Only a handful of us were in attendance today and the presence of three instructors ensured personal attention - albeit in the form of briefings and simulator training - for ab initio students Joe Morel (our newest Junior Member, and - as usual - Steve Raine). These guys, aided and abetted by Ged and myself, gave DMX its long-overdue monthly 'sprucing up', bringing a hint of a smile to Fleet Manager Chris Kaminski's face.
Meanwhile Chris and Martin Smith continued with their excellent work on the Pirat and the Zugvogel, for which we are all most grateful - or will be when the wave and those thermals start popping.
With no flying in prospect due to low cloud combined with mud and standing water everywhere, the clubhouse with its wood-burner yet again provided a cosy bolt hole for ground training or exchanging 'war stories', and the lack of pupils enabled some of us instructors to discuss trends and techniques with CFI Don. Full marks to him for turning up today. Having suffered a car breakdown en route, he then had no other option than to accept an 'unrefusable offer' of a £100 brand new car battery from a representative one of a leading breakdown organisation.
Come rain or shine, our Airfield Manager Phil Hardwick is usually with us every Wednesday; if not flying, toiling - often alongside Ged - at maintaining machinery and repairing the churned-up ground. Today was no exception, but this time he was accompanied by Charlie Brown, a friend and agricultural contractor from Holsworthy, who came along to assess how we might improve drainage and minimise surface damage.
Phil and Charlie disappeared into the murk for a few hours, when they returned to the clubhouse saying very little, other than that they had 'a few ideas to put to the Committee'. Sounds intriguing - so watch this space!
As I threw in the towel and went off Christmas Shopping, the clubhouse was still 'buzzing', with Charlie Brown now parked in the front seat of the simulator with a smile on his face. Either he had found the company of this eccentric group of gliding addicts amusing, or perhaps he was showing signs of 'catching the gliding bug'.
Anyway, thanks for coming along Charlie, and we look forward to hearing what you and Phil recommend.
No photos this week. All that remains is to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy, safe and soarable 2012. And fingers crossed for next Wednesday, when few of us may convene in the hope of getting airborne!
Bob Pirie
No comments:
Post a Comment