Got back to LKSC on Tuesday - no tug yet. Latest ETA is now Friday!
Since then I have spent most of the time chasing cattle off the strip, including a huge fat bull, and trying to fix the electric fence to try and stop them coming back. So far they seem to be winning the battle. However last night after I stood the fence up yet again, I had the satisfaction of seeing the bull test it and get zapped on the nose!
We have had another water problem - we ran out of dam water last night. No the lake is not empty - there is a problem with the pipe going into the tank on top of the hill. The state park don't seem to be able to fix it quickly, so they have trucked in about 8000lt. No more watering to be done until this problem is solved!
Went up to the fence again this morning - sure enough down again - but not as badly as before. Then the motor bike I was on broke down. Lee McKinnon, visiting Camden pilot, helped tow it back to the hangar.
Dave Shorter arrived at about lunchtime - he flew in the Puchatek with Lee - who is getting back into gliding after giving it away in 1967! He used to instruct in T21s in Malaya, and learned to fly in a primary glider. I flew the tug. It's quite fun to be tuggie instead of instructor now and again. It looked like quite a good day, but they didn't manage to soar. I think we were a bit too late getting going.
Harry and Wendy Medlicott arrived this afternoon. Harry says tomorrow is a welding day - but we'll see what the weather does.
The feedback from our students at the weekend is good - both are intending to come back for more of the same! Both are shift workers. Crag took the trouble to ring and offer to come and help out during the week if we need him. Thanks for the offer Craig - I will definitely let you know!
Thats all the news I can think of at the moment. Standby for the next exciting installment!
Jenny
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday/ Saturday at Lake Keepit by Robin Walker
Hello all you hard working people,
Friday was a quiet day with Steve Hedley having a flight in the
Nimbus and Jenny and Garry doing some winch practice.
Garry managed to get to 6500, while Steve found the day a challenge ,
the day did not start till after 1pm.
Saturday started early with Jenny and others getting the winch ready
from 8am, winching started at 9-45 and no cable breaks.
The forecast for the day on the blip maps was looking OK and cumulus
started to generate earlier than Friday.
Christian took the last winch launch and got away easily, I self
launched just after and got away easily to start heading for BARRABA.
With the pressure on so as not to be a liar, I left Keepit at 4800 ft and
headed for Barraba. There was good strong lift, 4kts, the cloud base
at the hills was rising and lift was getting stronger average 5kts.
Made Barraba easily with good streeting ahead so decided to head for
Bingara. No stopping, kept going, turned 29km short of Warialda
122km from home at 7000ft with good streeting back to the Kelvins.
From here the day was dying and it was getting hard to find lift but
struggled past Carrol to 20km south. Turned to scratch back to Keepit,
thought I needed another 30km for my 300 so headed for Manilla, got
abut 11 km ran out of height and lift so turned to run home. Bummer!
Sink, no glide, down with the undercarriage - oops a little lift - keep
going - still air - arrive to join base at 600ft.
All in all a good day so that's the first of the 300km days I
suggested would happen this weekend, sorry you missed it.
Robin
Friday was a quiet day with Steve Hedley having a flight in the
Nimbus and Jenny and Garry doing some winch practice.
Garry managed to get to 6500, while Steve found the day a challenge ,
the day did not start till after 1pm.
Saturday started early with Jenny and others getting the winch ready
from 8am, winching started at 9-45 and no cable breaks.
The forecast for the day on the blip maps was looking OK and cumulus
started to generate earlier than Friday.
Christian took the last winch launch and got away easily, I self
launched just after and got away easily to start heading for BARRABA.
With the pressure on so as not to be a liar, I left Keepit at 4800 ft and
headed for Barraba. There was good strong lift, 4kts, the cloud base
at the hills was rising and lift was getting stronger average 5kts.
Made Barraba easily with good streeting ahead so decided to head for
Bingara. No stopping, kept going, turned 29km short of Warialda
122km from home at 7000ft with good streeting back to the Kelvins.
From here the day was dying and it was getting hard to find lift but
struggled past Carrol to 20km south. Turned to scratch back to Keepit,
thought I needed another 30km for my 300 so headed for Manilla, got
abut 11 km ran out of height and lift so turned to run home. Bummer!
Sink, no glide, down with the undercarriage - oops a little lift - keep
going - still air - arrive to join base at 600ft.
All in all a good day so that's the first of the 300km days I
suggested would happen this weekend, sorry you missed it.
Robin
Weekend of 24 and 25 May
Craig Borchard and Ray Bell came out for winch intruction at 8.00 am on Saturday. At least they were supposed to come at 8, but they were so keen, that they turned up 20 min early! Fortunately I was up an about when they came, as I had intended to do the daily inspection on the Puchatek before they arrived.
