Flying saucers??

For some dramatic recent photos of wave clouds (lenticulars) over Yorkshire, take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16302606.


The text refers to wave clouds as 'rare' and only occurring near large mountains like the Himalayas, we glider pilots of course know better. Though not as impressive as in these pics, wave occurs at Booker more often than you would think, especially in the winter when there are no pesky thermals to mess it up.

A brace of landouts!

Following on from Jim and Mike's adventure on Friday, FZA took off to clear sky but was cut off from the airfield by a snow shower that appeared from nowhere! Rather than try to fly through the snow and sleet, height was maintained in the lift on the edge of the shower and a good field selected in plenty of time and a safe field landing made. The retrieve was made in near darkness as HNK had to be rigged to make room for FZA!

Twas the Weekend before Christmas

Twas the weekend before Christmas, when all through the clubhouse,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The gliders were packed in the hanger with care,
In hopes that summer thermals soon would be there.

The pilots were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of final glides danced in their heads.
And Sheilagh in her ‘kerchief, and Sue in her cap,
Had just settled their brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the launch point there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the clubhouse to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The wind so strong blowing north side of west,
Gave Jim the idea, fly to the ridge at its best.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But the Pawneee and K21 to the rear.

With a little old driver, so lively and steady,
I knew in a moment it must be St Heggy.
More rapid than eagles his launches so stout,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called “launch All Out!”

Out on the ridge with good beats west and east,
Maintaining their height, 1400 feet at least.
Come says Jim this all very good but now let us press on,
Crossing Risborough a doddle and then on to Halton.

The joint decision is made and it’s time for best glide,
Setting course to the north what a wonderful ride.
The snow on Coombe Hill so fluffy and swell,
With height running out it’s not going well.

Children looked up low over the roof tiles of Wendover,
As a hearty cry went out – I have control the flight it is over.
The landing was smooth in the Aylsebury clay,
A soft muddy landing for Mike and his sleigh.

Elves duly arrived and carried it out all covered in mud,
An epic rig by the FOGers to much cursing sweat and blood.
The ground so crisp and icy that Crockett used his head,
He bashed into the tailplane – concussion, phew not dead!

Back at the apron where rumours’ abound,
Sat flying school planes tied firm to the ground.
The Duchess looked drained, things right on the verge,
But outcomes look up following a merge.

Sunday looms glorious so FZA with Rob has to fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, cloud showers in the sky.
Return to the airfield no longer an option it’s time to land out,
Field selection was good – winter wheat and not Sprout!

"Now Cooling! now, Phelps! now, Parker and Herman!
On, Williams! On, Hilary! On Davey and Richardson!
To the trailer park! to the top of the wall!
Now retrieve away! retrieve away! Retrieve away all!"

So off to Rockwell End they flew,
With the trailer full of HNK! and trestles too.
The light getting dim, cross field they plodded
The mud thick and sticky their shoes they were clodded.

With glider derigged all hearty and hale,
It was time to head back to the old Grouse and Ale.
But on arriving back at the clubhouse all frosty and cold,
Was an old man dressed in red standingever so bold.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a guffaw,
And away they all flew down the line of 24.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘noise abatement to the right’,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Anon

Ridge Day!

Unable to help ourselves, Mike and I set off for the ridge on Friday once the cloud lifted high enough. Local ridge seemed to work OK to about 1300 so, despite the lack of a decent vario we started off toward Halton.

What could possibly go wrong? I didn't do well....

Funny thing gliding...30 minutes flying, 3 hours retrieve, 3 hours cleaning and rerigging. What else would one want to do at the weekend??

Massive thanks to Heggy, Sue, and the ever resourceful Will for coming out to get us, Richard, Sarah, Glyn, and Steve B for helping clean and rig, and Mike for not being cross!

Jim

Serres 2012 & Bronze Lectures

The list for Booker Gliding Club’s trip to the French Alps (Serres) next year will be going up on the notice board on Saturday the 17^th December. The dates that are currently being planned for are the 9^th – 23^rd June. If you are interested please ensure you put your name on the list. This will again be an essentially two seater trip so if you are considering bringing your own glider please talk to Mike Collett, Doug Hilton and Geoff Tabbner. Due to the high-expected interest there will be a deposit of £150, which will be taken from your account. Any questions please feel free to ask.

Just in case you’re wondering why we go have a look at the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPvWblvIBp4&hd=1

Bronze Lectures

Also dates for your diaries the Bronze lectures which will be taking place on the following dates:

7^th January- Theory of Flight

14^th January- Theory of Flight part 2 & Instruments

21^st January- Navigation

28^th January- Meteorology

4^th February- Radio, Airmanship and Bronze C Exam

10:00am in the Briefing Room

The first frost of winter...

