The forecast for today was pretty dismal so predictably, and despite a super-optimistic call to arms from duty instructor James Flory the preceding evening, there were just 5 or 6 hardy club members assembled in the fog-bound club house at 08:30 this morning. What was interesting, though, was that some of those members had travelled knowing that flying was unlikely but nevertheless, had come up to the club hoping to complete ground training towards specific individual goals. And so, following the first morale boosting highlight of the day – which was Vicki’s arrival and the opening of the café for a very welcome breakfast bap – duty instructor James was kept busy, with Andy Batchelor working his way through some AssCat groundwork, Kevin Fairburn taking the first, embryonic steps on the Bronze theory exam pathway, and Karen King heading for the simulator to practice launch failures. Under the watchful eye of James Flory, Andy Batchelor also used the simulator to practice some of his instructional patter on willing victim Karen King, with Kevin stepping in to set up and operate the simulator.
Karen and Andy supervised by James (Kevin Fairburn)
By lunchtime, the club house was starting to fill up, with more members arriving to complete various tasks around the club, or just popping in for a coffee and a chat. Christmas had also arrived, with Cheryl leading efforts to get the Christmas tree up in the clubhouse, adding a little Christmas cheer to a fairly gloomy, fog-bound day. Sadly, the fog refused to dissipate in time for any chance of flying, but the day certainly wasn’t wasted, with club members capitalising on the opportunity to use the simulator, complete their ground training goals and carry out various maintenance tasks around and about the club.
Simulated launch failures at North Hill (Kevin Fairburn)
The simulator was extensively used at the huge cost of precisely ZERO deduction from the flying account... What's not to love! It's been a fallow November for most of us, but if we can't fly there is no excuse, take advantage of all these fabulous resources to keep us as close to currency as possible... Spinning, cable breaks, practicing all these important and perishable skills, or using the simulator to fly anywhere in the world... Maybe another UK club or a ridge task flying in the Alps might be for you?
And, of course, as is the aviators tradition, we all discussed the inclement weather at length, and looked forward with hope to the spring! - Andy Batchelor and Kevin Fairburn
