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

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.

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