MIDLAND GLIDING CLUB
NEWSLETTER
Number 103 May 2003
Chairman’s Contribution........................................................................................................................................................... 2
CFI’s Bits..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Towlines...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Subscriptions and Flying Fees................................................................................................................................................. 4
From the Flying Field................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Email List...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
AGM............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Anybody Know What the Weather’s Going to Do?............................................................................................................ 6
Gerald Edwards 1914 – 2003...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Trophy Presentation 2003......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Annual Dinner............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Faulkes Flying Foundation....................................................................................................................................................... 9
500 km Honours Board.............................................................................................................................................................. 9
Paul Garnham.............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Nympsfield Rockpolishers – 3rd - 4th May 2003.................................................................................................................... 10
Motor Glider Field Landing and Navigation Training........................................................................................................ 11
Winter Lectures........................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Trailer Hitches........................................................................................................................................................................... 12
| Please send Newsletter contributions to: John and Ann Parry Holly Cottage Wentnor Bishops Castle Shropshire SY9 5EE Telephone..01588 650379 Fax.………01588 650596 Email……..John.Parry@Virgin.net |
Club Details: The Midland Gliding Club The Long Mynd Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6TA Office Telephone......01588 650206 Office Fax.................01588 650532 Members Telephone..01588 650405 Email……………….office@longmynd.com |
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Charles Carter
I think it is appropriate to begin my first article as chairman with a few words of appreciation of Julian who has stepped down this year. Five years as vice chairman to Paul Garnham and five years as chairman is a long sentence by any standards (Keith Mansell excepted). Julian`s calm and measured style of leadership has been very effective in taking the club forward in many areas and if I may single out one which I know gave him great pleasure it was the upsurge in both the quantity and quality of cross country flying from the Mynd culminating in winning Rockpolishers last season. Thank you Julian- it will be a hard act to follow.
The new committee has just one new face namely Sarah Platt whom I welcome and who, as we expected, is already providing a valuable contribution.
By the time you read these notes the fleet should be fully serviceable with both FWQ and JGJ having been re-skinned in Poland and after some technical hitches back on line. A big thank you to Louis Rotter for going to Poland and bringing JGJ back to the Mynd and a big thank you to Auntie Den for the superb new upholstery in both gliders. Please try to keep all the gliders in tip top condition with the new cleaning buckets and cloths because it is your money and some people’s time which has to be spent when they are abused.
In the near future the K21s will be fitted with new instrument panels to standardise the layout of our training gliders as requested by the CFI but glider downtime should be minimal.
As discussed during the informal part of the AGM, negotiations with the Faulkes Flying Foundation is ongoing. The Faulkes Flying Foundation is an organisation set up to introduce young people to flying and to this end they place gliders and motor gliders at appropriate clubs for youngsters to experience flying. The proposal is to place a DG 505 at the Mynd in which to fly the young people who either the club attracts or who the FFF send to us. When the glider is not in use for ‘young people flying’ it may be used for club flying. Obviously there is much to negotiate but it was heartening to see the nearly unanimous support which those attending the AGM gave to the scheme.
The club held a new members weekend on the 4th and 5th of May. Please would everyone lookout for new faces around the club and offer help and guidance to newcomers so that we can cut down on the dropout rate which has occurred during the last two years. If you see someone looking lost show them the flying list, introduce them to the launch director and the course instructor and other course members and if you can not take them out on the field get someone to take them and show them the ropes. The hardest job is to attract new members and the easiest is to lose them.
Following a show of hands at the informal section of the AGM which showed forty in favour of a total ban on smoking and four against, the committee have adopted a policy of a total ban on smoking in all club buildings. If you wish to smoke you must now do so outside.
I would also remind you that no dogs are allowed in any part of the clubhouse and must be under proper control when on club premises.
