Very rainy yesterday, but I made it back to Keepit OK in the morning. Found the tug needed an oil change so we did it. Miro Mikus spent a long time on the tractor, aided by Hans Hiltbrenner. If they hadn't we wouldn't have been able to fly today - the grass has grown heaps in just a few days.
Today dawned blue and sunny, but everything was a bit damp. I tried to stir everyone up to get the gliders out early and do a long task, but they all pooh poohed me - thought it would be too wet.
First launch in the Puchatek at 11:30 and it was already possible to soar, but of course we were doing circuits. By the time the masses made it to the flight line, there were cus all over the sky. Jim, my student had to go and have lunch, because the training glider got pushed out of the line! We did 25 launches altogether today.
Hans Hiltbrenner did about 470 km, and long (at least in time) flights were made by Christian Linnet, Garry Speight, John Clark, Nick Singer. Gerhard had a flight for himself in his Jantar, and Allan Buttenshaw and Tony Esler went cross countrly in the Grob.
Yours truly was left bashing the circuit with Jim Thompson and late Karen Sage. After an extraordinarily large number for broken ropes and (prearranged) faulty tugs, both Karen and Jim went solo in the evening. It was Jim's first and Karen's first for quite a long time! Well done Jim and Karen.
Tomorrow I am not working, so I have extracted the Mozzie from the back of the hangar so I can get an early launch!
Jenny
Friday, December 28, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
End of the week before Christmas
Thursday and Friday again had bad forecasts. Thursday was pretty ordinary, but good for training. Friday was the best day of the week.
There was lots of work for Boris and the new tug MRP, and I did heaps of circuits with Nigel Holmes. John Wakefield did an AFR with me, and then flew the Junior. Gerhard looked after John Deutsch and Karen Sage. Thanks Gerhard for taking on some of the instructing. We had all three of the two seaters going some days this week - i.e Puchatek, Twin Astir and Twin II.
Hans Hiltenbrenner flew the LS6 on Friday for about 4 hours and Geoff and Sandra had a decent flight in the ASH. John Deutsch had talked himself out of flying all day because of the lousy forecast, but eventually took to the air in the Junior at about 4.30 pm and had a short soaring flight.
Unfortunately Nigel didn't quite get to solo stage, but I reckon another day would have done it. I hope he will come back in January to finish off. Patricia decided that gliding wasn't really for her, but she was a huge help to everyone on the field retrieving gliders. We'd have been lost without her. She even made sure I had lunch every day - she's definitely welcome to come back.
I had intended to head home today (Saturday) but the weather stopped me. I don't fancy driving for 6 hours with all the idiots on the roads for the holiday, so I plan to depart first thing tomorrow. Lots and lots of rain today, so lots and lots of mowing will be required next week. Don't forget to grease the tractor and fill up the diff oil if you plan to take any of this on!
Merry Christmas
There was lots of work for Boris and the new tug MRP, and I did heaps of circuits with Nigel Holmes. John Wakefield did an AFR with me, and then flew the Junior. Gerhard looked after John Deutsch and Karen Sage. Thanks Gerhard for taking on some of the instructing. We had all three of the two seaters going some days this week - i.e Puchatek, Twin Astir and Twin II.
Hans Hiltenbrenner flew the LS6 on Friday for about 4 hours and Geoff and Sandra had a decent flight in the ASH. John Deutsch had talked himself out of flying all day because of the lousy forecast, but eventually took to the air in the Junior at about 4.30 pm and had a short soaring flight.
Unfortunately Nigel didn't quite get to solo stage, but I reckon another day would have done it. I hope he will come back in January to finish off. Patricia decided that gliding wasn't really for her, but she was a huge help to everyone on the field retrieving gliders. We'd have been lost without her. She even made sure I had lunch every day - she's definitely welcome to come back.
I had intended to head home today (Saturday) but the weather stopped me. I don't fancy driving for 6 hours with all the idiots on the roads for the holiday, so I plan to depart first thing tomorrow. Lots and lots of rain today, so lots and lots of mowing will be required next week. Don't forget to grease the tractor and fill up the diff oil if you plan to take any of this on!
Merry Christmas
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday
Another day with a working tug and tuggie. That's two on the trot - is it a record?
This time the forecast was much the same as yesterday's (ie not good) but this time it was right! However it was perfect weather for circuits, and we did 19 launches all together.
Nigel is progressing really well, and is now able to take off, fly the aerotow, fly the circuit and land with very little intervention from me.
Looking forward to some better weather tomorrow...
This time the forecast was much the same as yesterday's (ie not good) but this time it was right! However it was perfect weather for circuits, and we did 19 launches all together.
Nigel is progressing really well, and is now able to take off, fly the aerotow, fly the circuit and land with very little intervention from me.
Looking forward to some better weather tomorrow...
Tuesday 18 December
At last a day with a working tug AND a working tuggie! The forecast was terrible again, but it lied, and we had a good day.
We started by rigging the Grob 103, which went together quite straightforwardly, but needed a good deal of cleaning. Karen and Gerhard flew in the Grob, Nigel and Patricia flew in the Puchatek with me, and Garry flew with John Deutsch, so all the 2-seaters were going.
Harry Potts flew the LS6, and Jim Thompson, fixed the PTT switch in the Junior, before leaving at mid-day. Thanks Jim.
During all this activity, Sam Clift came out to spray the weeds with a small boomspray on the back of a four wheeler. He has done a great job, and the catheads are looking sick already.
Another visitor from Switzerland turned up, so I gave him a quick check flight.
Nigel had an interesting flight in some convergence (I think) - or was that Monday - where you could just cruise along the street at cloudbase. He is progressing well. Patricia is not too sure if gliding is for her, but I'm trying to encourage her to continue.
We started by rigging the Grob 103, which went together quite straightforwardly, but needed a good deal of cleaning. Karen and Gerhard flew in the Grob, Nigel and Patricia flew in the Puchatek with me, and Garry flew with John Deutsch, so all the 2-seaters were going.
Harry Potts flew the LS6, and Jim Thompson, fixed the PTT switch in the Junior, before leaving at mid-day. Thanks Jim.
During all this activity, Sam Clift came out to spray the weeds with a small boomspray on the back of a four wheeler. He has done a great job, and the catheads are looking sick already.
Another visitor from Switzerland turned up, so I gave him a quick check flight.
Nigel had an interesting flight in some convergence (I think) - or was that Monday - where you could just cruise along the street at cloudbase. He is progressing well. Patricia is not too sure if gliding is for her, but I'm trying to encourage her to continue.
Monday 17 December
Lots of activity at the club this week. Students on a course are Nigel Holmes and Patricia Healy, Jim Thompson wanted some more pre-solo instruction. Karen Sage is getting back to solo flying, and John Deutch booked in to fly with Garry Speight. Harry Potts flew the LS6. Gerhard is staying at the club this week two, which has been great because he has been able to look after Karen.
Now that we've got the new tug, and it is here at LKSC, what could be the problem? Well Ron Cameron, our illustrious president and intrepid tug ferry pilot, took Boris away to Murrurrundi for the weekend, but neglected to bring him back! So we had a tug but no tuggie. What else can go wrong?
Fortunately, John Deutsch elected not to come up until Monday evening, leaving Garry free to come out and fly the tug. Many thanks for saving the day Garry.
After a somewhat late start, we had some reasonable soaring flights, but the wind became quite strong at the end of the day.
Now that we've got the new tug, and it is here at LKSC, what could be the problem? Well Ron Cameron, our illustrious president and intrepid tug ferry pilot, took Boris away to Murrurrundi for the weekend, but neglected to bring him back! So we had a tug but no tuggie. What else can go wrong?
Fortunately, John Deutsch elected not to come up until Monday evening, leaving Garry free to come out and fly the tug. Many thanks for saving the day Garry.
After a somewhat late start, we had some reasonable soaring flights, but the wind became quite strong at the end of the day.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Mañana
Arriving back at Lake Keepit on Monday morning I peeked into the tug hangar expecting to see the new Callair there - but no. Thunderstorms had prevented its arrival. However Ron Cameron said that perhaps it would be here tomorrow.
So out with the winch. After a frustrating day of broken leaders and not working very well radios, we did get a few gliders launched, and some soaring was achieved before the thunderstorms set in for the afternoon.
A call to Casino on Tuesday revealed that the Callair had been put away on Sunday afternoon with flat batteries, and it was too far for anyone to travel 20km from Lismore to Casino to put the battery charger on it. However someone might be able to go there and put a charger on it on Wednesday morning. The plan was that Ron Cameron would fly over on Wednesday morning in his Cutlass with a mate who would fly the Cutlass back and he would fly the Callair back - mañana. Tuesday was not much of a gliding day, so no one was too worried about not flying. We got lots of jobs
done around the place. Harry and Harry planted some more grass seed.
On Wednesday we heard that Ron had made it to Casino a
nd that his Cutlass was back at Inverell - maybe he would be able to get through the storms back to Inverell that afternoon. Then we heard that he couldn't get through and that he had got the tug to Tyagarah - maybe mañana. Another ordinary sort of day at Lake Keepit and no one was interested in winch launching.
Thursday the weather on the coast was terrible, but the time at Tyagarah was well spent, and Ron and Macca were able to make adjustments to the rigging to make the aircraft fly nicely. Ron set off in the evening, and Boris and I planned to fly to Inverell first thing on Friday morning to fetch it. But Ron was unable to get through the weather and ended up at an airstrip on a property near Grafton, miles from anywhere, and had to sleep under the wing wrapped up in a tarp he found in the hopper. Well we knew that would be pretty uncomfortable, so we were sure he would make and early start mañana en la mañana! (tomorrow in the morning).
Friday dawned and Ron made it to Inverell in the tug. But we still couldn't have it because it had a couple of serious oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold which the owner had not been told about by the users at Casino. We had to wait for Paul Mitrega at Inverell to fix them. I flew Boris to Inverell anyway, and left him there as I had to get going with the twin astir trailer to get the Grob fuselage back from Temora.
By about 3 pm Boris finally arrived back with the aircraft - so we hooked the tow rope on straight away. Harry Potts, Harry Medlicott and Dave Shorter launched. It looked like a very good day. I left with the trailer before they came down.
So out with the winch. After a frustrating day of broken leaders and not working very well radios, we did get a few gliders launched, and some soaring was achieved before the thunderstorms set in for the afternoon.
A call to Casino on Tuesday revealed that the Callair had been put away on Sunday afternoon with flat batteries, and it was too far for anyone to travel 20km from Lismore to Casino to put the battery charger on it. However someone might be able to go there and put a charger on it on Wednesday morning. The plan was that Ron Cameron would fly over on Wednesday morning in his Cutlass with a mate who would fly the Cutlass back and he would fly the Callair back - mañana. Tuesday was not much of a gliding day, so no one was too worried about not flying. We got lots of jobs
done around the place. Harry and Harry planted some more grass seed.On Wednesday we heard that Ron had made it to Casino a
nd that his Cutlass was back at Inverell - maybe he would be able to get through the storms back to Inverell that afternoon. Then we heard that he couldn't get through and that he had got the tug to Tyagarah - maybe mañana. Another ordinary sort of day at Lake Keepit and no one was interested in winch launching.Thursday the weather on the coast was terrible, but the time at Tyagarah was well spent, and Ron and Macca were able to make adjustments to the rigging to make the aircraft fly nicely. Ron set off in the evening, and Boris and I planned to fly to Inverell first thing on Friday morning to fetch it. But Ron was unable to get through the weather and ended up at an airstrip on a property near Grafton, miles from anywhere, and had to sleep under the wing wrapped up in a tarp he found in the hopper. Well we knew that would be pretty uncomfortable, so we were sure he would make and early start mañana en la mañana! (tomorrow in the morning).
