It's official, the 2011 soaring season has begun at Aston Down! There were 27 flights at a bitterly cold (yet strangely sand-covered) airfield today, with several unfortunates forgetting to return until they had incurred soaring fees. Tsk, tsk. Mike Weston and his trial flight victim were the most forgetful, with a 14 minute epic that even involved some circling! Kevin Russell persuaded others to help him haul the K8 out from its burrow and - after a dual check flight - did his first flight on type. Sam Lazenby, under the gimlet-eye of his winch instructor father, Paul, winched people to remarkable heights, 2100 feet being the record. Your humble correspondent successfully completed his winter refresher check flights and passed out traditional Christmas cookies hand-made by his lady wife. Yum, yum. Jonathan Huband tortured Ed, a highly experienced mate of his from Sandhill, with a variety of wicked cable breaks ...

All in all, a fun day out with lots of good humour and some great views.

Eugene