Newsletters
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Latest Booker Gliding Club Newsletter.
Click here to open the latest Booker newsletter PDF file.
Newsletter archive.
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
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2018
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2017
Happy Christmas. WmP.
Thanks as ever to all the contributors. WmP.
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Many thanks to all our contributors. WmP.
All we need is an end to the deluge! William P.
Happy New Year!
2016
Happy Christmas. WmP.
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Many thanks to all our contributors. WmP.
Happy New Year!
2015
Happy Christmas. WmP.
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Newsletter Overview. WmP.
This month’s newsletter is all about the first Regional Gliding Comp to be held at Booker for 4 or 5 years. Please read how you can help in the final preparations and during the competition itself. Elsewhere we have some important messages from the BGA, a report on the Klippeneck expedition and dates for Aboyne. Many thanks ,as ever, to contributors. WmP.
We have an edition full of hints and tips for safer flying and smarter use of equipment, plus an update on our CASC status and the need to amend our rules, details of the Longest Day events and an offer of flight training in the Falke. Comp pilots please note the action points on p3. JaneM.
There’s plenty going on now the season has started, kicked off by the spring expedition to Talgarth and Shobdon – in this edition we have praise for expeditions from a cadet who took part. There is also news of the imminent Aeros Comp, an update on prep for our Regionals, and a reminder about what fun it is to fly in the evening. Also included is a report back from the recent meeting at RAF Benson with plenty of advice about flying nearby. Stay safe! JaneM.
This month the Newsletter is appearing a week later than usual to allow us to include Richard’s report to the AGM. Jim has a new lecture to announce, there’s a look back over six years of Geoff and Denis’ leadership and an update on the Booker Regionals. Plus some lectures that might explain why aeroplanes actually fly and the correct way to fold your chart. WmP.
It may be winter but the cross country season has started, thanks to an icy blast onto the ridge. In this edition we have part 2 of Nick Jennings’ diary of his first comp, an update on the cadet glider project and some important dates for your diary. Thanks to all the contributors. JaneM.
In this month’s busy issue Denis brings good news about the motor glider and the club’s tug fleet. Richard explains the status quo on EASA Pilot Licensing and in particular the significance of the EASA derogation. There is the opening of the Booker Regionals Entry list, a great article by Nick Jennings on the experience of flying a first comp and there are the final results for the Club Ladder in 2014.Thanks to all contributors Happy New Year. WmP.
2014
Newsletter OverviewThis month’s newsletter brings a great year’s gliding to a close and looks ahead to the next. Denis reports from the BGA conference, Richard reflects on the growing success of Booker expeditions. We have a trailer for next year’s Talgarth/Shobdon expedition from John Herman and ladder steward Jeremy Gilbey shows how we are doing on the BGA Ladder (it’s not over until Dec 31st and Jim is hot on Denis’ tail!). Many thanks to all the members who have contributed this year, Happy Christmas. WmP.
With thoughts turning to next season, this edition features Jim’s plans for a new approach to XC training and coaching, Denis highlights the shape of the fleet for next year and Richard makes some key points about the importance (and value) of keeping gliders clean in winter. There are details of the Talgart/Shobdon Expedition in March/April and pictures of our new simulator, which is now operational. Thanks as ever to all the contributors. WmP.
This month’s newsletter comes from Aboyne involving EU style Brussels-to-Strasbourg convoys of artic lorries loaded with files and editorial staff, hence the rather later than usual publication date –sorry about that. Nonetheless we have a fact-packed edition with more details of the Booker Bond Scheme and this winter’s season ticket offer. Elsewhere there are reports of successful outreach activities at the Henley Show and Oak Green school. More about Aboyne next month. WmP.
This month the big news is the plan for Booker to hold a Regionals in June next year. Richard reports on the amazing number of courses running at the moment –good news for the club’s future membership. There’s a last minute reminder about the Aboyne Expedition, details of George Hunter’s fund raising ride, a first hand account of getting into aerobatics and a look back at the Final day of the HDT competition. As ever, many thanks to all our contributors. WmP.