Dave Crowson has settled in to his position as number two course instructor as if born to the role. The first five weeks have seen almost continuous flying but as I write this with the rain beating down I think his lecturing skills may be required. Lynette has also seamlessly fitted in as Martin’s assistant in the office and has also managed to go solo. Congratulations Lynette.
Ann Parry who has organised the last two club dinners and half of the previous dinner dance plus our after Foot and Mouth party has now stepped down. Normally I only accept resignations when a candidate of similar or better ability is put forward as a replacement but this time I have relented. A very big vote of thanks to Ann for some memorable evenings. We are now looking for a replacement party organiser.
Finally I would like say that if anyone wishes to speak to me about any club matters do not hesitate to contact me at the club either personally or via my mail box or ring me on 01694751232. It only works well when we are all pulling together.
Neal Clements
I am pleased to be able to welcome Hereford Cathedral school who are coming up and flying with us on Fridays. Thanks very much to Paul Fowler for organising this.
Please read this whether you are a launch director or not.
The launch director system has now started. The key issues arising so far appear to be as follows:
1. Launch point signaller. If you are in charge of the retrieve winch then you are the launch point signaller, if you are signalling the tug by radio then you are the launch point signaller. The launch point signaller is responsible for the launch from the moment the launch starts until the winch driver or the tug pilot has control of the launch, usually when the glider rotates on a winch launch and when the ‘all out’ has been given on aerotow. In other words, whoever is commanding the driver of the launching engine is the key signaller. Anyone can call stop and the wing tip holder will usually signal the requirements eg take up slack and all out, to the launch point signaller. Everyone needs to ensure that all clear above, behind and in front is done before all out is given, the retrieve winch driver should also check that it is clear to launch.
2. Tug launching by radio. Paul Stanley describes the method in his article. Please be aware that as in any signalling task this should be a sole task, don’t try to do several other things whilst you are in charge of signalling the tug.
3. Authority of launch director. The launch director is implementing the number one’s wishes. In particular the priority is to ensure that the landings can take place (take off is optional, landing is ...). In addition the launch director is trying to maximise the launch rate and run the list fairly.
4. Launch marshal. The launch marshal is a launch director in waiting, the launch directors have the authority to train and promote launch marshals and I encourage them to do so.
5. Duty team. When you are on duty please can you arrange a swap if you cannot turn up. If you don’t then you are letting down the team, the club and other members since someone else will have to do your duties for you.
It’s here and that’s official - the season has started. Please can I encourage you to get a flight in the motor glider and do some field selection and landing practice. In addition can I bang on about QFE/QNH again. If you want to fly cross country from the Mynd the best way to do it is to ignore the hill. True ‘push forward’ comes when you are not turning back thinking “help, I’m out of gliding range”. The best way to achieve that is to fly around a large square assessing the lift in the vicinity, eventually you need to make the decision go or no go, to do that you need to know your altitude. Take a note of the QFE and the QNH altimeter settings while on the ground and when you think the conditions are good in the air then set your altimeter to QNH and if you have more than 3000 feet then go for the next area of lift. From now on you are monitoring your height above the ground around you not worrying about the hill behind you. Don’t forget to re set the altimeter back to QFE before your final glide!
At the weekends, on cross country days the following system should be in place. The Number One will allocate someone suitably qualified (self briefing cross country pilot) to set the tasks, like Rockpolishers novice, intermediate and pundit. If we have a full fleet then one of the K21s should be designated cross country and a suitably qualified instructor (an instructor of any type who is a self briefing cross country pilot) allocated with a deserving pupil. Normally I would expect a 100 km or less triangle to be flown as these can teach all that is needed for good cross country flying in a short time and with reduced risk of land out. Please help the Number One to achieve this by volunteering for task setting and or cross country instructing.