Friday dawned and Ron made it to Inverell in the tug. But we still couldn't have it because it had a couple of serious oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold which the owner had not been told about by the users at Casino. We had to wait for Paul Mitrega at Inverell to fix them. I flew Boris to Inverell anyway, and left him there as I had to get going with the twin astir trailer to get the Grob fuselage back from Temora.
By about 3 pm Boris finally arrived back with the aircraft - so we hooked the tow rope on straight away. Harry Potts, Harry Medlicott and Dave Shorter launched. It looked like a very good day. I left with the trailer before they came down.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday 7th December
Another cloudy start to the day. First flight was Peter in the Junior. He managed to stay up for about 30 minutes - whereas Graham Davis in the Libelle, who launched next only managed 16. I don't think he went as high on the tow though. Peter did an excellent landing in the junior and was favourably impressed by it.
The sun came out, and I checked with Gen if she wanted the Junior, and suggested she might like to go for a flight in the Twin Astir with me. She agreed and we sent Peter off again in the Junior. He came down two hours later!
Alan Murdoch flew the LS7, Josef Strassl the LS6, and Graham Davis had a much longer flight in his club libelle.
Gen and I had a girls afternoon gliding, and mooched out towards Manilla. We got slightly low at the airstrip, but not down to the circuit planning stage before we got up again. None of the clouds on the way back offered much. I told Gen I thought we could glide back to the field, but I don't think she believed me. But I was right, and we did! Just when we were thinking of landing, she hooked into the best lift we found all day and cored it up to cloudbase. We followed a cloud street towards Gunnedah, but it did not offer much so we turned back an once again had a long glide back. I think Gen was a bit surprised at how far you can go in the concrete swan! Anyway she landed it nicely on runway 14, and we put it away for the day.
After a beer or two outside the club house, John Wakefield decided it was time to teach Boris how to play cricket. He and Josef found it all somewhat mystifying but they joined in anyway. Using a tennis ball, and as the gust front of a storm hit, the bowling was somewhat eratic, and the fielding not much better. I have to admit, that this time, the Poms got the better of us.
Thursday 6 December
15 tows today - but all in MIE. Thanks very much Ian Barraclough for helping us out this week.
Alan Murdoch and Gen Francis came back, and we thought they had brought the Pommie weather with them. I woke up at 6.30, heard the thunder crashing, and went back to sleep again. It was grey and miserable at briefing and the aviation forecast was abysmal BUT I thought it was referring to the weather that had already passed through during the night. We re-briefed at noon, by which time the sun was shining and the cus were popping.
I had a couple more flights with Peter in the Twin Astir, and then persuaded Boris to go gliding for a change. He flew the twin perfectly on aerotow, and then thermalled up to cloudbase. I asked if he had done much XC gliding and he said not, so I thought it was a good time to start.
Gen and Alan were trying to do the Manilla Gunnedah milk run, so barrelled off towards Manilla in the twin. Boris did the flying, and kept saying "not good enough- that next cloud looks better" so we were quite low when we got to Mt Borah. However the cloud that was there was good enough and we climbed back up to cloudbase - about 6000ft QNH. Off around Manilla Silo where we found another ggod thermal, and then back along the hills under the clouds. After a number of not good enough thermals, we got back to the airfield quite low. I couldn't help it, I had to take over because I couldn't talk us into the themal! However I managed bank the concrete swan up into a tight 6 knotter, and we got back up to cloudbase again. Then off toward Gunnedah. Unhappily there was a blue hole over Gunnedah, so we chickened out before we got to the airfield and turned back.
Boris did a beautiful flare and landing, - except a foot too high! Power pilots for you. As we were towing the glider back up to the take off he said - that was my second glider flight in thermals - the first was with Ian Barraclough in the ASH 25 a month ago! Well he is used to finding thermals in tug.... What it is to be 23.
After that I did three more circuits with Peter in the Twin Astir, after which I thought he was ready for the Junior - but we left that for Friday.
Alan Murdoch and Gen Francis came back, and we thought they had brought the Pommie weather with them. I woke up at 6.30, heard the thunder crashing, and went back to sleep again. It was grey and miserable at briefing and the aviation forecast was abysmal BUT I thought it was referring to the weather that had already passed through during the night. We re-briefed at noon, by which time the sun was shining and the cus were popping.
I had a couple more flights with Peter in the Twin Astir, and then persuaded Boris to go gliding for a change. He flew the twin perfectly on aerotow, and then thermalled up to cloudbase. I asked if he had done much XC gliding and he said not, so I thought it was a good time to start.
Gen and Alan were trying to do the Manilla Gunnedah milk run, so barrelled off towards Manilla in the twin. Boris did the flying, and kept saying "not good enough- that next cloud looks better" so we were quite low when we got to Mt Borah. However the cloud that was there was good enough and we climbed back up to cloudbase - about 6000ft QNH. Off around Manilla Silo where we found another ggod thermal, and then back along the hills under the clouds. After a number of not good enough thermals, we got back to the airfield quite low. I couldn't help it, I had to take over because I couldn't talk us into the themal! However I managed bank the concrete swan up into a tight 6 knotter, and we got back up to cloudbase again. Then off toward Gunnedah. Unhappily there was a blue hole over Gunnedah, so we chickened out before we got to the airfield and turned back.
Boris did a beautiful flare and landing, - except a foot too high! Power pilots for you. As we were towing the glider back up to the take off he said - that was my second glider flight in thermals - the first was with Ian Barraclough in the ASH 25 a month ago! Well he is used to finding thermals in tug.... What it is to be 23.
After that I did three more circuits with Peter in the Twin Astir, after which I thought he was ready for the Junior - but we left that for Friday.
Wednesday 5 December
A very busy day - but not all of it flying.
A man came to install a fuel bowser, only to find that nothing was prepared for it, and the tank which needed to be empty for the job, was full of fuel. I had a frantic morning organising a load of sand for the pipes and a backhoe for the State Park to lift the tank.
The bowser man did a huge amount of work, but also bashed into a club members' car.
As far as the flying was concerned the day looked unpreposessing, but it was OK for training. The Holden man came and installed new fuel filters and plugs in the E-tug, and adjusted the throttle setting., and Boris did the tows in it. Peter Robinson did another couple of solos in the Puchatek, and I did the A certificate test flight with him. Then an AFR for Louis Solomons in the Twin Astir.
Louis wanted to test a new TE probe in his Ventus and as Boris tried to start the Tug, it wouldn't go again. Neither fuel pump would work. We peered inside for a few minutes and then he tried to start it again and it went! Not game to fly it again though until this intermittent problem is solved. Once again Ian Barraclough stepped in and towed with his C185. Then Peter had a flight with me in the Twin Astir.
At 7.30 pm the committee had a phone meeting and decided to buy another tug. We sh
ould have it by Monday!
It was Boris' birthday, so we all went into Manilla for a meal. Lots of club members turned out to help him celebrate, which he really appreciated.
What a busy day!
A man came to install a fuel bowser, only to find that nothing was prepared for it, and the tank which needed to be empty for the job, was full of fuel. I had a frantic morning organising a load of sand for the pipes and a backhoe for the State Park to lift the tank.
The bowser man did a huge amount of work, but also bashed into a club members' car.
As far as the flying was concerned the day looked unpreposessing, but it was OK for training. The Holden man came and installed new fuel filters and plugs in the E-tug, and adjusted the throttle setting., and Boris did the tows in it. Peter Robinson did another couple of solos in the Puchatek, and I did the A certificate test flight with him. Then an AFR for Louis Solomons in the Twin Astir.
Louis wanted to test a new TE probe in his Ventus and as Boris tried to start the Tug, it wouldn't go again. Neither fuel pump would work. We peered inside for a few minutes and then he tried to start it again and it went! Not game to fly it again though until this intermittent problem is solved. Once again Ian Barraclough stepped in and towed with his C185. Then Peter had a flight with me in the Twin Astir.
At 7.30 pm the committee had a phone meeting and decided to buy another tug. We sh
ould have it by Monday!It was Boris' birthday, so we all went into Manilla for a meal. Lots of club members turned out to help him celebrate, which he really appreciated.
What a busy day!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tuesday 4 December
After raining all night, the sky cleared and it looked like a reasonable day - however we had tug problems again.
Ian Barraclough stepped in and did the towing this afternoon. Josef Strassl flew the LS7 and visited Gunnedah, and Manilla in his travels. He took the pictures below.
Harry Potts had a nice flight in the LS6. Peter Robinson and I had about an hour in the Puchatek where I tried to teach him to join another glider in a thermal. We also did a bit more on spinning, and varying the bank in turns. After that I sent him solo again, with the expectation that he would have a soaring flight - however a storm was looming close so he decided to land before conditions got exciting - a good call.
The storm passed and after an afternoon tea of fresh bread, Peter went for another two solos, which will give him his A certificate after he has answered the questions.
It is Boris's birthday towmorrow - he will be just 23! Lets hope he will be able to get his feet off the ground!
Ian Barraclough stepped in and did the towing this afternoon. Josef Strassl flew the LS7 and visited Gunnedah, and Manilla in his travels. He took the pictures below.
Harry Potts had a nice flight in the LS6. Peter Robinson and I had about an hour in the Puchatek where I tried to teach him to join another glider in a thermal. We also did a bit more on spinning, and varying the bank in turns. After that I sent him solo again, with the expectation that he would have a soaring flight - however a storm was looming close so he decided to land before conditions got exciting - a good call.
The storm passed and after an afternoon tea of fresh bread, Peter went for another two solos, which will give him his A certificate after he has answered the questions.
It is Boris's birthday towmorrow - he will be just 23! Lets hope he will be able to get his feet off the ground!
Monday, December 3, 2007
3 December 2007
Another first (and second) solo flight today. Congratulations to Peter Robinson. I can't take full credit for this one, as Peter started his training in England on the winch, but managed to double his airtime in his first four flights in Australia. He also flew with Vic Hatfield and Peter Shiels over the weekend.
Arrived back at LKSC by Jabiru at about 9.15 am. The forecast again was terrible, but the view out of the window was not too bad. Ian Barraclough arrived in MIE, and Josef Strassl, a visitor form Austria, Harry Potts and Graham Holland were here as well as Peter Robinson, this week's student visiting from England
We got the gliders out - Puchatek was first to launch. I told Boris that I would do a hook up procedure with Peter and then he would try it. This was Boris' first flight in E-tug since the engine failure. Imagine my consternation after the second "hook-up" when he waved us off! I wasn't expecting this and thought it was another real emergency. However it was just a misunderstanding, and we had a good laugh about it afterwards. We managed to soar on this flight so were able to practice stalls and spins.
The single seaters launched, trying to ignore a large black rain cloud at the end of the runway. It looked OK towards Gunnedah. Josef thought better of it and put the LS6 away again without flying, but spent the rest of the day running the wing and retrieving the Puchatek.
By the time we launched the Puchatek again, the rain had reached the airfield, so we just did a circuit and landed back at the hangars, and had lunch.
After the rain shower, there was no more lift, but conditions were ideal for training. We got the Puchatek out again, and did heaps of circuits, emergencies, aerotow exercises etc, culminating in Peter's first solo flight in the evening, closely followed by his second!
Arrived back at LKSC by Jabiru at about 9.15 am. The forecast again was terrible, but the view out of the window was not too bad. Ian Barraclough arrived in MIE, and Josef Strassl, a visitor form Austria, Harry Potts and Graham Holland were here as well as Peter Robinson, this week's student visiting from England
We got the gliders out - Puchatek was first to launch. I told Boris that I would do a hook up procedure with Peter and then he would try it. This was Boris' first flight in E-tug since the engine failure. Imagine my consternation after the second "hook-up" when he waved us off! I wasn't expecting this and thought it was another real emergency. However it was just a misunderstanding, and we had a good laugh about it afterwards. We managed to soar on this flight so were able to practice stalls and spins.