This month both Denis and Richard highlight the success of the marketing team, Richard encourages us to make the most of the rest of the season flying 315 and the ASW19, (soon to be re-named 319). He also reminds us of the dangers of dehydration. We report on some excellent achievements and with the forthcoming HDT Comp in mind, reprint part of Tim and Jim’s S & G article on how it works. There’s an appeal for volunteers for the Henley Show and an account of some Booker flights that the Wright brothers beat for time and distance on their first go.
Plenty of tightly packed stuff in this month’s edition. There’s a wake up call from Richard about reporting damage, a financial summary from Graham M, an article from Doug about making your badge claim stick and a great review of the Klippeneck expedition from Jon Sugden. Plus some outstanding achievements and full details for the Longest Day.
With the Chairman and the CFI away at Klipperneck and the site being in an internet black hole we haven’t got our usual lead articles. Nonetheless we have some great achievements, a report on our attendance at the Booker Show plus a call for volunteers for the next one and a reminder about landing safely far afield. Not to mention a cartoon about watching your step.
Although the weather has been iffy, April has seen a lot of flying and good progress with ground projects. Denis introduces our new Tug Master –James Cooling, Richard focuses on motor glider training, there are competition results , impressive members’ achievements, a worldwide take up for the HDT Comp format, an interesting take on flying near ILS approaches by Rob Turner and some hilarious flying rules from Geoff Tab. Thanks to all the contributors.
This is a slim edition but nonetheless well packed with good stuff. Richard is away so Doug has stepped in with some advice on getting current ready for the XC season, there are Bronze Course dates, reminders about Klippeneck and our HDT Competition in April. Spring is in the air so it’s time to finish the fettling and come flying. Fingers crossed for a great season ahead.
This month we welcome Denis as our new Chairman, Richard has a reminder about LAPL applications, Jane gives us a write-up about Talgarth and our Ladder Steward Jeremy Gilbey brings the great news that Handicap Distance Tasks in comps and task weeks can now go on the National Ladder and that brings Tim and Jim’s HDT concept (see current S & G) right into the heart of competitive gliding. And April has arrived with some excellent soaring weather!
This month Geoff signals his intention not to stand again as Chairman, Richard gives us an excellent summary of the upcoming EASA licenses, there’s confirmation of our summer expedition to Klippeneck in Germany and a reminder about our Handicapped Distance Task comp in April. Plus advanced warning from the BGA about a threat to airspace from developments at Farnborough. All we need is an end to the deluge! William P.
Highlights for this month include details of the 2014 Handicapped Distance Task Competition, an update from Geoff on negotiations with the council, an additional lecture in the Bronze series (Jim talking about met for XC and comps – all pilots welcome to attend). And Jeremy explaining some changes to the way the ladder works for 2014. Happy New Year!
2013
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
We have a jingle bells December issue to wrap up the year. Geoff and Richard look back at some highlights for 2013, there are dates for the Bronze lectures in 2014, Jane reports on a successful marketing trip to the NEC, there are details of our latest Lottery Grant win (for Flarm) and Jerry has a rummage in the attic. Finally Jeremy rounds up who did what on the National Latter this year. Special thanks to all who keep the articles coming, and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The days may be drawing in but there’s still plenty going on at the Club, and with the Treasurer’s generous offer of a Season Ticket there’s no excuse for not keeping current. In this edition we also have details of how to get your new EASA licence without a nervous breakdown, a call for volunteers to help improve our facilities, an offer of free tickets to The Flying Show, an early appearance of Santa Claus, and finally, the truth is revealed about that weird thing upstairs in the Tug hangar.
Up on Deeside, expedition members are having a great time with good flying over the first weekend. This month we have a really insightful article from Mike Gatfield about faster XC flying, there’s a marketing team report from the Henley Show and a request from Roger Neal to support a very worthy cause. Doug reminds us to keep the canopy clean in low winter sun and to stay current through the dark days ahead, well, short ones anyway.
