Final thoughts from your outgoing CFI.

Five and a half years ago I was approached by John Young and the Committee to see if I would take on the task, as John had done his stint as CFI.  As I was only an Assistant Rated Instructor I thought this would be as previous when our then CFI walked out and the BGA allowed me to operate for up to 6 months as CFI while Roger Emms completed his Full Rating.  After talking to Bob Pettifer, Chairman of the BGA Instructors Committee, I found out that times had changed and I would have to become a Full Rated Instructor to become CFI. This I had not bargained for, I was quite happy as an Ass Cat. and did not relish all the study etc required to get through.  After speaking to Bob again he said “ we fly midweek so when you are ready give me a ring and come on up, be there about 10.00hrs,” up being Bowland Forest GC north east of Preston, Lancs., 220 miles from home.  We agreed on a date and I set off at 6 in the morning, stopped for breakfast and arrived as instructed, about 10.  I found Bob who set me up with a mug of tea, with instructions to make my way out to the launch point when I was rested.  I arrived at the launch point suitably refreshed and was told to sit down and observe operations and later we would fly.  The site is close to some hills and off the top of the launch everyone turned right and flew to the hill and then ridge soared. Flights there were as long as you wanted to stay up, with Microlights for company.

  After an hour Bob said lets go fly in the K13. Off we went with me in the back doing the flying, off the winch launch,1000ft, and off to the hill where we found lift, kept it in tight and beat up and down until we were high enough to proceed to the next ridge. After we got to 2000ft+ we did some exercises, some spins and then flew back into the circuit and landed. The next flight was to be a demo launch failure that involved landing back at the launch point area, this I completed. Ok said Bob lets go and have a cup of coffee, so we made our way back to the clubhouse, wondering what was next on the agenda.  After a chat and a question and answer program he signed my logbook and said congratulations, you are a Full Cat. I was not sure I had heard right, but there it was signed in my logbook.  I found out later from Bob that he himself like me had been a Full Rated Air Cadet Instructor and knew my history, thank you Air Cadets.

  Back at Upwood we needed to increase our instructor strength and one of our BI`s was trained up to go on an Ass Cat course. He passed with flying colours but unfortunately was never seen again, costing the Club money and wasted time, so we had to start again.  Three more volunteers were found in Dave Mansfield, Steve Jarvis and Alan Wyse, Alan coming from 616 VGS Henlow (I think Upwood is becoming a retirement home for 616 personnel). They all completed at various times and provided the Club with the additional instructional strength that was required. Unfortunately due to various pressures Alan was not able to keep up the hours but hopes to resume later. Ian Taylor also joined us from another BGA club, as a BI.  Following that Chris Shepperd started BI training and Steve started his Ass Cat training. Chris passed as BI and Steve passed as Ass Cat, but we lost Martin Reynolds as an instructor due to a heavy workload with the RAF as aircrew in AWACS.

  During all this time members came and went for various reasons but we managed to keep approx the same number of members.  Solo’s, Bronze legs, Silver legs, Silver “C”`s complete, 100kmDiploma flights and in one very good Task week a crop of Diamond 300km Goal flights were achieved.

  The fleet was upgraded from K7`s to a smart K7/13, built on our good K7 wings and a fully refurbished K13 fuselage, and a very tidy K13 that we purchased, (thanks to one particular member who really convinced us we needed a K13!!!) this has proved to be very successful.  The K8 had a wing problem and the whole a/c was sold off and the privately owned on site K8 was purchased and this has proved to be popular.  The Junior is still the attraction for members and apart from a slight mishap this year has been in constant use.

   Five and a half years, doesn’t time fly. Three years ago the Club started talking about my replacement, to be in place by my 70^th birthday, at 71 I was still in post but there was light at the end of the tunnel. Steve Jarvis had been recommended by our Senior Regional BGA Examiner to fill the post.  Steve at the time was only a Provisional Ass Cat, he had to do his completion course and then do his Full Rated tests. Could he do it before time ran out? The answer was YES and Steve took over on the 12^th December 2009. Congratulations Steve, how long is it to your 71^st birthday?!!!

  Where do I go from here, well, the BGA have allowed me to retain my Full Rating until the 2^nd June 2010when I will become a Restricted Full Rating, this will allow me to supervise new Ass Cats and BI flying and carry out check flights, flying with members who are capable of landing the a/c. There is no time restriction to this Rating or Revalidation required so I may be good for a few more years to come!!! Wife and Family permitting!      I would very much like to complete a 500km and hopefully may have more time to try this.  I still intend to give my best to the Club but please remember I am pushing 72 and am no longer a young 60 something.

  My heartfelt thanks to everyone in the Club for all the help and cooperation during my time as CFI. Wishing you all, all the very best for the coming year.

  Roger Morrisroe.   27^th December 2009. updated June 2010 [Click here for Pictures of Roger's last Full Cat Day]

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