06-04-2008 - Another great afternoons flying.
WB922 now replacement rudder hinge pins fitted thanks to Andy Trickey for supplying the pins and fitting the rudder and Nick Jefferies for supplying the split pins. Last Friday the rudder cables were reattached, checked and double checked before the aircraft was flying from mid afternoon until sunset.

07-11-2007 - 
This Sunday was rubbish for gliding. Very foggy and nil viz. Air Cadet ops were wrapped up by lunch and an intrepid few decided to have a go at auto-towing the Grasshopper as the cloud base seemed about 400'. It turns out we have two auto tow ropes ( approx 100' and 400' ). After a very careful team think we attached the rope to the Peugeot, Andy Trickey attached himself to the glider and I put my foot on the accelerator. After a long ground slide ( and a gear change in the car) Andy took off and sailed magestically to about 300' where he landed ahead. Due to the lack of wind we then did the same in the opposite direction. Phil Woods, myself and Nick Jeffery then had a few launches which resulted in a 180 turn and land down wind. We then had another team huddle as it was suggested that it might be possible in the nil wind to tow in laps around the airfield!! To cut a long story short Andy and myself each achieved a lap on tow followed by a brief circuit after release. The only problem being able to see through the tears of laughter!!! Who needs the hot ships to have extreme fun in gliding!!

22-10-2007 - Full Days Friday Flying
Last Friday saw a full days flying for both the Sedbergh and the Primary. With Jim and John having their first flights on the Primary.

06-10-2007 - Visit to White Waltham
Photos of the visit to White Waltham available here: Flickr

09-08-2007 - The Grasshopper has flown!
It is easiest and safest operated from a winch launch, three G1's also flew it and had no problems.

29-06-2007 - Primary WZ828 Arrives
Adam Clarke has purchased a Primary. More soon...

22-06-2007 - Email Received....
Dear All
Surfing quietly I have just come across your web site. I spent many a happy day at 621 GS in the late 60's and early 70's and logged quite a number of launches in XA310. The news area also shows a picture of WB929 in which I made my first solo flight at Weston-super-Mare. It was interesting to spot my name in one of your diary entries from KK dated 16-6-2006. The 'staff' photo on the 621 VGS home page circa 1976 sent in by Dave Townend brought back some memories. I'll have a look through my old photos and see if I can find some of good historical value of the aircraft and staff (perhaps a young'ish Brian House in a compromising position??). It's great to find out that XA310 is still in the air, well done to all concerned!!
Regards to all
C J Franklin

29-05-2007 - CofA to be carried out on 15th June!

21-05-2007 - Vintage Flying Weekend
The Air Cadet static display was very busy all weekend. Many visitors had flown Sedbergh's in the past including a number that had soloed in the 1960's at Weston-Super-Mare and also an ex C-Cat from RAF Spitalgate who had flowen WB922. Useful contacts have been made for spares. Thanks to Adam Clarke, Andy Trickey, John Williams, Nev Cullingford and Brian House who tirelessly showed the public around the gliders all day. A lasting memory will be the Battle of Britain Flight Lancaster flying low over the airfield.

16-04-2007 - Easter Course Evening Entertainment
Whats the best way to unwind after a hard day teaching cadets in the Vikings...

...Fly the barge!!!

30-03-2007 - Operations Resume
WB922 flew for this afternoon for the first time in several months. After the cab was put back on the winch, there was enough time for everyone to get a flight before sunset. Thanks to all those that have put in so much hard work to get it all working again.

26-03-2007 - MONEY STILL OUTSTANDING!!!!
We haven't been flying for sometime and there is still funds outstanding.

24-03-2007 - Winch Clutch Fitted
The clutch plates have been fitted, and the clutch and gearbox installed back onto the winch. There are now plans to fit the passenger seat from the Peugeot onto the winch. After that - just the cab to refit before the winch is ready to resume operations.

13-03-2007 - New clutch plate purchased.
Thanks to Webby we now have a new clutch plate in Weston awaiting collection by Jeff on Thursday. This is going to cost us about £120 which is obviously considerably cheaper than our initial options. Thanks to a Mendip Gliding Club member who put considerable effort into helping us achieve this.

