A great afternoon on the airfield
This afternoon the weather was absolutely beautiful, and there were several gliders up from Wycombe Air Park. I thought I'd pop up there (a couple of miles at the most from Mum's) and take a look around.
I started by dropping into the office, logbook in hand. That broke the ice with the receptionist immediately, and we got chatting about prices for flying in the club. Finally, she radioed the launch point and the CFI, Mike Cotter gave me the go-ahead to enter the field and pay them a visit.
I started by dropping into the office, logbook in hand. That broke the ice with the receptionist immediately, and we got chatting about prices for flying in the club. Finally, she radioed the launch point and the CFI, Mike Cotter gave me the go-ahead to enter the field and pay them a visit.
Within moments of getting out on the grass, I was enjoying myself. I love the airfield environment: the ever-present breeze, the huge dome of sky, revealing picture-perfect cloud formations whatever the weather, the activity. I enjoy knowing the protocols of airfield use: what is more satisfying than being in a place where you like to be and where you do not feel a stranger? I enjoy the walking and the observing: there's always something going on. I can assure you that if you've spent some time on airfields, you find yourself looking into the sky far more often the rest of the time! As I approached the launch point - an old double-decker bus, some K21s and K13s were performing lazy circles above the field, occasionally dipping down to land. There were two tugs rushing around, launching the waiting gliders in an organised fashion, never pausing for long.
I reported to the bus as soon as I arrived, to find a lady poring over a hand-written log. We got chatting, and I discovered that it had been a very busy day for flying. Together we spotted the landing aircraft and jotted their times down. Within a minute she announced that "her glider" was still lying in the middle of the field and she needed to retrieve it! Would I carry on with the log? I was happy to oblige, and she rushed off, leaving the new boy with the paperwork!
As I jotted what I could as the planes came in thick and fast, and were launched just as quickly, I espied a fresh-faced Chinese chap, a few years younger than me. He was on his gap year, and had secured no fewer than two flying scholarships from organisations like the Air League. He had obtained his PPL in Scotland where they had sent him to learn, and he was now the on-site tug pilot for the club! The arrangement he had was this: he could fly every day for the gliding club as a tug pilot and live on site for free, but no pay. He accepted and lives in a caravan by an old hangar. We've discussed the possibility that when he's flying a two-seater tug, I can accompany him, which should be fascinating. I've seen aero-tows from the perspective of a glider and a tug before, but there's a lot to learn, and I like just getting into the air! The catch seems to be insurance, but that will be solved if I simply... join the club.
Naturally, I asked for a price list. It is clear that the introductory courses are great value for money: you can fly more cheaply than a club member can. I could go solo in gliders with my experience in maybe three or four flights more, which is very appealing - it would open up lots of holiday opportunities and be another string to my bow. Club membership is included with the courses, so I could stand to get in the air quite a lot.
I finally met Mike, the CFI, who seemed to be doing every job on the field, simultaneously launching, coordinating tug landings and sorting out the flying list. He asked if I wanted to get in the air today, but I declined - I could see myself writing a large cheque, and wanted to think it over. In the meanwhile, I offered to assist with retrievals and other work, so I was briefed by my new friend from Hong Kong on the golf buggies and retrieval procedures. Off we went, me at the wheel zipping around the field collecting new arrivals, asking them about their flights and driving their beautiful, white aircraft back to the launch point.
Towards the end, I helped organise the hangar with Linden, another club member. Together, we pushed around light aircraft and gliders to try to fit everything in. It's a very well equipped club judging by what they've got in there and what I've seen on the field.
So, what now? I'm developing a suspicion that I'm not earning as much as I should be because I'm not setting hard enough targets and financial responsibilities for myself. After all, I've never failed to meet a financial obligation yet. Does that maybe indicate that the more I try to do in my already exciting life, the more I'll feel compelled to earn to make it possible? I suspect so, so the plan is this:
I reported to the bus as soon as I arrived, to find a lady poring over a hand-written log. We got chatting, and I discovered that it had been a very busy day for flying. Together we spotted the landing aircraft and jotted their times down. Within a minute she announced that "her glider" was still lying in the middle of the field and she needed to retrieve it! Would I carry on with the log? I was happy to oblige, and she rushed off, leaving the new boy with the paperwork!
As I jotted what I could as the planes came in thick and fast, and were launched just as quickly, I espied a fresh-faced Chinese chap, a few years younger than me. He was on his gap year, and had secured no fewer than two flying scholarships from organisations like the Air League. He had obtained his PPL in Scotland where they had sent him to learn, and he was now the on-site tug pilot for the club! The arrangement he had was this: he could fly every day for the gliding club as a tug pilot and live on site for free, but no pay. He accepted and lives in a caravan by an old hangar. We've discussed the possibility that when he's flying a two-seater tug, I can accompany him, which should be fascinating. I've seen aero-tows from the perspective of a glider and a tug before, but there's a lot to learn, and I like just getting into the air! The catch seems to be insurance, but that will be solved if I simply... join the club.
Naturally, I asked for a price list. It is clear that the introductory courses are great value for money: you can fly more cheaply than a club member can. I could go solo in gliders with my experience in maybe three or four flights more, which is very appealing - it would open up lots of holiday opportunities and be another string to my bow. Club membership is included with the courses, so I could stand to get in the air quite a lot.
I finally met Mike, the CFI, who seemed to be doing every job on the field, simultaneously launching, coordinating tug landings and sorting out the flying list. He asked if I wanted to get in the air today, but I declined - I could see myself writing a large cheque, and wanted to think it over. In the meanwhile, I offered to assist with retrievals and other work, so I was briefed by my new friend from Hong Kong on the golf buggies and retrieval procedures. Off we went, me at the wheel zipping around the field collecting new arrivals, asking them about their flights and driving their beautiful, white aircraft back to the launch point.
Towards the end, I helped organise the hangar with Linden, another club member. Together, we pushed around light aircraft and gliders to try to fit everything in. It's a very well equipped club judging by what they've got in there and what I've seen on the field.
So, what now? I'm developing a suspicion that I'm not earning as much as I should be because I'm not setting hard enough targets and financial responsibilities for myself. After all, I've never failed to meet a financial obligation yet. Does that maybe indicate that the more I try to do in my already exciting life, the more I'll feel compelled to earn to make it possible? I suspect so, so the plan is this:
- Settle into new flat (when that finally happens in the next week or so).
- Review budget and time available in the light of this new obligation. Earn more money by doing more work and billing for it (it should be as simple as that in my line of work, and with my opportunities...)
- Pop up to the Lake District with Clare in June. Review things.
- On my return, consider paying about £250 to take a short course and to go solo in gliders. That includes three months of club membership. Glide during the week to get a consistent instructor and avoid the busy periods. .
- Review budget and time-management again.
- After three months, either:
- find a cheaper way to fly (following up contacts at the club outside Newbury?), or
- stop flying altogether, or, if finances allow,
- "top up" my first payment and go on a more intensive course for a while, to get my hours up and start flying solo, maybe cross-country.
There are, of course, going to be secondary costs. I'll want a GPS that I can keep up-to-date, for example. I'll also need a hat and some new sunglasses! Wish my luck!
Isn't it exciting?
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