Flying Report Sun 16 Mar 25
Another frustrating day with just one TMG in operation. As far as we can determine we are confined to operating off grass until the end of the runway resurfacing project in October. With no winch we need the grass to be cut to enable safe aero-tow launching. Perversely, the grass on part of the airfield has been cut but we are not permitted to operate from that area. Fingers crossed that the grass will be cut next week and regularly thereafter.
With only one TMG available we made the best of the day. In accordance with current procedure Nigella took the first self-launch, went around after he got lost, but the second of his two subsequent landings looked OK.
A warm welcome to Cosford based Brad who joined us for the first time today. Brad is a BI and halfway through his Ass Cat course and we hope that with 20 months left at Cosford we will see him achieve the Ass Cat rating. We sent Brad off with Colin to undertake a local area and site check.
A big well done to Colin on his promotion to Wing Commander. Colin has been appointed Air Cadet Aerospace Officer with standards oversight of their Aerospace Ground Schools. BTW for those with longer memories, there used to be a brilliant Microsoft game called 3D Space Cadet – his new job is a bit like that!
A second big well done to Colin. Flying today with regional instructor Simon Adlard, Colin completed his Motor Glider Instructor rating (MGIR). Top Job Colin.
Fresh from aerobatics training last week and working toward her Part 1 Ass Cat rating, Laura then took a trip with Simon. In 2024 Laura was awarded a Ted Lys bursary, a bursary award that goes towards the costs of coaching and development activities to help glider pilots make a rapid advance towards fulfilling personal aspirations in any sphere of gliding.
Sadly, just four flights comleted today and morale is low, as is our financial position which is beginning to look fairly bleak.😟 A complicating factor is our second TMG, WG. WG is the only one of our two TMGs capable of aero-towing off grass;. Today it was delared U/S whilst we invesitgate severe engine vibrations.
Diary Dates:
24 – 29 Mar 25. Denbigh Exped.
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. We already have a large number of enquiries.
