Geoff Bates First Solo

Paramotor pilot Geoff Bates made his first solo flight in the QuikR before Christmas at Kemble - and yes it was nearly dark as can bee seen from the lights in the photograph below! Very many congratulations to Geoff who travels from near Hereford to fly here at Kemble Flying Club.

Geoff said he loves flying his paramotor but wanted to broaden his horizons and aviation knowledge and skills by taking on the challenge of flying a flexwing. Geoff flew three circuits after dy jumped out of the aircraft. David said: “I thought he did really well especially as there was a fair bit of other traffic about. Its really great we have all the lights on the QuikR so when it is a bit gloomy the aircraft is really visible. Given Geoff’s travel distance and a few weather let downs he has done really brilliantly to get solo in 16 hours. Well done!”

Congratulations to David Knight – two firsts in a week!

David Knight, another Club Member who has always wanted to fly since he was boy, achieved that amazing milestone, his first solo flight, on Wednesday 10th October in the Eurostar - and in the same week completed his first ever marathon run! Two big ‘firsts’ in a week and flying involved in both activities as David flew (airline flight) to Palma for the Zafiro Palma Marathon on Mallorca on 14th October. An obviously delighted David is pictured just ater his first solo flight with flying instructor Mark Hayter and holding the ‘First Solo’ strip completed in the Control Tower.

First solo in G-GRLS

The first solo ever in G-GRLS was achieved on Tuesday by William Cave after just 12 hours flying instruction! Very well done Will! He has dabbled with gliding since he was 16 so that helped him make this solo date. Our rather well known aircraft, build by girls at Benadean School in Kent, has been at Kemble for nearly three months now and covered over 100 hours instructional flying already. Will, 30, of Wotton-Under-Edge is quite at home with aircraft as for the MOD he looks after engineering and certification of our fast jet aircraft fleet!

First solo after 59 years!

On friday something very special happened at Kemble Flying club. A boy who had dreamed of flying an aircraft solo from the age of nine finally achieved that ambition - just 59 years on! Very many congratulations to Nigel Shires pictured right holding his ‘first solo’ slip from Kemble air traffic and with flying instructor Mark Hayter.

Paul Randall first solo

Glider pilot Paul Randall with his First Solo Flight Strip from Air Traffic on the 31st July.

Paul has a BGA Gliding Certificate and had just eight flights this year with dy before first solo in a power aircraft – EV-97 G-CEFZ

Alistair Watt first solo

Alistair Watt made his first solo flight in the Quik R flexwing on 16th August – congratulations!

Dan Tilley first solo

Congratulations to Dan Tilley who flew his first solo today in our TeamEurostar G-KEJY. Here he is pictured with his instructor, Ron Gutfield.

Mike Butters first solo

Congratulations to Mike Butters on his first solo flight!

Mathew Waters first solo

Congratulations to Mathew Waters on his first solo flight just after Christmas!

Guy Thomas goes solo

Congratulations to Guy Thomas on achieving his first solo!