Angus Gliding Club News 2009

December

Weather has beaten us again, rain, snow and freezing conditions, still there is next year to look forward to, fingers crossed.

Our ageing winch engine could do with the rest.

We are to make an application to AWARDS FOR ALL for some help to purchase a new and more efficient engine so that we can continue to allow people to try out this  fantastic sport that we all enjoy so much.

November

Ian McHardy has sold his Skylark 2B and bought an excellent K6. The first outing it had was on the 8^th, several of us flew it and all commented on it’s superb handling.

Look out for the pictures of  “STUPID BOY” (G-CFZR) on the photos page.

Alan Marr has worked hard all year and is getting close to solo, here’s hoping we have reasonable flying conditions over the coming weeks to help him achieve his goal.

October

We have a new student, Arran Sulley, nicknamed Curly, ( for obvious reasons ) who shouldn’t take long to get solo. He is a power pilot, but with the price of  powered flying ever increasing, he decided to convert to gliding. After a first flight he was hooked and realised that gliding is not only much more affordable, it is also more fun.

Alan Marr has been on holiday in Cyprus and had the opportunity of 10 flights with Crusaders Gliding Club, 2 of which were in a T21 Sedbergh open top glider. He also flew their K13.

September 24

Bob took his K8 to Portmoak and achieved a 5 hour silver flight on the first attempt. With a good westerly and some wave setting in it wasn’t just up and down the ridge.

Well done Bob, that’s the Silver in the bag.

September 10

With the weather being so poor over the last few weekends we decided to fly today, a Thursday, conditions were excellent and several flights of up to 2 hours were had.

June / July

Holidays slow things up somewhat but nevertheless some good flights have been enjoyed by those who were left behind.

Bob flew again at NVGC and also went to Shipdham and spent a great day with 8 Ball Soaring, flying our old SF34.

May 24

Bob took his K8 to Nene Valley Gliding Club for the spring task week. Weather was poor and was grounded for 3 days but stll managed to get 3 good flights of between 1 and 2.5 hours

May 17

Another excellent thermal day, with long soaring flights in the Pirat and K7.

We have another couple of new pupils. Derek is already getting on very well, especially after having had a flight of over an hour.

May 10

A great flying day, although rain came in later in the day some really good soaring flights were had.

At one stage in the afternoon every aircraft on the field was in the air and  together in the same thermal, I don’t think this has happened before.

April 29

Our third open day was a great success even though we were rained off around 4 PM.
We managed 22 trial flights before the deluge and everyone seemed to have enjoyed their experience.
Hopefully we will get one or two new members from the day.
A big thanks to all who made it possible, especially Jean, Irene, and Sheila who did a fantastic job with the barbecue.

April 19

Bob and Wolf both did their 50 km for the Silver badge today. After some false starts Wolf took off in the club’s K6 and headed for Stonehaven after reaching about 3000 ft. Bob followed shortly after in the K8 and in the end they both landed in the same field near Stonehaven. Well done.

April 10

A visiting pilot from then Australian air force has joined the club temporarily, while he is stationed at Leuchars for the next 6 months. Thermals in Scotland aren’t quite what they are down under, but its good to keep your hand in and practice in some narrow Scottish thermals

April

The open day is nearly upon us having been scheduled for Sunday 26th April, and once again we are being supported by Jim Duncan from The Park Tavern, and the guys from City Press in Brechin who are producing our posters, and Ian is organising the radio advert .
With a bit of luck we will have as good weather as the last two years to help attract as many visitors. We are also initiating a recruitment drive to encourage some new members to join our sport.
Again, if weather is unsuitable we will postpone until the following Sunday.

March 14

We finally got back in the air in mid February after 3 months of unfavourable conditions, however, without having anything else to do but cleaning and maintenance, the aircraft and equipment have never been in better shape.
A couple of reasonable soaring flights were achieved on the 1st of March, but no flying last weekend again due to weather.

We have a new pupil, Alan Marr from Arbroath, who is looking forward to his new and exciting venture.

March

Finally all club gliders are fully EASA registered. The K7  took a bit longer than expected to get all the paperwork in order.

All the club and private aircraft have had their inspections and are ready and waiting for the soaring season to begin

Feb 21

Ian, Bob, and Allan Black went to Portmoak for the day, although Allan was attending the Instructors meeting. Ian had his first experience of Ridge Flying and thoroughly enjoyed it. “It’s like having an engine “ was his comment, “you just fly along and you stay up”.