30-01-2007 - Andy has found a replacement Clutch!
After much effort the winch clutch has now been removed and Andy has been trailing around Chippenham to find a replacement. He has achieved but it will cost £358. NO Clutch - NO flying! Now that most people have settled up their accounts we do have the funds for this, however, if you are reading this and you have STILL to settle up please do so as you can now see the importance.

30-01-2007 - Prefect Summer.
A Prefect from Keevil will be with us this year and will be here in time to be displayed at the Vintage Flying Weekend.

28-01-2007 - Gearbox and Clutch Removed!!
A team took apart the gearbox and clutch on Friday. Parts are now being sourced to replace the worn parts. Thanks guys!!!

11-01-2007 -  Still £500 outstanding!!!

29-12-2006 - Owing to the very poor flying weather on the pre-christmas course we were able to tackle the work on the landrover and it is now fully serviceable.
The rear wheel hub leaking oil seal has been fixed along with a new rear axle breather valve which should stop the problem in the future. The battery master switch has also been fitted and is working -look under the bonnet and you can't miss it. Onto some less pleasing news. The fund is owed a grand total of £1,022.12, a staggering amount since generally we're donating £2 a launch!!! This is taking the p**s somewhat so if you have received an e-mail saying you owe money - please pay up pronto as we're onto sorting the winch clutch next and may well need the funds.

24-11-2006 - A destructive evening!!
We have taken XA310 apart and loaded it onto its trailer, taken the cab off the Babe winch so we can get to the clutch, disconnected the battery to the Brut so we can fit a battery isolator. In fact Andy has taken a few extra redundant bits of metal off the Babe with his disc.

26-06-2006 - Inbox is busy!! Caught this amongst the 100 junk emails:
"Hello, Was pleased to read the e-mail from "KK" about the fact that he flew with me in WB929 way back in Oct.1972. Here is a photo of it. Also one of WT898 in which he flew solo.
Best wishes,
Dave Townend"

i

16-06-2006 - Sedbergh and Al Stacey's MKIII pass CofA
Yes, both of the aircraft passed their CofA today. They both then flew 11 launches that afternoon. Thanks to those that helped with the aircraft and evening flying. Just got the following email !!!! "XA310 was not the MkIII I first went solo on which was WT898 on 24/06/1973.However XA310 was the first MkIII I ever flew in on 14/10/1972 captained by Mr. Franklin at of course Weston-super-Mare. On the same day I had my first ever air cadet flight in Sedburgh WB929 captained by Mr. Townsend. So it was a pretty special experience to be able to have the opportunity to fly the old beast again after around 34 years. On this occasion my teeth didn't chatter and I kept my mouth shut instead of shouting at my instructor (heard on the ground). Thank you for the opportunity to have another go. I look forward to doing it again soon (perhaps tomorrow evening). Best regards, KK"

09-06-2006 - MK3 arriving today!
Al Stacy's MK3 is arriving today, it will be getting its C of A done at the same time as our aircraft. I've been told we get to keep it for a month in return. If you haven't flown one before - have a go!!

09-06-2006 - More fantastic Summer soaring.
4300' on the first lauch of the day. Al Stacey in the MK3 was realeased from his aerotow out of Keevil just over Hullavington. his first words after landing alongside the launch point were "I must be either mad or stupid!" The MK3 will now be with us for the next couple of months - what fun!! A fantastic evening, 27 degrees, sunshine, BBQ, flying - what more can you ask for.

05-06-2006 - Summer has finally arrived.
Thirty launches last friday with probably the most half-hour flights we've seen in one day. The airfield was bathed with warm evening sun, and the smell of char grilled burgers on the BBQ. Let's hope that the sun stays through to this Friday. The C of A will be done this weekend too.

