Varied aviation at Chiltern Park

We have continued with solo gliding when weather allows, but the other day we were entertained by the wing walking Stearman which came over from Dunkeswell and performed five displays with some brave customers. We carried on flying - having switched our circuit to the west to keep out of the way - and it all went smoothly, with a few gyrocopters and microlights added to the mix. It's great to be at an airfield where different types of aviation are all welcome, and operate alongside each other with no conflicts. Here are a few pics of the day's excitement - no captions necessary!

Booker's Chiltern Park Challenge

For a bit of fun, and to test Covid comp rules, Jim White directed a mini comp this weekend, using Nils Wedi's weather forecasts and Distance Handicap Task rules. Saturday came with a stiff breeze but a 6,000ft cloudbase allowed for a 200k task, zigzagging so as not to venture too far from the airfield. The winner was Denis Campbell in his starship, with Met Man Nils Wedi 2nd and Bob Smith 3rd. The day finished with a bbq. Sunday sadly did not come up with good enough weather for safe flying so we scrubbed. However, the weekend was a success in proving that we can run a comp safely in the current environment - all we need is the weather.

Denis launching on his winning flight

Dinner

Evening weather

Booker at Chiltern Park

We're still at Chiltern Park, still having fun. Duo Discus 315 has been retrieved from Lleweni Parc where it was on loan to Denbigh Gliding, as well as being available for members to drive up and spend some time in the Welsh wave. GH is also back on the fleet after a spell with the GSA. More people have brushed off the cobwebs and returned to flying - though still only single seaters. We have welcomed a couple of new members - Rob Hines and his beautiful Libelle, and old friend Paul Brice who is returning to gliding after a few years of powered aeros.

Rob landing his Libelle

Duo Discus back from its holiday in Wales

GH back on the fleet

Booker flies again

After three long months of lockdown, the ban on recreational flying was relaxed on 22 May and those lucky enough to be solo were able to get back in the air. We are currently based at Chiltern Park while we wait for Wycombe Air Park to open fully again. In the meantime we are having a lot of fun flying well set tasks which enable fast times while not venturing too far and staying close to airfields and strips  - in these troubled times we don't want to upset those less fortunate than us by landing in their field. It must be hugely frustrating for those needing check flights and we hope for an early solution to the two seater flying problem.

We are grateful to the BGA for their efforts in getting the ban lifted, to Dennis Pearson of Chiltern Airsports for making us feel at home, to RAF Benson for understanding gliding, and to CFI Richard for setting it all up.

Remember Soaring?

Found a video from Easter 2017. This is what soaring was like....

More fun at Denbigh

Today was good fun. We started with thermals all along the ridge, then they died and the ridge started working, and we finished the day with some pre-frontal wave with climbs to 8,000ft or so. Here are some pics:

River Conwy

Prestatyn

Moel Famau again

Booker on tour - Spring expedition

Here we are again at Lleweni Parc, near Denbigh in North Wales, where our Duo Discus 315 has spent the winter. Chris Gill the CFI says he has ordered up some nice weather for us and it's certainly be OK so far. Yesterday there was a bit of wave and today the ridge and thermals were working well. Here are a few pictures of the local scenery.

Bob Smith's view of the coast from wave yesterday

Richard's view today from a bit lower down

Jubilee Tower on top of Moel Famau, highest hill in the Clwydian range.
The tower was built in 1810 for the Jubilee of George III

Meanwhile back at Booker we are open, and operating whenever the weather allows, so come along and get out in the fresh air and fly.

Booker's Duo Discus is on holiday in North Wales

Booker's Duo Discus has been stationed at Lleweni Parc - home to Denbigh Gliding Club - for the winter, and various members have taken the opportunity to get some fantastic wave soaring. Below is a selection of pics from their visits.

Any Booker member is welcome to go and have some fun in Wales, as long as you have linked up with an instructor to fly with you. Best way is to join the Booker XC Whatsapp group - ask Richard.

Bird's eye view of Denbigh and the airfield

Ridge running

Wave........

..........more wave....

 

......and more......

......and a perfect wave bar

Graham Morfey, 1937 - 2019

A message from Graham's son Alistair:

Graham Morfey died peacefully at home on Monday 2nd December. His wife, Margaret, and children were with him.

Graham took up gliding in later life. He loved the sport and Booker Gliding Club - he served as Treasurer for several years. Graham also had sailing and boats in his blood, from his first Mirror Dinghy to the Bowman 45 (Flight of Time) that he and Margaret sailed around the world. Graham and Margaret celebrated their Diamond Wedding anniversary in June this year.

His funeral will be at St Mary's Church, Whitchurch on Thames, RG8 7DG at 1.30pm on Monday 16th December. All friend and members are welcome.

Alistair also sent these photos of Graham in happier times.

Farewell with a rainbow

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 habitat

One 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, Roland

We wish Mike all the best in his new home.