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Tuesday 8 May 2012

Getting to Silver C in 1962

Getting to Silver C in 1962. Oly 2.

First cross country attempt on 1st July but only made 30 miles from Upavon to a field at More Critchell near Wimborn. My route took me over Stonehenge but too short.

Next attempt was to get to Lasham. This was 7th july and I made it. So my distance was in the bag and the barograph showed a gain of 4500 feet, so the height was obtained too. Making progress. Only need my 5 hours now....

On the 7th August of the same year we were at Bicester and John Willi sent me off to Halton to have a go at my 5 hours. Don't remember the name of the pilot flying the Tiger Moth tug pilot (Jeff Gough ?), but remember him as being a glider buff too. Only managed 2h 10 mins on the hill as the wind declined enough for me to give it up. Got a great tow back to Bicester behind the same Tiger.

Back at Upavon on the 10th August for another attempt. This time JW chose Roundway hill near Devises for three of us to see what we could do. We were towed over by the Chipmunk. I went first and was later joined by the club Tutor and another Oly2. Quite a bit of thermal activity after the first hour, then just needed to stay with the hill until my time was up. 5hr 10mins did the trick and so gained Silver C certificate number 1202.

Later I went on to get my power PPL in 16hr 45mins on an Auster at Wolverhampton. Only needing shortened training time due to the Silver C. I was a very happy chappi.