The summer solstice is here. No druids at the club, but the members would split into two groups. The Wednesday Winchers would work on reinstalling the refurbished gearbox into the new winch and the Wednesday Waiters would well,,,,,, wait. Despite there being no rain in the forecast several heavy showers crossed the airfield preventing us getting the aircraft out of the hangar. So we waited and drank tea and coffee.
Eventually the cloud started to lift and some brighter skies appeared to the west of the airfield. Two K13's and the K8 were taken to the launch point. First flight was DI Mike Jardine and myself for a weather check. Predictions from 600ft to 800ft for the cloud base were soon dismissed when we achieved a full launch of 1000ft AGL. So game on.
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| Launching to 1000ft AGL. |
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| Clouds to the north. |
Duty BI Richard Roberts would have a busy day. Two double trial flights and a one day course to get under way. Course student, David Rickard arrived and was briefed by Richard. David had flown with us pre-pandemic and was bought the one day course as a present. Although a little tense on the controls, after his flights with Richard and myself, David left having thoroughly enjoying his day at the club with just over an hour in the air.
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| David and Richard. |
Mike started his training schedule with Guy Balmer. Guy is steadily progressing through the training programme.
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| Guy ready with Mike. |
Trial flight visitors arrived in quick succession. Junior (15) Ernie Brown arrived with his mum. Ernie loves all things to do with aviation and has flown in light aircraft before coming to the club to sample the engineless form of flying.
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| Ernie keen to be off into the air. |
The next visitor, Georgina Newland had been given the voucher as a present for a significant birthday. She really enjoyed the flying, although was not quite so keen on the approach and landing.
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| Georgina all smiles ready to fly. |
Mike's training continued with David Moorley who concentrated on general flying skills and circuit planning and judgement.
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| David Moorley getting ready. |
Next into the front seat was returning member Phil Cockran. Phil was friends with Georgina and wanted to share her experience with a couple of flights before jetting off on holiday.
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| Phil not quite jetting off yet. |
Hugh Gascoyne returned from the winch to fly the K8. Two flights including flight of the day for 44minutes rewarded him for the extended stint on the winch.
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| Hugh in the K8. |
David Archer and Robin Wilson both flew with Mike. After a 26 minute flight, David then had two flights in the K8. Robin enjoyed some good flying on his journey back to solo.
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| View of airfield looking north. |
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| David climbing well. |
The Wednesday Winchers appeared from their toils. A small problem with a selector shaft foiled their efforts to complete the installation which will soon be rectified ready to complete the installation. Following a full service the winch should soon be appearing ready for use. Good work.
Scratch and Steve Lesson took one of the K13s for a flight and hangar landing.
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| Steve waiting to be flown around. |
Thanks to all at the airfield, particularly those who worked on the winch (you know who you are). 29 flights and a good days flying.
Peter Howarth
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