The Vintage Glider Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary Rally this year.
The Rally attracted aviation enthusiasts from across the globe, including some of our very own Club Members.
Phil D very kindly sent me some pictures to put on the Blog to share with you all, and there is also an upcoming article about the Rally in Glide Angle to look forward to.
The Vintage Rally was a resounding success and a great time was had by all. I’m very tempted to attend the next one myself .
Hope you enjoy the pictures fellow aviators. Many thanks to Phil for sharing them with us .
We were treated to a very enjoyable and very productive Training Week at the Park this week .
Clement weather conditions generally persisted throughout the week, with an abundance of glorious sunshine, and light winds. The Weather although not ideal for Cross Country pursuits, was just about perfect for Training .
Alan B, passed his Cross Country Endorsement assessment with Stuart N.
Reuben O, achieved his First Solo Flight.
Mars H, achieved his First Solo Flight.
Matt O, Re-Solo’d after returning from a short hiatus from flying.
Din G, achieved his first 2 Hour Solo Flight.
On Friday, Adam B made a very welcome return to the Park with some of our fellow aviators from Mendip, to complete some further Spin Training with them.
Another very enjoyable and very productive week at the Park, and a very well done to all .
I took some pictures during the week to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
Reuben O, being congratulated by the CFI after achieving his first Solo Flight.
Mars H, relaxing after his First Solo Flight. A flight he then quickly followed up with a thirty minute solo flight, a good effort in the light soaring conditions of the day.
Our first Flying Week of August produced some truly excellent soaring opportunities 🙂.
There were lots of successful Cross Country pursuits, many of which can be viewed on the BGA Ladder 🙂. Daily Scores (bgaladder.net)
Congratulations to our Club Chairman Martin D, for achieving his first 500km flight. Great job Martin 🙂 👍🏻.
We welcomed back some fellow aviators visiting us from Dorset GC. Terrific to see you again gentlemen 🙂.
John H made us a Curry at the end of one of the flying days, and organised a BBQ at the end of another day. Thanks John 🙂 👍🏻.
I took some pictures from our flying week to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
John’s delicious Curry 🙂.
With all the Gliders safely tucked up in the hangar or in their trailers, and with the sun slowly setting over the horizon, this fellow aviator gently floated by our airfield 🙂.
We were treated to another wonderful Flying Week at the Park this week 🙂.
Glorious sunshine and gentle winds fueled an abundance of local soaring opportunities, as well as successful Cross Country pursuits, and a first solo flight for Peter E? Congratulations Peter, you will remember that flight always 🙂 👍🏻.
We also enjoyed the company of some very welcome guest Pilots from Keevil and Dorset Gliding Club, who were all very helpful and proactive around the airfield and great to share a few stories of soaring adventure with in the Club House at the end of the days flying. Look forward to seeing you all again soon gentlemen 🙂 👍🏻.
I took some pictures from our flying week to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Thanks to Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II we had an extended run of fantastic mid-week flying days to enjoy this week. Thank you Ma’am 🙂.
The weather was wonderful for late Spring, with plenty of sunshine, gentle winds, and an abundance of soaring opportunities. Our trainers had a very productive time training new pilots, and the more experienced amongst us were treated to some excellent local soaring conditions and successful Cross Country pursuits.
‘Bath Wilts’ very own Harriet G is enjoying a great weeks soaring also. In between flights and airfield duties many of us enjoyed watching Harriet on ‘Glide & Seek’ very impressively racing along in the ‘Lasham Regionals’ Comp. Great work Harriet, and good luck for the final results 🙂 👍🏻.
I took some pictures from our mid-week flying days to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Last week BWND hosted the “VGC National Rally”. The event was a great success and Geoff P took some sensational pictures that he asked me to put on our Blog to share with you all 🙂 👍🏻.
The Soaring season is off to great start and will only get better as we progress into the Summer 🙂.
I took a trip last week to “The Gliding Heritage Centre” at Lasham with Phil D from the Bath Wilts maintenance team.
Phil and I had a great day out there.