The single seaters launched, trying to ignore a large black rain cloud at the end of the runway. It looked OK towards Gunnedah. Josef thought better of it and put the LS6 away again without flying, but spent the rest of the day running the wing and retrieving the Puchatek.
By the time we launched the Puchatek again, the rain had reached the airfield, so we just did a circuit and landed back at the hangars, and had lunch.
After the rain shower, there was no more lift, but conditions were ideal for training. We got the Puchatek out again, and did heaps of circuits, emergencies, aerotow exercises etc, culminating in Peter's first solo flight in the evening, closely followed by his second!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Saturday 1 December - Mission Accomplished!
Showers at Keepit first thing this morning delayed my departure in PPC until about 7.30 am.
Boris and Robin left with the trailer containing the Grob fuselage before I took off. Tom Gilbert has the new canopy, and it will take about a week to fit he says, so with luck we could have it back in the air by the beginning of next week i.e about 10 December.
It cleared up at Keepit a bit, and after taking off in the Pawnee, I could see that the rain was an isolated shower and I was able to fly around it. I did discover that the cockpit is not watertight! I had an easy run down to the Liverpool ranges but there was low scud on the other side. There appeared to be plenty of gaps in it, so I went over the top as far as Mudgee. After Mudgee, the low stuff appeared to be thickening up so I descended through a hole and continued at about 4000 ft and made it into Pipers Field with no trouble. 1.7 hours flying time, and used 70 litres of fuel - about 40 litres per hour. There was a decent tail wind, but fortunately next to none on the ground for the landing.
After a much appreciated cup of coffee and piece of fruit cake at the Bathurst Soaring Club, I flew the Jabiru to YBTH to get fuel (no avgas at Pipers Field), and from there to Cowra. Got to Cowra just before the thunderstorms started, and it has been grey and showery ever since.
Hope they managed to get some gliding done at Keepit.
Boris and Robin left with the trailer containing the Grob fuselage before I took off. Tom Gilbert has the new canopy, and it will take about a week to fit he says, so with luck we could have it back in the air by the beginning of next week i.e about 10 December.
It cleared up at Keepit a bit, and after taking off in the Pawnee, I could see that the rain was an isolated shower and I was able to fly around it. I did discover that the cockpit is not watertight! I had an easy run down to the Liverpool ranges but there was low scud on the other side. There appeared to be plenty of gaps in it, so I went over the top as far as Mudgee. After Mudgee, the low stuff appeared to be thickening up so I descended through a hole and continued at about 4000 ft and made it into Pipers Field with no trouble. 1.7 hours flying time, and used 70 litres of fuel - about 40 litres per hour. There was a decent tail wind, but fortunately next to none on the ground for the landing.
After a much appreciated cup of coffee and piece of fruit cake at the Bathurst Soaring Club, I flew the Jabiru to YBTH to get fuel (no avgas at Pipers Field), and from there to Cowra. Got to Cowra just before the thunderstorms started, and it has been grey and showery ever since.
Hope they managed to get some gliding done at Keepit.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Friday 30 November
Another terrible forecast, but this time it proved to be correct!
We inspected the Puchatek and the Tug. There was a problem with the PTT button in the back seat, which Harry Potts was able to fix. We were about to tow out the glider when the heavens opened and it rained and thundered. This continued pretty much all day.
In the afternoon we derigged the Grob 103 and put the fuselage in the trailer to take down to Temora to get the canopy fixed. We had to interrupt this job for a while waiting for the rain to ease off, but it went surprisingly smoothly.
In the morning, an autoelectrician came out to look at the E-tug, and later on Phil Anderton came out and did some taxi trials. Then he took off and did some flying in it. It seems to be working OK now, but needs a bit more testing. The rain stopped Phil doing as much as he would have liked.
So no flying today in gliders.
The plan is to ferry PPC back to Bathurst tomorrow morning before the storms get going.
Vic will be instructing at the club tomorrow, and Phil may be able to tow in CUR. Otherwise we will be winching.
We inspected the Puchatek and the Tug. There was a problem with the PTT button in the back seat, which Harry Potts was able to fix. We were about to tow out the glider when the heavens opened and it rained and thundered. This continued pretty much all day.
In the afternoon we derigged the Grob 103 and put the fuselage in the trailer to take down to Temora to get the canopy fixed. We had to interrupt this job for a while waiting for the rain to ease off, but it went surprisingly smoothly.
In the morning, an autoelectrician came out to look at the E-tug, and later on Phil Anderton came out and did some taxi trials. Then he took off and did some flying in it. It seems to be working OK now, but needs a bit more testing. The rain stopped Phil doing as much as he would have liked.
So no flying today in gliders.
The plan is to ferry PPC back to Bathurst tomorrow morning before the storms get going.
Vic will be instructing at the club tomorrow, and Phil may be able to tow in CUR. Otherwise we will be winching.
Thursday 29 November
A very grey day, with a very bad forecast. However I had an ex hang-glider and paraglider pilot aquaintance from England here, so we pulled the Puchatek out to do some training.
Harry Potts has also returned for three weeks, and needs a flight with an instructor to get rid of the cobwebs!
To our surprise, we were able to soar on the first Puchatek flight despite the day seeming completely grey and still. Peter Robinson was soon at home in the Puchatek, and was able to get orientated with the area. Despite only having done winch launching before in a K13 he handled the aerotow well, and made a passable attempt at the landing. He has not actually done any landings before, as his home aerodrome gets rather busy and the instructor has always had to take over to avoid obstacles of one sort or another.
We had two more circuits and then the showers moved in. We just got the glider away before getting soaked!
Later in the afternoon, we had another attempt at flying. This time we got one flight in before the storm just got too close. Boris thinks I am mad! He took this picture while towing us up!
Peter managed to double his accumulated air time in these four flights!
There has been some activity on the E-Tug, and some parts replaced. It seems to be running OK at the moment, but Phil Anderton is going to do some trials when the weather permits
Harry Potts has also returned for three weeks, and needs a flight with an instructor to get rid of the cobwebs!
To our surprise, we were able to soar on the first Puchatek flight despite the day seeming completely grey and still. Peter Robinson was soon at home in the Puchatek, and was able to get orientated with the area. Despite only having done winch launching before in a K13 he handled the aerotow well, and made a passable attempt at the landing. He has not actually done any landings before, as his home aerodrome gets rather busy and the instructor has always had to take over to avoid obstacles of one sort or another.
We had two more circuits and then the showers moved in. We just got the glider away before getting soaked!
Later in the afternoon, we had another attempt at flying. This time we got one flight in before the storm just got too close. Boris thinks I am mad! He took this picture while towing us up!
Peter managed to double his accumulated air time in these four flights!
There has been some activity on the E-Tug, and some parts replaced. It seems to be running OK at the moment, but Phil Anderton is going to do some trials when the weather permits
Wednesday 28 November
Another poor looking day, with a lot of cirrus cover. However there were cumulus under the cirrus and the day proved to be well soarable.
Alan Murdoch took off in the Jantar at 1330, the first launch of the day! 5 and a half hours later he landed having completed his duration flight for silver C. Gen attempted her sliver C distance flight, but the conditions were not quite good enough so she came back to the field.
Roy Worthington flew the LS7 for three hours, and Rod Loder had three and a half hours in the DG400.
I did not get my feet off the ground for once.
We were visited by Justin Wills and his wife Gillian during the day, visitors from New Zealand, and they went off to see Garry in Manilla.
After Alan's marathon effort we all went out for tea to the Royal in Manilla to celebrate, and met Garry and the Will's there!
A good day's flying.
Alan Murdoch took off in the Jantar at 1330, the first launch of the day! 5 and a half hours later he landed having completed his duration flight for silver C. Gen attempted her sliver C distance flight, but the conditions were not quite good enough so she came back to the field.
Roy Worthington flew the LS7 for three hours, and Rod Loder had three and a half hours in the DG400.
I did not get my feet off the ground for once.
We were visited by Justin Wills and his wife Gillian during the day, visitors from New Zealand, and they went off to see Garry in Manilla.
After Alan's marathon effort we all went out for tea to the Royal in Manilla to celebrate, and met Garry and the Will's there!
A good day's flying.
Tuesday 27 November
Another bad forecast followed by a pretty reasonable day, although there were areas of cirrus at times.
Alan and Gen were a bit slow getting their act together, so didn't launch until well after 1 o'clock.
Alan flew the Jantar, and we had to clean all the spider's webs out of it first, and get him comfortable in it. Yes you can get comfortable in a Jantar if you take the time and effort to do it!
A couple of AFRs to do for me, but spent the rest of the time on the ground.
John Wakefield and Trevor West spent ages working on the Puchatek, (the oleo was leaking) helped by Boris once he had finished towing. As a result it is now flying again thank goodness. John Wakefield spends about a day a week here working on aircraft for us - we would be lost without him. A very big thankyou John.
Alan and Gen were a bit slow getting their act together, so didn't launch until well after 1 o'clock.
Alan flew the Jantar, and we had to clean all the spider's webs out of it first, and get him comfortable in it. Yes you can get comfortable in a Jantar if you take the time and effort to do it!
A couple of AFRs to do for me, but spent the rest of the time on the ground.
John Wakefield and Trevor West spent ages working on the Puchatek, (the oleo was leaking) helped by Boris once he had finished towing. As a result it is now flying again thank goodness. John Wakefield spends about a day a week here working on aircraft for us - we would be lost without him. A very big thankyou John.
Monday 26 November
Gen Francis and Alan Murdoch visiting from the UK. John Hoye came out to say g'day as they are from his club in Kent. Despite a very ordinary forecast, the day turned out to be excellent, although there were showers around. Alan and Gen had check and orientation flights with myself and John in the Twin Astir, then they both flew the Junior for a bit.
After doing an AFR, I could not resist doing a hangar flight in the Twin. Boris towed me into a booming thermal over the rubbish dump. I got off at 1100 ft and took the average 9.5-10 kt thermal straight to cloudbase at about 8000ft.
As it was only supposed to be a hangar flight, I just flew off to Mt Borah and back and landed.
Alan and Gen were impressed with our conditions compared to what they are used to in the UK!
After doing an AFR, I could not resist doing a hangar flight in the Twin. Boris towed me into a booming thermal over the rubbish dump. I got off at 1100 ft and took the average 9.5-10 kt thermal straight to cloudbase at about 8000ft.
As it was only supposed to be a hangar flight, I just flew off to Mt Borah and back and landed.
Alan and Gen were impressed with our conditions compared to what they are used to in the UK!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The weekend
A huge weekend of aviation for me this weekend.
Flew home to Cowra on Saturday morning despite a terrible forecast. Absolutely no problems but it did storm in Cowra in the afternoon.
Then did the books for the Cowra Aero Club - another aviation chore!
Next morning flew the Jabiru to Bathurst and swapped it for a Pawnee, and flew to Keepit, arriving at about midday. It looked like a great soaring day, and I had flown through heaps of thermals on the way in.
Trevor and Lachlan Knight flew in the Twin Astir and hooked into a 7 knotter straight of the tow. Peter Shiels flew QV and Geoff Neely self launched in the DG300. Couldn't resist it, I got the Mozzie out and got into the air just after 3 O'clock. Boris did the towing, although it was supposed to be his day off. Thanks Boris.
Flew Quirindi, Tambar Springs and back. Nice little trip that I wasn't really expecting.
