New Pilots Open Day - Proturf - 7th October 2007

We were ready for our Pilots Briefing at 9.00am but we delayed 10 minutes for others to arrive so a Clubman demonstration schedule was flown with a Oxalys 50 YS 63, to illustrate a general idea of what was to come. As mentors sorted their groups, Mats Akesson agreed to fly first with his Oxalys 50. It was very evident that our mentors Ken, Bob and Matt had taken their rolls very seriously and got things rolling very efficiently with Bob Rowland running the flight line. Stick models probably put in as much airtime and our competitors models, and at this stage nerves were evidently in more abundance than confidence even with the organisers.

The first flight was a nerve calmer but some advise was given and taken. As the day progressed it was evident that the nerves were replaced with satisfaction and even competition, which I had not anticipated and meant we had far too few score sheets available.

I thank Steve Haywood and Chris Bond for their invaluable help at control and together with Steve Hunt and Charlotte Haywood helping with timing, judging and scribing. This indicated that an ideal complement of 8 or 9 helpers was ideal for what we had planned.

It was very clear to the observer and very rewarding to our mentors that club flyers turned into schedule flyers before our very eyes and by the afternoon it was the pilots idea to be scored on each flight and be seriously judged on the last flight. This brought about a debrief around 5.30 when the final score sheets were distributed.

I know that Keith Dawson and Mark Bennett flying Intermediate, and Ben Griffiths, Mats Akeson and Pete Lewis flying Clubman were particularly pleased. It was good to see a Dave Smith’s Saphire, Tojero, Chris Foss Acrowat, Seagull models Extra 330, A basic, but well trimmed ‘high wing’ aerobatic trainer, 2 Oxalys 50s, A Groove 90 being shared by Father and Son team and a Flair Leo all being flown on the ‘Line’ by the end of the day.

I have got the feeling that many pilots drove home with warm and upbeat feeling, which is just a sample of what we all feel, on most occasions, when we leave a GBR/CAA competition.

Thank you again to all and we hope to see you next year – keep an eye on the 2008 competition calendar.