Paul Stanley
At a recent tug pilots meeting and in the wake of Martin’s tragic accident, tug pilots have been reminded not to accept launch runs where there is a potential conflict with the cable. This conflict leading to possible wire crossing is most likely on the northerly run and also the short west run if the cable is out. Aerotows should not take place to the west with the cable out, all should be vigilant to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Split launch points should also be avoided by alteration of field layout where necessary. This is partly to reduce potential launching conflict, partly to improve communications but mainly because it is in my experience usually unnecessary. On the south run launching from the gate to go through the gap is also unnecessary if the field is laid out appropriately and should cease.
Launch point signalling to the tug should now be by radio. This will enhance both safety and efficiency as well as reducing tug pilot workload.
Anyone signalling to the tug should initially give the paying (glider) pilot’s name to the tug pilot, addressing the tug as “Golf Golf Charlie”.
When the tug pilot has finished writing and if the glider is not ready to go the launch point signaller may advise the tug pilot “Golf Golf Charlie Move Forward” and then “Golf Golf Charlie Hold” when all but a couple of yards of slack is taken up.
When the glider is ready to go “Golf Golf Charlie Take Up Slack” may be given. At any time up to this point a “Golf Golf Charlie Stop” may be given.
As soon as “Golf Golf Charlie All Out, All Out” has been given a “Stop” is no longer appropriate. You may however advise the pilot of any hazards.
Tug pilots do not need to read back any of these signals, you will see by their actions whether they’ve heard.
The advantages of this method are:
· Reduced pilot workload.
· Enhanced safety and awareness - the signaller and tug pilot can have two way communication if necessary.
· Greater efficiency - the tug spends less time taking up slack and being generally in the way.
If you have any doubts about what to do on the day then liase with the tug pilot. If anyone has any queries about this method as a whole then come and have a chat to me about it.
Having done the job for 5 years, I propose to give up being tug master after Task Week 2003. Chris Harris has agreed to be my successor. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for that and for the assistance above and beyond the call of duty which he has given over my term. I would also like to thank John Parry for fetching lots of loads of fuel, often at short notice and David Rance for helping to make the figures look sensible. And finally to mention the team of tug pilots who have helped virtually triple the amount of tows done per annum since 1998.
David Rance
A gentle reminder to all (particularly to those who haven’t found their cheque books yet) that subscriptions were due on the 1st April. And a Thank You to those who have.
Ann Parry
Welcome to new members Stan Perks, Martin Phillips, Roger Skelhorn, Adrian Stone, Keith Sweeting, Colin Troise and Henry Wood (rejoined).
Congratulations to Tom Bradley, Lynette Causer and Chris Gall on going solo. The usual course season life of the club is well under way, and the Thursday evening course has started. Visitors from Oxford and Hullavington (Air Cadets) the week of 17th March found mostly sunny easterlies, but packed in a huge number of flights, with 104 launches on the Monday, 113 on Wednesday, and a mere 98 on Thursday. I believe the bar was pretty busy as well.
We have had so many easterlies recently it seems to be the prevailing wind. Sadly it often brings murky conditions along with the sunshine. John Stuart was apparently heard muttering about taking up sailing if it goes on. In a westerly on 6th March Martin McCurdie and Charles Carter flew in wave to 9500 feet. Ian MacArthur flew cross country with 110 km that day, with Jon Hall and Rose Johnson also flying away and landing out. This generated at least one epic retrieve to add to the stock of retrieve stories. The cross country season continued with flights on 8th, 9th and 11th April, the 9th being the best day with eight cross country flights listed, including Simon Adlard and John Roberts flying 300 kms.
After a disappointing Easter (more strong easterlies and murk) Tuesday 22nd April was the day that wasn’t, at least for the Mynd (it was fine in the middle of the country, some 500 kms flown). Inspired by the forecast and Weatherjack “there were as many gliders rigged as on a task week day but under solid murk, I don’t think anybody launched for a task at all” David Rance reported.
