Bank Holiday Monday

Upon opening the curtains it looked like the forecasters had got it wrong (again) and that we were in for a miserable day. But fortunately it was only the forecasters timing that was out (and the wind strength !)
The wind stayed quite strong for much of the day, Windy enough to make the ground handling of the ASK13 a little tricky so we left it in the hangar. But the lift strength was good enough for most to get good soaring flights, and the wind conditons gave valuable experience of flying in stronger wind conditions to some of the less experienced pilots. All in all we had a good days flying.

"Tango Twelve" Back in action


We had to stand down for nearly an hour while the "Red Arrows" did their stuff at Eye Show.


Those specs are the "Reds" flying past !

The six nautical mile Temporary NOTAM area. ( I don't know how to do the fancy page transfers like Dave T, So I had to take a picture of the map !)

Rosie took to the skies and further progressed her early training.

Chris flew some members of his fan club in "Zero Eight"

Coming back to the sport, Gordon suprised himself on how well he coped with the tricky conditions. He must be ex ATC - No need to salute the CFI !

New BI James preps a trial flight ........

While old hand Steve F-H uses his well practised technique of also incorporating Zen Budhism

Cadet Emily R was dropped off and collected in style by "Daddy" in his company vehicle.

Last flight of the day with Lauren in the ASK 21

View through a rapidly misting canopy

A most enjoyable day, with plenty of soaring (some of it Booming) and interesting approaches. Just shows that staying away just because it's windy doesn't always pay off !

Many thanks to Pete N and Mike Tait who worked all day to help us fly without flying themselves.

"Conversation of the day" which I wish I could of overheard !

Rachel dealing with the Red Arrows ground team on the telephone !

"Quote of the day"

Sarah Jones - " My best landing ever ! Far less of a bump than usual !"

There were a couple of other good quotes today - non publishable - Thanks Paul, Mark & Lauren.

Chin Chin

Flyboy

Better Than it Looked (Again)

RASP predicted 22Kts from NW, but also some lift, and the BBC predicted showers from say 13:00 BST.

Nevertheless, a good few souls turned up (briefing room 2/3rds full) to enjoy(!?) the day.

Ray Hart was duty instructor, with support from JRK, and Steve F_H. At least three trial lessons were flown (I should get the numbers).

Cumulus were forming streets by 0930.

By 13:30, the rainfall radar looked like this:
... however, it was possible to dodge the showers, and there was good lift where it was not raining. A few flights of over an hour were had.

Jo and Stu Hoy were also there just putting the finishing touches on the newly fixed Grob 103. Ray gave it a test flight with Jo in the back, and both declared themselves to be satisfied with the result. Now the club fleet is back up to three twin-seaters.

The picture carried on the same way, with more showers being blown in from the NW:
... and although the showers were getting progressively larger, few of them reached the airfield. Only one shower interrupted flying - and only for 10-15 minutes at that.

Here is a shower passing over Diss (to the south of Tibenham), shortly after 4pm.
The picture was taken whilst climbing in just in front (to the W) of another large shower which was drenching Long Stratton.

... Meanwhile, out to the West....
... you can see the walls of showers stretching quite a way to the North and South.

Finally, a shower coming through at around 5pm told us it was time to pack away.

.... an unexpectedly great day.

Wednesday 25th Aug. 2010 - A day with the "Spidermen" !

We had a full day of flying in spite of the forecast with many soaring flights of over an hour . I had to get special dispensation to fly as I'm far too young to fly on a Wednesday !

The "Spidermen" Start to gather !

The Triple- Decker flew again today ! Sorry about the crap photo but I got up late !

"Griff" looks up ! But then again he always has to !

Dave Blythe completed his Bi-Annual checks with Mick H in "BUGL" - They're braver than they look !

Mike Lindsay displays his (normal ?) Sartorial appearance.

Any grey you can do I can do better ! No you can't , Yes I can , No you can't ........etc. etc. !

JRK preps a trial flight

Wade ( You da Man) ! Funnily enough the lorry driver who had an "Altercation" with Wade remained in his cab ! To quote the "A" Team - "You ain't as dumb as you look Sucker ! "

Wade takes the ASK21 for a walk !

All in all ,A good days Club flying .

If you're wondering ? Why "Spidermen" ? Because they need help to get out of the bath !

Chin Chin

Flyboy

Sunday 22nd August 2010

Another Great days flying !