Our best season for ages keeps going. Even the treasurer is smiling (at least he was the last time I saw him). Richard Martyn gives us a behind the scenes view of the recent Vintage Rally at Lasham and we have an early warning from the Chairman of Southdown GC about a threat to their (and our) airspace. Meanwhile keep taking those launches while the sun shines.
Great news for the club! Sport England have awarded us a grant of £48,000. You can read all the details in this issue. This month also sees some great achievements, a reminder from Richard about calling in to tell the club where you are and pictures from the marketing team’s displays at local shows. What’s more, the weather is giving us plenty of XC soaring!
Welcome to this picture-packed summer (with sunshine) edition. Geoff raises the importance of a functioning radio for XC flying, Jane gets a pat on the back and reports on the Longest Day and Denis reports on the recent Le Blanc expedition. Elsewhere Jim gives us a fascinating analysis of three different final glide techniques. Stephen Green has provided a superb gallery of pictures from the longest day event. Fingers crossed that the summer weather holds.
May has been a somewhat iffy month with some significant achievements but not quite living up to the weather promise of April. Good timing then for those that went to Le Blanc where the flying is reported to be brilliant. JDV has been flying in the convergence at Ontur, the club has been on show at the Booker village annual fete and Jeremy reminds us of what we can analyse from flights on the ladder.
The last few weeks have given us some superb conditions – 7+ kt climbs and 5,000 ft cloudbases – it’s been brilliant. Jim’s account shows just how good it was. This month there are also plans for fitting out the bus. There’s a piece on being nice to Benson, another on the ground rules for using the glider workshop and a high scoring cadet winner of the Easter Egg Aeros competition.
March has been one long freeze but just at the end the weather perked up and many members got in some XC flying. This month there is an editor’s piece on rigging, the return of the evening flying groups, Jeremy Gilbey’s reminder on the workings of the Ladder and the OLC and an article from Symeon about not pre-judging the weather. Richard kicks off this month’s issue with a timely reminder about our local airspace and keeping a good lookout. As ever, thanks to all the contributors
The main story this month is a detailed explanation of Tim Scott’s planning for HCGP – a simple approach to racing that will allow us all to race together as a club. We have Booker’s first 15 year old solo pilot and by way of contrast a 90 year old gliding granny. With Spring in the air Geoff and Richard remind us of what it’s all about – going flying!
I’m sure everyone will want to join us in
congratulating Richard on his appointment
as CFI. His first CFI letter is on the next
page. Doug gives us a useful reminder
about maximizing the learning value of
every flight and Jim White will be sharing
his weather forecasting secrets with us on
Saturday 16th. This issue also has a great
tip from Glen Alison.
William
As befits the time of year this edition is focused on setting goals for 2013 and making plans for the year ahead. Doug and Richard report on the last (surprisingly active) month, there’s a full programme of Bronze Lectures and an editor’s piece about competing in 2013, plus a generous offer of a talk on Booker’s history in support of the Air Ambulance. Happy New Year to all our members and our much- nagged but greatly appreciated contributors
2012
Welcome to this unusually newsy (for November) edition of the BGC newsletter. Thoughts are turning to Christmas and what a great present a glider flight can make, Mike and Doug have some tips and pleas for good practice in the winter, there’s a reminder about the winter season ticket scheme and, of great interest, will be Graham Morfey’s table of charges for 2013 (no need to panic). Simon Vardigans has given us a very positive account of his time at Aboyne despite the weather.
With so many contributors up at Aboyne this issue is coming out a bit late –sorry about that. We have a really impressive list of members achievements in August and September and another interesting Winter Season Ticket offer. We end up this month with a bit about EASA licensing for glider pilots and an all too true cartoon. Next month we’ll have the full story from Aboyne –what are those aerial shots of pies and cakes all about? As ever, many thanks to the contributors. William
Geoff makes an announcement about the organization of flying staff in the coming months. Mike and Doug have some reminders about airspace and ground handling gliders on wet ground. Denis outlines a proposed expedition to Le Blanc next summer and looks back over some of the positive outcomes from Haddenham. Your editor writes about the Dunstable Regionals. And our 2012 list of first solos gets longer!
