Club Coaching Days for 2009

David Ashcroft - 05/03/2009

Coaching Days

For the last few years the CSC have successfully run coaching days once a month from April till September. This process will be repeated this year and will start as usual (10.30am) at the Castle Rigg stone circle (NY291236) just outside Keswick on the 1st Saturday of the month (note variations to dates below). This is an ideal location to have a brief chat and assess the weather, leaving at 11 am for the most suitable fells. If by Thursday the weather is looking dodgy we will put out an
e-mail* postponing the meeting until the next weekend. The aim of this event is to provide some kind of learning continuity after qualifying from school, but in reality it has a much larger audience and hence its popularity. So besides the social side and opportunity to fly together, the purpose of the day is for CP pilots to be introduced to new sites, be briefed on flying conditions, development of flying skills, and assistance at take off (if needed). The following types of pilot who would benefit from this are typically:

• low air time pilots;
• pilots who haven't flown for a while;
• those who aren't progressing i.e. stuck in a rut;
• and those who are thinking of packing in.

The atmosphere is very informal and you can get as much out of it as you ask for. You may just want to clock up some hours or brush off the cobwebs, which is often the case. With the exception of partners/buddies accompanying us, we would like to discourage pilots who are quite capable of flying independently just to try and keep the numbers down. We sometimes choose to split the group to go to different locations to suit different needs or give people a chance to fly somewhere new.
And lastly, as touched on briefly above, there comes a time when you might be considering ending this sport!! The glider has been condemned to the dark corners of the garage and your Skywings remain in their cellophane wrapper. If so then please think about turning up on a beautiful sunny day to rekindle the fire, or put it out for good.

Monthly coaching dates may change with notice. They are presently arranged for:
4th April
2nd May
30th May (due to a clash with the LCC and party on 6-7th June)
4th July
1st August
5th September

*On the Thursday before, CSC members will receive an e-mail reminder of the coaching day OR notice of any changes/postponement. By this time we should have named who’s coaching with a mobile contact number. Due to the changeable weather I would advise texting for confirmation prior to travelling any distance or even after 8am on Friday morning if the forecast is still questionable.

Alternatively -
Coaching is available most flyable days of the year and there are a dozen active pilots flying in the Lakes who are qualified to coach CP’s or introduce them to unfamiliar sites. If the forecast looks decent tomorrow then consider making a couple of calls to any of those listed in the table below. Obviously this will result in more air time and quicker progression. If the forecast seems OK, and you’d like some guidance on the hill from a Club Coach, just pick up the phone and call one. Availability of Club Coaches will, of course, vary depending on their personal circumstances, but they will be available much of the time, especially during the summer months. Your local Club Coaches are shown below. Feel free to call them, ideally the evening before.
Name Area of operation Contact details Availability

Dave Ashcroft North Cumbria & West Cumbria 07752 750869 (M) 01946 823841(H) Weekends
Paul Gannon North Cumbria & West Cumbria 07941 351654 Weekends
Malcolm Grout North Cumbria see Members section (Committee page) Both
Chris Little North Cumbria 07966 153668 Weekends
Steve Giles North Cumbria 01768780297 07881740539 Weekdays
Chris Field North Cumbria 07737061927 Weekdays
Burkitt Rudd South Cumbria 07811642533 Both
Ed Cleasby Cumbria 07808394895 Weekends
Gary Hume Cumbria 07967682827 Weekends

 

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