Hi everyone, this is the regular Thursday posting to let you know what is coming up in the near future.
Airspace
Sorry to keep badgering about this but it is important. Please can you review below and help wherever possible, the deadline is looming
https://members.gliding.co.uk/representation-and-consultations/oxford-and-raf-brize-norton-acps/
AGM and Presentation (Christmas) dinner.
The AGM was held on Saturday and was well attended. I am delighted to announce that James Moore is the new treasurer and we thanked Simon Towers for his hard work. The Christmas dinner was its usual superb standard, the catering was terrific and Denise managed to cover the ground with liberal amounts of snow and put up Christmas decorations in the club house. This year we amended the presentations by awarding the trophies and, new this year, CFI and Chair commendations.
The AGM had a question and answer session afterwards. The key concerns from the BGA are Airspace and participation. See airspace below, James Moore gave a very cogent overview of our marketing strategy and one of the key elements is attendance at events like Octoberfest and Ludlow festival. Please, if you would like to promote the sport and your club, then contact marketing@midlandgliding.club to offer your help for an hour
Awards
The Siam trophy went to Dominic for his fantastic flight in Wales, the Bob Neill went to Holly Harris for best ab initio, Hardwick to Mark Sanders for his circumnavigation of Birmingham, Maxam to Julian Fack for his work on the Vitaras.
The CFI commendations were:-
Matthew Cook for his performance at the Dan Smith Memorial Trophy Aerobatics Competition
Harry Entwhistle – for his performance at the National Gliding Aerobatics Competition
Mark Sanders – for organising and energising the Cross Country Development Group.
CFI achievements: 1st Solo: – Holly Harris, Nick Le Gras. Bronze C with Cross Country Endorsement: –
Tim Brunskill, Steve Ward, Geoff Dailey, Mark Williams. Silver C: – Geoff Dailey, Rob Shepperd.
The Chair’s commendation went to Howard Bradley for his work on the road and the apron.
Your team this weekend is:
Friday: Mark Sanders, Peter Orchard
Saturday: Walter Baumann, Peter Orchard
Sunday: Mike Witton, David Brown
Monday: Chris Alldis, Allan Reynolds, Stephen Alexander
Forthcoming events
Get checked week
This starts on Sunday, call the office to see if there are spaces. Don’t forget April is when all the records are set.
Aim Higher at the Mynd 7-11 May.
Last year’s Aim Higher courses precipitated our busiest XC season at the Mynd with a best ever 79 flights totalling 14500km recorded on the club ladder, SIX Silver Distances during the season, and Dominic flying the first ever 500km FAI triangle in Wales (an achievement recognised by the BGA with an award at last week’s BGA annual conference).
This year we are running the full five day course from 7 – 11 May.
Aim Higher lead, Kevin Atkinson, will once again be taking the reins, with informative, entertaining and thought provoking briefings in the mornings, lots of opportunities for XC flying, both solo and dual, as soon as it gets soarable, and debriefs once the hangar doors have closed!
As last year, the charge will be a nominal £10 per person per day to cover expenses, with flying at normal club rates.
Build on your achievements in 2017; aim to take your flying to new heights in 2018; kick start your season with a group of like-minded pilots and get yourself booked in today by phoning or emailing the office – Aim Higher!
Easter Junior Camp
The Club will be running an Easter Camp for junior members in the week commencing 9 April. All junior members are welcome to join for just one day or all week. Flying training and briefings will be given, and concentrated flying on opportunities like this is a sure way to make good progress. If any junior member is interested, please book a place through the office.
As with coming along to the Club on any day, the consent of a parent or guardian is required and you will have to arrange transport. If you want to stay at the Club overnight, please speak with the office about the special arrangements for this.
There will be no extra cost and you will just pay for whatever flying you do in the normal way plus food.