I’ll start with thanks rather than finish with them because if it were not for the Team this week we could not have achieved what we did.
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| August (2) Course, Instructors and Helpers (James Hood) |
Many thanks also to the catering team for our lunches, and for putting in a very long shift to give us a course meal, this year in the clubhouse and not down a local pub.
It was a great success, I hope we will be able to do the same next year.
Mike Sloggett was with us all week officially flying his ASW 20 but as usual was a great help to us.
Steve and I wish to thank every one of you.
Flying
Well what can I say, without doubt the best course week I have ever been involved with, statistics will probably show that it was also one of the best courses for flight duration and personal achievement with good flying on all 5 days.
New Junior member Adam Mortimer walked in on Monday having only two flights before (Open Day and a Voucher flight), by the end of the week he had the pre-flight checks sorted, launching, landing, circuit planning and an abundance of things signed off in between!
Junior member Harry Rigby was put through his paces all week by Steve and is now on the verge of solo!
Dad Mike Rigby improved all week with lots of soaring, his performances got better when he was banned from wearing stupid white “aviation” gloves and hobnail boots!
Graham Hawker had soaring flights every day, some extending to a mini-crosscountry and a two and a half hour flight, all flown from the back seat of the Perkoz, Graham declared the aircraft to be “wonderful “ but still not as lovely as his beloved DG505.
14 year old Dan Hender had some pretty intense coaching in the first part of the week and has started to learn how to soar, read the sky, “tickle the ridge” and has real purpose to his flying.
He completed solo flights in the K21, was then converted to the Junior, had approximately 20 flights in the Junior, every single landing and approach was great!
Total solos for the week 23, now where is that Red card??.....
And last but not least is Junior member Charlie Stuckey, Charlie has been improving steadily over the last few years, he has flown solo at the Long Mynd and has been enjoying flying the K6.
We had a long week covering everything for his Bronze as well as some fantastic long flights, some epic saves and plenty of eventualities!
Charlie passed with “flying” colours, and to top it all he passed his written Bronze exam, so we now have the latest junior to achieve Bronze endorsement status.
A huge well done!!
Reflection
During my training to become an instructor Simon Leeson helped to shape me, he always told me that I should never forget that being an instructor at North Hill is not a right, it is a privilege, it is indeed a privilege, this week I was touched by the friendship and teamwork everyone showed.
From Steve and I, “roll on next year”!! - Mark Courtney
