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Achievements 6/9/15

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A truly busy day today at SoAGC!

With Andy B running the show, we had every club aircraft including G-CHXK plus a T21 in the air at the same time!

Many new visitors to Stratford were flown while some significant pilot development and goals were achieved.

Peter C and Kit B achieved their 2hr duration flights which are required for their Bronze cross-country endorsements. Peter’s endorsement is now complete and we are hoping there will be a suitable day in the remaining soaring conditions for him to complete his silver distance flight this year.

Phil C set off in Stratford’s new Astir CS77 G-FECO and made it down to Bicester for his Silver (50km) distance leg. Many thanks to the friendly folks at Windrushers GC and duty instructor AJ who let us derig ECO at the back of the their launchpoint.

Minions derigging Astir Derigging Astir at Bicester Rigging Astir CS77 G-FECO at Stratford

Flying Report 16/8/15

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We had a great day of flying today despite the early spreadout.

Every aircraft was out of the hangar and flying including our new Grob Astir CS 77 G-FECO. Those who have flown it have reported that they very much enjoyed it.

Brilliant achievements were also had by Keith L who reached Silver height (1000m height gain) and his two hour duration towards Bronze X/C.

Junior pilot Jesal P achieved his two hour duration flight with a brilliant bit a scratching in weak lift under heavy spread-out, needing to stay aloft until after 6pm.

Jesal P soaring towards his 2hr goal under heavy Spreadout.

Jesal P soaring towards his 2hr goal under heavy Spreadout.

Flying Report 11/7/15

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Bristol Sid’s forecast for today matched up well with what we experienced in our area, particularly the arrival of the top-cover.

However, tasks were flown, the longest being by Mike C in his LS10 flying Snitterfield South West > Winchcombe > Calvert > Snitterfield South West for a 157.1km triangle at 82.2kph. http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=55215

Geoff B and one of Stratford’s newly cross-country endorsed Bronze C pilots, Phil S converted onto the club’s new LS4 G-DEMG.

We couldn’t get Phil out of it, he flew it a total of 5 times and enjoyed every minute of it.

Flying Report 9/7/15

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Today turned out rather blue with few cumulus. Fairly fast climbs were coupled with equally fast and extensive sink later on.

Several pilots planned and launched on a 500km+ task. Snitterfield SW > Cambridge West > Great Malvern > Bedford Bridge > Snitterfield SW.

Mike C in an LS10, Barry & Barry in a Duo and visiting Jack T in an LS8 aborted the task at various stages but Stratford’s junior pilot Daniel Brown in a LAK 19 & Andy B in an LS8 continued round.

Andy came back first having reached all turn points and Daniel Brown struggled along the last leg to complete his first 500km task flight.

Andy B’s flight: http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=55080

Daniel Brown’s Flight: http://www.bgaladder.co.uk/dscore.asp?FlightID=55082

Well done to those who tried and those who succeeded!Dan & Jack after the 500km

Flying Report 5/7/15

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Today’s flying was tricky. Climbs could be as fast as 10kts but we were chased back into the hangar and clubhouse by rain once, we got the aircraft back out after an hour and flew again.

A convective cloud-street finally chased us away after 5pm.

…and they wonder why British pilots are expert jenga players…

With the power out at Wootton Wawen, some pilots made their way to the Curry Republic at Henley in Arden to finish the day.convective

republic

restart

notjenga

Richard converts onto the K18.

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One of Stratford’s junior members, Richard C converted onto his first single-seat aircraft type today. Stratford’s 16-meter K18.

Richard converts onto the K18

Richard C converted onto his first single-seat aircraft today. Stratford's K18!#typeconversion #pilot #gliding

Posted by Stratford on Avon Gliding Club on Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Flying Report 26/1/15

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Monday turned out to be a very good day considering the forecast and was certainly the best day of the week for flying. We did not get quite the sunshine in the morning that we hoped for but it did shine all day albeit with a lot of thin high cloud. We flew from the stub runway on the South side with no problems and the field dried out very quickly with the good N.W. breeze and weak sun.

We were down a little on numbers probably because of the short notice but I know a couple of our regulars are currently enjoying warmer climates than ours. As we were down on one of the two seaters it worked out very well as there were several members who needed instruction and others check flights. We flew from about 10-30am until almost 5pm when it was getting dark, so we made best use of the day and gliders. Everyone flew but a couple of the newer members missed out on the “buy 3 get one free” winter offer which was a shame, hopefully C.B.W. will be back on line very soon.

K-13 G-CHSM Sunset

K-13 G-CHSM preparing for a flight just before sunset

There were about 14 members on the flying list and it would have been difficult if any more had come with the limited availability of 2 seaters.

Statistics are below……………

Total Launches……………..24

Total Flight Time…………..3 hrs. 23 mins.

Longest Flight(s)…………..13mins. Well done to John H. in the K21, David C. in the K18 and that really nice young man[sic] who modesty stops me from
naming, also in the k18. Credit also to Phil P who tried so hard and managed 12 mins.

Average Flight Time……….8 mins.

Overall a very good day and nice to get back to (nearly) midweek flying after 2 missed weeks.

Steve P.

Peter C goes solo at Stratford on Avon Gliding Club!

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Two days and two new solo pilots!

Today, Peter C went solo after patiently waiting for a day with suitable weather. Peter was checked-out by CFI Steve Brown with a series of simulated launch failures and handling exercises before being sent off for the first time on his own in K13 G-CHSM.

CFI Steve Brown with Peter after his first solo

CFI Steve Brown with Peter after his first solo

Despite the shorter cross-field landing direction, Peter made a great flight and landing then flew his second solo just a few minutes later.

Neil Croxford goes solo at Stratford on Avon Gliding Club

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Today Neil Croxford, father of junior member Richard, flew his first solo flight in a glider.

Despite a wet (but thankfully quickly drying) field, the decision was made to fly. After being put through the mill by Allan W, Neil was briefed for solo in K-13 G-CHSM.

neilpreflight Adding slightly to the technical difficulty today was the shorter winch run and cross-field landing direction but Neil took it in his stride and had two successful solo flights.

neil_glider_first_solo

Well done Neil!