We did the paperwork and the DI on the glider and were about ready to go at 9 am. Nick Singer, who was rostered instructor for Sunday, kindly agreed to be duty instructor for Saturday as well. and gave the students a thorough safety briefing. We decided that he would take Ray, and I Craig, as Ray was coming back on Sunday, and Craig was not.
Each student had three winch launches, then Craig had one more, and we were able to get away and soar on the last one. Christian Linnet opted to winch launch in the Cirrus GQV (the most flown glider in the known universe) rather than aerotow, and got away first launch. A friend of Alan Paulsen's had a trial flight with Nick on the winch and they got away first go too.
Plenty of members were available to help out with the winch operation, which was great. We decided to pack up the winch operation at 12.30 and spend the rest of the day using aerotow, but we overran a bit. Both Craig and Ray had as much flying as their concentration would allow in their early stage of training. Ray was clearly game for more of the same, as he turned up again bright and early on Sunday morning.
In the event only one aerotow was require in the afternoon. I flew with Alan Paulsen in the Grob 103 and we had a very pleasant afternoon's soaring, though we didn't venture very far away from the field. The cloudbase was about 5500 ft.
Robin managed to fly 300 km - you can see his trace on the OLC. Ross Edwards and Steve Hedley shared the nimbus - but not both at the same time! Both had good soaring flights.
We finished the day with a meal at the pub in Gunnedah - a great day's gliding.
On Sunday I got up early and did the daily inspection on the Puchatek with Ray. We were somewhat later starting the operation as there were a couple frayed bits of rope to repair before we could start. I was going to drive the winch, but Peter Shiels did it for me, and I was able to fly back to Cowra in the afternoon - so not sure how the rest of the day went.
We did the paperwork and the DI on the glider and were about ready to go at 9 am. Nick Singer, who was rostered instructor for Sunday, kindly agreed to be duty instructor for Saturday as well. and gave the students a thorough safety briefing. We decided that he would take Ray, and I Craig, as Ray was coming back on Sunday, and Craig was not.
Each student had three winch launches, then Craig had one more, and we were able to get away and soar on the last one. Christian Linnet opted to winch launch in the Cirrus GQV (the most flown glider in the known universe) rather than aerotow, and got away first launch. A friend of Alan Paulsen's had a trial flight with Nick on the winch and they got away first go too.
Plenty of members were available to help out with the winch operation, which was great. We decided to pack up the winch operation at 12.30 and spend the rest of the day using aerotow, but we overran a bit. Both Craig and Ray had as much flying as their concentration would allow in their early stage of training. Ray was clearly game for more of the same, as he turned up again bright and early on Sunday morning.
In the event only one aerotow was require in the afternoon. I flew with Alan Paulsen in the Grob 103 and we had a very pleasant afternoon's soaring, though we didn't venture very far away from the field. The cloudbase was about 5500 ft.
Robin managed to fly 300 km - you can see his trace on the OLC. Ross Edwards and Steve Hedley shared the nimbus - but not both at the same time! Both had good soaring flights.
We finished the day with a meal at the pub in Gunnedah - a great day's gliding.
On Sunday I got up early and did the daily inspection on the Puchatek with Ray. We were somewhat later starting the operation as there were a couple frayed bits of rope to repair before we could start. I was going to drive the winch, but Peter Shiels did it for me, and I was able to fly back to Cowra in the afternoon - so not sure how the rest of the day went.
Friday 23 May 2008
A good day with plenty of cumulus about.
Robin Walker and Steve Hedley arrived at the club sometime last night, but were nowhere to be seen in the morning. It turned out they were doing something to the engine of the Nimbus.
Garry Speight offered to come out and help me get current winch launching again. We spent the morning cleaning and greasing the winch and setting it up. When it came to launching, the clouds were looking good. Since Garry wanted to do some soaring in his Twin Astir, I launched him on the winch. He got away first go, and flew around for a couple of hours. He said he had a struggle for the first 40 minutes, but then was able to climb to 6500 feet! Steve Hedley manage to get the motor in the nimbus going and launched before Garry and had a good soaring flight.
When he landed, we swapped places and I did three launches in the Twin Astir. Steve Hedley did the rope retrieving, wing running and kangaroo scaring. Even at 4.30 in the afternoon I was able to maintain height over the caravan park while waiting for the rope to be towed back!
Geoff Neely came out to make sure all was ready for the weekend winch course, as he had agreed to be winch driver. He and Garry walked the rope to make sure there were no dodgy bits.
