Flying Report Sun 4 Dec 2022

With a bleak outlook and a number of members struck down with winter illnesses, get well soon all, a small hardy bunch arrived with their usual optimism.

With an early start for Whiskey Golf and Norman with Carl, the rest of the fleet were readied to take advantage of what appered to improving conditions and were taken to the launch point with a beautiful blue gap appearing to reward the teams’ enthusiasm, this was to be short lived!

With the briefing complete and the plan for the day set, first up was Richard joined by instructor Colin for a trip in R22. However, what had appeared to be an improving cloud base began to descend again as the blue turned to grey and the forecasted showers arrived over the airfield to pause proceedings.

A break in the showers meant that it was the turn of Will next to continue his instructor training with Simon Adlard, and with more showers arriving it was again a case of hurry up and wait for the remainder of the team as they retreated to the sanctuary of the launch point caravan.

As the weather gave, and then took away hope the caravan conversations jumped from careers talk, to travel, to eventually train spotting before taking pity on our poor souls and with the cloud base lifting just enough to launch, the fleet the team sprung into action again.

With our MEF students Connor and Harry both receiving a number of flights and our early solo pilot Andy managing a flight in the single seat K18, along with Will making great progress towards his assistant instructor rating and another flight for Richard, the team managed to make the most of the short day with 13 launches achieved and 3 hours 17 minutes flying time.