Roy Worthington came to the club this week, and true to form, did heaps more mowing of the strip. He finished of the bit of 14 that Trevor didn't do last week, and did the whole of "the triangle" between runways 20 and 24. Great Job!
Not content with that, he set about mowing all around the hangars and in front of the flight centre with a push mower. As all our mowers had died, and he is on the committee, he purchased a 4 stroke mower. PLEASE NOTE CLUB MEMBERS IT'S A 4-STROKE so don't mix 2 stoke oil with the petrol, but do check the oil level.
On Monday Michael Newnham came up from Victoria to fly. Gianni Cattalinotto came up on Tuesday too.
Michael was flying well after an extended break from Lake Keepit, and after flying a Bocian with Ingo Renner! I was able to send him solo in the Puchatek, and he had his first solo soaring flight. Well done Michael. On Tuesday he did another solo in the Puchatek. Trevor came out to fly, but I roped him into helping with the instruction because in addition to Gianni and Michael, we had a visitor, Hans, who had flown off the winch for a TIF on Sunday and wanted another flight.
Michael was able to solo in the Grob after Trevor gave him some intensive landing practice, and Gianni was able to do re-solo in the Puchatek - so all in all a very satisfying day for the trainee pilots.
With a thorough briefing by Jim Staniforth (who used to own one) Paul Roche made his debut in the LS6 and thoroughly enjoyed it though he cautiously stayed local.
John White again flew the LS7 for about 5 hours each day - He is 83 ( I hope he does not mind me telling everyone) but only looks in his 60s, and has more stamina for flying than many much younger people. He used to instruct in Spitfires but only took up gliding 10 years ago!
Wednesday,Thursday and Friday were a dead loss because we had nothing but rain, and the runway was getting soggy. Most people went home because of the weather.
We found a flat main wheel tyre on the Jantar, and managed to fix it with the help of John Wakefield, Jim Staniforth and Paul Roche. Must get some new spare tubes!
After flying the Junior the other week, I can certify that the vario is horrible - it works, but is horrible. However the committee have agreed to the purchase of a new Borgelt B400 for it - so all you Junior pilots (even the older ones) are in for a treat!
John Wakefield came out on Friday to look at the tug - hoping to fix the generator while we were not flying. Unfortunately he found that one of the brackets holding it in place was broken. He had to take off the propeller and remove the generator. I called Phil Goard of PG Aviation in Cowra to see if he could make or repair the brackets, and he said he could. BUT I couldn't fly to Cowra because of the bad weather and had to drive instead.
So no tug again this weekend, but definitely no flying possible on Saturday due to weather. Not sure about Sunday yet.
Will be getting the generator checked by an auto electrician early Monday morning in Cowra, while Phil makes the brackets, then the long drive back to LKSC. I hate it when I can't fly!!!
Garry Speight has agreed to hold the fort back at Keepit, while I drive back. What ever would we do without him!
Will try to blog more promptly next week
Jenny
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