Booker Gliding

Finally it has stopped raining and given us three days of gliding, though today a slight shower produced a good rainbow.




Today was also Mike Richardson's last day in the tug before his impending move to pastures new in Welshpool. Mike joined Booker in 1990 after learning to fly at Wolds GC while he lived in Hull. As well as gliding, he has contributed hugely to the club as a Full Cat instructor and a tug pilot, in fact he spent 3 years working full time as an instructor. He also provided the bus webcam and supplied the club's branded clothing.


Mike in his natural habitatOne particular memory is the day he completed his first 300k, Yate-Worcester. Here he is having a post-flight drink, hiding behind Nick Hoare, along with Roland Wales (crew) and someone else who had also done the task.

Nick, Mike, Jane, RolandWe wish Mike all the best in his new home.

As is so often the case, the Aboyne weather saved the best till last, and those who stayed on for Saturday experienced some excellent flying - nice climbs, not too windy, not too cloudy, lots of kms flown.  Here is a sample of the day...

The back of Lochnagar - a bit like the far side of the Moon
Nuff said
The usual view of Lochnagar
Morvern with a sprinkling of snow
Spot the two RAF airfieldsIt was a week for a lot of 'firsts', in particular for our two pre-solo pilots Andy and Dan, including flying the Duo, wave, height, distance, tarmac runways - and also Maddi who towed 318 all the way back. Last words from Dave Byass:
It was a fantastic week, partly due to the wx and also due to everyone mucking in and getting on with it. So: thanks for all the help on the ground, thanks for not flying in airspace, and thanks for not crashing anything! Special thanks to Andy and Dan for being so open to learning in what must have been an occasionally daunting environment. Specially special thanks to Richard, who did a huge amount of organising as well as the flying, which meant I only did fun stuff. Hope next year is as good...
And of course thanks to Deeside Gliding Club for hosting us yet again.

The forecast was for more strong southwesterlies, and the wind at height was 50kts or more, but it was possible to climb, although it required a Duo or similar to make progress into wind. 315 and 316 made it to 17,000ft, where it was very cold indeed, and 315 went on a couple of excursions up the Dee and round Lochnagar.

The Dee past Braemar
Moray Firth from 17,000ft

The wind was still SW but not as strong as yesterday so in theory there should have been some nice wave without too much of the bumpy stuff. The early launches with the two seaters were back on the ground fairly quickly and there was a pause for coffee and other refreshments. Towards the middle of the day the sky settled down and it was possible to climb for short periods - between the times when showers came through and there were no gaps in the black layer at 4,000ft. It wasn't a day for long cross country flights or height gains but still interesting. There's always something to learn.

The view from 13,500ft
An evening view of the fires which were burning on Morvern all day

Today the wind was from the south west, which means it was just a tad rough on tow and in the circuit. It was also a bit cloudy. However, it was possible to find climbs up to 15,000ft or so, and some people followed the wave bar to Feshiebridge.

A bit cloudy.....
.......but clear near the airfield

Today the wind was south of west and quite damp so there was a lot of cloud above 9,000ft, with a line of showers to the west which never made it through the wave. Coming off tow into 8kts of lift set the trend for the day. Everyone had a go, there were no massive height gains to be had because of the cloud but it was possible to explore up the valleys and over to Grantown on Spey.

It got better
Statutory pic of sunset over clouds
On the way back from the Spey valley
Sunset from the groundAt least we didn't have to derig in the dark today.

The weekend was a bit showery, though it was possible to do the occasional flight between showers. One pilot from another club learnt the hard way that you need to have a Plan A, and a Plan B, and a Plan C - viewed from the inside of a cloud the world doesn't look that great. He got back in the end though, with a bit of help from 315.

Today the morning was sunny and completely calm, so circuit practice seemed to be the order of the day, but after lunch the wind picked up and there was a lemming like rush for the launch queue. Success of the day was Mark Dyos who converted to the Pegase and promptly climbed to FL92.

Ready to go
Lochnagar
Ben Macdui
The Lecht
Last of the light
'ello 'ello what's going on 'ere?

Yesterday we believed the forecast and got to the airfield early, so there was plenty of time to enjoy the frost, the mist in the valleys, the sunshine - and the total lack of wave. Well....there was a tiny bit, and Richard did eventually manage a couple of flights to around 6,000ft, but mostly it was just not quite strong enough for a climb, and very confusing.

Today there was no doubt. It rained. A lot. Alternative occupations varied. One party went to Loch Muick.

Very wetAnother couple of carloads went to Newburgh Seal Beach where there were lots of ........seals.....floating up the river on the incoming tide.

Wondering where the incoming tide will go next
Sea. Seals. Rain
The prize for adventure, though not for scenic views, goes to Jacek and Howard, who climbed up Lochnagar in cloud.

