14Sep13 - Photos from Saturday

Photos from Saturday

14-Sep-13

Steve Chapman was the rostered Tug Pilot and had arranged for one of his RC (Remote Control) Aircraft flying friends Nick Clifford and his partner Tash Wynne to join us for their first ever glider flights.

It appeared that Nick was there to provide a special surprise for Tash and had little intention of flying himself, however we had him in QA and in the air before he could decide to say "no".

The following photos from Nick and Tash show just how much they enjoyed their day at the airfield ...

Ready for take-off, Nick in QA with instructor David Higgs - photo Tash Wynne

Off he goes! ... they are hooked-up to the tug and just about to commence the ground roll, Nick with David Higgs visible in the rear seat - photo Tash Wynne

Tash readies herself for the flight as Kevin Rodda does the pre-flight checks - photo Nick Clifford

Alan Graham provides the ground crew service as CQC (with Tash visible in the front seat) is about to be hooked up to the tug - photo Nick Clifford

the tow up ... in CQC behind the Pawnee tug OJT (with Steve Chapman at the controls) - photo Tash Wynne

The tug descends after we release - photo Tash Wynne

Do I wanna have a turn at the controls? Ummmmmm, let me think about that ... we are on our own now, no motor to gain height with - photo Tash Wynne

Funnnn! Tash enjoying the experience (with Kevin Rodda in the rear seat lowering the main wheel as they prepare to join crosswind from the south of the field for the right hand landing circuit into runway 30) - photo Tash Wynne

One of the greatest joys for me in the gliding club environment is the nice people you meet when they come out to the airfield to experience gliding for the first time.

Having the privilege of sharing with them their first gliding experience is an awesome honour ... seeing their (sometimes) nervous facial expressions turn into ear-to-ear grins is an absolute blast every time!

Fly safe, and always maintain a good lookout!

Regards,

Kevin Rodda