Thanks for the help guys. This winch launching is not so bad after all!
Robin Walker and Steve Hedley arrived at the club sometime last night, but were nowhere to be seen in the morning. It turned out they were doing something to the engine of the Nimbus.
Garry Speight offered to come out and help me get current winch launching again. We spent the morning cleaning and greasing the winch and setting it up. When it came to launching, the clouds were looking good. Since Garry wanted to do some soaring in his Twin Astir, I launched him on the winch. He got away first go, and flew around for a couple of hours. He said he had a struggle for the first 40 minutes, but then was able to climb to 6500 feet! Steve Hedley manage to get the motor in the nimbus going and launched before Garry and had a good soaring flight.
When he landed, we swapped places and I did three launches in the Twin Astir. Steve Hedley did the rope retrieving, wing running and kangaroo scaring. Even at 4.30 in the afternoon I was able to maintain height over the caravan park while waiting for the rope to be towed back!
Geoff Neely came out to make sure all was ready for the weekend winch course, as he had agreed to be winch driver. He and Garry walked the rope to make sure there were no dodgy bits.
Thanks for the help guys. This winch launching is not so bad after all!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday 22 May
The day looked really good with scattered cumulus - looked about 4500 or 5000ft. John Hoye and John Wakefield turned up in a nice looking Cessna 210. Bob Emery came out to fly his Cirrus.
After a bit of discussion about who would tow who in what, John and John flew together in the Grob and I did the towing.
I found a decent thermal for Bob, and he had two hours local soaring. John and John had a soaring flight of about 40min.
I got my feet off the ground flying the tug, so it was all good!
After a bit of discussion about who would tow who in what, John and John flew together in the Grob and I did the towing.
I found a decent thermal for Bob, and he had two hours local soaring. John and John had a soaring flight of about 40min.
I got my feet off the ground flying the tug, so it was all good!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
News up to Wednesay 21 May
Last Thursday Todd Clark came out for a fix and flew the LS6. Harry Medlicott also flew. Neither of them got much - I think I launched them at precisely the wrong time. Once they had landed, the storm clouds brewed up and we had rain.
Went to Gunnedah for grocery shopping and petrol - big excitement!
On Friday Harry and Ray Tilley had a welding day, but it looked by far the best flying day of the week. Harry did some work on my trailer fittings - for which I am very grateful - and they helped me to derrig the Mosquito as it is due for its form 2. My plan was to drive to Cowra on Friday night and then go the rest of the way to Temora the next day. Turned out to be a disastrous trip, with a blow out on the trailer just outside Gunnedah, and you guessed it, the spare tyre had a slow leak too. Couldn't jack the trailer up unassisted so ended up calling out the NRMA. Made it to Gunnedah but had to stay the night there near the tyre place. Found the trailer tyres were an unusual size which weren't in stock, so had to replace all three!
Finally made it to Temora, after a couple of sleeps, just after dark. Cold, raining and deserted. I parked the trailer where I usually leave it outside Tom Gilberts hangar and got bogged. Went to phone for help - no coverage. Luckily a short walk put me within phoning range, and Tom came out to help. But after looking at the problem and the mud, we decided to call the NRMA again. The serviceman came out with a winch, and had the car out in no time - much better than grovelling about in the mud. After all that drove back to Cowra, arriving about 9 pm. Reminds me why I prefer to fly home!
I was hoping to fly the tug back to Keepit on Monday, but it was not quite ready - waiting for some heavy duty electrical wiring for the generator to be delivered. So drove back to Keepit! Hope to be able to fetch the Callair back next weekend.
Tuesday and Wednesday were warm sunny days, but fairly stable. Some lift about in the middle of the day. William White turned up on Tuesday afternoon, and we went for a flight in my Jabiru to take photos of his newly acquired land near Manilla. He is hoping to build a house there in three years time. Garry came out to tow on Wednesday, and after a few check flights, I was able to send William solo again. He managed a half hour soaring flight. Then did another two circuits - which now makes four solos. All good landings.
Looks as if there will be quite a bit of activity this weekend - we will be able to test the theory 300 km flights are indeed possible during late Autumn!
Went to Gunnedah for grocery shopping and petrol - big excitement!
On Friday Harry and Ray Tilley had a welding day, but it looked by far the best flying day of the week. Harry did some work on my trailer fittings - for which I am very grateful - and they helped me to derrig the Mosquito as it is due for its form 2. My plan was to drive to Cowra on Friday night and then go the rest of the way to Temora the next day. Turned out to be a disastrous trip, with a blow out on the trailer just outside Gunnedah, and you guessed it, the spare tyre had a slow leak too. Couldn't jack the trailer up unassisted so ended up calling out the NRMA. Made it to Gunnedah but had to stay the night there near the tyre place. Found the trailer tyres were an unusual size which weren't in stock, so had to replace all three!