Well back to work again tomorrow - its a hard life!
Jenny
Flew home to Cowra on Saturday morning despite a terrible forecast. Absolutely no problems but it did storm in Cowra in the afternoon.
Then did the books for the Cowra Aero Club - another aviation chore!
Next morning flew the Jabiru to Bathurst and swapped it for a Pawnee, and flew to Keepit, arriving at about midday. It looked like a great soaring day, and I had flown through heaps of thermals on the way in.
Trevor and Lachlan Knight flew in the Twin Astir and hooked into a 7 knotter straight of the tow. Peter Shiels flew QV and Geoff Neely self launched in the DG300. Couldn't resist it, I got the Mozzie out and got into the air just after 3 O'clock. Boris did the towing, although it was supposed to be his day off. Thanks Boris.
Flew Quirindi, Tambar Springs and back. Nice little trip that I wasn't really expecting.
Well back to work again tomorrow - its a hard life!
Jenny
Friday, November 23, 2007
An "exciting week"
We had a little bit too much excitement this week.
After a brilliant week of flying during the comp, the weather became more unstable and we had quite a bit of storm activity.
On Tuesday, after Jim Thompson had done a few circuits, one of which involved hooking into a 6 kt thermal after releasing from the two at 1200 ft, I had two TIFs to take up. The first flight found nothing but 2 kts down everywhere, but the second had a good soaring flight. I offered the first chap another flight as we had been unable to soar and he accepted.
At about 900 ft AGL, the tug disappeared below us and I quickly released the rope. I was very worried about the tuggie, but he managed to do an excellent dead stick landing on the side of the lake. While I was thinking about where to land the glider, Boris radioed to say that he was OK, and as luck would have it I flew into a good thermal. We were obviously not going to get another launch, so I took the thermal and climbed out. My passenger enjoyed the rest of the TIF and was able to practice flying the glider.
We did not fly on Wednesday or Thursday because of poor weather. I did start to get the glider out on Thursday, but it needed the tyre inflating and this took a while. Meanwhile storms developed so we put it away again.
On Friday I planned to fly to Kempsey in the Jabiru with Geoff Neely in the Callair to ferry it to maintenance. However the weather prevented us - even though we planned to leave at about 6 am, there was too much cloud on the coast.
Garry came out to drive the winch and teach Boris how to do it. Al Giles wanted to get winch current again. On our first launch Al hooked into a thermal over the rock wall and climbed to cloudbase. He did another couple of launches in the Grob, then I thought I'd do one myself in the front seat. Big Mistake. Didn't fasten the back canopy and it flew open on launch and smashed. So I am sorry to say that due to my stupidity, the Grob is out of action once again. Luckily there is another canopy in the country and it is on its way to Tom Gilbert's. With any luck, it should only be two or three weeks before it is flying again.
I am hoping to fly home this weekend with the Jabiru, and return with the Bathurst tug PPC, which we are hiring for a week. With any luck we will have one of the other tugs back after that.
However winch launching is a pretty good option - you don't often need more than one launch if it is a good day.
Jenny
After a brilliant week of flying during the comp, the weather became more unstable and we had quite a bit of storm activity.
On Tuesday, after Jim Thompson had done a few circuits, one of which involved hooking into a 6 kt thermal after releasing from the two at 1200 ft, I had two TIFs to take up. The first flight found nothing but 2 kts down everywhere, but the second had a good soaring flight. I offered the first chap another flight as we had been unable to soar and he accepted.
At about 900 ft AGL, the tug disappeared below us and I quickly released the rope. I was very worried about the tuggie, but he managed to do an excellent dead stick landing on the side of the lake. While I was thinking about where to land the glider, Boris radioed to say that he was OK, and as luck would have it I flew into a good thermal. We were obviously not going to get another launch, so I took the thermal and climbed out. My passenger enjoyed the rest of the TIF and was able to practice flying the glider.
We did not fly on Wednesday or Thursday because of poor weather. I did start to get the glider out on Thursday, but it needed the tyre inflating and this took a while. Meanwhile storms developed so we put it away again.
On Friday I planned to fly to Kempsey in the Jabiru with Geoff Neely in the Callair to ferry it to maintenance. However the weather prevented us - even though we planned to leave at about 6 am, there was too much cloud on the coast.
Garry came out to drive the winch and teach Boris how to do it. Al Giles wanted to get winch current again. On our first launch Al hooked into a thermal over the rock wall and climbed to cloudbase. He did another couple of launches in the Grob, then I thought I'd do one myself in the front seat. Big Mistake. Didn't fasten the back canopy and it flew open on launch and smashed. So I am sorry to say that due to my stupidity, the Grob is out of action once again. Luckily there is another canopy in the country and it is on its way to Tom Gilbert's. With any luck, it should only be two or three weeks before it is flying again.
I am hoping to fly home this weekend with the Jabiru, and return with the Bathurst tug PPC, which we are hiring for a week. With any luck we will have one of the other tugs back after that.
However winch launching is a pretty good option - you don't often need more than one launch if it is a good day.
Jenny
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Last couple of days at the comp
The last couple of days of the comp were some of the best! There were some rain showers about, but it was quite possible to avoid them. On Friday we did an AAT to Wamboyne Airfield, Baan Baa and Manilla silo and back. This was my fastest day at about 110 km/hr.
On Saturday we had a very similar AAT task from Spring Ridge to Narrabri and Manilla Silo. Not quite as good as the day before - the thermals were harder to work, but still an enjoyable flight.
On Sunday the conditions were again very good, but most people were too tired to fly again. As my job is to fly every day, I suppose I am conditioned for doing lots of gliding. Anyway I took a launch and completed a 500 km task. Probably about my second one.
On Monday and Tuesday it was back to the grindstone with yet more flying. What more could you ask for?
On Saturday we had a very similar AAT task from Spring Ridge to Narrabri and Manilla Silo. Not quite as good as the day before - the thermals were harder to work, but still an enjoyable flight.
On Sunday the conditions were again very good, but most people were too tired to fly again. As my job is to fly every day, I suppose I am conditioned for doing lots of gliding. Anyway I took a launch and completed a 500 km task. Probably about my second one.
On Monday and Tuesday it was back to the grindstone with yet more flying. What more could you ask for?
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Lake Keepit State Comps
I am officially on holiday this week, to fly in the comp! It will be the first time for about 10 years! As Boris still has not got his licence I asked him to be my crew - he is doing a great job. I could get used to this!
Saturday was the practice day, and we had an AAT task - can't even remember where it was to now! All I know is that I was within 800 ft of a paddock on the way home, but just managed to climb up enough to get back in to the field. Others outlanded at Gunnedah aerodrome. It was fantastic to fly for myself for a change, rather than talking in the back seat! It was actually the first time I have done a proper XC flight since working at LKSC, apart from a trip to Kaputar and back in the LS6.
On Sunday the weather really turned it on, and we had an excellent soaring day. The standard and 15m classes did an AAT Mullaley, Edgeroi, Manilla and back to LKSC. As per usual I came last except for someone who outlanded!
On Monday we did an AAT task Tambar Springs, Terri Hi Hi, Split Rock and back to LKSC. The conditions were variable, sometimes excellent, sometimes very worrying. I fell into a hole at Brigalow airfeild and it took me three attempts in 1/2 knot thermals to get high enough to get over the hills to get home. I was in the air for 6 hours and 45 minutes.
Tuesday was the 13th of the month, which is the unlucky day in Spain and also apparently in Argentina. However it was a lucky day for us as Boris finally got his licence through, and I mangaged to complete the task before last light! It was a fantastic day with speeds of over 150 km/hr recorded. I managed 105 kmph in the Mosquito which is good for me, but only good enough for 2nd last place! we flew a fixed task to Moree, Gunedah and back to Lake Keepit.
On Wednesday the task setters really went to town and gave us a huge fixed task of 490 km. I knew that as I am very slow, I needed an early start. Alas I was the last to launch. I left as soon as I could, but found the going very tough. When my GPS told me that my ETA was after six pm when I was gliding, and not even half way round, I had a pretty good idea that I wouldn't make it around! However I kept going and after taking my last climb to 7000 ft and about 7 pm, was forced to airbrake down to land safely at Barraba airfield just before last light! Boris and Ian Sawell came out with the trailer and we got home at about 11 pm. All part of the fun!
Thursday (today) was a difficult day with heavy cirrus cover most of the time. There were lots of outlandings and some simply did not fly. When the sun came out the thermals were strong punchy cores which went up to 9500 ft. The task was Edgeroi Boggabri for all classes - an AAT with big circles! After nearly bombing out at launch, I managed to sneak around and clip the circles and get back early.
There is a storm brewing now and we have been shuffling tugs around to get as many as possible in the hangars.
Saturday was the practice day, and we had an AAT task - can't even remember where it was to now! All I know is that I was within 800 ft of a paddock on the way home, but just managed to climb up enough to get back in to the field. Others outlanded at Gunnedah aerodrome. It was fantastic to fly for myself for a change, rather than talking in the back seat! It was actually the first time I have done a proper XC flight since working at LKSC, apart from a trip to Kaputar and back in the LS6.
On Sunday the weather really turned it on, and we had an excellent soaring day. The standard and 15m classes did an AAT Mullaley, Edgeroi, Manilla and back to LKSC. As per usual I came last except for someone who outlanded!
On Monday we did an AAT task Tambar Springs, Terri Hi Hi, Split Rock and back to LKSC. The conditions were variable, sometimes excellent, sometimes very worrying. I fell into a hole at Brigalow airfeild and it took me three attempts in 1/2 knot thermals to get high enough to get over the hills to get home. I was in the air for 6 hours and 45 minutes.
Tuesday was the 13th of the month, which is the unlucky day in Spain and also apparently in Argentina. However it was a lucky day for us as Boris finally got his licence through, and I mangaged to complete the task before last light! It was a fantastic day with speeds of over 150 km/hr recorded. I managed 105 kmph in the Mosquito which is good for me, but only good enough for 2nd last place! we flew a fixed task to Moree, Gunedah and back to Lake Keepit.
On Wednesday the task setters really went to town and gave us a huge fixed task of 490 km. I knew that as I am very slow, I needed an early start. Alas I was the last to launch. I left as soon as I could, but found the going very tough. When my GPS told me that my ETA was after six pm when I was gliding, and not even half way round, I had a pretty good idea that I wouldn't make it around! However I kept going and after taking my last climb to 7000 ft and about 7 pm, was forced to airbrake down to land safely at Barraba airfield just before last light! Boris and Ian Sawell came out with the trailer and we got home at about 11 pm. All part of the fun!
Thursday (today) was a difficult day with heavy cirrus cover most of the time. There were lots of outlandings and some simply did not fly. When the sun came out the thermals were strong punchy cores which went up to 9500 ft. The task was Edgeroi Boggabri for all classes - an AAT with big circles! After nearly bombing out at launch, I managed to sneak around and clip the circles and get back early.
There is a storm brewing now and we have been shuffling tugs around to get as many as possible in the hangars.
Precompetition Week
I've been a bit slack with publishing the news lately.
The precompetition week featured very ordinary weather, but this did mean that lots of competition preparation got done. On Monday Bernie, my student who didn't turn up on Friday came - but unfortunately I had to fly the tug. We managed three circuits with Garry flying the tug, but then he had to fly with our Japanese vistor Mr Iwata in the twin Astir.
I flew the Callair for the first time on Monday with a glider on the back! No problems - it is quite nice to fly even though it does not climb out as fast as the Pawnee. The tail wheel works properly which is a real bonus. The Callair was supposed to fly away for its 100 hourly on Monday afternoon, but the weather on the coast was no good, so it stayed.