However those who could tried again on Wednesday 23rd April, which was better at the Mynd. David Rance, Dominic Haughton, David D’Arcy and Nick Swales flew cross country. David Rance and Dominic declared Newport Pagnell out and return, but turned back short of the turning point. A few days after this the high pressure shifted and we were back to south-westerlies with lots of showers, but at least now with excellent visibility. The May bank holiday Monday was glorious with much soaring in west wind. Ditto Tuesday (6th May) – Dave Rance thermalled over the North Sea, flying to Lowestoft and back to Worcester before needing his engine to get home.
The first Rockpolishers event was a flying disappointment, as no contest took place over the weekend. Our team were Chris Alldis as pundit, Andy Holmes and Ian MacArthur sharing intermediate, and Clive Jones as novice. But it sounds as if they and their crews had fun anyway (see page 10 ).
The club had a stand at the recent exhibition at the NEC for outdoor sports. This was organised by Chris Ellis, and he was helped by club members. Our stand was opposite the BGA’s stand with their new gliding simulator created by a team including Iain Evans, Paul Shuttleworth, Jon Hall, Rose Johnson and Eddie Humphries. You can read about this in the latest Sailplane and Gliding. It was definitely the star attraction of the aviation part of the show, and is impressive. I was amazed to see parents taking photographs of their kids having a go, as if it were a trial lesson.
Jon Hall
We are trying to update the members’ email list in order to be able to notify members of important news quickly in between newsletters. If you have an email address please send a message to the office with UPDATE EMAIL ADDRESS in the subject line and your name in the text box.
James Moore
At the Annual General Meeting, Julian Fack joined the club’s elder statesmen squadron as he stepped down as chairman having served on the committee for the last ten years. Charles Carter was elected as chairman and John Hall as vice chairman. Sarah Platt was elected for the first time. Welcome Sarah!
At the first meeting of the new committee, the following roles and responsibilities were assigned:-
| Role/Responsibility |
Person |
| Chairman (and Staff) |
Charles Carter |
| Vice Chairman (and Membership) |
Jon Hall |
| Treasurer |
David Rance |
| Secretary |
James Moore |
| Airfield & Grounds (ESA and DEFRA) |
Howard Bradley |
| Liaison |
Sarah Platt |
| Buildings |
Mike Whitton |
| Marketing |
Chris Ellis |
| MT (and 493 syndicate) |
Andy Holmes |
| Tug |
Paul Stanley |
| CFI (ex officio) |
Neal Clements |
The secretary was going to stand down this year but stayed on to support Charles Carter in his first year as chairman. He plans to retire from the committee after this year (successful at the second attempt?), so if you know anyone who could be persuaded, please encourage them to make themselves known.
David Rance
A while ago we agreed to set up a dedicated computer terminal in the club house, connected to the internet, that could be accessed by members to look at things like Weatherjack, weather forecasts, Satellite pictures, NOTAMS, TAFS, METARS and even those tephigram things that look mightily impressive if you can sound as if you know what they actually mean. In fact all the sorts of things keen glider pilots need to know before flying or aspiring to disappear over the horizon (with any hope of getting back).
We have the computer, kindly donated by Diana King, we have the budget (I know because I’m the treasurer) and we have a need but what we don’t have is somebody who can champion this project and make it all work. If there is somebody who could take this on, please have a word with either Charles Carter or myself.
Keith Mansell
Gerald (Gerry) Edwards, a founder member and life member of the club, died aged eighty-eight on 8th February 2003. On 17th February cremation at Hereford was followed by a memorial service at the Priory Church at Leominster. The main address at the service was by Alfred Foster who was at school with Gerry. I read the poem High Flight.
Gerry grew up with his brother Mike at the Edwards family home at Buckfield, Leominster. Their father was in the garage business and so it is not surprising that Gerry became a very early motorcyclist and after grammar school went on to the Automobile Engineering College in London. A sideline for students was to help with mechanical scrutineering on race days at Brooklands. At age seventeen his Diploma Report described him as “A student of good all round ability”.
