Sunday 28th August 2011

After yesterday’s highlights of the Open Day and flypast by the Lancaster Sunday was never going to match yesterday in terms of spectacularity.

However, with the westerly wind up and down the runway  (for once) the day enabled launches of up to 1300ft to be achieved on a regular basis. The conditions encouraged Don to send our Airbus pilot Andrew Wilkins, solo; congratulations Andrew.

CFI Don congratulates a jubilant looking Martin Wilkins on his first solo glider flight

Don made good progress with student pilots Roger Appleboom (who was under the binoculared scrutiny of his fiercest critic, Lindsay) and Marta Radowska.

Scratch Hitchens finally got to test fly the Astir after its u/c troubles – ‘three greens’?

We also welcomed Mike Fitzpatrick from Plymouth who looks set to join the Wednesday set, and Matt Irish with what appeared to be his entire family from Widecombe (including Shackleton flight mechanic Trevor Iley – and two spaniels!) and Stephen Butt.

As ever, thanks are due to the unsung heroes at the other end of the airfield, Alan Ballard and Scratch for providing us with reliable and trouble free launches.

Martin Cropper