The course was held in the last week of September, just before we started back here. To be honest I didn't think we'd fly more than three days due to the weather, however we were really lucky and flew everyday. Unfortunately a strong crosswind hung around all week which meant practicing Cable Breaks too often upset the Winch Driver as they kept dropping in the trees! The guys who hadn't flown much before would have all gone solo if the wind had been better.

We started at about 8am to get breakfast at the canteen and get the kit out by 9am-ish. Split into groups and assigned to an instructor for the week, we'd have two or three flights each then rotate round the group. Those not flying got involved by driving tractors, launching gliders and logging. Stopping for lunch about midday, we'd fly for as long as the light held. After putting the gliders away we retired to the clubhouse for dinner, to prop up the bar, play pool and table tennis and watch TV. Shamefully for students we were mostly in our rooms in the back of the hanger by 11pm, tired out.

All in all it was a great week. Sorabain and Ashley competed fiercely for the priviledge of driving a tractor, settling any disputes with a tractor race back to the clubhouse! Chris took a break from working at the Union to run the clubhouse bar. Mark and Ash demonstrated their table tennis prowess by hammering me with spin everytime.

On the flying side Chris flew a great First Solo on the last day and came down grinning like a cat after singing and shouting all the way round the circuit, hoping the radio wasn't on. Fleur and I re-soloed which was fun, especially watching Fleurs solo landing where she only levelled her wings 20ft up and her instructor said 'I didn't teach her to do that!'. Chris Pendy tried to talk his instructor out of spinning and aeros and got the ride of his life, at least it looked good from the ground! Special mention must go to Chris Smith for organising the trip and catching 8ft of bunting from a fence with the tail of his glider!! A little bit of a downdraught Chris?

Phil Donovan October 2000