This month there’s a barbecue at Thame planned for Sunday 12th August after flying, we have a string of excellent member’s achievements to make up for last month’s wash-out, plus a superb picture story of the club’s operation at Thame. Yet again the marketing team has turned out to promote the club, this time at the Wycombe Community Festival. We end with a cautionary tale from David Fogden – some problems only begin when you get back onto the ground!
This month we have the final instructions for the Thame Expedition and a clear reminder from Denis about the vital importance of avoiding Olympic airspace. Our Ladder Corner correspondent has come up with some suggested tasks for Thame, there are dates for your diary and a look back at Booker’s ground breaking and successful attendance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Despite the weather there are some impressive achievements, an attractive offer to lure you to Goodwood, good news from Graham M on launch charges, more details on Thame plus an article by the editor on thermal interference. Finally Gary Nuttall gives us the lowdown on the new look RASP. Also in this newsletter are some important rules which affect all members wishing to fly during the Olympics.
Nothing sweet about those April showers from a gliding point of view, nevertheless we have had a few soarable days and a pair of excellent badge achievements and an outstanding party for Mike Collett. The Thame project has reached the tracked vehicles stage and the list is open for Serres with a couple of vacancies yet to be filled. Volunteers are needed to support the marketing team who are taking a glider to glorious Goodwood. Please let Jane or Chris Collett know if you can help. Best wishes to Mike from all the members of the club.
This month we have a special emphasis on airspace from Mike and from Doug Hilton as we gear up for the Olympic restrictions. Denis gives us a fascinating insight into the role of emotion in decision making and Jane sums up a great week at Talgarth.
Mike introduces a new Daily Inspection system, the pre-season lecture programmes are in full swing and we re-print a letter from the BGA about the vital importance of making uninterrupted rigging checks – with a hair-raising story to emphasise the point. There’s a bit about Lady Mary Heath – remember her? Of course you don’t. And Dave Humphries takes us back to Crazy Creek Soaring in sunny California.
This month the underlying themes are currency, safety and getting prepared to make the most of the soaring season. If you want to steer the agenda for Jim’s Cross Country Lectures sign up now. Prompted by the summer’s Thame outing and the prospect of local soaring in the Oxford area, Doug Hilton gives us an unusual insight into what’s going on in power cockpits in that part of the world (plus the most painful photograph ever published in the newsletter!). Jeremy G’s Ladder Corner reminds us of the use we can make of posted flights to improve our own performance.
News of Booker’s best wave day in many years, alongside reminders about Tug Operations – especially with the airfield in a soggy state – about Bob S’s Foundation Of Gliding lectures, and setting goals for 2012. The editor takes a brief look at the background to gliding at Thame. And Ben C fondly remembers his time at Booker. Plus, as ever, a timely reminder about currency from Mike.
2011
- December
- November
- October
- September
- August
- July
- June
- May
- April
- March
- February
- January
So we come to the end (almost) of an eventful and successful year for the club. There’s an impressive list of badge achievements and activities that range from Alpine soaring to beating back the undergrowth at the airfield. Plus a summary of who has done what on the BGA ladder. Emily T updates us on what the club has been doing for cubs and scouts. Bob S updates the FOG lecture schedule. There’s a request from Jim and pictures from the Awards Dinner at the Grouse and Ale. Happy Christmas!
Mike gives us an overview of winter activities, news of two important get-togethers in the offing, and details of this winter’s FOG briefings. Plus, some feedback from one of the best BGC expeditions to Aboyne for years!
This month Geoff looks ahead to challenges like the rent review that’s coming up. Jane reports on the Henley Show and Jeremy Gilbey takes a look at the Club Ladder, particularly showing us who has flown furthest this year and how this year compares with the preceding two years.