Back at Leominster he joined his father’s garage business and began his life-long interest in flying. In 1934 he was one of the founder members of the club. Amy Johnson who joined the club in 1937 was an occasional house guest at Buckfield. In 1939 together with Amy and Cecil Reilly (also a club founder member) Gerry went on a yachting holiday from the Clyde around the western islands of Scotland.
Come the outbreak of the war Gerry volunteered and entered the Ordnance Corps which had responsibility for vehicle maintenance. He was soon in France with the British Expeditionary Force and in a field workshop as a Warrant Officer. Before long though he was destroying equipment to prevent its falling into German hands.
He was taken off the Dunkerque beach in a small boat. Commissioned in the Ordnance Corps he went to India and on to Burma eventually assuming command of the No. 1 Base Workshop as a Lt. Colonel. Gerry was twice mentioned in Despatches, once for his work with the 14th Army. Following the end of the war he was demobilised and returned to the family business, Fryers, at Leominster. Later Fryers was taken over by Henlys with whom Gerry stayed until his retirement.
Gerry resumed gliding on the Mynd and became an instructor and was in an Olympia 460 syndicate with Robin Bull, Cecil Reilly and Roger Thwaite. He served on the club’s committee from 1970 to 1989 and was vice-chairman for eleven (1972-83) of the twenty years during which I was chairman. His advice and counsel were always sound and much appreciated.
Outside of gliding he was deeply interested in birds and in plant life of all kinds. He knew the Latin names of almost every plant. Above all he was an orchid grower and in his greenhouse there was ever something new and exotic in flower. For over fifty years he was a Rotarian for which long service only last autumn he was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. He was also a local Tax Commissioner.
Early in the war he married Lally who died. In the late seventies he married Mona who had two daughters by her first marriage. Thus Gerry acquired two step-daughters Gill and Sue and became a family man. He was a real and caring father and in due course also a real and caring grandfather.
Always a kind and considerate man, when club committee meetings were held at my house Gerry would often arrive bearing a small gift of flowers or fruit for my wife. Other personal recollections of him include standing with him on the edge of the Mynd whilst he enthused over the early-morning beauty of the valley filled with cloud whilst we were in bright sunshine. On summer evenings near the end of flying he would call me to his caravan to join him and his close friend Roger Thwaite for a glass or two of whisky.
Gerry was one of life’s natural gentlemen whom it was a real privilege to have known and to have counted as a friend. He will be very much missed by all who knew him.
On Sunday 27th April Gerry’s ashes were scattered on the bungey point by close members of his family.
(With thanks to Alfred Foster for his notes.)
John Parry
The trophies were awarded at the annual dinner.
Task Week: Julian Fack.
Pat Moore for the first cross-country flight of the year: David Rance flew 210 km on 9th March.
Ladder based on the pilot’s 4 best flights of the year: David Rance.
Sheffield for the best gain of height: Neil Backes achieved a height gain of 13,200 feet on 7th March.
Siam for the longest flight from the Long Mynd: David Rance flew 614 km turning Bicester, Bury St Edmunds, and Tibbenham, returning to the Mynd by the same route.
Hardwick for the best closed circuit flight from the Long Mynd: David Rance, details above.
Long Mynd for the best flight in a club glider: Sarah Platt achieved notable flights in a K23 in the Junior Nationals, the best one being 275 km.
Two Seater: Julian Fack and Paul Garnham covered 372 km in the DuoDiscus on 17th June.
Silver Jubilee for the best Silver Distance: Pat Warren flew her K6 to Aston Down.
Tim’s Triangle: Paul Shuttleworth.
Neill for the best ab-initio: Dev Galal.
David Bailey for the most promising young pilot: Lynette Causer.
Tony Spicer Barograph for the person most likely to use it: John Roberts.
Daisy Hardwick for a female flying achievement: Sarah Platt in recognition of her performance at the Junior Nationals.
