale boosting flying which also brought much needed financial relief. With cloud base around 4,000ft we made the most of the thermic conditions and the stunning views.