TNE (Pawnee) was due to come up from Bathurst, and CUR (Pawnee with V8 car engine) was due to come back from Kingaroy, but both were held up by the weather. Naturally the weather at Lake Keepit was OK on Tuesday, so we used the Callair again on its last day of maintenance release.
TNE arrived on Tuesday afternoon so we had a tug for the rest of the week - however the weather was very poor.
Boris still had not got his licence from CASA and was getting quite worried about it.
During the week I managed to finish curtains in Room 12 in the Club house and make a canopy cover for my glider, and also install the flarm. At the last minute we even made the trailer usable!
Next installment - the competition!
The precompetition week featured very ordinary weather, but this did mean that lots of competition preparation got done. On Monday Bernie, my student who didn't turn up on Friday came - but unfortunately I had to fly the tug. We managed three circuits with Garry flying the tug, but then he had to fly with our Japanese vistor Mr Iwata in the twin Astir.
I flew the Callair for the first time on Monday with a glider on the back! No problems - it is quite nice to fly even though it does not climb out as fast as the Pawnee. The tail wheel works properly which is a real bonus. The Callair was supposed to fly away for its 100 hourly on Monday afternoon, but the weather on the coast was no good, so it stayed.
TNE (Pawnee) was due to come up from Bathurst, and CUR (Pawnee with V8 car engine) was due to come back from Kingaroy, but both were held up by the weather. Naturally the weather at Lake Keepit was OK on Tuesday, so we used the Callair again on its last day of maintenance release.
TNE arrived on Tuesday afternoon so we had a tug for the rest of the week - however the weather was very poor.
Boris still had not got his licence from CASA and was getting quite worried about it.
During the week I managed to finish curtains in Room 12 in the Club house and make a canopy cover for my glider, and also install the flarm. At the last minute we even made the trailer usable!
Next installment - the competition!
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Friday 2 November - Saturday 3rd November
Lots of people around the club today - once again there was a terrible forecast. Once again, it failed to eventuate.
The wind was about 5 to 10 kts straight up runway 32, and although conditions were overcast, there was cumulus, and soaring flights were possible.
My student didn't show up today - maybe I worked him too hard yesterday! (9 flights). Steve Hedley flew with Tadashi Yoshida in the Nimbus, and they stayed up for about three hours I think. Not sure where they went. Garry had a couple of flights with Mr Iwata in the twin astir.
Chris Carr came out and took the side off the office computer to find out what sort of memory it had. It was full of cobwebs! We cleaned these out, took out and re-installed the memory, changed a setting or two in the bios and Hey Presto! the computer is now using all the installed memory, and is working much faster. I would like to get more memory for it, but will see how it goes for now.
Geoff Neely did the towing today - we have had another setback with CASA processing Boris's licence - just when we thought they were about to issue it. Despite his having been issued an ASIC, they do not believe he is who he says he is and say they must check with officials in Argentina. They must think that we are a hotbed of terrorism not a gliding club! Boris is very worried about it, but he is helping out at the club as much as he can.
My Jabiru is back in the air again, after an extensive service. Many thanks to John Wakefield. It is really running well now. I managed to fly home on Saturday morning, despite another terrible forecast. It wasn't as bad as they said. I was able to go around the showers, and over the top of the scattered low cloud. By the time I reached Cowra the cloudbase had lifted to 800 ft AGL - no problems getting in.
See you all next week for the preparation for the comps!
Jenny
The wind was about 5 to 10 kts straight up runway 32, and although conditions were overcast, there was cumulus, and soaring flights were possible.
My student didn't show up today - maybe I worked him too hard yesterday! (9 flights). Steve Hedley flew with Tadashi Yoshida in the Nimbus, and they stayed up for about three hours I think. Not sure where they went. Garry had a couple of flights with Mr Iwata in the twin astir.
Chris Carr came out and took the side off the office computer to find out what sort of memory it had. It was full of cobwebs! We cleaned these out, took out and re-installed the memory, changed a setting or two in the bios and Hey Presto! the computer is now using all the installed memory, and is working much faster. I would like to get more memory for it, but will see how it goes for now.
Geoff Neely did the towing today - we have had another setback with CASA processing Boris's licence - just when we thought they were about to issue it. Despite his having been issued an ASIC, they do not believe he is who he says he is and say they must check with officials in Argentina. They must think that we are a hotbed of terrorism not a gliding club! Boris is very worried about it, but he is helping out at the club as much as he can.
My Jabiru is back in the air again, after an extensive service. Many thanks to John Wakefield. It is really running well now. I managed to fly home on Saturday morning, despite another terrible forecast. It wasn't as bad as they said. I was able to go around the showers, and over the top of the scattered low cloud. By the time I reached Cowra the cloudbase had lifted to 800 ft AGL - no problems getting in.
See you all next week for the preparation for the comps!
Jenny
Thursday, November 1, 2007
News update
I have been a bit quiet on the blog lately - mostly because I have been busy!
Got back to Lake Keepit on Monday 22 October. Dad is now home from hospital and doing well, but still not quite back to where he was. No more swimming for another couple of weeks!
Had a problem with the brakes on the Callair on Tuesday. Ian Barraclough stepped in to tow in MIE before flying himself with Boris in the ASH. John Wakefield was at the club fixed the leaking brake, but it still felt spongy. Tim Wilson flew his LS6. Cirrus came over in the afternoon, but apparently the soaring conditions were good.
The next couple of days were rainy. Boris still has not got his licence from CASA but he has received his medical certificate and ASIC. In the meantime he has been very helpful around the place, and has been running wings and towing back gliders with the quad.
I have had a student Bernie Rea-Taylor this week, with occasional visits from his friends Floris and Mattijs. They are all staying at Godfrey Wenness' place and are at varying stages of learning paragliding. Bernie was hoping to start paragliding, but dislocated his knee, and opted for flying sailplanes instead. He has been progressing steadily during the week.
Floris and Mattijs came out one day when it was too windy for paragliding, or the wrong wind direction or something. As it often seems to be too windy for paragliding, we may see more of them!
Everyday this week we have had bad forecasts, but every day it has been quite good! Yesterday was excellent, and Bernie flew to the Borah launch and back in the Puchatek. The paragliders were unable to soar however - not sure if it was a problem with the wind direction, or strength, or just that the thermals were too far apart.
Today we were supposed to have continuous rain, but there hasn't been a drop. There was little or no wind either, so it was perfect for circuits. Todd Clark flew down toward Springridge, then back to Manilla and Split rock in his LS4 IID. Garry flew the Twin Astir solo, and after a late start had an hour and a half or so soaring flight.
Our Japanese member Tadashi Yoshida has arrived and visited the club today with Garry Speight, but did not fly. His friend Mr Iwata also came out. Tad will be flying the LS6 next week, and Mr Iwata will be flying with Garry in the Twin Astir.
Bye for now
Jenny
Got back to Lake Keepit on Monday 22 October. Dad is now home from hospital and doing well, but still not quite back to where he was. No more swimming for another couple of weeks!
Had a problem with the brakes on the Callair on Tuesday. Ian Barraclough stepped in to tow in MIE before flying himself with Boris in the ASH. John Wakefield was at the club fixed the leaking brake, but it still felt spongy. Tim Wilson flew his LS6. Cirrus came over in the afternoon, but apparently the soaring conditions were good.
The next couple of days were rainy. Boris still has not got his licence from CASA but he has received his medical certificate and ASIC. In the meantime he has been very helpful around the place, and has been running wings and towing back gliders with the quad.
I have had a student Bernie Rea-Taylor this week, with occasional visits from his friends Floris and Mattijs. They are all staying at Godfrey Wenness' place and are at varying stages of learning paragliding. Bernie was hoping to start paragliding, but dislocated his knee, and opted for flying sailplanes instead. He has been progressing steadily during the week.
Floris and Mattijs came out one day when it was too windy for paragliding, or the wrong wind direction or something. As it often seems to be too windy for paragliding, we may see more of them!
Everyday this week we have had bad forecasts, but every day it has been quite good! Yesterday was excellent, and Bernie flew to the Borah launch and back in the Puchatek. The paragliders were unable to soar however - not sure if it was a problem with the wind direction, or strength, or just that the thermals were too far apart.
Today we were supposed to have continuous rain, but there hasn't been a drop. There was little or no wind either, so it was perfect for circuits. Todd Clark flew down toward Springridge, then back to Manilla and Split rock in his LS4 IID. Garry flew the Twin Astir solo, and after a late start had an hour and a half or so soaring flight.
Our Japanese member Tadashi Yoshida has arrived and visited the club today with Garry Speight, but did not fly. His friend Mr Iwata also came out. Tad will be flying the LS6 next week, and Mr Iwata will be flying with Garry in the Twin Astir.
Bye for now
Jenny
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Boris Ariotti Arrives
Boris Ariotti, our tuggie from Argentina has arrived! He has passed his Australian PPL exams with flying colours and done all the flying he needs to get an Aussie licence - it was easier to just re-do it all than to convert his Argentine Licence.
He is staying with Ian Barraclough this week, as there is not much on at Keepit but will be returning to the club this weekend! Come out and meet him and make him welcome.
Week ending 12th October 2007
We flew on Tuesday and Wednesday - I took over the instructing, and Rob towed on Tuesday, John Hoye on Wednesday. Some good progress was made.
On Wednesday 10th October, disaster struck. My Dad had a heart attack, and I had to rush off home to be with him. It was his 86th birthday - not much of a celebration! Fortunately he came through it OK, but as of 18 October is still in hospital, so I have not been at the club.
Vic stepped in to instruct on Thursday, and Mick Daniels went solo. Well done Mick. DONT FORGET THE RUDDER! Mick is a former GA pilot and one of our newest members. I don't have a photo for the first solo list yet!
I heard that Garry stepped in to instruct on Friday, and Mick got an out-landing check. That is certainly rapid progress!
Stephen Tridgell's Dad Paul came up - he used to glide but has been out of it for some years. Sounds like he has been bitten by the bug again, as I believe he has joined the club as a full member.
Thanks to everyone who stepped in to fill my place while I was away.
Jenny
On Wednesday 10th October, disaster struck. My Dad had a heart attack, and I had to rush off home to be with him. It was his 86th birthday - not much of a celebration! Fortunately he came through it OK, but as of 18 October is still in hospital, so I have not been at the club.
Vic stepped in to instruct on Thursday, and Mick Daniels went solo. Well done Mick. DONT FORGET THE RUDDER! Mick is a former GA pilot and one of our newest members. I don't have a photo for the first solo list yet!
I heard that Garry stepped in to instruct on Friday, and Mick got an out-landing check. That is certainly rapid progress!
Stephen Tridgell's Dad Paul came up - he used to glide but has been out of it for some years. Sounds like he has been bitten by the bug again, as I believe he has joined the club as a full member.
Thanks to everyone who stepped in to fill my place while I was away.
Jenny
Monday, October 8, 2007
Monday 8th October
The day started with a thunderstorm, but cleared up by about 11.00 am, and we got the gliders and tug out. Rob de Jarlais was here to fly the tug, but fancied a bit of instructing, so we swapped and I flew the tug.
Students this week are 16 year old Stephen Tridgell, and Mick Daniels from Tamworth. Mick is a former power pilot, though many years ago. He has joined the club as a full member so he will be around for a while!
We also had a visitor from Moree today, Rob Jakins. He flew for 4 hours in the Grob 103 with Gerhard! He has been a glider pilot before, so this was not a baptism of fire!
The storms returned in the afternoon, and we had to pack up at about 4 O'clock. Just got a bit wet putting the gliders away.
Students this week are 16 year old Stephen Tridgell, and Mick Daniels from Tamworth. Mick is a former power pilot, though many years ago. He has joined the club as a full member so he will be around for a while!