....and a glorious sunny day, with plenty of action at Booker. The FOG briefing on ground handling and the arcane art of glider parking was followed by a practical session on splicing, the participants all did very well. As to flying, there were instructor checks, aerobatics, members flying, and a visitor from Weston on the Green escaping from heavy objects falling from the sky at his usual airfield. The weather was ideal for all levels of experience.

The end of the day saw an attempt on the record for the maximum number of people required to derig a K21.

And then as we thawed out with hot tea in the clubhouse we were treated to a magnificent sunset.

Doctor Who fans look away

After last weeks days of low mist and fog, the weather has cleared each afternoon to be flyable and Friday has been particularly clear if somewhat breezy. This has enabled a fair amount of two seater training to take place plus several solo flights. The forecast for the weekend is good, so no excuses for not being there!

A reminder that there will be a meeting from 10.00 am in the Clubhouse this Sunday 27th to discuss our operations during the period of the 2012 Olympic Airspace Restrictions. Your input will be very welcome.

Other activities on the airfield included the fabulous noise from the Yak 11's radial engine as it was doing some high speed runs down the runway - hopefully it will be flying soon.

The other slightly unusual activity was the sight of Doctor Who's Tardis flying around the north western end of the airfield - fortunately it was not being flown underneath a New Zealand helicopter delivering Christmas trees so we should be safe from the Daleks for a while yet.

More November Sunshine

After a few days of very depressing low cloud and mist, the cold front went through around midday today and presented us with an excellent sky and visibility for the afternoon. Flights were taken by a couple of members in the K18 with the rest of the flying being taken by members on Basic and Intro courses. For a short period there were a couple of streets evident and one flight in the K21 managed 30 minutes soaring in the reduced sink that could be found under the cumulus - excellent considering the time of year and the fact that it was unflyable until 13:00.

John Herman with one of his students preparing to launch under a good looking sky

One note of caution for anyone flying with the low sun and low temperatures (especially on 24) is to ensure that canopies are spotlessly clean (as they should always be!) as visibility into sun is not always what it could be.

To infinity and beyond!

Well, it was a bloody long way to Aerospool in Slovakia and back. I took a leisurely 3 days to go down through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Austria -1122 miles from Booker. Despite that I managed to get nicked by German Hitler Yoof Politzei for overtaking a lorry where I should not have and then got stopped again in Slovakia for being foreign.

Aerospool are an interesting company, very friendly and very busy. In addition to refinishing gliders they are completing gliders for Schempp Hirth for which they have the agency, building parts such as tailplanes for SH, and build nearly 500 Dynamics / year (The Dynamic is a very nicely designed and built Rotax powered ultralight which can aerotow two seaters and cruise at 250KPH).

They have a nice airfield with a flying club just W of the Tatra mountains and say that the soaring in March and April is very good. We have an invite for an expedition!

The highlight of the tour was however the German motorised toilet. So good in fact that I had to bring you home a video!

More November sunshine

More warm November sunshine today - our hardier members were in T shirts - and plenty of flying, with a mix of trial lessons, course flying and members just having fun. With Graham around this of course included aerobatics, one of the K13s did most of one downwind leg looping.

The low inversion made horizontal visibility a bit murky.....


.........but looking down was just fine!

Bob Smith went for a flight in order to take some photos for his forthcoming FOG (Fundamentals of Gliding) briefing which will include tips on cable break options. Come along on Saturday 26 November at 0930 for a discussion on the fields shown below. Better still, come at 0845 and help unpack the hangar first.

November Barbecue and Gardening

Before anyone thinks we have lost the plot, Booker is still first and foremost a Gliding Club, however every now and again there is the need to do some necessary husbandry around the launch point and airfield boundaries.

There was an incredible turnout of members complete with a wide variety of loppers, chain saws and parangs who under Will Ellis' direction set about clearing part of the boundary on the south west corner of the airfield and a massive cleanup around the launch point and trailer park. It was very refreshing to see so many willing workers who stuck with it all day.

An impromptu barbecue was provided by Marnie and Dave Humprey to feed the masses for lunch which was extremely well received. Be warned there are more 'work parties' planned as there is still lots more to do but the effort is well worth it for the benefits you will get - please be willing to do your bit - notices will be put up and sent out for further dates.

A BIG thank you to all those who turned up and helped out, it is really appreciated.

With regard to flying, there is still plenty of activity weather permitting - the Aerobatics weekends are running as well as more general training, soaring and other activities planned.