After a break of three years it was a delight to be able to perform our aerobatics display at the 2022 RAF Cosford Air Show on Sunday.

After bigging it up with the Red Arrows at Shawbury, our K21 (R35) was towed out to the launch point on r’way 23 before CFI Ian Gallacher departed on tow behind tug WG piloted by Alan Swan.

After holding off over Tong, and with a great views of the airfield, R35 released from WG at 3,000ft overhead Cosford, our old home for 54 years.  It was clear that all the rehearsals that we had watched at Shawbury paid off as Ian then performed a flawless aerobatics display to a large crowd, the display appropriately accompanied by the soundtrack from Top Gun.  There were many watching who didn’t realise that you could do all that in a glider.  So good was his display that it was judged runner up for best display at the 2022 Cosford Air Show, so well done Ian!  Following the display both R35 and WG landed, hooked up and departed Cosford for Shawbury.

We also had a presence on the ground where we displayed our single-seat Astir R66 with club members Isaac and Emma waiting to host our delighted visitors who could get the full hands-on cockpit experience.  The nearby BGA simulator also attracted a lot of attention, being in in high demand all day.

Later in the day Ian returned to Cosford and took a group of our Mechanics Endowment Fund (MEF) students, who are on courses at RAF Cosford and RAF Shawbury, through the principles of flight and looking at various aircraft on static display.  The MEF scholarships aim to provide transferable skills and knowledge of both aircraft maintenance and software management of the navigation equipment that affect safety, airworthiness, human factors and mechanical skills whilst flying a glider.  Our RAF Central Fund sponsored K21 (R35) is dedicated to the flying element of the MEF programme which is planned so that students will reach a sufficient standard to go solo or subsequently carry on their attendance in order so to do.

A cracking day out, well done Ian, and bring on 2023!