We also had a visitor from Moree today, Rob Jakins. He flew for 4 hours in the Grob 103 with Gerhard! He has been a glider pilot before, so this was not a baptism of fire!
The storms returned in the afternoon, and we had to pack up at about 4 O'clock. Just got a bit wet putting the gliders away.
Week of 1 to 5 October
Very busy day on Monday, with 4 unscheduled students. Fortunately we had an unsheduled instrutor as well, so two two-seaters were going flat out. 3 young RAAF student pilots came out and flew very well - covered most of the syllabus in 2 or 3 flights!
My students for the week were Doug and Wes Knight, a father and son pair! We lost a day on Wednesday due to hot gusty and strong winds, but flew every other day.
Neither student went solo this week, but they enjoyed the flying anyway, and made some good progress. Wes was particularly good at aero-towing, and hooking into thermals, but needs a bit more landing practice as yet!
On Friday afternoon I made a brief excursion into Tamworth by Jabiru to pick up a radio. Good practice for controlled airspace.
Jenny
My students for the week were Doug and Wes Knight, a father and son pair! We lost a day on Wednesday due to hot gusty and strong winds, but flew every other day.
Neither student went solo this week, but they enjoyed the flying anyway, and made some good progress. Wes was particularly good at aero-towing, and hooking into thermals, but needs a bit more landing practice as yet!
On Friday afternoon I made a brief excursion into Tamworth by Jabiru to pick up a radio. Good practice for controlled airspace.
Jenny
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Week of 23 to 28 September
It has been very busy this week, with a cross country course running, several annual flight reviews, and young Max Carter my student for the week. I have not had much time to post anything on the blog.
We need to welcome Andrew Brumby back to Lake Keepit. He used to tow here before, but has returned and worked really hard this week. He had a bit of a shock on Tuesday when the engine of the tug stopped (so did we at the glider end) but with lightning quick reactions he changed to the back-up fuel pump and the engine restarted. The glider was at 2000 ft and just about to release anyway, so no harm was done! Andrew has a job as an aircraft maintenance engineer in Tamworth, and has threatened to do more gliding as well as towing.
Max Carter and his dad Wayne visited from Victoria. Wayne is a glider pilot, and the course was a birthday present for Max who initially wasn't sure what to make of it all. However he learned really quickly, and soon got over an initial queasy feeling in the air.
As luck would have it, he was ready for solo by the end of his 15th Birthday. On Friday he flew solo again in quite gusty and difficult conditions (same as the ones he learned in) and made a very good job of it. I thought I'd show him that other gliders are not as easy to fly as the Puchatek so I took him up in the Grob 103. By this time it was really quite windy, but he handled the cross-wind take off with ease, and was rock steady on the aerotow, even with the tuggie hooking into a thermal! He enjoyed the comfort and quietness of the Grob, and thermalled it well.
Well done Max - come back to Lake Keepit soon.
We need to welcome Andrew Brumby back to Lake Keepit. He used to tow here before, but has returned and worked really hard this week. He had a bit of a shock on Tuesday when the engine of the tug stopped (so did we at the glider end) but with lightning quick reactions he changed to the back-up fuel pump and the engine restarted. The glider was at 2000 ft and just about to release anyway, so no harm was done! Andrew has a job as an aircraft maintenance engineer in Tamworth, and has threatened to do more gliding as well as towing.
Max Carter and his dad Wayne visited from Victoria. Wayne is a glider pilot, and the course was a birthday present for Max who initially wasn't sure what to make of it all. However he learned really quickly, and soon got over an initial queasy feeling in the air.
As luck would have it, he was ready for solo by the end of his 15th Birthday. On Friday he flew solo again in quite gusty and difficult conditions (same as the ones he learned in) and made a very good job of it. I thought I'd show him that other gliders are not as easy to fly as the Puchatek so I took him up in the Grob 103. By this time it was really quite windy, but he handled the cross-wind take off with ease, and was rock steady on the aerotow, even with the tuggie hooking into a thermal! He enjoyed the comfort and quietness of the Grob, and thermalled it well.
Well done Max - come back to Lake Keepit soon.
Max Carter first Solo - 27 September 2007
It was Max Carter's 15th birthday today. The day was blustery and windy, although the lift was good early on in the day. Take offs were very cross wind on runway 32, and landings the same!
Max was able to handle the take-offs and stay in station on the aerotows even when the tuggie was thermalling.
The rope became a bit unreliable later on in the day - as it does.
However late in the afternoon, the wind had settled down to a steady south westerly - OK for taking off on 32 and almost straight up 20. After two good circuits and landings with me, Max did the last one on his own! A fitting end to his birthday.
I hope Max continues to fly gliders because he really shows good aptitude.
There was quite a lot of other flying here today, and a great deal of rigging and de-rigging. Rigging of the twin astir, which landed out again yesterday - that's another story - and de-rigging of gliders on their way to the Queensland comps. It seems there will be a large Lake Keepit presence there, so I hope to see some good results.
Jenny
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday 20 September
A trough passed through earlier this morning, and the temperature dropped very noticeably with the wind change. Before the change we had a raging northerly, and lots of smoke in the air. Ian Barraclough attempted a test flight in E-tug but found that he was making little progress over the ground at 90 kts, and was getting disorientated in the smoke.
After the change the wind was still strong and gusty, but the visibility cleared greatly. The wind was straight across the strip, and Bruce, our tuggie was not happy to fly in that much gusty cross-wind.
We elected not to fly and did jobs around the club instead.
After the change the wind was still strong and gusty, but the visibility cleared greatly. The wind was straight across the strip, and Bruce, our tuggie was not happy to fly in that much gusty cross-wind.
We elected not to fly and did jobs around the club instead.
Wednesday 19th September
A blue day, but thermals to 6000ft. The wind was very flukey, but settled down to a light westerly in the afternoon. A good day for training.
Roy and Ian had good soaring flights in the Grob 103 and the Junior respectively. Ian Barraclough had some local soaring in the ASH
Michael Newnham went solo again in the Puchatek, and Sam Pogson made the hangar flight for the Puchatek on his first solo. Well done Sam and Michael.
Bruce Clark again made the hangar flight in the Grob, and I got another practice in the Tug.
An excellent day's flying. 17 launches - not bad for a week day.
Roy and Ian had good soaring flights in the Grob 103 and the Junior respectively. Ian Barraclough had some local soaring in the ASH
Michael Newnham went solo again in the Puchatek, and Sam Pogson made the hangar flight for the Puchatek on his first solo. Well done Sam and Michael.
Bruce Clark again made the hangar flight in the Grob, and I got another practice in the Tug.
An excellent day's flying. 17 launches - not bad for a week day.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
18th September
Quite a busy day today. The weather went from one extreme to the other. Strong wind yesterday with great thermals, light and variable today with weak thermals.
It was possible to soar most of the day, but only to about 4000 ft, though we did get one thermal that made it to about 5000 ft.
Good day for training though, and we squeezed in one passenger flight as well.
Sam Pogson is progressing very well and finished the day with a text-book landing in the Grob 103. Well done Sam.
Roy Worthington and Ian Sawell took turns to fly the Junior, but it was hard to prize Roy off his seat in the tractor! Ian Barraclough flew in the ASH. I swapped with Bruce Clark at the end of the day, - he flew the Grob on the hangar flight and I flew the tug. 14 launches for the day - a most acceptable day's aviation.
Jenny
It was possible to soar most of the day, but only to about 4000 ft, though we did get one thermal that made it to about 5000 ft.
Good day for training though, and we squeezed in one passenger flight as well.
Sam Pogson is progressing very well and finished the day with a text-book landing in the Grob 103. Well done Sam.
Roy Worthington and Ian Sawell took turns to fly the Junior, but it was hard to prize Roy off his seat in the tractor! Ian Barraclough flew in the ASH. I swapped with Bruce Clark at the end of the day, - he flew the Grob on the hangar flight and I flew the tug. 14 launches for the day - a most acceptable day's aviation.
Jenny
Monday, September 17, 2007
Monday 17 September
There are lots of people at the club this week. Graham Holland and Phil Endicott doing a form 2 inspection, but I think I may be able to persuade them to do some flying as well. Michael Newnham from Victoria continuing his training, Ian Sawell and his friend Sam Pogson, Roy Worthington, Ian Barraclough.
Vic Hatfield came out to do an AFR with Brad Edwards, and test flew the Puchatek after its form 2. He says it spins beautifully.
It was very windy today, almost exactly across the main strip. We took off on runway 27 and turned down 32 once off the ground. Excellent day for practising crosswind take-offs and landings. Landings back on 27.
Sam Pogson, who is an aeroplane pilot, had his first flight in a glider, (Grob 103) and promptly climbed out to 6500 ft. Thermals were peaking at about 8 to 10 knots, but were a bit hard to work low down because of the wind. Sam soon got the hang of those rudder things, ignored by Cessna pilots, and had a great time. He is still smiling!
Roy declined to fly a glider in the windy conditions, but flew the green tractor instead! I am determined to coax him into the air tomorrow.
Michael is getting back into gliding again, and had a good soaring flight we me in the back - a bit to windy for solo flying again as yet.
Garry did an excellent job flying the tug (as always). I am glad it was him an not me! I am still more comfortable in a glider.
Jenny
Vic Hatfield came out to do an AFR with Brad Edwards, and test flew the Puchatek after its form 2. He says it spins beautifully.
It was very windy today, almost exactly across the main strip. We took off on runway 27 and turned down 32 once off the ground. Excellent day for practising crosswind take-offs and landings. Landings back on 27.
Sam Pogson, who is an aeroplane pilot, had his first flight in a glider, (Grob 103) and promptly climbed out to 6500 ft. Thermals were peaking at about 8 to 10 knots, but were a bit hard to work low down because of the wind. Sam soon got the hang of those rudder things, ignored by Cessna pilots, and had a great time. He is still smiling!
Roy declined to fly a glider in the windy conditions, but flew the green tractor instead! I am determined to coax him into the air tomorrow.
Michael is getting back into gliding again, and had a good soaring flight we me in the back - a bit to windy for solo flying again as yet.
Garry did an excellent job flying the tug (as always). I am glad it was him an not me! I am still more comfortable in a glider.
Jenny
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Monday 10th September
After getting a green tractor endorsement in the morning and doing some slashing, we started the Form 2 on the Puchatek. I had to keep stopping work to tow people up - what a trial! When they came down again we grabbed them to help us take the wings off. So far so good!
Vic Hatfield took John Peberdy, a Dash 8 pilot, for a flight in the Grob 103. They were up for 1 hour 40 minutes, and went cross country - not sure exactly where. John appeared to be hooked!
Vic took another (lapsed) glider pilot visitor for a flight, but he had used up all the thermals in the first one.
They day shut down surprisingly early as a front approached, and Harry Medlicott got caught out and had to start his motor to be sure of getting home.
Vic Hatfield took John Peberdy, a Dash 8 pilot, for a flight in the Grob 103. They were up for 1 hour 40 minutes, and went cross country - not sure exactly where. John appeared to be hooked!
Vic took another (lapsed) glider pilot visitor for a flight, but he had used up all the thermals in the first one.
They day shut down surprisingly early as a front approached, and Harry Medlicott got caught out and had to start his motor to be sure of getting home.
Sunday 9th September
Back from the airworthiness course late last night. It was an excellent course. I thought it would be a bit dry and boring, but it was really good. The instructors were so enthusiastic about the subject, and they had so much knowledge to impart.
I was lucky and got to work on a Grob 103, but poor John Clark scored a Blanik! Blaniks truly are great to fly, but absolutely impossible to work on!
