Rain laden skies brought an end to flying early. Whilst we managed to get in a number of launches for our younger pilots, rain was always there or thereabouts and brought a premature end to all but one flight late in the day. We would have benefitted from both tugs to increase the launch rate but WG was declared u/s at the start of the day. With four instructors away in Sisteron on the RAFGSA Exped it’s many thanks to Alan Jolly for helping out with instructional duties.

In the hot and humid conditions, for the early flyers there were some booming thermals - catch one while you could - and some strong sink.

Weronika, Kyle, Connor and Chris all enjoyed several trips each in the pair of K21s before the sky clagged over at about 13:30 and the rain descended.

We hung on through a long break for rain and were almost at the point where we were going to pack up for the day when a window developed allowing us to make it a double first for the Richardson family. To celebrate his birthday, dad James took his first trip in a glider in the capable hands of daughter Amelia, making her first sortie as our latest and youngest Basic Instructor. It’s a reverse of roles as it’s Dad who normally pilots Amelia as he drives her to RAF Shawbury on flying days!

Launching in R22 and making the most of the calm conditions to the North of the airfield, James’s flight with Amelia lasted 19 minutes.

After the flight James said:

“It's been a fun but highly emotional day for me. To take my first trip in a glider piloted by my daughter has been a long held ambition and one that I have absolutely enjoyed. I am so proud of all that Amelia has accomplished so far on her gliding journey and look forward to flying with her again. If only she would apply the same energy to tidying her bedroom!