On Saturday 6th July, we had the pleasure of hosting around 20 eager Cubs and Beavers from the Halberton Cub and Beavers Group at our airfield, all working towards earning their Stage 2 Aviation Badge.
The day kicked off with parents and leaders fueling up on caffeine and snacks at our cozy North Hill café. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as Stuart Thomson, our volunteer for the day, prepared to take the group through an unforgettable adventure. The clubhouse hasn’t been that full in a long time. It was great to see such a buzz around the club.
Stuart started with an engaging briefing on airfield safety, capturing the kids’ imaginations as they learned how to stay safe while exploring the airfield. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to witness some real flying action!
Real flying action (Stuart Thomson)
Decked out in bright hi-vis jackets, the group ventured outside, guided by Stuart and assisted by Ivan Roulson. The air was filled with curiosity as Stuart quizzed the group about potential hazards and different parts of the airfield. A highlight of the tour was discovering ‘Bumblebee’ tucked away in our ground hangar, where a barrage of questions from the inquisitive kids kept Stuart on his toes!
Halburton Cubs and Beavers (Stuart Thomson)
The adventure continued as the group made their way to the glider hangar. Stuart split them into smaller groups for an exploration of the DG505 glider. The excitement peaked as the kids tried on parachutes, surprised by their weight, and took turns sitting in the front seat of the glider, getting a pilot’s eye view of the controls.
After the hangar tour, everyone walked up to the Launch Control to watch gliders taking off and landing. The thrill of the winch launches left everyone in awe, and the kids couldn’t stop talking about it!
Keeping good order (Stuart Thomson)
The morning wrapped up perfectly with packed lunches outside and some delicious delights from our cafe, basking in the long-awaited sunshine. Laughter and chatter filled the air as everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather and reflected on the day’s adventures.
It was a truly successful and enjoyable morning, leaving the Halberton Cubs and Beavers with unforgettable memories and a newfound passion for aviation. We can’t wait to welcome them back for more sky-high fun! - Stuart Thomson
