Booker goes back to school

At the invitation of one of our members, James, who is Head of Engineering at Chalfonts Community College, we took the sim along for two days for the Year 11 students currently considering their 6th form options to explore. As well as aerodynamics they were also interested in the engineering and design aspects of the sim construction - the servos which provide feedback and replicate the stick forces experienced in real flight. Other students throughout the school also had an opportunity to fly during breaks, as did some of the staff, so we were kept busy. We hope to welcome a school group to the airfield in due course.

Somewhere over Bucks

Another busy day

This morning the Bronze lectures continued, with Bob Smith demystifying things like the importance of L/D for calculating final glides, why flaps make a difference, what happens to VNE at 20,000ft.... he even explained G relief. After all of this, and a cup of tea, one person was shut away in the briefing room for a go at the Bronze paper. News has yet to emerge of how he got on, hope he's not still in there.

Meanwhile, out on the airfield the sun was shining and people were enjoying the thermals, amongst them Chris Rowland who celebrated the 50th anniversary of his first flight in a glider. That flight was in a T21 with Blackpool and Fylde GC, then based at Samlesbury, near Preston, but now renamed Bowland Forest GC and based at Chipping, still near Preston. His anniversary flight was in a Junior - considerably less draughty.

Chris in 312

Here is a nice picture of today's sky, taken by Chris on an earlier flight in the Falke.

And this is what the sky looked like as it got more showery - and wavy.

Jim’s XC Skills Development Lecture

The winter briefings continued this Saturday with an interactive session from Jim White on “XC Skills Development”.  The assembled audience were challenged to declare their cross-country or development objectives, examine the barriers to personal progress, look at “process goals” and plan actions that will bring them closer to achieving their objectives.  Jim’s (and Tim Scott’s) enthusiasm for improving their own cross country skills and sharing their knowledge with aspiring high-fliers was clearly evident.  If you want to develop your cross-country flying these guys can, literally, point you in the right direction!

Meanwhile, out on the (rather chilly) airfield there was much activity with probably the busiest day of the year so far - the good weather bringing out many members from hibernation.

A fine day for looking at the view

Another fine day on the airfield.  Deceptively warm in the January sunshine. A few hardy souls made it to the 06 launch-point and then got their feet in the air.  There was some instructor development and a few quarter clovers.
Nothing special to report, but thought I'd blog a pic anyway.  It was great sitting in the back of the K21 checking out the local topography highlighted by the low winter sun; it almost reminded me of the Black Mountains!
Puzzle of the day - Question 1. Spot the windmill in this pic?

If you are new to Booker then if you enlarge the pic (by clicking on it) Turville Windmill is the tiny white blob on the ridge just right of centre at the bottom edge of the pic. This ridge can be a good thermal trigger with a little bit of wind to help.
Question 2. Spot the airfield!

Saturday's mystery object

The Winter Briefings continued yesterday with an introduction to Meteorology, well attended by members and once more by visitors from the Upward Bound Trust, Haddenham. Since I was the one giving the briefing I can't really give myself a review, but those attending seemed to enjoy the morning. No prizes for working out what the visual aid below was demonstrating.

Hint: the screw is the North Pole*

And if you really want to learn about weather you could do a lot worse than do the Open University's short online course Come Rain or Shine run by the University of Reading. It lasts 3 weeks, 3 hours a week, and you can study when and where you like.

Don't miss next week's talk on XC skills development by Jim White.

*Coriolis effect

Plenty to do on a foggy Saturday

The 2017 Winter Series of briefings (for aspiring Bronze pilots and others) got off to a good start with a full house for Steve Williams as he de-mystified navigation for an audience which included some visitors from the Upward Bound Trust at Haddenham.

The next briefing is Meterology on Saturday 14th January.

Steve shining a light....

Meanwhile in the hangar an assorted team set about de-rigging the T21, a complex process requiring hammers and quite a lot of supervision.

Richard with a lofty view of proceedings

John taking over the supervision

The team then retired to the clubhouse to thaw out with tea.

2017 Bronze briefings

Winter Briefings 2017

If you are working towards your Bronze badge, want a bit of a recap or are thinking of becoming an instructor, the Winter briefings are for you. On Saturdays throughout January and February, starting at 10am in the briefing room. All welcome.

 

7^th January            Navigation - Steve Williams

14^th January          Meteorology - Jane Moore

21^st January          XC Skills Development - Jim White

28^th January          Flight Planning and Performance - Bob Smith

4^th February           Mountain Soaring - Geoff Tabbner

12^th February         No lecture: Aboyne Expedition

18^th February         XC Meteorology - Jim White

25^th February         Field Landings - William Parker and Richard Crockett

TBC                       Radio Telephony - Ashley Birkbeck

                              Task Flying - Tim Scott

                              Principles of Flight - Symeon Economou

Weird December sky

It's been a bit foggy this week but on Tuesday we had some welcome winter sun. Visibility below about 1500ft was poor, but higher up the air was perfect for some aerobatic practice, with the top of the inversion giving a perfect horizon. The low level murk formed itself into what looked remarkably like wave bars, at about 1000ft, but they didn't provide any noticeable lift. Very pretty from above though.

The view from the launch point.....

.....and from above

Higher up

 

Into the sun

Winter Saturday

Not a bad Saturday considering some forecasts suggested fog and much cloud.  The early mist cleared by mid morning, and a number of trial lessons and club members took to the sky.  Later there was some low cloud about, but with sufficient gaps to tow above them for spectacular views, including some ghostly shadow effects...

Sunny November afternoon - 1st Solo

A crisp sunny Friday saw Peter Jones make his first solo in 316. Peter joined the club around May 2016 and his hard work all came together today. Congratulations !

Richard congratulation Peter Jones after his 1st Solo in 316