The usual suspects turned up ( too many to name them all ! ) even Paul Gould managed the occasional smile ! (Yes that's rich coming from me ! ). Up until Lunchtime it proved to be a difficult soaring day with lift taking us up to about 2,500 ft for a window of about 3 hours , It then went dead for about an hour until it kicked off again giving thermals of about 3 knots to 4,000 ft. (Thanks Pete N. for lending me your lovely Std. Cirrus to take advantage of it ). The visibility was incredible ! The best I have ever witnessed from TIB !



Thanks to Phil Sillet for running the day ! along with help from a variety of other NGC Instructors.



Our "Pied a Terre " !

An early visitor (A Taylor Monoplane (for the Anaraks !) for fuel) , From Priory Farm. I'm sure that when he gets more experience they'll let him fly a full sized aircraft !

Life at the Launch point.

Hethel A/F - Also Lotus Works & Test track. Don't land out there if you can help it they charge you ! - and will only accept "Hard" cash.

A "Brace " of LS 4's. "Yankee One One" and "Kilo Two" prepare to go.

Blakeney Point

"Kilo Two" takes to the air.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside ........ etc. etc. - The North Norfolk Coast

Des ! - Now do you believe why I told you that you rotated too low, too fast and too quickly ?

Cromer

Simon Urry completing his BI course with CFI Mark W.

About to go ! I'm the happy looking chap in the front !

Down "Safe & Sound" - Can't have been all bad !

Quote of the day :-

" This parachute's a bit tight !" - Ben Magnani , who then found that he had it on inside out !

Conversation of the day :-

"Pip" Morgan questioned the CFI about the times for the NOTAM regarding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights pass over Flixton Museum as "Pip" wanted to watch it from the air in the G109 with John K. (They're a bit like that ! ). Once the times had been sorted (usual confusion re Zulu & BST ! ) it went like this :-

CFI - " Be aware that the heights involved are surface to 2,000 feet.

"Pip" Morgan - That's okay , We'll fly under that . ( OMG! ) (ed)

Tip of the day :-

Don't follow directional instructions off Jeremy K. ! (in joke)

I'm at Booker next Saturday and Sunday , Then on Duty on B/H Monday so someone else will have to pick up the "Blogging Gauntlet" !

Chin Chin !

Flyboy

Saturday 21st August 2010

A good days flying. New members Rosie, Gordon & Graham commenced their training, Lauren started her conversion to winch launching and Simon completed more of his BI course (Hopefully complete 2moz !). 6 trial flights and winching to around 1700ft. Tim D. and Mick H. ran the day.

Sunday 15th August 2010

Adrian Prime celebrated his 50 years of gliding with a flight from TIB today ! With usual club precision planning we have no picture of the event ! So Adrian is pictured below with his usual P2 , But you had better ask her "Who has control ?" Congrats Adrian an we wish you many more happy soaring days !

We had a brilliant "Club" day the atmosphere was fantastic with everyone chipping in and doing their bit to ensure a full day of enjoyable gliding ! James had his first "Duty Day" as a BI and showed the pleasures of our sport to 4 people. Andy V ran the day and ensured all went well !

Shipdham solo pilot Lauren Bean has also signed up at TIB as a member - and after a check flight (which truly proved her worth) took her first solo flight from TIB (see above picture for an impression of a "Cheshire Cat ". We look forward to sharing Laurens company with Shipdham for the forseeable future. See ! If you meet the required standards the world is your Lobster !

New TIB "Cadet to be" Harley Crisp takes to the air with NGC Chaiman JRK . Apparently the boy can fly ! (That's Harley not JRK ! (Although he can as well !)) . Ratty has yet to sell Harley an 8 month out of date Calendar !

The usual "Muttering" of members debating what the CFI is doing wrong , Any takers for the job boys ? - I thought not !

Altogether a brilliant day enjoyed by all !

It all comes to an end

I forgot to mention that at last nights bash while the VGC were giving their own awards they also acknowledged the efforts put in by the Norfolk GC members who worked tirelessly to make the event a success .

The "Petrel" with motor.

The "Petrel" without motor !

A T21 takes one of the last launches of the rally.

Club flying with the K21

The last de-rigs

Lofty starts to disassemble the "Rhonsperber"

Marja takes the "Kranich 2" apart.

Nearly all our guests are gone and we finally close the Hangar doors on the event

Why couldn't they take these bums home with them.

Stragglers enjoy a last supper at the "Fox and Hounds"

Vera , Johannes and Ziggy

"Stella " Jack entertains the troops !

Vera

TIB mob

And now it really is all over. Best wishes and safe travels to our visitors , And a massive pat on the back to the TIB team who put it all together.