Bill Hardwick for a male flying achievement: Iain Evans for his part in constructing a flying machine for Scrapheap Challenge.
Golden Jubilee: Paul Garnham.
Maxam for services to the club: Keith Mansell.
Ozee Winter for contribution to winter flying: David Nickolaus.
Golden Shovel: Lynette Causer got her car stuck in a snowdrift next to an icy patch leading to a swamp, as Colin Knox discovered when he drove out to rescue her.
Ann Parry
At this year’s dinner we enjoyed listening to Derek Piggott as our guest speaker. He was at the club over the weekend, and flew with Keith Mansell. Thanks to Keith and Christine for looking after Derek, Maria and their dog.
I am standing down from organising the annual dinner. While discussing this with Jan Outhwaite she said that if anyone is interested in helping form a group to look after the club’s social events, then please contact her. Her email is: jmouthwaite@aol.com. We agreed it would be a good idea if there were some members working together to do this. If you think you could help organise parties, or have ideas about what to do, please contact Jan.
David Rance
The Faulkes Flying Foundation (FFF) was set up by Dill Faulkes, a very successful businessman, who has ploughed a small fortune in to setting up this charity to give the opportunity of flight to young people up to the age of 24. He sees that flight can have positive character forming benefits to young people and as a philanthropist is using some of his money to make the opportunity of flight more widely available. To this end he has purchased nine aircraft, a mixture of DG 505s and Rotax Falke motor gliders and sited them at a number of gliding sites around the country. Parties of young people, such as scouts or students are flown on what is basically a trial lesson for the price of £29. This fee may even be substantially subsidised by the foundation where the student is not in a position to pay.
Dill Faulkes, founder of the Faulkess Flying Foundation, believes in the value flight training can provide youngsters today. He commented recently that “Flying combines fun and excitement with the need for self discipline which when learned is inevitably carried forward into other aspects of a person’s life.”
The club is currently in negotiations with the Foundation to base one of their DG 505s at the Mynd. The arrangements, reduced to their very simplest, are that we rent the glider from the FFF and actively recruit young people to come to the club to fly. The club is not paid for this, though we do receive launch or aerotow fees for student flights. The major benefit to the club is having use of a high performance two seater in the fleet (with three wing span options including an aerobatic span) that we can use as a club aircraft at much the same cost as a K21 when it is not needed for FFF work. This can be used by all members for everything from spin training through to cross country flying.
We are still working through the details but if the committee approves the plan, the glider will likely be with us in May. For more details of the Faulkess Flying Foundation and its activities visit www.fffoundation.co.uk
Chris Harris
Last appeal for info!!!
Only Paul Stanley has sent me complete details to have his name included on the board. One other has said he has done one BUT no dates sent to me yet. If you want to see your name on the board - get your finger out or you’ll be too bloody late!!!
Contact chrisharris@tiggering.freeserve.co.uk or note in H pigeon hole at MGC. Please don’t stop me and tell me. I’ll never remember.
Julian Fack
Paul has not had any newsletters or other correspondence since moving. His address is:
P. Garnham, 3, Chemin des petits pres, 23400, Le Bourg, St Moreil FRANCE
Telephone (0)555 64 26 59 (note that this is a correction, you may have an earlier incorrect one).
E-mail phgarnham@yahoo.co.uk
Nigel and Sue Holmes
(Or alternatively Buses, Winches and Eagles)
On the Friday, Clive Jones with his ASW19 and Nigel and Sue with the MGC Discus set off in convoy for Rockpolishers at Nympsfield. On the M5 south of Gloucester the “Purvey Rover” containing John Lewis unexpectedly and dramatically joined the convoy.
Andy Holmes was already there and showed us the ropes. We settled in and then went off to The Rose and Crown at Nympsfield (Fack Good Restaurant Guide) for a superb meal.
Ian MacArthur had collected Caroline Roberts en route and arrived after we’d finished our meal so set off for Stroud in search of some food.