20-03-2006 - Adam has fixed the Peugot - Thank You!
The airfield Peugeot is once again up and running, however, there is a catch. After replacing the two front brake calipers ( courtesy of Dorset Fire and Rescue !) A hydraulic leak was discovered the from the rear, not only that the rear bleed nipples have also sheared and are not as straight forward to replace as the front. Tthe rear brakes have been bypassed and the car is now operating on the front brakes only so BEWARE brake performance has been reduced. After a few test runs it was found the braking performance is no worse than our landrover, the handbrake still functions on the rear wheels.

06-03-2006 - 
WB922 was back in the air last Friday, and what a day it turned out to be. 2700' on one launch and over 30 mins on another. The only limiting factor the wind chill making it feel like less than -10°C while in the air. Thanks must go to all those who have worked on the aircraft, the Babe and the Brut. The Brut is back up and running, the Babe has a new amber beacon and a new circuit breaker to stop the batteries running flat. The soaring season has started!

28-08-2005 - 
In the last month WB922 has flown a record 158 launches. The previous record was 90 in August 2003 when we first bought it. Thanks to everyone who has donated monies, time, effort and spare parts to the vintage flight!

28-08-2005 - Total Syndicate Renewal and Flying Fee's Due: £687.00
****** What could we buy with £687!!!! ******

20-07-2005 - 
Even more flying over two fantasic evenings! With Kevin Burns flying solo. There are some more images up - please send any you have to info@621vgs.co.uk.

11-07-2005 - *** Alan Wintle Solo ***
Solo to are Mark Ashton, Dom Zalewski, Phil Maund. Syndicate Renewal is Due!

25-05-2005 - 
A new bar was fitted and the C of A carried out last Friday and the aircraft is once again flying. Having been test flown on the Friday night, the aircraft was displayed at G-VFWE the Great Vintage Flying Weekend 2005 taking place at Hullavington airfield. The display consited of the Sedbergh, The 'Babe' winch, our new landrover, a Viking, a Van Gelder Winch and the Launch point caravan - Air Cadets old and new. Several of the visiting pilots and many of the guests first flew solo in a Sedbergh and the aircraft attracted a lot of attention.

10-05-2005 - 
After a number of flights Monday 2nd May it was noticed that the threaded bar joining the aileron bar to the right hand control column was severed 9/10ths of the way through, in fact after further inspection and movement it then snapped completely. Fortunately, it happened on the ground!!!

15-02-2005 - 
Solo Pilots list updated. If you have your bronze then please email the editor.

17-01-2005 - 
Andy Linham got his Bronze at the end of 2004 - well done.

13-08-2004 - 
Problems with the winch have halted flying for some time. First some repairs to the drive shaft coupling failed then the brake assembly has separated from the shaft. Hopefully all will be repaired in the near future.

12-08-2004 - 
Insurance paid - although the account is still due a large amount of money by members.

06-08-2004 - 
Jim Burton gets his Bronze.

09-05-2004 - Domonic Polhill lands out again!!
After discovering that gravity and no thermals means the Viking does not stay up! Our intrepid B cat proves the gravity theory once again - this time piloting the baby winch across wet ground!!! Unfortunately no photos to laugh at, but rest assured once again DP needed a retrieve crew!

07-05-2004 - 
WB922 passes its C of A and the aircraft is back in the air. Our thanks to Dave Bullock and Adam Clarke for their hard work.

16-04-2004 - 
C of A finds no major problems, however the release hook needs replacing and the seat backs need some attention. Otherwise the aircraft is in very good condition.

10-04-2004 - 
Staff Meeting Held - Minutes to follow.

05-04-2004 - 
621 VGS Vintage Flight Meeting is to be held on Saturday 10th April.

24-02-2004 - 
On Friday both the Vintage Flight and Air Cadet operation flew sharing the airfield with a Sports Car Track Day. After the days flying Craig, John and Phil passed their Bronze exams.

13-02-2004 - 
The cable was changed and we now have no knots.

10-02-2004 - 
A team will be changing the cable on Fri 13th Feb. All help welcome.

28-01-2004 - 
Domonic and Chris collected a new roll of 4mm cable from Wales last week. Hopefully we can change the cable before we fly next and see fewer launch failures.