The people we met were really terrific, knowledgeable, passionate about aviation, and generous with their time. Particular thanks to Glyn B and Gary P for making us feel so welcome and giving us a fascinating insight into the world of Vintage Gliding .
The Lasham Cafe is great too. Once our trip round the Heritage Centre was complete we popped into the Cafe for a late lunch. Phil tucked into a very nice looking piece of victoria sponge, while I enjoyed a delicious toasted teacake with butter and blackcurrant jam, all washed down with a refreshing cup of tea of course .
I would describe the Gliding Heritage Centre as a magical and truly inspiring place to visit. Possibly the perfect tonic for one of those stable airmass days 😎.
Link to GHC Website below if you would like some more information:
We were treated to two terrific mid-week flying days this week 🙂.
Both days were filled with glorious sunshine, with a wind-chill that cooled things considerably on occasion. The upper wind drifted from 040 – 080 degrees over the two days, and between 5 – 10kts. The cool air mass and warming spring sun generated some very good soaring opportunities for the time of year. Lots of extended local soaring flights were enjoyed on both days, and John G clocked up the Clubs first Cross Country of the year on Thursday with a very respectable 205k ‘out and return’ to Ledbury 🙂 👍🏻.
Mike J, Phil G, and Andy F were busy instructing. While John H and Phil R were busy flying the Tug. 🙂 👍🏻.
A very pleasant couple of days flying from the Park dear aviators 😎.
I took a few pictures from the two days to share with you all, hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
It takes a lot of work to keep a Gliding Club working smoothly. Good work John! 🙂
We have returned to the skies once more dear aviators! .
It was a cool crisp Spring day at the Park today, but it did warm up pleasantly from around mid-day onwards. The upper wind was approx. 040 degrees at a brisk 19kts. The cool North Easterly air mass and warm April sun treated us to some much appreciated soaring. It wasn’t Cross Country weather at the Park today, but all attending Pilots did enjoy extended local soaring opportunities.
It was an absolute delight to be back in the air again following lockdown 😎.
A total of 20 Glider flights and 4 Touring Motor Glider flights today.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all, hope you enjoy them.
It was a very pleasant days flying from the Park today 🙂.
It was a crisp winters day, the upper wind was approx. WSW at a gentle 5kts. There were no soaring opportunities due to the stable air mass, as is to be expected this time of year.
Only a small band of hardy Pilots at the Park today but the enthusiasm to fly continued all day, with launching only pausing briefly for cable retrieves.
Mike J had a productive day instructing, and the maintenance team continued to make excellent progress with their winter maintenance programme 🙂 👍🏻.
For most Pilots, today was an opportunity to get some Launch and Circuit practice in. But John H, inspired by this being our last flying day of the year, decided to treat us all to some aerobatics. I was lucky enough to be invited to take the rear seat of the Puch for a ringside view of Johns aerobatic masterclass 🙂.
A total of 17 Glider flights and 4 Touring Motor Glider flights today. Another very pleasant days flying from the Park dear aviators 😎.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all, hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
Over we go! 🙂.
Heading back to base.
Well, the ginger bread men on Johns hat certainly appear to have enjoyed the flight 😉
Well we certainly made the most of the final days flying before lockdown 🙂 👍🏻.
It was a cool autumn day at the Park today, with crystal blue skies and glorious sunshine. The upper wind was approx. NNE at a gentle 5kts. The soaring opportunities were modest, as is to be expected this time of year.
The enthusiasm to fly continued all day, with launching only pausing briefly for cable retrieves, and tow plane refueling. It was a real pleasure to see so many pilots at the Park making the most of the days flying.
Mike J, John H, and Adam B, had a productive day instructing. With John and Adam covering tow plane duties as well 🙂 👍🏻.
A bustling airfield, crystal blue skies, and glorious sunshine. A very pleasant days flying from the Park.
I took a few pictures today to share with you all. Hope you enjoy the them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
The enthusiasm to fly continued all day, with launching only pausing briefly for cable retrieves, and tow plane refueling.
Everyone chipping in and keeping the airfield running smoothly 🙂.