On returning to Nympsfield there had been a power-cut and we proceeded through the warren of corridors to try and find our rooms by torchlight. Later, in the bar we met up with several people from Talgarth and Nympsfield. Chris Alldis arrived later with his LS8.
On the Saturday the youngsters rigged before breakfast but Chris insisted on breakfast and ablutions first. Briefing was at 10 o’clock. Met-wise it was not a very promising day so they decided to set various down-wind tasks outlanding at Edgehill (Shennington).
Novice 68 km to Edgehill
Intermediate 80 km to Enstone, Edgehill
Pundit 162 km to Newport Pagnell, Edgehill
Unfortunately only Clive managed a circuit before rain stopped play. However, Caroline in the meantime flew two circuits in their K13 in very difficult crosswind conditions.
Chris, as ever, being a diligent barrister retired to the bar complete with laptop and case-notes to prepare for his return to work on Tuesday. The rest went off to find further amusement at Hullavington Go-Karting track.
An Indian Meal was booked for the evening at The Passage to India (known locally as The Back Passage) where we were joined by Bill Dean, Anna Wells and Mark Parker, two Juniors pilots. We returned to the bar at Nympsfield and helped Caroline sample her Honey Rum and watched her smoke her ‘last’ cigarette!
On Sunday we had a bright sunny start but unfortunately the crosswind was very strong and, at the briefing at 10 o’clock it was suggested we re-brief at 12 o’clock so most of us set off to walk the ridges and view the fields towards the Severn Valley and beyond.
On returning to the club it had been decided to scrub the day. After a quick discussion most of the Mynd contingent de-camped to Aston Down complete with gliders to try and get some flying, as the wind would be straight down the runway.
During the slow journey through the lanes Sue spotted “Eddie the Eagle” wearing a riding hat (for those too young to remember, Eddie was our one and only ski jumper in the Olympics many years ago!) We had heard him recently as the after-dinner speaker at the BGA Conference. Nige shouted through the sunroof “Are you Eddie the Eagle?” to which he replied, “Yes, I am.” We stopped for a chat and handshakes all around while his fiancée carried on, on horseback.
We arrived at Aston Down to find the conditions perfect but the winch had just broken down. John and Andy used it for an excuse to burn down the runway and offer their help. As there were no spares they decided to try and start the old Tost winch but, after untangling the main cable and starting the lorry on which the winch sits, it was found that the winch starter motor had already been taken off for spares for the other main winch so, again no launches.
Undaunted, Caroline decided that if she couldn’t fly she would turn her hand to further adventures. So, running across the airfield to head off the bus, she asked the bemused driver “You may think it’s a silly thing to ask but can I have a go of your bus?” The rest of us watched in eager anticipation as she soloed on the Aston Down Double Decker!
John Lewis, camera at the ready, jumped aboard and took lots of photos to record the great occasion. Well done Caroline!
During a phone-call from Aston Down to book dinner at the MGC we happened to mention to Lynette that Caroline had soloed (lots of excited screams) but forgot to mention in what!
When Caroline arrived back at the Mynd there was a large welcoming party at the hangar mouth all clapping her unknown achievement followed by many and varied explanations of the solo event.
Caroline has heard that there is a job going on the Mynd Shuttle so beware on the Burway next time you come up!
Although there had been little flying, we had a wonderful weekend together and would highly recommend supporting your Rockpolishers Team as, whatever the weather, you’ll have a terrific time.
Chris Ellis
This is the time of year when we run courses intended to take some of the terror (only some) out of field landing and finding your way when you can no longer see the Mynd. Rather than spread the courses over four weekends as we have done in the past we intend to be a bit more flexible this year. We will probably have one concentrated weekend in late April but be available for booking at other times.
Not only are these flights good fun but it is always a good idea, no matter how experienced you are, to have a refresher before cross country flying starts in earnest.
