Flying Report Sun 27 Nov 22

With a compressed winter day and a full flying list we enjoyed a busy day at Shawbury.  Although viz was poor with a washed out sun, cloud-base was much higher than forecast enabling everyone to get to 2,000ft plus.

We know have a healthy waiting list of gliding scholarship students from both Cosford and Shawbury so the aim of the day was to get as many of the current cohort through their flying programme before starting the next group.

Alasdair, Connor, Harry and Noah are making really good progress and it won’t take much effort for all of them to get to solo standard– really good effort guys…..

…..and at the end of the flying day time was made for all of them to update their record cards and receive a debrief from CFI Ian Gallacher. Remember the words from Sir - mechanical sympathy!

We welcomed visitor Chris Hicks.  Andy Hagan had sent Chris, a long time Air Cadets gliding instructor, along to see how it was done properly 🤣.  Good to see you Chris and you are always welcome.

Eventually the Vicar tipped up having been otherwise engaged on some important business, or so he said.  Toby is getting in the flying hours and working toward his BI rating and for his trip Mike Osborn, a wise old owl, sat in the front seat as this week’s sacrificial safety ballast! After the flight Mike remarked that Toby’s back seat patter was more like a long drawn out sermon!

Many thanks to Liz Allard for keeping the log today, although there is some advantage in sitting in the caravan out of the cold air.  Liz normally flies with the Midland Gliding Club but joined us today along with Simon.

As the ground mist began to rise there was time toward the end of the afternoon to derig R35 and place it in its box for the journey to Syerston and a JSAT course next week with Norm Potts.  Thanks to everyone who got involved.

Many thanks to today’s crew. 21 launches, R35 de-rigged and boxed, and the hangar prepared for the asbestos removal contractors. All-in-all a lot achieved.