Members' area

Well 2025 was a pretty mega year for gliding conditions in our area. Many days in the summer with high cloudbases and strong thermals. Although we don't want a repeat of the drought, can we have the same again for 2026? The picture here is from Saturday 3rd January showing a busy launch point in fine but breezy conditions.

Once the car club had finished on the runway, and after derigging the K23 to take to the Minch show, we managed to get set up with the help of our small willing team, and started about 11am.

Early conditions were good, several members were able to use the street that had set up overhead up to 3,000ft, one member converted to the K13 solo and the ODC having a couple of great flights.

Flying stopped at lunchtime due to a large shower, the photos contrasting with the great day a few minutes earlier. Watching the weather radar let us time the next period of flying for a couple of hours, getting the rest of the flying list done, before sheltering for another shower and drying off the gliders afterwards as it cleared to put them away.

The Minch show team reported a lot of interest and sales of TLs were positive. Thanks to Adrian Giles and team who kindly gave time and promoted the Club there.

All in all, a good day.

Nice view from above the clouds.

Another of our pilots gets to practice a real field landing for the first time. Only 20 miles away so not too far for a crew and the trailer to drive and pick up glider and pilot.

The best day of the year so far. Lots of long flights and congratulations to Jonathan and Dan for flying 300km tasks to achieve their Gold Distance. The club's new Sprot Vega gets a wash before being put away in the hangar.

Interesting cross country day in which 2 of our younger members landed out in the same field.

The club held a Task Week which turned out to be mostly in the "Blue". (No cumulus) Tasks were still set by Andy and everyone had a good week with many people who're new to cross country flying getting some really useful experience. Andy says: "Thanks to all who took part in the club task weekand helped to make it fun, including the weather gods! We had about a dozen gliders over the 5 days so roughly 60 aerotows. Without Heggie and Robin flying the tugs, Jackie logging and launching it wouldn't have been possible. Only 2 landouts on the last day when we had to start at 2,500ft to reach the good conditions at Rivar Hill.

Saturday dawned early for our visitors from Loughborough University with first launch at 6.59am despite the murk. The day then ignored the forecast and continued to brighten with a very busy airfield all day and last launch being around 7pm.

The club took part in its first Women's Go Gliding event and we had fourteen visits arrive on Saturday morning. Ava gave an inspiring presentation before they took a tour of the hangar and then venturing to the launch. Only five decided to fly with us but they all had a good day and the smiles on the faces of those that did fly said it all. One joined immediately and we expect more new members fairly quickly. Many thanks to all those who assisted with the event.

Sunday was busy but for a different reason and saw our first proper weekend XC grid of the year. A good number of private members were out tasking out towards Cambridgeshire. A number of 300km flights were logged. Locally there were some good soaring flights too. Heggie was kept busy in the tug with 23 tows for the day.

Thank you everyone for making the weekend such an enjoyable success.

Friday was unfortunately washed out with rain most of the day. Some good flying on Saturday from runway 08 (new designation for 09 due to change in magnetic variation over the years) after some worthwhile ground school lectures while waiting for the weather to clear. Our new winch master was running training for upcoming winch drivers all day. On Sunday we were operating on 08 again with more winch training done; some winter refreshers polished off; guests from Saltby who were ever helpful on the field and type conversions to Perkoz, Vega and PW5. On Monday our visitors from Loughborough University had their first full day with us. More winch training included the visitors so that they can operate independently during the week. A mixed weekend but a lot of fun.

Thanks everyone for a great day and bearing with us whilst we slotted in 8 trial lessons. Garry Hume won the longest flight with just under 2 hours in his DG with many others nailing their crosswind take offs and landings today.