Pilot's Playground

This satellite picture shows the UK when the gliding conditions are very good (near perfect) (taken on the 31st of August). A few 500km tasks were flown from Aston Down going as far east as Newmarket and as far north as Gainsborough. Note the cumulus cloud following the high pressure system centered on the UK.

Pilot's Playground

Pilot's Playground

Guillermo's first solo

Guillermo Sánchez flew his first solo today.
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First Solo

Peter Page flew his first solo today.
Peter Page

Planeur sur l'herbe

A recent cross country flight in the blue by Eugene ended here near the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh.
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Duo goes to the Black Mountains

The Duo Discus went out west today (4th April) and came back with these two images.

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Spring Newsletter

Here is the latest newsletter.

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Trip to Fleet Air Arm Museum

Bill Alden is organising a trip to Fleet Air Arm Museum on Thursday 15th April. Coach leaving Aston Down at 9am returning at about 6pm. Cost for coach and entry is £24 ( Over 65’s £22.50 )
Please let Pat know ASAP. Limited to 21

Two first solos in one day

21st March

Paul Mather Steve Treacy
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New Maps

The new Southern England and Wales maps edition 36 are in stock cost £15.99. Please let Pat know if you want one and she will leave it out for you.

Old pictures

Here are some pictures taken at Aston Down in about 1946 found in the collection of a late local photographer. Click on the image for the much larger original.

Mosquito T3 landing, Lancasters, one from 617 Squadron (Dambusters), and Tempest Vs on the ground.
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Lancaster with H2S radar landing.
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Wellington T Mk X RP556 No. 1689 (Ferry Pilot Training) Flight May 1947
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Thanks to Peter Coleman/TammyLynn Photography.

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Coming up

  • Town Hall Meeting - Team Ops.Sat, 4th September
  • Meteorology 1 - 18:30Sat, 11th September
  • Battle of Britain Airshow at KembleSat, 18th September
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Airfield blog

Sunday 29th & Monday 30th August

Posted August 31st, 10:21 by SEL

Sunday started with a forecast of brisk north westerlies and showery, with very gusty conditions on the cross runway and big showers we called it a day at 1.00pm after six flights with conditions becoming to gusty, we packed the kit away.

Monday's forecast was more promising, as a result there was a long que of private gliders most with tasks set, one K13 on the course and the other dealing with the suprisingly short club list. After helping my syndicate partner rig I spent the afternoon in the back of the K13 with the P2's clocking up nearly 3hrs flying while several private gliders taking trips to the Mynd.

Simon Lucas

Sat 28th Aug - A "Treasurer's Day"

Posted August 30th, 21:29 by geoffdixon

Or would've been if the wind had stayed more northerly. Today had a promising start with admitedly early Cu, but enough to get lots of private owners rigged. Pre 11:30 there were a few good soaring flights inlcuding the K13s but then the sky overdeveloped and the strengthening westerly meant we had to change ends to launch on 27. Those who had not yet launched duly formed a tidy queue of shiny plastic and waited patiently for their turn - alternating with the 2 seaters. No one was in a hurry as it was clearly quite hit or miss as to whether lift could be contacted. Your scribe launched to 1100 feet and scurried round a blue hole that had opened up and was rewarded with 3.3 knots to 2700. But then all the clouds lied through their teeth and I was back on the ground after 25 minutes. Other flights were a variation on this - some longer some just a circuit. Look forward to hearing about Sunday and Monday. The treasurer's day reference? Lots of lovely private owner launches. :)

Update from the Pocklington detachment.

Posted August 27th, 20:57 by MikeWeston

Thursday was a non comp day but Tony Parker took Sarah Z for a ride around in the Duo, John Bellamy had some aerotow practice in the DG with Richard and Jon instructing and the Wolds GC let Tony and Felix fly their Puchacz to allow Felix to complete most of his Bronze checks. On Thursday evening CGC triumphed by winning the quiz and making full use of the prize of a bar tab of £25 .
Friday was a competition day, the DG with Richard and Felix completing a 150km task and the Duo with Chris Ashworth and Mike W completing the 222km task.. The Ventus also went around the 150km task. Forecast is for another comp day tomorrow and we are hopeful for Sunday..

Pocklington Expedition

Posted August 25th, 18:49 by MikeWeston

10 club members arrived at Pocklington on Saturday with the Duo Discus and DG500 as well as an assortment of caravans, camper vans and tents for the 2 seater Competition.
Sunday was the first competition day and the DG500 flown by Darren Edge and Richard Kill completed a 181km task while the Duo with Tony Parker and Mike Weston completed a 302km task. Jon Huband took the Ventus around a 220km tour of Yorkshire. Monday and Tuesday were non comp days but we still managed to fly on Tuesday with Sarah Zanoni and Tony Chapman enoying about 90 minutes each in the DG and Duo respectively.

Wednesday was a comp day which looked rather good to start with but proved to be quite difficult, the Duo with Chris Ashworth and Tony Parker landed at Sutton Bank, aerotowing home and the DG with Jon Huband and Tony Chapman onboard landed near Goole. The Ventus had another small Yorkshire tour but needed the help of the turbo. The forecast up here seems better than the south of England so we are hopeful of some more competition days.

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Results can be found at the Wolds site on - http://www.wolds-gliding.org/comps/2010/tsc2010_frame.htm

...Mike

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