Flying Report Sun 23 Mar 25. We Look Forward to Denbigh Week
Regular readers will be aware of the difficulties we have experienced in operating from the grass at RAF Shawbury. From October last year we operated very successfully from the southern stub of runway 18/36, even managing to send two of our young RAF Cosford based MEF gliding bursary students on their first solo. However, at the end of February we entered a new phase of the runway resurfacing programme and are confined to operating from the grass adjacent to and immediately East of the mid-section of runway 18/36. Unfortunately, the grass in this area has proved to be too long to permit aero-tow launching and we have instead operated our two motor gliders to provide limited flying. Everyone is working hard to resolve the issue and get the grass cut as a matter of urgency
Importantly, with the passing of the Spring Equinox spirits were high today as we boxed four aircraft and sent them up to Lleweni Parc for the week to give members the experience of flying there. Amongst the aircraft we are taking is the DG400, the Ex-Dear Leader’s flying machine, and Alan has flown over from the US especially to join us in Denbigh.
Elsewhere, following a furtive phone call by the CFI…..
…..a massive bung exchanged hands with the Regional Examiner in return for keeping stum about Norm’s little foot slipping incident last time we were in Denbigh!
With time on our hands R35 was derigged and placed in the maintenance bay for its annual. Thanks to all those who got stuck in with that today.
And it was an opportune time to demonstrate how, in an emergency, the front canopy of a K21 is jettisoned…..
…..although it did take a further 23 seconds for #vulcanbomber to finally extricate himself from the cockpit and pull the D handle by which stage even the best efforts by The Vicar, who had thoughtfully returned from East Africa for this demo, would not have been much help. So, a K21 would take roughly 22.31 seconds to reach the ground from 8,000 feet, assuming a free-fall scenario with no air resistance as in [ t = \sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}} ] where: [ t = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 2438.4}{9.8}} = \sqrt{497.64} \approx 22.31 , \text{seconds}. ] . It has to be said that it’s not often we get to 8,000ft in the circuit at Shawbury so not much hope then!
Fantastic to see three instructors of the future in the making. Al, Brad and Laura are all working toward their ½ Cat and today was the perfect opportunity for some ground-based learning with Simon Adlard. Many thanks Simon for giving up your time today.
Finally, many thanks to Mrs #vulcanbomber for the most delicious choco sponge cake today – a special request to send some to Denbigh please.
Diary Dates:
National Women's Go Gliding Weekend. The concept is that on one day during the weekend of the 26/27 April 2025 (with a fall-back weekend of 17/18 May), the club will focus on welcoming women, with the aim of helping them to discover gliding and membership of the club. Laura is leading and we will need normal attendance by members to help on the day please.