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
