The July course ended on many high notes, after 5 days of very successful flying. The weather played ball with some great soaring conditions although the wind could have been a little better behaved at times, and as for the temperature it just got hotter!
July course (Angela Pitts)
All the course members managed to either achieve their goals or make good inroads to them. Karen King and Harry Rigby both re-soled and had great soaring flights, Julian West finished his card checks had a few great flights in the Junior and is ready for the next step and do his Bronze. Chris Coville completed his card checks and was soon soaring like he’d never been away, Mike Meatyard made great steps back to regaining his currency and finishing his card checks and last but by no means lease Benjie Pitts flew brilliantly all week leading to his first solo on Friday at just 14 years old, with proud and slightly nervous mum watching! Well done Benjie, probably the youngest qualified solo pilot in the country right now!!
Stuart Procter congratulates Benjie Pitts - first solo at 14yrs (Karen King)
On top of all this several people on the course and other club members will be submitting badge claims following the great conditions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Chris Coville - Silver height gain (on Friday)
Julian West - Silver height gain (on Wednesday)
Josh Howlett - Silver/Gold duration and Silver height gain (on Thursday)
Kevin Fairburn - Silver height gain (on Thursday)
As always the course couldn’t have been such a success without the support from the course helpers. Our thanks goes to Mike Rigby, the ever present Dave Perriam, Tom Sides and Nicholas Johnson. Special thanks also go to Angela Pitts, Benjie’s mum who stepped in and helped to run the launch point. Vicky as always served up excellent food throughout in a kitchen which must have felt more like an oven.
Overall a hot but very successful course. - James Flory and Stu Procter