See the notice board for details or contact:
Chris Ellis: chrisellis@micro-plus-web.net
Rod Hawley: myndflyer@aol.com
Bill Dean
Last winter we organised 7 lectures, between 1st February and 22nd March.
These lectures seem to have been a success, we would welcome comments and feed-back.
Next winter it may be a good idea to organise lectures for the whole winter, when winter time applies which means between November 1st and 20th March.
Again, feed-back would be welcome, what would people like? Some would of course be general interest, and some by visiting lecturers. To what extent should we provide talks aimed at a particular section of the club, such as pre-solo, Bronze ‘C’ and pre-Silver ‘C’, competition and cross-country, instruction?
Martin McCurdie
Below is a list of trailer hitches and who should be on what. Next time you are up check to see if you are on the right hitch. If you are not and the hitch you should be on is full seek out a member of that syndicate before you move the trailer, do not move it without their permission as you do not know what state the glider inside may be in. To ensure that your hitch is not taken while you are on a retrieve or away at a comp invest in a ball lock which can be purchased at most caravan centres.
If you are not happy with the hitch you have contact the office and we will try to find you a new one.
| Number |
Aircraft |
Contact |
Number |
Aircraft |
Contact |
| 1 |
K23 |
35 |
K6CR HAB |
P Warren |
|
| 2 |
Discus 493 |
36 |
Me7 Trailer |
||
| 3 |
Cirrus 18 |
C Ellis |
37 |
||
| 4 |
Ventus TL |
D Rance |
38 |
ASW19 882 |
R Hinley |
| 5 |
Pik 20 688 |
P Fowler |
39 |
LS4 585 |
C Crocker |
| 6 |
Pegasus FVP |
A Parry |
40 |
Roger’s Trailer |
|
| 7 |
Skylark 4 741 |
P Orchard |
41 |
Sky |
M Wakem |
| 8 |
Astir 642 |
J Tolley |
42 |
Libelle |
B Dean |
| 9 |
K6CR DEV |
C Jones |
43 |
DG300 FWM |
P Groves |
| 10 |
44 |
||||
| 11 |
Oly 2B |
R Andrews |
45 |
||
| 12 |
K6E DGG |
D Platt |
46 |
DG300 GAJ |
S Lewis |
| 13 |
DG101 435 |
D Platt |
47 |
||
| 14 |
Cirrus CEA |
H Bradley |
48 |
||
| 15 |
LS8 646 |
C Alldis |
49 |
Discus 173 |
J Fack |
| 16 |
Jantar FHV |
D Cole |
50 |
LS8 Z19 |
D Haughton |
| 17 |
M100 HQF |
R Stokes |
51 |
T21 |
|
| 18 |
LS4 HKX |
D Hughes |
52 |
Cobra DCA |
G Kerr |
| 19 |
Vega DZM |
G MacArthur |
53 |
Pegasus FNM |
A Reynolds |
| 20 |
Skylark 4 BTK |
A Robinson |
54 |
||
| 21 |
Me7 HPT |
T Griffiths |
55 |
||
| 22 |
K21 |
56 |
|||
| 23 |
57 |
||||
| 24 |
Hornet 759 |
J Hall |
58 |
||
| 25 |
LS4 JEP |
C Carter |
59 |
Old K21 Trailer |
|
| 26 |
Nimbus J45 |
S Adlard |
60 |
||
| 27 |
Cirrus 127 |
D Wilson |
61 |
||
| 28 |
Ventus 154 |
R Andrews |
62 |
||
| 29 |
LS4 A9 |
J Ballard |
63 |
||
| 30 |
LS4 IV |
S Adlard |
64 |
||
| 31 |
LS4 PZ |
J Hall |
65 |
||
| 32 |
66 |
||||
| 33 |
K6E 542 |
R Hawley |
67 |
K8 Trailer |
|
| 34 |
DuoDiscus |
J Fack |
68 |
K13 Trailer |