Members' area

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.

One of our members headed for wave above Talgarth in his Pik20. (With engine) "Arriving there lift was hard to find and Talgarth visitors were landing back. Solved that by going 6km south along a valley with a big hill to windward and three smaller ones on the downwind side. That kicked the wave up and the climb went from 0.6 to 6knots. Stopping the climb at the airway I headed back home into 25 knots of wind but a good final glide to Nympsfield. It was more marginal for Aston Down than I liked so near NYM a minute of engine got me a few more feet and comfortably home. It was pleasantly warm up there - and a lot of fun."

Another cross-wind day. We set up on runway 03 but it was quite clear that we should be on 27 so only 2 launches were done on 03 and then we were OK for rest of the day. Lots of quite demanding flying in the strong wind but it was thermic and 2 of our intrepid solo pilots took their gliders on extended flights with one getting into some wave to 5k. The VEGA welcomed a couple more club members to become converted to her ways. Good breezy day, no rain, not much cloud.

A lovely if challenging day because of the crosswind choice. A long private owner line was good to see, and eventually thermal popping meant they could set off. Some nice Club check flights and some training and more conversions to the Vega before showing some of our Open Day visitors what it's all about. But unfortunately the gusty conditions made us consider changing runway to 27 from 21 but since wasn't any better there, then scrubbed with a task to recover the gliders and kit. All who went got back, so a good day all and all.

Sadly, due to low cloud, mist, fog, frogs and generally rubbish weather, today had to be scrubbed.

The day started out quite gloomy, both weather and the mood of those wanting to fly! However after lunch, those who stayed on at the airfield were rewarded with a break in the weather and some 20 launches were completed using B winch (not been out for quite a while) on runway 09. "A" winch is being loaded with new cables so that our courses get the benefit of running without too many cable breaks.

"A good day's flying in an icy wind" was the report from Tim, our Duty Instructor! Today the club's newest single seater, a Sport Vega, was available for the first time for suitably qualified members to fly. So congratulations to Ava who became the first club member (apart from CFI and chair) to fly the Sport Vega.

"Cold but fabulous", which could describe a number of things but specifically describes today at AD. We even did a bit of soaring the cold air.

Thanks to everyone who helped out: you did a fab job!