A few came out to fly on Sunday so I flew the tug. John Hoye managed to get about 60km away in the LS6 and got back OK. Harry Medlicott, Rod Harris and Raffael Bucci all had decent soaring flights.
I was lucky and got to work on a Grob 103, but poor John Clark scored a Blanik! Blaniks truly are great to fly, but absolutely impossible to work on!
A few came out to fly on Sunday so I flew the tug. John Hoye managed to get about 60km away in the LS6 and got back OK. Harry Medlicott, Rod Harris and Raffael Bucci all had decent soaring flights.
Saturday 1st September
We had a party of Wedding Guests visit the club, including the bridgroom. We managed to get ourselves into gear early in the morning, and were able to fly 13 trial instructional flights on the winch, and be finished by 1300, so that they could get to the wedding on time.
Typically, when winch launching, there was no wind at all.
I left with John Clark in the afternoon to go the the airworthiness course held in Warwick for the week, but apparently there were some decent soaring flights in the afternoon. Not sure if they continued to winch or resorted to aero towing.
Typically, when winch launching, there was no wind at all.
I left with John Clark in the afternoon to go the the airworthiness course held in Warwick for the week, but apparently there were some decent soaring flights in the afternoon. Not sure if they continued to winch or resorted to aero towing.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Thursday 23 August
Quite a lot of club members around today. Geoff Sim and Ian Barraclough working on SI, Geoff Neely working on HDB, Steve Hedley & Julie and Ross Edwards rigging the nimbus. Tim Carr and I doing instructor training with Vic, and Chris Carr working on something - not sure what. Pilot officer Speight was on had to do the necessary with the tug.
It was very windy, but more or less down runway 14, we had a brief shower, overcast and no lift, but not particularly cold. Tim and I both assessed Vic for his AFR and I am afraid he failed dismally both times. We wouldn't let him fly solo without a fair bit of remedial training!
Ordinary conditions, but it was a good day nevertheless with all the congenial company!
Same again tomorrow but I will put the bread machine on in the morning, hot bread for lunch. I have run out of butter tho.
Tuggies Ball on Saturday night appears to be a sell out, so much so that there will be a non-tuggies ball for the left overs! Looks like being an excellent weekend.
Jenny
Tuggies Ball on Saturday night appears to be a sell out, so much so that there will be a non-tuggies ball for the left overs! Looks like being an excellent weekend.
Jenny
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Hello Everyone
Well it has been a bit quiet here this week so far, flying wise, but there seems to have been a lot of office work to do.
While I was away for the weekend we had a problem with the ETug, but it was fixed by Sunday, and a few launches were done.
On Monday Ian Barraclough towed Phil Anderton up in the Junior using MIE, his 185, so both of them could stay current.
On Tuesday Ian flew the ASH SI for a couple of hours, and went up to Kaputar, but had to start the engine to be sure of getting back.
Today was a warm but windy day - no flying but Dave Turner is here doing the Form 2 on the hornet.
The frogs are back in the toilet, so the weather must be warming up!
Tomorrow, if there is not too much wind, Phil Anderton is going to come out with his spray gear and we are going to spray the Patterson's curse on the airfield before it gets to groundloop inducing height. It is growing quite vigorously at the moment. Phil thinks it won't take long to do.
Jenny
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Thursday 26 July
The day dawned blue and sunny, but cumulus soon started to form over the hills to the north. They stubbornly avoided Lake Keepit until about 1:30 pm.
Chris Carr and Vic Hatfield came out to assist with the winch operation, as well as myself, Gerhard and Roy and our student Ish. With more hands on deck the operation went very smoothly, and we did eighteen launches. Only the Puchatek was flying.
Ish did a few more solos after a few check flights, and then Chris Carr took three launches, but was unable to stay up much longer than the standard 7 minutes. We should have got one of the other gliders out, because at about half past one Gerhard and I managed to find a good 4 to 6 knot thermal which we left at 4000 ft to bring the glider back.
Gerhard has installed the old Borgelt vario from the Grob in the Puchatek, which is a great improvement. Thanks for that Gerhard!
Later in the afternoon, I did some flying with Vic to brush up my winch launching and winch instructing skills. I learned heaps.
I am starting to get to grips with this winch launching business - its not a bad idea if there are enough people about - after all you only need enough height to get the first thermal. We have been consistently getting 1500ft AGL two up in the Puchatek, with no wind. Everything has gone smoothly so far this week - touch wood.
Tomorrow I will be flying the tug as Ish is going home - all the way to Melbourne.
Jenny
Chris Carr and Vic Hatfield came out to assist with the winch operation, as well as myself, Gerhard and Roy and our student Ish. With more hands on deck the operation went very smoothly, and we did eighteen launches. Only the Puchatek was flying.
Ish did a few more solos after a few check flights, and then Chris Carr took three launches, but was unable to stay up much longer than the standard 7 minutes. We should have got one of the other gliders out, because at about half past one Gerhard and I managed to find a good 4 to 6 knot thermal which we left at 4000 ft to bring the glider back.
Gerhard has installed the old Borgelt vario from the Grob in the Puchatek, which is a great improvement. Thanks for that Gerhard!
Later in the afternoon, I did some flying with Vic to brush up my winch launching and winch instructing skills. I learned heaps.
I am starting to get to grips with this winch launching business - its not a bad idea if there are enough people about - after all you only need enough height to get the first thermal. We have been consistently getting 1500ft AGL two up in the Puchatek, with no wind. Everything has gone smoothly so far this week - touch wood.
Tomorrow I will be flying the tug as Ish is going home - all the way to Melbourne.
Jenny
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Wednesday 25 July
The day started with a high aerotow so that Gerhard could revise stalls and spins with Ish. This must have gone according to plan, as after a few more winch launches, Ish went solo. He did three more solo flights during the day.
Congratulations Ish and Gerhard.
Roy Worthington also took another winch launch to keep his hand in, and Chris Carr did likewise.
Vic is coming out on Thursday and all other thursday-ites are welcome to come out. You can winch or aerotow as you wish!
Jenny
Monday, July 23, 2007
Monday 23 July
Today we did 15 launches on the winch. Ish did 12 of them with Gerhard and Roy Worthington did the other three also with Gerhard. Guess who was driving the winch!
There were some nice looking cus over the hills, but nothing close to Keepit, however Ish managed a 27 minute soaring flight, and Roy later in the day managed 19 minutes.
As Ish was practicing landings and Roy take offs on the winch, the lack of soaring did not trouble them much.
Jenny
Saturday and Sunday's Flying
Hello everyone
I did not go home this weekend, as I wanted to fly my (our) glider and I hadn't had a fix all week!
Saturday was blue and sunny, with some cumulus round about mid-day, which disappeared when we launched. As usual we were a bit late launching - I because I went to Tamworth shopping first, and Garry because he was fixing his canopy on the twin astir. I don't know what Bob Emery's excuse was.
I bombed out on the first launch because I thought I had a good thermal at 1000ft, but it disappeared on releasing from the tug - as they do. The second try was better, and I was able to soar, but only locally, for 2 hours and 20 minutes. Max height was 4200 ft, but that was the last thermal of the day.
Garry and Gerhard flew together in the Twin and Bob Emery also had a soaring flight.
Jay Anderson flew up with Nick in his Socata (?) and was endorsed on the Etug by Phil, who was tuggie for the day. Thanks Phil.
On Sunday we were visited by the Tamworth Vintage Car Club. Nick gave them a talk about gliding while they had their morning tea in our new paved area in front of the club house. Afterwards they were shown around the gliders and I believe three of them went for a flight. I have received an email of thanks, saying that they enjoyed their visit very much. They described Nick as extremely well spoken and full of knowledge!
I went over to the Gunnedah aero club for their monthly meeting, and finally ratified my membership and had a check flight in their 150. I also met a couple more members who are keen to become tuggies - probably need to get them into a glider first.
Our student for this week, Ish, from Adelaide Uni Soaring Club, turned up on Sunday afternoon, and had a flight with Nick.
Jenny
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friday 13 July
The day started off sunny, but soon clouded over. However the clouds passed, and then the cumulus started - and then overclouded again.
We had two trial instructional flights booked and Geoff Neely came out and flew the tug. On thee first flight I was only able to find some areas of reduced sink, but when I flew the second there was a little more sun and we were able to get to cloudbase at 4,500 ft ASL and fly along a street towards Gunnedah. There was a brisk westerly wind.
After tug flying, winch driving and instructing during the week, it was nice to get in a glider and actually have my hands and feet at the controls for a bit!
This week has been surprisingly busy, due to school holidays I think. The weather has definitely taken a turn for the better. Lets hope it continues.
We had two trial instructional flights booked and Geoff Neely came out and flew the tug. On thee first flight I was only able to find some areas of reduced sink, but when I flew the second there was a little more sun and we were able to get to cloudbase at 4,500 ft ASL and fly along a street towards Gunnedah. There was a brisk westerly wind.
After tug flying, winch driving and instructing during the week, it was nice to get in a glider and actually have my hands and feet at the controls for a bit!
This week has been surprisingly busy, due to school holidays I think. The weather has definitely taken a turn for the better. Lets hope it continues.
Thursday 12 July
We planned an early start again, but thick fog prevented it. Of the Thursday group, only Vic Hatfield and Craig Borchard turned up! The rest only seem to come out for barbecues not for the flying! Well they truly missed out this Thursday, because the flying was excellent!
After a successful check flight in the back seat of the Puchatek, Laurie Bartlett had his first flight in a single seater - the Junior. He didn't bring it back for an hour! Meanwhile Vic instructing Craig disappeared for an hour and a half in the Puchatek. Matthew Minter flew the Jantar, and outlanded at his property where he has made a new runway. Bruce Clark retrieved the glider with Gabriel at the controls.
At the end of the day, I towed Bruce up so that he could give his six year old son Matt his first flight in a glider. The glider flight was successful, but the tug suffered an engine failure on the way down! Fortunately it was only just as I was landing - however we have not been able to get it going since!
After a successful check flight in the back seat of the Puchatek, Laurie Bartlett had his first flight in a single seater - the Junior. He didn't bring it back for an hour! Meanwhile Vic instructing Craig disappeared for an hour and a half in the Puchatek. Matthew Minter flew the Jantar, and outlanded at his property where he has made a new runway. Bruce Clark retrieved the glider with Gabriel at the controls.
At the end of the day, I towed Bruce up so that he could give his six year old son Matt his first flight in a glider. The glider flight was successful, but the tug suffered an engine failure on the way down! Fortunately it was only just as I was landing - however we have not been able to get it going since!
Wednesday 11 July
Another blue sunny day and we (or a least some of us) were out getting the gliders ready at eight o'clock in the morning, ready for a 9.00 am start. In the end our first launch was not until 10 am, but that was better than the day before!
Unfortunately on the second winch launch in IKX, the front canopy flew open during the flight. Rob de Jarlais took over and landed the glider with the canopy open, but luckily it was undamaged. However one hinge was broken, and the other bent.
With the Grob still out for its form two, we were now fresh out of two seaters capable of winch launching. Tim Belcher, a visitor from South Gippsland, winched up in the Junior, and on his second attempt had a pleasant one hour soaring flight. Gabriel Kalkbrenner aerotow launched in the Jantar and disappeared for two hours.
After some more work on the Puchatek, we were finally able to winch launch it, and Rob did some more training flights with the students for the week. Laurie Bartlett did a couple more solo flights.
Only 13 launches for the day despite the early(ish) start, but it was a very good day for the middle of winter.
Unfortunately on the second winch launch in IKX, the front canopy flew open during the flight. Rob de Jarlais took over and landed the glider with the canopy open, but luckily it was undamaged. However one hinge was broken, and the other bent.
