621 VGS Historic Flight hosted guests from 615 VGS at Kenley.With the nights drawing in fast, a two o’clock start left only five hours before sunset and with the runways being used by the Motorsports Events track day only the main grass section of the airfield available. With what wind there was blowing in a favourable direction, probably one of the better evenings of the year and the right number of regular members - both the Sedburgh and the MK III were operated for the remainder of the daylight hours.
The 26th June was a hot day with more summer Friday flying on the airfield. Al Staceys MKIII is back on site. It was rigged and flown with a number of people being converted to it. At present we have 4 aircraft tucked behind the air cadet fleet. The Prefect will be departing soon though.
A couple of car loads of our VGS collegues from 622 VGS at Upavon dropped in to have a flight and sample the delights of Will Embrey’s BBQ cooking.
A little disappointing from the weather point of view last Friday. We managed to set up the airfield in time for the drizzle, had a handful of launches in between showers and then got stopped by more heavy rain.
On a more positive note, welcome to our latest flying syndicate member Shaun Stent, for those that don’t know him Shaun was OC 621 before Dave. Shaun got the best of Friday’s weather and after a small number of ‘currency’ flights flew the Sedbergh solo again. There is photographic evidence although we were unsure whether a wide enough lens was available to catch the wide grin on approach!
621 VGS Vintage Flight now named 621 VGS Historic Flight.
It would appear that over the last five years we have become known, by many, as the 621 VGS Historic Flight. Mostly by those who assist us to operate such as the British Army whose airfield we use, the Air Cadets who allow us to use their Hanger and the local Air Traffic and MET services provided by the Royal Air Force. The RAF, Army and Navy have had their own Historic Flights for far longer than we have been operating and we now fall into line with their naming conventions.
This will also allow the Flight to, in the future, pursue other aircraft that are possibly not yet “Vintage” aircraft but nevertheless “Historic” as far as Air Cadet gliding is concerned.
A very pleasant day last Friday with plenty of flying. We were able to keep both the Prefect and Sedbergh flying throughout the afternoon and early evening. Al Stacey popped in and flew his glider( the least we could do as we have had it nearly a year!). Pete Turner has joined the flying syndicate, he flew the Prefect for the first time in many years and was then able to send Pete Asop off in the Sedbergh before he also duly converted to the Prefect. Both Pete and AL may be available to help on Fridays particularly as they are both Full Rated instructors which will help hugely with any check flights that are required.
Just prior to packing up Jane and Chris from 622 VGS turned up to collect a Viking from Serco and were able to have a launch each in the Sedbergh.
Johno is buying a new battery for Brut this week which should help no end, we have a discovered an oil leak also on Brut but at present we are letting it develop! Please don’t forget the Barge trailer still needs sorting and everything needs a wash!!
An excellent day today and it was like turning back the clock at 621! Daryl Mansbridge has joined the flying syndicate and re-soloed the Prefect after 35years! Andy Davey pitched up out of the blue and after a series of checks in the Sedbergh also flew the Prefect which he missed during his time at the VGS as they had just gone out of service. He enjoyed it all so much he has also joined the flying syndicate ( our first overseas member!!). KK got himself current again flying with Tony Webb and flew some Sedbergh soloes.
At the obligatory after flying pub visit it could have been a scene from 621 during the early 80’s.
For those that couldn’t make yesterday what a day to miss!!
We arrived at the airfield to find 6 - 8 inches of snow, Del Kitcher immediately got his car stuck requiring Gav and Brian’s recovery services, it was quite a challenge to all just getting cars to the hangar!
A tractor was borrowed!! this was the only way we were going to get winch and caravan set up and the Sedbergh and Prefect gingerly towed out. Everybody enjoyed some fantastic views of snow bound Wiltshire with 35 launches in all. Gav and Will both converted to the Prefect. Many launches involved snowballing the winch or launch point, no danger of any of us being called up for precision bombing for the RAF, the nearest snow ball was about 100′ from target! The fun didn’t stop with the gliding, what with Ben and Thomas Paynes sledging exploits and we had a tough job prising Andy Trickey out of Brut on cable retrieve, I think the comment was ‘once a staff cadet - always a staff cadet’ !!!
The first vintage flying of 2009 just squeezed into January on Friday. Although the forecast didn’t look great, the actual weather on the day was just fine for the barge. With the bitterly cold southerly wind blowing about 12 kts the launches were pretty good too - even on one of the shortest runs.
With the sunset still before five the early finish allowed work to start on renovating Barge trailer. The Army’s dust making operation at the other end of the hanger had left a thick layer of dust on the top. A few plywood sections of the trailer were knackered and have been removed so they can be replaced. After some brushing, scrubbing and sanding the blue paint dust made one person look like a smurf with a black eye. The trailer has now had it’s first prep session, but more will be required, as well as some recontructive surgery before it gets a fresh coat of paint.
Watch this space: 2009 is going to be a busy year!
The new look 621 VGS Vintage Flight website was uploaded this morning.
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