Weekend 30th/ 31st January
The hunting debate did not generate the same emotion within Bannerdown as across the rest of the county.....
.... until this weekend.
Excluded from the airfield on Saturday afternoon so that the hunt could have sole use, the weather was gorgeous with crisp blue skies and sparkling air. It is hard to think of anything more likely to turn glider pilot into hunt saboteur.
Still, with launch point set up and ready to go before dawn, we salvaged a fair bit of flying & very nice it was too.
Sunday was more overcast, but at least we had all day.
Posted on 01 Feb 2010 by andy
Coming Up - Weekend 30th/31st Jan
Nice weather - but on Saturday the hunt will have exclusive use of the airfield from noon.
Flying will still be available during the morning, but two things are needed:
- an early start.
- tell the duty instructor if you intend to join in (Ali A). She will stay in bed unless there are enough to make it worthwhile.
Sunday - let's fill our boots.
Posted on 28 Jan 2010 by andy
... and better again: Sunday 24th Jan
Thanks to Bob B for this report:Today, with good weather all day, we achieved over 60 launches, with many satisfied pilots having more than three flights each. A lot of training flying and much solo flying was carried out. The good launch rate was achieved because we had both winches working, this means four cables at a time were brought down to the launch point only 15 times to serve 60 launches ! Many thanks to Oscar for prepping the winches, and to the winch drivers for the consistent launch rate ! Just four club gliders were flown today. An important message to all pilots is that now is the time to get current, to be ready for the new season - the LS8 and the Janus could have made a good start to your 2010 logbook entries - but today were Hangar Queens - so come out and use the excellent opportunities provided for you - and then you will not miss out on really exciting flights when the thermals really get going .... . By the way, there was an EGM on Saturday: our annual policy discussion. If anyone there can tell your correspondent what happened, it can be published here.
Posted on 26 Jan 2010 by andy
Sunday 17th Jan - Back To Normal
Normal?
Slightly damp, but distinctly flyable weather.
Lots of launches (33).
Brian P & Dave Pos making good use of quite a few thermals.
Plenty of training, but not quite enough instructors.
A C130 air drop later on made us put everything away in good time.
Even the deer are back on the airfield.
Posted on 18 Jan 2010 by andy
Triumph !
Friday saw the Annual General Meeting of the RAF Gliding & Soaring Association, our parent body.
As a sporting club within a Service that is contracting, life certainly has its challenges ....
... and triumphs.
Jon A, our very own leading light, top man and ace pilot was presented with two prestigious trophys:
Best flight of the year for his 750km in June
Best competition flight of the year for one of his many wins during the Inter Services Competition in August.
Best we bask in his reflected glory.
Posted on 17 Jan 2010 by andy
Cold Start - Saturday 9th January
Bob B wrote:
We flew in the snow yesterday !!
But there were only six pilots ....
Please put photos and encouraging words on the website to make pilots keen to come out to the airfield !!
The biggest problem was getting the hangar doors open - the ice had frozen at the wheel tracks !
 
Posted on 11 Jan 2010 by andy
Year 2010 - We're Off
With apologies for the break, normal Bannerdown News should now be back.
Since the last report, we have flown quite a lot & even used the ridge a little, but, oh my, it has been cold. December finished off decidedly chilly, only a degree or so above freezing, but January has come in bitterly below zero. (It didn't stop our open cockpit T21 from being flown on Sunday 3rd)
Readers of a nervous disposition should not even ask about Al S's marginal return from the ridge the week before.
The best bit, though, has been the warmth generated by a couple of conversions: Steve to our LS8 and Adam to the K18 - standard, ear to ear grins all round.
Posted on 07 Jan 2010 by andy
A Proper Weekend Coming Up!
At last, a tempting weekend coming up: 12th/ 13th December.
It looks as though we should have both the airfield and flyable weather.
Note from Carl:
Discus 547 needs to be in its trailer (with logbook in the cockpit) by the end of Sunday 13th. Phil G will be dropping it at Airborne Composites on Monday morning for its Annual Maintenance: it needs to be easily accessible in the hanger (he will be on his own). The LS8 will be brought back; it can be rigged, but a BGA inspector must go through the Annual Maintenance paper to make sure all is in order before it flies. The ARC is not due until 18 Jan 2010. R3's LX vario unit has been removed for the FLARM upgrade, but we (specifically Jon A) have a new one, ultimately destined for the Discus, which can be fitted in its place.
Posted on 08 Dec 2009 by andy
Monday 30 November - A Ridge Day At Last
Yes, Monday (sorry for those who had to work)
The best bit of this lovely day was having Phil Goodwin back, complete with two working eyes.
The bitterly cold Northerly airflow had been forecast for several days & the mid week gentlemen were well organised. With winch launches to 1,700' or so the ridge was easy; lots of fun was had. The Janus, Discus & ASW24 each stayed airborne as long as they wanted.
Thanks to Burt for the good winching, to Andy M for supervision and to everyone who helped to push, pull, hook on and signal.
Posted on 01 Dec 2009 by andy
R12 This Weekend Please
Message from Carl,
ASK21 R12 needs to find its way into the workshops by the end of Sun 29 Nov so the ARC and Annual Maintenance can start. I’m not at the Club this weekend so I would be grateful if an Instructor/Inspector can help this happen. It appears that Sunday is a no-fly day due to weather, the following tasks could also be started – every effort will help get the glider back in the air:
Seat pans out
Cockpit Hoover
Remove main-wheel fairing and main-wheel Remove tape residue from fuselage and wings Remove aileron tape and remove residue Glider wash ready for hard waxing (hard wax experts don’t hold back)
There are lots of BGA Annual Maintenance worksheets in the grey lever arch-file in the workshop foyer. Any available inspector – please get going on the AM and write – up what you’ve done so we know where we are and the K21 is on the ground for as little time as possible.
Posted on 27 Nov 2009 by andy << Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next >> |