With the Grob still out for its form two, we were now fresh out of two seaters capable of winch launching. Tim Belcher, a visitor from South Gippsland, winched up in the Junior, and on his second attempt had a pleasant one hour soaring flight. Gabriel Kalkbrenner aerotow launched in the Jantar and disappeared for two hours.
Only 13 launches for the day despite the early(ish) start, but it was a very good day for the middle of winter.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tuesday 10 July
Hello everyone,
Tuesday was blue, clear and frosty in the morning, not a bit like the aviation forecast which told us that it was fog and drizzle. They must be real pessimists! By mid morning we had nice cumulus, not very high but heaps better than anything we have had lately, and anyway the sunshine makes you feel so much more cheerful.
Rob De Jarlais and others managed to put the bellyhook from the old Puchatek into the new one, but after two aborted launches on the winch we found it was not working properly - so we aerotowed it after that, and used the twin astir for winch training.
Laurie Bartlett, a visiting GFA member who had previously done some flying with Rob De Jarlais had a flight with me in the Puchatek. He did some flights with Rob yesterday. Both of us agreed that he was ready so we sent him off on his own. Not a completely first solo, but the first for a couple of years, and then only a few flights! He did two solo flights in the Puchatek with excellent landings in a slight crosswind. Well done Laurie!
Gabriel Kalkbrenner did the longest flight of the day in the Jantar Standard - 42 minutes. He reported that he could get no higher than 2500 ft above ground, which was the forecast height from the Moree temp trace. Rob and Ian had a decent 25 minute flight in the twin off a winch launch, and at the same time Laurie stayed up for 20 min solo in the Puchatek from a 2000ft launch. Gabriel was airborne at the same time, so we managed three in the air at once.
The aim is to get the gliders out early tomorrow, and get plenty of winch launches done for our visitors and students, before doing some aerotows when (if?) the thermals start.
Thursday people don't forget to come out - might actually do some flying rather than just eating this time! Thursday and Friday will be aerotow only.
All the best
Jenny
Monday, July 9, 2007
Monday 9 July
Grey and overcast, but not a huge amount of wind, certainly not 15 gusting 25 as forecast!
We had a busy day today with 15 aerotows, some of them to a great height! We had intended to winch launch, but just as we were about to hook on the rope for the first launch, we discovered that the "new" Puchatek does not have a belly hook! Very embarrassing, but fortunately the pilots concerned had a laugh about it. The twin astir proved to be the only two seat glider capable or being winch launched, and we had four student pilots plus Matthew Minter wanting to fly it We gave up on winching today and aerotowed instead!
After the flying, Robyn Gostelow cooked everyone a roast pork dinner, which was great.
Next exciting installment tomorrow!
Jenny
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Working Bee
We had a very successful working bee on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. At least twenty people turned up and it turned out to be a very social occasion.Tim Carr did a great job of organising everything, and Sam Clift cracked the whip and did not allow too much talking unless work was being performed at the same time!Every thing was taken out of the club house, and a huge amount of cleaning, sanding and painting was done, and the freezer was defrosted.
Lots of stuff was taken to the tip both from the club house and from the Tug hangar. You can actually fit the aeroplanes in it now!
The same weekend we had an instructors panel meeting, and a committee meeting. It was also Garry Speight's birthday on Saturday and Geoff Sim's on Sunday. June must be a good month for glider pilots.
On Sunday Phil Anderton added another Tuggie to the ranks. Jay Anderson, who tows at Camden and keeps his glider at Lake Keepit, was aquainted with the local procedures and taught the black art of operating the fuel bowser. Jay has kindly agreed to fill one of the gaps in the July roster.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Thursday 21 June
Thanks to every who phoned or emailed to wish me a happy birthday!
who came out for a fix. I hadn'tThe day dawned cold but sunny, and to my surprise we had a few organised another tuggie, so I took a couple of aspirins and tried to climb in! To my surprise the back felt much better for moving about a bit. Just as I was trying to start the engine, Garry Speight turned up and offered to fly it for me so that I could fly a glider.
Garry launched Trevor West and Bob Emery but by the time I had the Mozzie ready, the sky was had overclouded and Trevor and Bob were back on the ground. Neverless I took a launch as the glider had to be test flown after its form 2. Only found one patch of reduced sink, but of course I would have soared all afternoon if I had remembered to put the wheel away!
Trevor had the longest flight on the shortest day - 22 minutes from a 2000 ft launch. He must have found something apart from mushrooms.
After flying we had another barbecue, which turned into a birthday party, complete with cake, presents and silly hats. Vic Hatfield, Geoff Sim and Sandra Mitchell also attended. Presents included Japanese beer coasters, Deep Heat (very useful), some choccies and a bottle of red wrapped in an ERC Low. Very original
who came out for a fix. I hadn'tThe day dawned cold but sunny, and to my surprise we had a few organised another tuggie, so I took a couple of aspirins and tried to climb in! To my surprise the back felt much better for moving about a bit. Just as I was trying to start the engine, Garry Speight turned up and offered to fly it for me so that I could fly a glider.
Garry launched Trevor West and Bob Emery but by the time I had the Mozzie ready, the sky was had overclouded and Trevor and Bob were back on the ground. Neverless I took a launch as the glider had to be test flown after its form 2. Only found one patch of reduced sink, but of course I would have soared all afternoon if I had remembered to put the wheel away!
Trevor had the longest flight on the shortest day - 22 minutes from a 2000 ft launch. He must have found something apart from mushrooms.
After flying we had another barbecue, which turned into a birthday party, complete with cake, presents and silly hats. Vic Hatfield, Geoff Sim and Sandra Mitchell also attended. Presents included Japanese beer coasters, Deep Heat (very useful), some choccies and a bottle of red wrapped in an ERC Low. Very original
NSWGA Meeting
The NSWGA is trying to become relevant again, and I am glad our club was represented. They
can help us with promotion and getting grants! They are building a new website NSWgliding.org.auAfter the meeting, our illustrious vice president had a go in the wright flyer replica. No he didn't actually fly it - just sat in the seat and made engine noises
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Thursday 14 August
The day was sunny and the were cu's over the hills. We thought it might get soarable here, but there wasn't much. Trevor West, John Wakefield, Bob Emery Vic Hatfield, John Hoye and Craig Borchard came out to the club.We rigged the Mosquito GKW, (1/3 mine) and it looks good after all the work Tom Gilbert has done on it. Unfortunately I wrenched my back in the process, so John Hoye stepped in to fly the tug today. Thanks John.
Trevor decided that mushrooming was a better bet than gliding, and he found heaps. We cooked some up with the sausages for lunch. In the end only Craig and Vic flew.
Craig is a new member from Kootingal, and had his first gliding lessons with Vic today. The poor chap had four instructors keeping an eye on him and overloading him with information. Those of us on the ground thought he must be doing really well, as he was on to modified circuits on only his second flight!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sunday 10th June
Not sure what the weather was doing at LKSC today (Sunday) but Saturday was cold and wet to start with, though it looked as if it was clearing.
Went to Temora to collect our (Jenny & friends) Mosquito GKW which has been having its Form 2 done, and being repaired from an accident I had with the trailer.
There were Cus popping all over the sky - what could I do? Flew the Temora Club Janus for an hour or so. The glider had been sitting sadly in the hangar for three months and was covered in dust. Cloudbase was 5000ft and the best thermals were 6 kt. Not bad for June. Followed up with a few circuits in the club's Cessna172.
Most satisfactory aviation fix after not having flown since Wednesday!
Driving back to LKSC tomorrow, trailer in tow.
Went to Temora to collect our (Jenny & friends) Mosquito GKW which has been having its Form 2 done, and being repaired from an accident I had with the trailer.
There were Cus popping all over the sky - what could I do? Flew the Temora Club Janus for an hour or so. The glider had been sitting sadly in the hangar for three months and was covered in dust. Cloudbase was 5000ft and the best thermals were 6 kt. Not bad for June. Followed up with a few circuits in the club's Cessna172.
Most satisfactory aviation fix after not having flown since Wednesday!
Driving back to LKSC tomorrow, trailer in tow.
Thursday & Friday
We had no flying on Thursday and Friday due to poor weather. It has been very cold and wet the last couple of days.
Doug Knight and Michael Newnham have returned to Melbourne, but have promised to return. Doug's flying had greatly improved since the last time he came here - I had told him to practice by visualisation and he told me that he had been doing this. It must have worked!
This is an excellent technique for anyone who cannot fly as regularly as they would like to.
.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Wednesday's Flying
Wednesday dawned blue and sunny but gradually clouded over. There was next to no wind, and no thermals at all, although I think I detected a patch of 1 down rather than the usual 2 down at one stage!
We did 13 flights in the Puchatek. Michael Newnham did 5 solos after a brief check flight this morning and Doug Knight did 7 flights with me.
Thanks to Bruce Clark for towing.
The forecast is not brilliant for tomorrow, but the Thursday crowd are most welcome to come out and socialise, even if they don't want to fly. I still have some sausages left from last Thursday.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
First Solo Michael Newnham
Tuesday was a cold and very stable day, foggy at first.
I started the day with Michael Newnham. In one flight we did take-off, rudder waggle, hook-up, boxing the slipstream, high tow, spins, stalls circuit and landing. Michael felt he had worked quite hard! After a cable break and a wave off, I thought he was ready to fly solo, so I phoned up Vic Hatfield to see he if would offer a second opinion.
Vic came out on his BMW and hopped into the back of the Puchatek, and gave poor Michael another work-out, and ran him out of height in the circuit. After yet another cable break (we really must get some more reliable tow ropes) Vic was happy to send Michael solo - but he wouldn't go!
They had another flight together, in which strangely enough nothing odd happened at all. As they were preparing for yet another, Vic said "you're going on your own this time, so get on with it" or words to that effect.
There was just enough daylight left for two solo flights, both of which went without a hitch. The day ended with a few beers.
Congratulations Michael
Thanks to Bruce Clark for 14 tows during the day, and Vic for coming out and making things happen.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Monday's Flying (4th June)
It was foggy at Lake Keepit till about 11 o' clock ( 0100 UTC to you), but it was really socked in at Cowra. Not even the bank plane got in. The fog did lift by about 10.00 am - to about 300 ft above ground level. I could not get away until just after midday, (in fact just after the bank plane left - it normally comes in and out at 7.00 am) when some holes in the low cloud opened up and I was able to fly up through one of them to go VFR over the top.
The cloud was much more broken and then scattered towards the north east, and I was able to get back to Lake Keepit without further incident. However it was very cold.
Doug Knight and Michael Newnham, my students for the week, along with Garry Speight had the tug and glider ready, so I did another running changeover this time from Jabiru to Puchatek. We managed five training flights in the afternoon but there was no soaring to be had. However it is ideal training weather as it is so smooth.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Don't forget to come out on Thursday.
Jenny
Saturday's flying
A few people came out to fly, but more maintenance work than flying was achieved. Sam fixed the hangar doors, Vic fixed the tractor and greased the winch, and Tim fixed the lawn mower and used it to good effect. Harry did some more runway work I think.
PIJ's battery was down a bit (my fault - I must have left the master switch on the day before) and I couldn't get it started. It don't think she likes the cold! With the help of Sam and Christian we jump started the aeroplane from Sams ute. All gliders were lined up ready to go, so I did four tows in quick succession without stopping the engine. Then I had to do a race to my Jabiru, which was packed and ready to go and took off for Cowra. I got there about five minutes after sunset, but it was still light enough to see fortunately. I had to get home to do some jobs for my Dad.
Sam test flew the Junior, Christian and Tim had brief flights, and Harry, the first to launch, was still airborne when I left...
Jenny
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