2023 Summer Overview

The summer months have been very busy for the gliding club. We have continued to organise evening flying sessions on Thursdays which have proven to be very popular among the members spending their summer in Cambridge. These flying sessions were particularly aimed at pre-solo pilots who were able to practice crucial elements such as take-offs, landings and launch failures in a relaxed atmosphere.

We are very pleased to inform that during these sessions we have had four people gone solo: Jana Sebestikova, Chris Lottery, Ilya Kaysin and Julius Bock; two have converted to club single seaters: Darius Danaei and Chris Lottery; Federico Lattauda obtained his XC endorsement; and Flavio Salvati obtained his Silver endorsement – huge congratulations to you all!

Flavio completed his Silver Distance, Duration and Height all in the same flight!

The first week of July was particularly busy with hosting the Interunis and Varsity competitions. During these events, we welcomed 50 students from 9 universities and flew more than 320 launches. We have all learned so much - up in the sky but also down on the ground. It was a joyous time filled with learning, friendly competition and most importantly: fun! We made new friends and solidified our already existing inter-club relations.

One typical evening at Gransden Lodge during interunis. The place came to life with so many students!

Behind the scenes, our club presidents have been working really hard on new projects – from the refurbishment of the Standard Cirrus sailplane owned by one of our alumni, to the organization of the 90th anniversary dinner at the Duxford Imperial War Museum, where we will be dining under Concorde’s wing. You are all welcome to sign up! Please consider donating a small amount if you can. That will support students ticket prices.

Dinner Layout at the Duxford Imperial War Museum.

Finally, we are getting ready for a new wave of students to join us at Freshers’ Fair on the 3rd and 4th of October, on Parker’s Piece. As always, CUGC booked the largest outdoor stand to display our glider CU! If you’re near Cambridge, consider joining us for a few hours and help us inspire the next generation of students!

Flavio Salvati

2023-24 CUGC President and Equipment Officer

Jane Bryl

2023-24 CUGC President