The day started with low cloud and intermittent drizzle so after all the DI's were completed, the kit was left at the launch point in the north east corner while the Course members enjoyed some old films of the Club from the 70's and 80's, unearthed by Roly. In the meantime Lukasz was sat in the Junior familiarizing himself with the aircraft to which he would be converting having completed more solo flights in the K21 yesterday. By around 11am conditions became flyable with a nice steady westerly with some north and the day's fun began.
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| Lukasz converts to the Junior (Hans Jenssen) |
Congratulations are due to Lukasz for completing his first flights in the Junior. Dave Herbert was not happy as he'd had the Junior to himself all week but he and Lukasz shared it nicely and by the end of the day Dave had his 25 solos signed off.
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| Dave achieves 25 solos (Hans Jenssen) |
For me, it was launch failures and after several long walks back to the launch point it was time for lunch.
After lunch, Callum Ayres and Dave Pegg were flying in nice benign conditions under a cloud base of around 1,300ft. The ridge was working a bit but there was not much thermal so very good for practising circuits. Roly had been promoted from helper to instructor while Martin Woolner was in a meeting. I had two flights with Peter Field a bit later and having completed a flight during which he somehow managed to stay silent for the entire duration, he uttered the words no pilot ever forgets, "You are now cleared solo."
After lunch, Callum Ayres and Dave Pegg were flying in nice benign conditions under a cloud base of around 1,300ft. The ridge was working a bit but there was not much thermal so very good for practising circuits. Roly had been promoted from helper to instructor while Martin Woolner was in a meeting. I had two flights with Peter Field a bit later and having completed a flight during which he somehow managed to stay silent for the entire duration, he uttered the words no pilot ever forgets, "You are now cleared solo."
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| Congratulations to Hans Jenssen for his first solo (Dave Herbert) |
I managed to stay calm while waiting for a cable and got a good 100+ feet extra on the launch without all the ballast in the back seat. Managed a couple of passes up and down the ridge before reaching high key at a good height and completed my first solo with a good landing and an absolutely massive smile on my face which is still there 2 days later. I have to say a huge personal thank you to Instructors for the week Martin and Peter, and all the helpers Heather, Roly, Allan and others who pitched in and kept the course running so efficiently and my fellow course members for all their support and encouragement.
I completed 5 more solo flights in the K21 before the end of play and managed to land in approximately the same place every time.
I completed 5 more solo flights in the K21 before the end of play and managed to land in approximately the same place every time.
All in all we had four flyable days during which two conversions to the Junior (Dave H and Lukasz) were achieved. Dave H also had his white card checks signed off and a 2-hour flight and Lukasz a 1-hour flight for their respective cross-country endorsements. One first solo was achieved (me) and young Callum Ayers made good progress when we managed to prize him out of the Gator. Dave P also had a good amount of flying which is what he wanted to achieve, so all in all a very successful course.
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| Course photo (Hans Jenssen) |
Thanks again for a great week. - Hans Jenssen
In the evening, the course handed the kit over to a combined evening group for Graham Hawker's friends and Martin Bennett's friends and work colleagues from Honeywell Aerospace, Yeovil.
Thanks to a strong westerly wind, everyone got a long first flight and several had second flights. Three students from Bath University who have just started an internship at Honeywell requested something a 'bit more exciting' for their second flights, Simon Minson and John Sillett were very happy to oblige and the students learnt what is probably the most important lesson of their internship - no ambiguous requirements. Thanks to all the Instructors and Helpers - Martin Bennett
In the evening, the course handed the kit over to a combined evening group for Graham Hawker's friends and Martin Bennett's friends and work colleagues from Honeywell Aerospace, Yeovil.
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| The Honeywell Aerospace contingent (Martin Bennett) |