The route
Nice view
The summit

SuccessThere is wave in the forecast tomorrow, but also rain, so we will have to wait and see.

Congratulations to Michael Criseil who went solo in a glider for the first time. A long time power pilot he has come along to try out something new. The smile on his face shows he enjoyed it and cannot wait to do more.

There was just time for a quick sortie to 10,000ft for 315 this morning before the front arrived, and some rain. Most people went to the Black Faced Sheep for a cake fix. Later in the afternoon the sky cleared and 315 launched again, along with Howard in his new Ventus, and climbed to around 6,000ft before descending into the sunset.

Waiting for the tug
Morning wave
Later that same day
Howard and a lot of wing

Today the early morning was obscured by clouds - or mist, depending on viewpoint. However, the sky cleared and the sun came out and the benign conditions favoured circuit practice and Mark Dyos, who had his first wave flight yesterday, today achieved his first Aboyne solo.

The grin says it allOther activities included a walk round Craigendarroch and a check on local teashops and outdoor clothing shops.

Field landing assessment

Most people arrived on Saturday after a remarkably easy drive - no pouring rain, no hold ups, beautiful scenery and cloudscapes - so on Sunday there was plenty of energy for rigging the Duo and the K21 for check flights.

Today was warm and sunny with nil wind, so the early flights were difficult to sustain - although Richard and Jacek had a memorable encounter soaring with a golden eagle. Later on it was possible with care to find a mix of thermal and wave with the max height being around 6,000ft. Everyone flew, so we are now ready for anything!

Early morning mist
Loch Muick from not very high AGL
Mount Keen
EvidenceDee Valley
Looking good in the Aberdeen airway

The picture above shows the setting for Birkellunn log cabin, our accommodation for week 2. It's in the centre of the pic and the Cambus O May bridge on the river Dee points at it!

Lochs and Morvern viewed from the south.
Bit of a flat sky, but it looked nice

The sun shone, the sky was blue - but the wind was just a little too brisk for some of the more feather-like vintage gliders. But the launchpoint was busy all day with training flights and trial lessons in the K21s and people having fun in the syndicate T21 and Robin's Jaskółka. The day finished with Graham flying aeros in his Luňák, after which everyone retired to the clubhouse for one of John Hubb's barbeques. Today the weather has broken and rain is stopping play.

How many people does it take to rig a Jaskółka?
T21 fun
George taking it seriously, under Robin's watchful eye

Well some historic aircraft at least.  Today more than 15 club members took advantage of the opportunity for a flight in a historic aeroplane.  The Shuttleworth Tiger Moth and Miles Magister came to Booker for the day.  Shuttleworth and Booker Gliding Pilots Andy Monk (Tiger Moth) and  Richard Crockett (Magister) were joined by RAF Test Pilot Willy Hackett (Magister), and they gave each of their guests a great demonstration of formation flying and of the handling characteristics of these fine old aircraft.
Many of us got some great photographs and here are some examples from John Otty, Jeremy Gilbey and Bob Smith, maybe you will want a go next year!

If you like the sight of these older aircraft then don't forget that next weekend we have the WHISPERING WARDROBES VINTAGE GLIDER event. Come along and have a go in the club T21, you never know what other vintage glider you may end up in a thermal with.






Ah, so that's why you wear a crash helmet.

Keep an eye on the RPM Biggles.

We were invited once again to take our sim to West London Aero Club's Members' Day fundraising event - raising money for Air Ambulance and the RAF Benevolent Fund. It's a really good day out, with some exciting air displays to distract us from offering sim sessions to those attending.

Henry chatting to a former Booker member who happened to be passingMany thanks to Bob Smith for towing the sim there and back, and to Henry Ross, David Humphreys and Chris Collett for staffing - and to Ann Tabbner who came along to help us pack everything up.

We are very sad to announce that Emily lost her life on Saturday 24th August while teaching aerobatics in her Pitts. We offer our condolences to Mike and to both Mike's and Emily's families.

It's a while since anything has been posted, so here are a couple of pics. There have been plenty of good cross country days recently. Lots of cross country activity during August, and a huge number of flights in the last couple of weeks for the Air League.  Today is the last day of Dunstable regionals and Junior Nationals. Booker pilots are doing well in these competitions with a possibility of podium finishes (you gotta be optimistic). Read all about it in the next newsletter, Saturday was a great blue thermic day for trial lessons and training, with good climbs to 4000 Ft later in the day.  A couple of notable events, a trial lesson for sprightly 97 year old Denys and a flight in the T21 for the slightly younger Mr and Mrs Monk.

97 year old Denys Ovenden and his pilot Matt Porter.Andy and Charlotte take to the air in  Snoopy, the T21.