After this week I know Michael Fish tells lies and more damn lies.  According to him we shouldn't have flown much at all which would have been a real shame as most people on this one were from the washed out Easter 2001 Wk1.  Fortunately he was wrong and we had a good start to the week with light winds, if low cloud.  A crosswind on Thursday and Friday made things a bit more interesting.

Since circuit bashing was about the only thing we could do all week progress was quick.  Ashley was sent solo on Tuesday and Scott quickly followed on Wednesday.  The crosswind later in the week made it abit harder for the others, although Rachaels patience was rewarded with a solo on the Saturday after most had gone home.

The rest of us had a good week as well, all making progress somewhere.  Highlight for me was a flight in the old T21.  Think open cockpit, laboratory goggles, side-by-side plank seating, a big grin and all the flying characteristics of a brick.  It is a must fly, gentle aircraft.

Phil Donovan, October 2001

Back row:- Chris Smith, Phil Donovan, Scott Hemmings
Front Row:- Mich Huges (instructor), Taliah Davis, Rachael Lear

Following the previous course's lack of flying due to weather, I didn't really expect too much from this week either.  However with only three of us on the course, Kenny Thompson, Chris Hatchard and myself we were fortunate to only loose one full day and a couple of half days flying.

Due to a boggy field, every flight was an aerotow which led to some longer flights. This helped Kenny and Chris, who were in the early stages of learning, as they could get hands on for a longer period each flight.

The day we scrubbed due to weather was Tuesday, so after lunch we went down to the Hendon with Sid and Graham, who was escaping F&M restrictions where he normally flew.  On a couple of the other days we didn't start flying till after lunch so were given the grand tour of the workshop, the winch, the Duo Discus (mmmm!), the Stemme and the hangers by Sid.

The flying side was good, although the weather prevented the guys from getting too close to solo. However they got some good flying and I think enjoyed themselves enough to want to come back!

L-R: Chris Hatchard. Kenny Thompson and Phil Donovan

'It was wet wet wet, only a couple of half days flying, so we went back in Summer 2001'