Booker Gliding Club
Wycombe Air Park
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 3DP
t; 01494 442501
info@bookergliding.co.uk
Our Newsletters |
2012
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
Nothing sweet about those April showers from a gliding point of view, nevertheless we have had a few soarable days and a pair of excellent badge achievements and an outstanding party for Mike Collett. The Thame project has reached the tracked vehicles stage and the list is open for Serres with a couple of vacancies yet to be filled. Volunteers are needed to support the marketing team who are taking a glider to glorious Goodwood. Please let Jane or Chris Collett know if you can help. Best wishes to Mike from all the members of the club.
This month we have a special emphasis on airspace from Mike and from Doug Hilton as we gear up for the Olympic restrictions. Denis gives us a fascinating insight into the role of emotion in decision making and Jane sums up a great week at Talgarth.
Mike introduces a new Daily Inspection system, the pre-season lecture programmes are in full swing and we re-print a letter from the BGA about the vital importance of making uninterrupted rigging checks - with a hair-raising story to emphasise the point. There's a bit about Lady Mary Heath - remember her? Of course you don't. And Dave Humphries takes us back to Crazy Creek Soaring in sunny California.
This month the underlying themes are currency, safety and getting prepared to make the most of the soaring season. If you want to steer the agenda for Jim's Cross Country Lectures sign up now. Prompted by the summer's Thame outing and the prospect of local soaring in the Oxford area, Doug Hilton gives us an unusual insight into what's going on in power cockpits in that part of the world (plus the most painful photograph ever published in the newsletter!). Jeremy G's Ladder Corner reminds us of the use we can make of posted flights to improve our own performance.
News of Booker's best wave day in many years, alongside reminders about Tug Operations - especially with the airfield in a soggy state - about Bob S's Foundation Of Gliding lectures, and setting goals for 2012. The editor takes a brief look at the background to gliding at Thame. And Ben C fondly remembers his time at Booker. Plus, as ever, a timely reminder about currency from Mike.
2011
So we come to the end (almost) of an eventful and successful year for the club. There's an impressive list of badge achievements and activities that range from Alpine soaring to beating back the undergrowth at the airfield. Plus a summary of who has done what on the BGA ladder. Emily T updates us on what the club has been doing for cubs and scouts. Bob S updates the FOG lecture schedule. There's a request from Jim and pictures from the Awards Dinner at the Grouse and Ale. Happy Christmas!
Mike gives us an overview of winter activities, news of two important get-togethers in the offing, and details of this winter's FOG briefings. Plus, some feedback from one of the best BGC expeditions to Aboyne for years!
This month Geoff looks ahead to challenges like the rent review that's coming up. Jane reports on the Henley Show and Jeremy Gilbey takes a look at the Club Ladder, particularly showing us who has flown furthest this year and how this year compares with the preceding two years.
In this issue Jane Moore gives some tips on getting a badge at Aboyne we have pictures by Linden Porter from the post-stadium barbecue party, a new course format for the winter based on two long weekends and a call for volunteers to help out at the Henley Show later this month.
Geoff catches the mood of the moment and flags up the 'End of the Stadium' Party. Denis reports on real improvements in the Olympic position and reminds turbo users about the noise abatement zones. Mike has a timely reminder about outlanding safety. Robert Turner recalls the recent Silver Course and Doug Hilton details some terrific achievements by the club's cadets
A slightly slimmer than usual edition this month largely due to a crash of the computer variety. But that's resolved and this month starts with a reminder from Geoff about the August Task Week; there's a very special picture from Graham Saw and some great feedback from the Serres expedition. All we need now is this current rainy spell (and the stadium) to get lost.
With the Editor away in sunnier climes there will be no cartoons in this slim edition. However, we do have a comprehensive report of the new Booker Rules comp and a cautionary tale from one of the competitors, useful info about flight analysis and an unmissable opportunity for some open air fun, plus news and updates about events in and around the club. Normal service will be resumed next month.
Keep an eye on the blog for news of the imminent Serres expedition.
Happy reading from your guest editor, Jane M.
As befits a season getting under way with some great
soaring weather we have a packed issue this month. We
have reports from the Aerobatics Comp and the Booker
Rules Competition; members' achievements that include
Nick Newton completing all three Diamonds; reminders of
forthcoming expeditions to Serres and Aboyne and a great
article by Sam Gervais about his work experience stint with
BA Engineering. Denis Campbell also reports on the Olympic
Airspace situation. Thanks to all the contributors who
submitted articles despite the pressures of a particularly
busy month.
William P
This issue of the Newsletter begins with a few cautionary points from Mike Collett as we shake off post winter rustiness. There are reminders about two Comps at Booker, the Booker Rules Competition and the Easter Egg Aerobatics Competition. The Evening Groups are relaunching for 2011 on Wednesdays and Fridays and we hope to have a Thursday Group organized by next month. There is a comprehensive briefing for tuggies from the Tug Team and a report from the Leisure Exhibition at Windsor Racecourse where the club exhibited and attracted a lot of positive attention. Plus other interesting snippets of info and news. As, ever thanks to all contributors.
William P
This month we have a letter from Chiltern Park explaining where we can land with effect from August this year, a note from Dave Caunt about how to sign up to fly with him in the Duo and details of a vacancy for a course instructor for the summer season. There is further explanation of the Club Ladder from the new ladder steward Jeremy Gilbey, articles on the Booker Rules Comp and on the structure of new courses for 2011 by Jane Moore. Last but not least we have a brilliant article by Will Hilton about the recent Air League visit to fly a BA 777 simulator. As ever, thanks all round to the many contributors that make this, yet again, an edition packed with useful and interesting info.
William P
This month is overshadowed by the sudden death of Richard Clark. Mike Collett has an important reminder about instructor checks and Symeon Economou needs volunteers to help promote the club at a show in Windsor. So too does Bob Smith who needs support for the soon to be updated Booker Wesbsite. The final programme for the FOG lectures is on P5, our new Ladder Steward explains what the Ladder is all about, and the Rev Maxigat gets into motivation before bowing out for a temporary break. Finally we're reprinting Jim White's great 2009 article on flying a really fast 500K.
William P
To kick off the New Year Geoff suggests some useful resolutions and Mike gives us 4 key points that will keep the fleet and the airfield in good shape. We have new solos, a meeting for the comp minded. Nnews that Aero Expo wont be interrupting us this year and the schedule for the FOG lectures. Doug Hilton gives a brilliant account of flying power in the Alps and the Rev Maxigat points out the importance of keeping the wings on when flying.
Happy New Year.
William P