2020 

If you are anything like me, you will be sitting at home having started this most recent lockdown in the dead of winter with very little thought of gliding or the club. And in fact, if you dare to cast your mind back to the dreaded 2020 it may well be littered with thoughts of difficulties flying, particularly if you were still learning to solo. Yet some good has prevailed. Some laughs were had and as a club, we continued to support and engage our members as much as we could. I hope to illustrate to you that despite COVID-19, Wolds Gliding Club has worked hard in 2020 to continue flying and provide members with a worthwhile experience as much as possible. We also have some interesting things planned (in anticipation) for 2021…

 Some not so good news first – it is with a heavy heart that I tell you Margaret in the office is leaving us on 17thJanuary. Margaret has been looking at moving up to Scotland for a while now and finally has bitten the bullet and decided to make it a reality. I am sure you will all thank her for her work and wish her the best of luck for the future. Thanks Margaret!

 Some interesting stats for 2020:

• We have recorded a total of 704 aerotow flights, 1880 winch launches, and 1161 total hours flown from WGC in 2020. I think this is pretty remarkable given the lockdowns and restrictions we have all had to contend with.

•  76 cross country flights recorded on the BGA ladder from Pocklington

•  We were not closed for a day more than we legally needed to be and worked hard to ensure supervising instructors were available 7-days a week and dual training was possible where appropriate. 

•  The CFI/DCFIs worked hard to develop a plan to return to flying making good use of the simulator to ensure pilots could safely return to the skies. I am sure the simulator will again prove its worth in the coming months.

•  We have survived 2020 and will continue to develop in 2021, building a vision and aims for WGC as we gradually leave the “COVID era”. Some things to look forward to in 2021 (subject to restrictions):

  • “Thursday Briefings“ (8pm)

  • New “return to flying after lockdown” zoom briefings

  • AGM (provisional Apr 10)

  • Expedition to Denbigh (Apr 30)

  • Annual Dinner will most likely be in the form of a summer BBQ (Date TBC)

  • Task Week (2-8 August)

  • Two-Seater Comp (23-29 August)

Thank you again to all who have supported the Club in 2020. 2021 will be even more exciting (but hopefully in the right way!)

Best wishes

Lloyd Finlay

Treasurer

(Apologies if anyone has achieved anything and I have missed you off the list!)

Solo

Despite COVID, we saw the following people go solo:

Conversions

Joan led the way this year and converted to the Junior on 30th July. She is pretty chuffed too as this was her aim for 2020!

Badge Progression

• Irek Rudy had a busy year!  He achieved his full bronze badge! Well done!

• Again, well done to Irek Rudy who showed he was a natural at flying the LS4 staying up for 5 hours as part of his Silver badge! He said “It’s just some examples of our achievements from the past year and we are looking forward to 2021 and hoping for better season without so many limitations. We had really good year in WGC.”

• Well done to Fin Ledger who achieved his silver height gain this year!

• Sandy Loynd had a 5.5-hour flight in May. Then later in the year bit the bullet and clenched everything that can be clenched and made it across the Humber and back, gaining his full Silver badge as he did so! 

Jonathon Richardson is clearly getting used to the ASW19, achieving his diamond goal of 300km! David Tagg also followed suit getting one of his many 300km’s finally signed off!

Task Weeks

The task weeks were quite a success and despite the bad weather we still managed two BBQs (yes one was soggy!). It was refreshing to see many pilots take to the skies to attempt the new “Dart Board” challenge introduced by Sandy Loynd. Some others used the time to convert to other aircraft and work on their Bronze skills. Well done and thanks to all. 

Cross Country Achievements

Countless new official observers made by our very own Steve Wilkinson during the task week! Thanks Steve. 

Well done to one of the newest additions to our instructor team – Steve Woolcock who has clearly shown us how it’s done. Please everyone remember to put ALL your cross country flights on the ladder for 2021. 

I am sure you will agree that despite everything, we still achieved a lot of good stuff in 2020. Here’s to a safe and enjoyable 2021. 

A few more memories below - click to enlarge…