As today was the last days flying for a few weeks, I took the opportunity to enjoy two 8000ft aerotows to celebrate what has been another great seasons soaring from the Park. Both flights were a real treat, a super smooth and relaxing experience thanks to the stable air mass, and stunning views thanks to the days excellent visibility. I managed to contact some light wave on my second flight of the day that kept me happily bobbing about at approx 4000ft above the Park for a little while, extending my flight by a few much appreciated minutes. I was also treated to some wonderful “brocken spectres” during this flight when I was turning at the West end of the Wave Bars before tracking back along them. No pictures of the brocken spectre unfortunately, as the wave was very light and patchy so required full concentration to make use of it. I did take a few pictures while in the Glide to share with you all though.
The view from the top of the world 🙂.
A very pleasant days flying from the Park dear aviators 😎.
A cool autumn day at the Park today, with crystal blue skies and glorious sunshine. The upper wind was approx. 20 – 30kts at 060 degrees.
The soaring opportunities were modest, as is to be expected this time of year. But there was some thermal activity and streeting around the Park for the Pilots to enjoy. Greg C managed the longest flight of the day at 49 minutes. Well done Greg .
The enthusiasm to fly continued all day, with launching only pausing briefly for cable retrieves.
Mike J and John H had a productive day instructing, and Alastair M was on hand to Pilot the Tug for the days aerotows.
Seasonally cool at the Park today, but still a very pleasant and sunshine filled days flying 🙂.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
The launch point, was kept busy all day.
A great atmosphere. Everyone mucking in to keep things running smoothly 🙂.
Blue skies and glorious sunshine all day at the Park today, a real seasonal treat at this stage in the year, it felt more like a Sunday in July than one in September.
Todays weather at the Park wasn’t quite right for Cross Country tasks, and locally the opportunities to soar were modest. It was an almost completely blue day with very few clouds. Early in the day the upper wind was approx. 10 – 15kts at 210 degrees, easing to a balmy 5kts later in the day.
There was some Ridge lift early in the day, and later in the day as the wind eased the local south facing slopes that had been baking in todays glorious sunshine started generating thermal lift for the pilots to enjoy. The enthusiasm to fly continued all day with launching only pausing briefly for cable retrieves.
Mike J had a productive day instructing, Julian R was kept busy flying todays guest, and Alastair M was on hand to Pilot the Tug for the days aerotows.
A very pleasant and sunshine filled day at the Park 🙂.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
Glorious weather all day at the Park today. The only clue that today was a day in autumn and not the height of summer, was the mosaic of freshly harvested crop fields around the airfield.
Terrific enthusiasm to fly today. The Launch Point was kept busy all day, pausing only briefly for cable retrieves before commencing launching one more.
Smiles all round today, a great atmosphere and everyone working hard to keep the airfield running smoothly 🙂.
It was great to see every available club Glider out of the hangar and being flown today.
Martin D, making good use of the days clement conditions to get comfortable at the controls of his new steed “306” 🙂.
Todays weather at the Park wasn’t quite right for Cross Country tasks or extended Local Soaring flights. The Park was nonetheless a hive of activity, with plenty of flying and lots of work going on to keep our Park in tip top condition.
Locally, Cloud Base was approx. 2,500ft QFE. Early in the day the upper wind was approx. 25kts at 280 degrees, backing and easing to 17kts at 270 degrees later in the day.
There wasn’t much thermal lift around the Park today, however the enthusiasm to fly remained undiminished and the launches kept on going, pausing only briefly for cable retrieves. The whole of the Park was a buzz today with Members keeping busy with all the essential jobs that keep a Club running smoothly 🙂 👍🏻.
Mike J had a productive day instructing, and John H was on hand to Pilot the Tug for the days aerotows.
A very pleasant and productive day at the Park 🙂.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
A trio of visiting aviators.
Well dear aviators, I’m really not sure what caption to write beneath this picture 😂.
As the forecast suggested, todays weather wasn’t quite good enough to tempt many Club Members up to the Park. There was light rain for much of the morning and early on in the day cloud base sat obstinately around 200ft QFE.
