Category Archives: News

Junior Glider Pilot Ben L Flies His First Solo

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On bank holiday Monday, 15 year old junior glider pilot Ben L flew his first solo glider flight at Stratford on Avon Gliding Club!

Earlier in the day, Ben flew with senior full-category instructor Allan W in a series of simulated launch failures to ensure he was up to the required high standards of handling and airmanship for solo flight.

Making the grade, Allan briefed and authorised Ben for his first solo in our club K-13 trainer G-DCBW.

https://www.facebook.com/StratfordOnAvonGlidingClub/videos/1656060841115326/

Ben flew an excellent first solo flight and landing whereupon he was congratulated on his achievement by mum and dad, his fellow solo junior glider pilots and the rest of the Stratford Gliding club members.

Ben is already studying for his Bronze C exams and is keen to become a cross-country glider pilot.

Well done Ben!

David R Flies his first glider solo at SoAGC

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Congratulation go to David R who on Thursday flew his first solo sailplane flight at Stratford on Avon Gliding Club.

David flew with instructor Andy B in the morning as was referred to Stratford full-cat instructor Steve F in the afternoon for solo-standard checks.

Making the grade, David was sent solo in K13 G-DCBW.

https://www.facebook.com/StratfordOnAvonGlidingClub/videos/1638870729501004/?permPage=1

Well done David!

Ben Converts onto the Astir.

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14 year old glider pilot Ben E has converted onto Stratford on Avon Gliding Club’s Astir single-seater today.

Ben, who went solo only ten months ago on his 14th birthday at Snitterfield recently spent a week crewing for another Stratford junior pilot at the UK Junior Nationals competition at Nympsfield.

Already flying the two seaters and the SZD Junior single seater, the Astir is Ben’s first serious cross-country capable aircraft with retractable undercarriage and water ballast systems.

Ben will be able to enter cross-country competitive flying himself when he turns 16 and completes his Silver C. In the mean time, he will be able to work towards his Bronze Endorsement / Licence.

Junior pilot Ben converts onto the K21

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Well done to 14 year old Ben Edkins who converted on Stratford Gliding Club’s K21 G-CGAG on Sunday.

Ben Converts Onto The K21

Ben about to launch in G-CGAG

Ben originally went solo in one of Stratford’s K13 gliders on his 14th birthday in October 2016 and the K21 is his first composite glider. The two-seat K21 acts as a stepping stone to Stratford Gliding Club’s all-composite single seater fleet.

Ben, one of the UK’s youngest solo pilots, had to demonstrate his flying ability and airmanship in the K21 flying with senior instructor Barry K before being cleared for his first solo on type.

Junior glider pilots are able to solo at the age of 14 under EASA regulations but must be 16 before flying solo cross-country. In the mean time, Ben will be able to work towards further single-seat type conversions and his BGA Bronze badge / LAPL(S) licence.

Control Bus goes to a new home

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Stratford on Avon Gliding Club for many years utilised a double-decker bus as a ‘control’ vehicle for the airfield. Our second such bus was ‘138’ an ex Plymouth Transport Leyland Atlantean.

The bus system had it’s shortcomings, especially the weight being incompatible with much of the field’s surface and the advent of telemetry signalling meant we no longer needed the height it afforded for signal lamps.

The double-decker has now been replaced by the compact trailer received from Needwood Forest and Atlantean 138 has headed off behind a wrecking wagon to it’s new home at Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group.

Ben Goes Solo on his 14th Birthday!

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Yesterday Ben Edkins was sent on his first solo flight in a glider at Stratford on Avon Gliding Club on his 14th Birthday!

Ben who has been flying with us for some time was put through his paces by senior instructor Barry K, handling every simulated launch failure and situation put to him to prove his readiness.

When the moment finally came after lunch, mum and dad Sharon and Chris were watching along with Ben’s grandparents.

Ben ready to launch with Instructor Baz holding the wing.

Ben ready to launch with Instructor Baz holding the wing of K13 G-CHSM.

Ben flew an excellent launch for a short flight followed by an equally excellent circuit and landing back at Snitterfield.

Instructor Barry congratulates Ben after his landing.

Instructor Barry congratulates Ben after his landing.

Ben is the third generation of Edkins to fly gliders with us, after his father Chris and his grandfather.

Proud mum Sharon with Ben, instructor Baz and equally proud dad Chris.

Proud mum Sharon with Ben, instructor Baz and equally proud dad Chris.

As one of our new solo pilots, Ben will be working towards his Bronze C and has ambitions to fly cross country and possibly in competitions when he is 16.

From there, Ben went straight over to Wellesbourne airfield for his first flying lesson in a powered aircraft on the same day. While you can go solo in a glider at 14, you have to wait until you’re 16 to solo in a power plane.