A rather dull start to what turned out to be a very productive day indeed. 

After a period of relatively long and frustrating inactivity, the hangar was buzzing with members new and old, with the promise of, maybe, good weather later on.  It is fair to say that there were maybe more new and younger members than the old soaks, for once.

As Toby did a sterling job of herding the masses out on to the airfield, the syndicate members of the DG400 fired up its engine to see how it had faired the winter months.

After the hurry to get all the kit, aircraft and people, out on to the airfield, it was a case of hurry up and wait as the cloud base was still low and visibility was poor, as demonstrated by the DTP.

But this provided well used time to properly ground school and brief the new MEF students over from RAF Cosford.  The bus that the RAFGSA reappropriated to RAF Shawbury Gliding Club is invaluable for this as it provides a relatively distraction free area where instructors can properly brief and debrief, out of the cold and the wind.

Launching soon got underway as a blue spot appeared on the horizon, everyone anxious to have a turn.

A special guest came out today, Chris Steers a reporter from BBC Shropshire, to do a radio/television/podcast on the club and especially Amelia Richardson, her quest for the skies and her success in her achievements to date at such a tender age. 

As a club, we are committed to training and supporting pilots of all ages. Teenagers can go solo from the age of 14 yrs. We are excited to help all of our pilots in achieving their dreams.  Those of you who are interested may be able to see how Chris Steers’ flight turned out as it is, provisionally, due to air on March 16th on BBC Midlands, BBC South and maybe Radio One Newsbeat.

After flying with Chris, Amelia (17 yrs) then took Darcey (solo pilot, 15 yrs) for a launch, flying off together in to the wild blue yonder as the dad’s watched on. Both Amelia and Darcey benefit from bursaries from the Caroline Trust to help fund their flying at this time.

With over 30 folk out on the airfield and only half a day of flyable weather to use, business was brisk.  All the bodies made light work of recovering gliders to the launch point, the RAF personnel from RAF Cosford were rewarded by the extra time gained, being used to give them extra flying time towards their MEF bursaries at the end of the day.

When the last flight was completed, the work didn’t end there.  R35 is being taken to an event at RAF Cosford later on in the week and needed to be derigged and trailered for transportation.

 “Fit4Life” is an event showcasing sport in the RAF.  It is not all about sport though, many different clubs and societies take part to promote health and wellbeing throughout the organisation.

Gliding is one such activity and has been part of the RAF in Shropshire for well over 50 yrs.   Starting at RAF Cosford as the Wrekin Gliding Club and more recently as The RAF Shawbury Gliding Club, since being welcomed so warmly by the station that now houses us.  It will be an honour for the Club to take part this year.  It will help to highlight, not just the activity at RAF Shawbury Gliding Club, but the other RAFGSA Gliding Clubs up and down the country.

Many thanks to the MEF crowd who where mainly responsible for helping the CFI and the DP to de-rig R35 (not to mention Darcey and Amelia who were replaced by someone with a bit more muscle!). Thankyou to Alex for stepping in. Alex has joined us as one of the trainees from RAF Cosford. However, he is already a Bronze C pilot, receiving his early training from Bannerdown Gliding Club at Keevil - also an RAFGSA Gliding Club.

Finally, the hangar doors were shut on the first truly successful flying day of the year, may there be many more like it. (Congrats to James on the photobomb!)

“Man of Skills” Award of the Day goes to Collin for his talent at braiding the tug rope.

“Defiance of Gravity” Award goes to Simons Hair. Photos show it’s abilities inside and outside the hangar, proving that it isn’t wind induced.