We did however have a very welcome guest booked to fly, Will P, so a small band of aviators hung around to see if the weather would improve so we could get him airborne.
As luck would have it, by around midday there was break in the inclement weather. The rain cleared and the cloud base went up to around 2500ft QFE, with a balmy 240 degree wind quickly drying the airfield.
Mike J was Duty Instructor today to fly Will, and John H was on hand to expertly aerotow them on Wills first soaring flight.
Will is already a PPL holder, so hopefully today will have ignited within him the same passion we all share for soaring aviation.
As there was no one else left to fly once Mike and Will had completed their flight, I took the opportunity to ask Mike if he would fly me in the K21 as a demonstration of aviating best practice. I have recently completed all of my Bronze assessments, and I was very interested to see what the difference between my present aviating ability is in relation to an experienced instructor. It was a very illuminating experience for me, and also a very enjoyable one. During my flight with Mike today I observed that his control inputs and his decision making, all appeared that bit more crisp and polished than mine, he is after all our CFI. It was a real pleasure to just sit and relax as a passenger in a Glider being piloted by someone with Mikes experience, and I now have a refreshed bench mark on where I want my own level of aviating capability to be. It was a terrific experience and one I will definitely repeat in the future.
I took some pictures of my flight with Mike to share with you all. As Mike had full control of the aircraft for the flight, I took quite a few pictures, hope you enjoy them.
A very relaxing and pleasant days flying from the Park dear aviators 🙂.
Kind regards.
Damien.
It’s a very relaxing experience being the passenger on an aerotow.
As a passenger it was very nice to have all the time in the world to examine the fields we were being aerotowed over, and assess each one for potential land out scenarios. There’s more time to enjoy the view as a passenger too 🙂. “Low tow” being demonstrated by MJ…. …. and “boxing the tow”. Spectacular cloudscapes around the Park today.
Not sure if that is a cloud in the image, or just some fluff on my camera lens 😉.Heading back to base.
Todays weather at the Park wasn’t quite right for Cross Country tasks or extended Local Soaring flights. The cloud base never rose much above 2,400ft and there was very little thermic activity. There was however still plenty of flying going on, and no shortage of willing volunteers keen to help keep the airfield running smoothly 🙂 👍🏻.
Locally, Cloud Base rose to approx. 2,400ft QFE, with a 10-15kt 280 degree upper wind.
The wind had a real chill factor to it today, but nothing appeared to be able to dampen the enthusiasm of the attending Club Members. As the day progressed the temperature did dip considerably with the wind chill. Coats went on and hoods went up to protect us from the wind, but everyone kept smiling. It really was a delight to see the entirely undampened enthusiasm from everyone to enjoy the day 🙂.
Mike J and Mike T, had a productive day instructing.
A chilly but still very pleasant and productive days flying from the Park dear aviators 🙂.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
Kind regards.
Damien.
Lots of Club Members mucking in and getting jobs done at the Park today. John H even got the strimmer out and tended to the grounds around the hangar/club house 🙂 👍🏻.
The longest flights of the day were flown by Dennis S in BNH, and John H in CCU.
The two seater Gliders kept going all day, only pausing briefly for cables before taking to the skies once more.
The enthusiasm to fly, and the enthusiasm to help out at the airfield, remained undiminished right up to the end of the day.
Todays forecast really didn’t promise too much at all for the days flying. From early on in the day however extended thermic flights were enjoyed, and by the afternoon a terrific convergence had developed above the Park that resulted in some excellent local soaring, with wings level climbs of up to 6kts being experienced 🙂!
Locally, Cloud Base was approx. 3,300ft QFE, with a brisk 20kt 240 degree upper wind.
Thermal activity wasn’t suitable for Cross Country Tasks from the Park today, but was excellent for Local Soaring.
Mike J and Andy F, had a productive day instructing, and John H was on hand to take care of all of our aero tow needs in the brisk cross wind conditions.
A very pleasant and productive days flying from the Park dear aviators 🙂.
I took a few pictures from the day to share with you all. Hope you enjoy them.
.
.
.
.
