Flying Report Sun 9 Mar 25
It was Jack’s 30th Birthday for which Mrs #vulcanbomber had made the lad a special birthday cake – probably the best Lemon Drizzle cake this side of Shawbury said Jack! 😍
With the promise of great weather and a thermic afternoon all the toys came out.
In this phase of the RAF Shawbury resurfacing project, we are limited to aero-tow launching off the grass. We were operating on r’way 36 with a slight crosswind component on grass that has not been cut and is still slightly soft – a high rolling resistance.
In line with procedures we undertook a TMG self-launch.…..
……followed by a single seat, instructor Colin crewed Astir.
However, It was clear that even for a single seater ground conditions were marginal. A second single seat launch with Will at the helm fared slightly better albeit that the ground is also very bumpy.
So it was decided to launch the Ventus. This proved to be beyond the capability of even the higher powered of the two TMGs and the Ventus was gracefully retired.
With no change in the wind direction toward a more favourable headwind, glider launching was abandoned, and we concentrated on making best use of both TMGs. This was a great shame for two of our early solo MEF gliding bursary students as without the ability to launch the K21 they couldn’t get a check ride or solo trip.
However, it was great to welcome visitor Tim who lives in Shawbury. Whilst Tim had booked a glider flight he was more than happy to take a trip with Norm in WG and get some aerial pics of home. Glad you enjoyed the flight Tim and we hope to see you back on the airfield at a later date.
Meanwhile, first away in KE was Terry with Colin as P1.
Then son and dad Haynes continued where they left off last week with a Birthday NAVex in preparation for the coming season, but made all the more challenging by the hazy conditions.
Colin then repeated the NAVex with Rob
It would have been the perfect day for winch launching and would have solved the issue we faced today. Sadly, we don’t have authorisation to winch launch at Shawbury so let’s get a Pawnee!🤣🤣
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.