The continuing poor weather is definitely having an impact on the level of
operations, fortunately we have a large intake of ab-initios this season
which is keeping the number of launches up. Ironically, although most
longer-standing Club members are having a quiet time the basic training
system is working overtime to maintain the level of service to our new
members - so if you are not getting the amount of flying you desire in your
own glider (and who is?), and you have an under-used Instructor's rating,
why not turn up on the not so good days and sit yourself in a K13 to pass
on your experience?

Cross country week – 14^th to 18^th August. We now have twelve entrants to this Booker style task week. Format will be as close to comp flying as possible with grid launches and held starts, but with extensive debriefing after the task so you can work out more easily where it went wrong…… or right of course.

We’ll also have the Duo flying and may do some lead and follow or pair flying if required. Anyone else who wants to come and play – let me know.

Operations – all pilots please note that a trial is running which has temporarily changed the shape of the power circuit when working on 25. You will already be aware that when they come off the runway aircraft then turn slightly left to avoid noise sensitive areas. At the moment they are turning much further left, climbing out on a heading of approx 235°. This puts the climb out very much more in our way and is a definite hazard especially when returning on final glides from the west. In the early stage of the climb anyone in a Cessna will not be able to see you coming the other way. The glider will be in the blind spot underneath the cowling. I understand that this is only a trial – we have made our views felt and I hope we will soon revert to the original situation. Until then please exercise the utmost caution when flying in this area and avoid the new climb out path whenever possible.

Competition results – an excellent result at the 18m nationals for ex Booker course instructor Keith Nicholson. 1^st is OK! Another Booker member John Coutts managed to get even more points but as he was flying hors concours it doesn’t give him the cup. In the Open Class Chris Rollings made 4^th and Jed Edyvean 10^th. Full results on the board and on the web site.

What will the rest of the competition year bring? Better weather than at the Opens I hope.

Course members – if you have a slot booked for instruction please help us by turning up on time. You only need to phone the office if the weather is dodgy, otherwise be here by 0830 for a morning slot and 1330 for the afternoon. Late starts and no shows are costing us time and money. We need to catch up on launches after a poor spell of weather so let’s get out there and get on with it.

Finally for those members flying club gliders: clean the bugs off when you have finished!!!!!!

That’s all for now.

• After flying return the tray with batteries to the office for recharge.

• Leave the red clamp and bolt in the aircraft.

• Put the tray in the aircraft after rigging.

• Remove the tray from the aircraft before de-rigging.

Roy Scott

FOR SALE: ½ Share in mini Nimbus Comp No 286 – £7,500 (was £8,500)

Built in 1978 15 m3543 (carbon wings), flapped glider with large comfortable cockpit. Instruments include Cambridge M-NAV; Garmin GPS; Becker 720 radio; fitted large capacity oxygen system; Schofield trailer with AMF fittings. Strong parachute.

The glider is light to rig with self connecting controls; approach control is superb on trailing edge flap/brakes: this makes for much less stress in field landing situations and at sites like Talgarth.

The kit comes with a reasonably affable syndicate partner.