Wow, what a day! We set off at 7 o'clock after a bowl of rice crispies and some fennel tea (not very butch) and after an hour's ride in a rickety, old Nissan Micra, we thought that was it. That flying was easy. However, we soon found out, there is a lot more to it, as you will see.
Wade said Wednesdays is the retired gents day, but he reliably informed us that he is neither retired nor a gentleman! He never did explain how come he manages to fly on a Wednesday. A mystery.
Miss you lots, tally ho and chocs away,
Here is the record of our day!
The crew! Rachel's bacon sarnies were delicious and just what we needed for breakfast.
We had to carry out a d.i. (daily inspection). Here we are checking out the instruments
The parachute was too big for me
....and Rocco
We also had to check out the weight restrictions. Despite Wade being in there as well (of course), we didn't go over the limit.
We had to practice using the controls, synchronising rudder peddals and stick together. I needed help with the rudders! But it was ok.
Rocco was even more challenged in this area! On account of his height, not lack of brain. He WAS taking it all in.
We tried different seating positions with safety always uppermost in our minds.
We had to check the winch parachutes, although we weren't winching. This was part of our duties for the day.
Another part of our duties was to log the aircraft in and out, as well as use the radio to contact various aircraft. Roger, reading you 5!
Our glider
Before we flew we needed to check that the d.i. had been done and carried out in accordance with BGA regulations. It had - after all we'd done it!
Our seating positions next to the pilot. Wade, although being a very patient instructor, fiddled with the camera while we were in the air which almost led to a spin. He then decided it would be safer to leave us in our pockets. However, he was most obliging in banking the aircraft, so we could see the sky, and the other way we could see the ground. Scary!
After a hard day's gliding we imbibed the favourite club brew. There was no Wherry available, so we had a pint of Flowers instead, served by the very lovely Eddie.
Wade introduced us to the Chairman of Norfolk Gliding Club, Grum Ashworth, who was very proud to meet such fine upstanding members of the gliding community and shook our hands.
He presented us with our certificate!
Love
Chelmer and Rocco xxxxx
