OCTOBERFEST 2007

This years Octoberfest was one of the best ever having been blessed with summer like weather for almost every day, and winter like wave for most days.

Our visitors and members enjoyed wave climbs to 15,000' QFE and many hours of un-paralleled soaring over some of the finest scenery in the UK.

Congratulations go to Pete Smith & Brian Lomas for getting
Gold Height.

Needless to say the bar did a roaring trade!!

We look forward to seeing all our friends in May for our celebrated MAYFEST.

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"GLIDING FOR ALL" Weekend.

First of all a BIG THANK-YOU to those members who turned out to work hard and make this event a great success.

We flew 37 members of the public over the two days, introducing them to the joys of gliding, and raising the profile of our club, and gliding in general.

We would like to thank the Badenoch & Strathspey Sports Council for their help in making this event possible.

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MAYFEST 2006

We enjoyed meeting our old friends again during our Mayfest, and welcomed back the "Flying on air" flying for the disabled association with their K21 during the first week.
The second week proved more cross country friendly with Nick Norman returning about 750 km.
May 10th was a day of note with Nick flying young William McLeod down to Portmoak in his Europa to finish his cross country endorsement, returning by mid-day with Nick and Jan Ketelaar jumping into the Ash to fly Ben Nevis return, then Nick and William flying Ben Nevis-Killin-Feshie. On the 6th May Nick and John Anderson took the Ash to 12,500' (Feshie wave happens all year round)

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Octoberfest 2005

Our “Octoberfest” is over for another year, with groups of visitors this year from Oxford, Sleap, Southdown, Halton, Portmoak & a large contingent from RAF Fulmar.

The first week was a great disappointment with unseasonably wet, poor, weather with the odd silver lining. The second week had much more of a sparkle and reminiscent of the “Parson’s egg” as it was excellent in parts. There was a lot of flying done including cross-countries above and below the clouds, a fresh Diamond height for Stuart Naylor and a best climb of 24,100 asl by George Crawford – and still going up!

Our grateful thanks to Maggie & Louisa for their excellent meals and to Jim for his soup!
Ian Carruthers is top of the pops for his two weeks of tugging.
Three cheers to Andy Farr for looking after the bar & clubhouse and to all the club’s other hardy perennials for their hard work & dedication to the cause.

Bill Longstaff

 

Mayfest 2005

Mayfest was another resounding success with over 3,000 cross-country kilometres flown on the second week.

Wednesday 11th May, with cloud base at 7,700' QFE (8560' QNH) Ron Mackay, not wishing to be hurried, finally completed his silver badge and 100k diploma after his five hour silver duration 43 years ago!!.

Craig Chatburn flew a 140k triangle in a K8!.

Pete Thomson flew silver distance for silver completion.

Chris Fiorentini flew a 100k triangle at a paltry 83kph.

Bob Forrest enjoyed a leisurely 170k before tea time.

Bill Longstaff went on a Highland safari taking in Drumochter, Laggan, then across the entire Monadhliath mountain range to Inverness, before racing home in time for dinner.

Nick Norman galloped around a 299k (!), and for good measure, flew a further 100k on the same afternoon!

Thursday 12th, Bob Forrest flew an enterprising 300k triangle for Diamond Goal.

Friday 13th(!), Bill Longstaff and Nick Norman flew an out and return to Crianlarich.

Alan Mossman took a trip down to Ben Nevis just for the hell of it.

Thanks go out to our tuggies Ian, Chris, and Bob, duty instructor Ian Trotter, and our chefs Maggie and Luise.