Members' area

Several members turned out on what's likely to be the last flyable day of the year. A gentle breeze straight down the runway gave launches to 2200' and the odd thermal meant some of us ended up paying soaring fees.

Sunday 20th December - the first flyable weekend day for a very long time. Although the airfield was very squelchy underfoot, sometimes giving the buggies trouble in moving two seaters, we are better placed than some clubs in having hard runways and a well-drained airfield. Many without these advantages couldn't operate after the monsoons of recent weeks.

Every serviceable club glider was out except the ASW19. Many members enjoyed their first flights since October. Apart from a prolonged hiatus while we sheltered from torrential rain, all three glass two seaters were kept busy all day giving flying to those who felt rusty and completing Winter Refreshers for two members, as well as a lot of Trial Lessons.
The wind thought to be in excess of 40 kts at height enabled launches to around 2000 ft and at least one to above 2300 ft.

The modified winches with automatic pay-out brakes were tried out for the first time. One has been completely re-furbished and the other is awaiting similar treatment.. The opportunity is being taken to give all winch drivers refresher training while familiarising them with the modifications - a start was made on this by Simon, Andy and Chris. It is hoped this re-training will enable everyone to be kinder to the winches, so keeping them in their newly re-furbished state for longer.

Festive aspects to the day included Darren's headgear and Jane's mince pies, distributed after hangar packing.

Photos by Tim Barnes

For the Flarm addicts, this and the subsequent postings seem to be an important bit of advice:

http://uras.gliderpilot.net/?op=s2&id=50838&vt=

DGR / Chairman

Here's another warning from the CAA, this time about a balloon pilot who was caught without insurance.

Here are two items from the BGA website about financial assistance for young pilots:

Air League Scholarships

Applications are now being accepted for 2016 Air League Gliding Scholarships. These are for solo pilots aged 16-25 and are designed to help them to broaden their flying experience through aerobatic, cross-country or SLMG training. Awards are typically around 300 and cover flying fees at any Junior Gliding Centre or at a number of other selected clubs.

Full details and an online application, which must be completed by 19th February are at http://www.airleague.co.uk/scholarships/gliding-scholarships/ (the application process is at https://airleague.formstack.com/forms/gliding2016).

RAeC Trust Bursaries

The Royal Aero Club Trust has announced details of its 2016 Bursary Scheme.

The 2016 bursaries include The Presidents Scholarships (2 bursaries each worth up to 750); the Peter Cruddas Foundation Scholarship worth up to 1,000; the Breitling Bursary worth up to 750; the MacRobert Trust Bursaries (2 bursaries each worth up to 500); and the Bramson Bursary, as well as a number of additional bursaries worth up to 500 each. These are available to anyone between 14 and 21 years of age wishing to develop their interest in either air sports or aviation.

Additionally, Follow-on Bursaries are available to assist committed applicants, aged up to 24, reach even higher levels of achievement through, for example, participation in national and international competitions.

Full details and application forms are available on the Trust web site at http://www.royalaeroclubtrust.org/bursaries.

Note that the closing date for applications to be received at the RAeC is 31st March 2016. These need to be countersigned by a sponsor such as your CFI and submitted via the BGA. To ensure that applications are processed by the deadline, your application should be received at the BGA office no later than 17th March.

Last Thursday (19 November) Mike and Jane Randle had lunch with 100 year old ex ATA ferry pilot Jill Farquarson, at her home at Frampton-on-Severn. Jill was presented by the Club chairman with a certificate of honorary membership of CGC before lunch. This was all a surprise for her and for the 21 other residents of the care home "Wisma Mulia". See the news item on the blog for end of August, to see Jill in the cockpit of a Ka 21 during the Junior Nationals, when Mike took her for an extended flight over the local area.

We plan to invite Jill back for another flight at Aston Down around the time of her next birthday (101) on 28th May 2016. Ahead of that we shall call the Guinness Book of Records office to come and witness a combined age of 182 in a glider cockpit (Jill will be the 101 year old, in case anyone has doubt.......).

Local press coverage this last week is at:

http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Wartime-female-flyer-s-glider-club-fl...

On Thursday 12th November half a dozen mid-week stalwarts got some interesting flying after persistent fog in the morning until increasing wind rounded off the day. Earlier the K23 had to be put away and the PW6 substituted when the wind began to increase. Eventually, the wind reached the limit even for the PW6. Launch heights were limited to 1800 ft QFE by the cloud otherwise the strong wind would have given even more.

Unless plans change, this turned out to be the last time a PW6 flew at Aston Down. Eric Lomas and Mike Randle had the honour of the very last flight.

Last night's bonfire party went very well. During the day Matt Page and Brian Birlison managed, using the JCB, to coral all the pallets that had been dumped / strewn along the disused runway by tenant companies at Aston Down, into a reasonable shape. The SW wind was meant no problem lighting the fire without risking the new hangar ! Philip Walker kindly organised the fireworks display (and provided some at his own expense - thanks Philip), and Jacqui and team laid on some great soup and pork baps. A very enjoyable evening.