Women in the Air

Our fund raising day to encourage women to fly was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part. Weather-wise we had one of the best days of the summer (which doesn't take a lot this year!) and plenty of people spent the day sitting outside the clubhouse enjoying the sunshine and watching the flying.

Trial lessons in the C152 and R22 were very popular, particularly for one young lady who enjoyed a flight in the C152 then booked another in the R22. Several people have booked up further lessons so hopefully SFS and Patriot will have some new students as a result of the day. Rumours that the airport would run out of fuel in the afternoon had threatened to bring the day to an abrupt halt but, thankfully we managed to get all of the flights done before they stopped refueling in the evening.

Many thanks go to the instructors who flew on the day; Tricia Nelmes, Neil Coles, Candia Blenkiron, Al Cleaver and Alan Marrs and Jennie Lyons. It was a very hectic day as they flew back to back lessons to help keep things moving but hopefully they all enjoyed themselves.

The day was held in memory of Lucy Rodger who sadly passed away earlier in the year. Her partner Andy Curtis (and his two lovely dogs) came along for the day and Andy had an eventful flight to Kemble with Alan South in G-OSFS - one of the green landing gear lights didn't come on, but after several fly pasts to check the gear was down, they landed safely.

The organizers, Anne Heron, Fiona Baker Veronica Tanner, Tricia and Hazel had a great response to their request for volunteers from SFS members. Many thanks to everyone who helped out on the day; John Packer, Rosie Griffiths, David Painter, Alison Foster, Mike Lumb, Lorraine Dodd and Duncan Tincello carried out briefings, escorted students to and from the aircraft and generally looked after them, David Ruck and Alan White made up a refueling team to fuel the aircraft throughout the day, Derek Greenaway took a couple of ladies flying, John Blenkiron looked after the helicopters with Anne Heron doing the briefings. Jade South sold raffle tickets, Hazel South and Dave Scott-Harris ensured that we had plenty of trial lessons booked for the day, liaised with the airport prior to the event and ran the office on the day, (Fiona fails to mention she also helped all day liaising between students and instructors. HS). Alan South and Glyne Wright provided the BBQ in the evening and Jade and Robert South helped in running the bar making sure everyone's glass was topped up!

The British Women Pilot's Association also received great support from their members who donated raffle prizes and cakes, came along to help out with selling refreshments and support the event. Cakes and rolls were sold during the day and a raffle was held with all the prizes being donated. The whole day was about raising funds for Flying Scholarships for the Disabled charity and we are pleased to announce that so far an amount of £1044.00 has been raised, which is a fantastic achievement. Thanks again to all involved and all who gave us donations.

Dates for your diary:

Fly out to the Isle of Wight - Sunday 25th May 2008

Treasure Hunt - Friday, Saturday and Sunday (18/19/20) July

Pig Roast -Sunday 30th August