In this issue Jane Moore gives some tips on getting a badge at Aboyne we have pictures by Linden Porter from the post-stadium barbecue party, a new course format for the winter based on two long weekends and a call for volunteers to help out at the Henley Show later this month.
Geoff catches the mood of the moment and flags up the ‘End of the Stadium’ Party. Denis reports on real improvements in the Olympic position and reminds turbo users about the noise abatement zones. Mike has a timely reminder about outlanding safety. Robert Turner recalls the recent Silver Course and Doug Hilton details some terrific achievements by the club’s cadets
A slightly slimmer than usual edition this month largely due to a crash of the computer variety. But that’s resolved and this month starts with a reminder from Geoff about the August Task Week; there’s a very special picture from Graham Saw and some great feedback from the Serres expedition. All we need now is this current rainy spell (and the stadium) to get lost.
With the Editor away in sunnier climes there will be no cartoons in this slim edition. However, we do have a comprehensive report of the new Booker Rules comp and a cautionary tale from one of the competitors, useful info about flight analysis and an unmissable opportunity for some open air fun, plus news and updates about events in and around the club. Normal service will be resumed next month.
Keep an eye on the blog for news of the imminent Serres expedition.
Happy reading from your guest editor, Jane M.
As befits a season getting under way with some great
soaring weather we have a packed issue this month. We
have reports from the Aerobatics Comp and the Booker
Rules Competition; members’ achievements that include
Nick Newton completing all three Diamonds; reminders of
forthcoming expeditions to Serres and Aboyne and a great
article by Sam Gervais about his work experience stint with
BA Engineering. Denis Campbell also reports on the Olympic
Airspace situation. Thanks to all the contributors who
submitted articles despite the pressures of a particularly
busy month.
William P
This issue of the Newsletter begins with a few cautionary points from Mike Collett as we shake off post winter rustiness. There are reminders about two Comps at Booker, the Booker Rules Competition and the Easter Egg Aerobatics Competition. The Evening Groups are relaunching for 2011 on Wednesdays and Fridays and we hope to have a Thursday Group organized by next month. There is a comprehensive briefing for tuggies from the Tug Team and a report from the Leisure Exhibition at Windsor Racecourse where the club exhibited and attracted a lot of positive attention. Plus other interesting snippets of info and news. As, ever thanks to all contributors.
William P
This month we have a letter from Chiltern Park explaining where we can land with effect from August this year, a note from Dave Caunt about how to sign up to fly with him in the Duo and details of a vacancy for a course instructor for the summer season. There is further explanation of the Club Ladder from the new ladder steward Jeremy Gilbey, articles on the Booker Rules Comp and on the structure of new courses for 2011 by Jane Moore. Last but not least we have a brilliant article by Will Hilton about the recent Air League visit to fly a BA 777 simulator. As ever, thanks all round to the many contributors that make this, yet again, an edition packed with useful and interesting info.
William P
This month is overshadowed by the sudden death of Richard Clark. Mike Collett has an important reminder about instructor checks and Symeon Economou needs volunteers to help promote the club at a show in Windsor. So too does Bob Smith who needs support for the soon to be updated Booker Wesbsite. The final programme for the FOG lectures is on P5, our new Ladder Steward explains what the Ladder is all about, and the Rev Maxigat gets into motivation before bowing out for a temporary break. Finally we’re reprinting Jim White’s great 2009 article on flying a really fast 500K.
William P
To kick off the New Year Geoff suggests some useful resolutions and Mike gives us 4 key points that will keep the fleet and the airfield in good shape. We have new solos, a meeting for the comp minded. Nnews that Aero Expo wont be interrupting us this year and the schedule for the FOG lectures. Doug Hilton gives a brilliant account of flying power in the Alps and the Rev Maxigat points out the importance of keeping the wings on when flying.
Happy New Year.
William P