Finally made it to Temora, after a couple of sleeps, just after dark. Cold, raining and deserted. I parked the trailer where I usually leave it outside Tom Gilberts hangar and got bogged. Went to phone for help - no coverage. Luckily a short walk put me within phoning range, and Tom came out to help. But after looking at the problem and the mud, we decided to call the NRMA again. The serviceman came out with a winch, and had the car out in no time - much better than grovelling about in the mud. After all that drove back to Cowra, arriving about 9 pm. Reminds me why I prefer to fly home!
I was hoping to fly the tug back to Keepit on Monday, but it was not quite ready - waiting for some heavy duty electrical wiring for the generator to be delivered. So drove back to Keepit! Hope to be able to fetch the Callair back next weekend.
Tuesday and Wednesday were warm sunny days, but fairly stable. Some lift about in the middle of the day. William White turned up on Tuesday afternoon, and we went for a flight in my Jabiru to take photos of his newly acquired land near Manilla. He is hoping to build a house there in three years time. Garry came out to tow on Wednesday, and after a few check flights, I was able to send William solo again. He managed a half hour soaring flight. Then did another two circuits - which now makes four solos. All good landings.
Looks as if there will be quite a bit of activity this weekend - we will be able to test the theory 300 km flights are indeed possible during late Autumn!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday & Wednesday
Harry Medlicott is at the club and took a launch on Tuesday at about 1.30 pm after spending the morning welding. Soon after he launched stormed built up all around, and we had quite a bit of thunder and rain. Harry said he had to get to the clouds quickly before they started raining on him.
Later in the after noon, a Cessna 182 dropped in - he was on his way to Inverell from Yass, but got hailed on at Gunnedah and decided the ground was a better place to be. He was amazed to hear that there was a glider flying! Meanwhile Harry had flown to Mt Kaputar and was on his way back. He said conditions were rough, and he had to airbrake down!
Ian, the Cessna pilot, helped put Harry's glider away, and stayed the night at the clubhouse and left in the morning. We were disappointed to see there was no hook on his aeroplane!
On Wednesday we had a visit from Johnathon Heath, who is making a promotional video about Gunnedah, and wanted some gliding footage. Harry obliged by taking a launch for the camera! Johnathon said he got what he wanted so that was all good. He had been gliding himself once with Trevor West - and never forgotten the experience!
As I write this, Harry is still in the air!
Harry landed just after 5.00 pm, having flown to Mullaley, Kaputah, Manilla, Gunnedah and back - at least I think those were the turnpoints. He launched at 2.15pm - a bit later than ideal because of the posing.
Later in the after noon, a Cessna 182 dropped in - he was on his way to Inverell from Yass, but got hailed on at Gunnedah and decided the ground was a better place to be. He was amazed to hear that there was a glider flying! Meanwhile Harry had flown to Mt Kaputar and was on his way back. He said conditions were rough, and he had to airbrake down!
Ian, the Cessna pilot, helped put Harry's glider away, and stayed the night at the clubhouse and left in the morning. We were disappointed to see there was no hook on his aeroplane!
On Wednesday we had a visit from Johnathon Heath, who is making a promotional video about Gunnedah, and wanted some gliding footage. Harry obliged by taking a launch for the camera! Johnathon said he got what he wanted so that was all good. He had been gliding himself once with Trevor West - and never forgotten the experience!
As I write this, Harry is still in the air!
Harry landed just after 5.00 pm, having flown to Mullaley, Kaputah, Manilla, Gunnedah and back - at least I think those were the turnpoints. He launched at 2.15pm - a bit later than ideal because of the posing.
Monday, May 12, 2008
This Week (beginning Mon 12 May)
Uneventful flight to Cowra on Saturday. Our tug is being worked on there - the cowls were off!
On Sunday took Dad to Mudgee for lunch - by air of course. On Monday morning flew back to Lake Keepit. The weather conditions were a bit odd - the clouds did not seem to know what height to form at. Some showers over the Liverpool Ranges.
Very warm at Lake Keepit, with some huge cumulus, building up to anvil heads in the distance. Its gone back to summer! Couldn't induce Bob Emery to take a launch - he came to do the banking - only a lunch.
Allan Buttenshaw is coming up for Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday with a student - so there will be activity if anyone wants to fly. If anyone felt like flying the tug that would be good too - I could get a fix in the glider. Would be could to have a winch day on Thursday to practice for the cadet weekend on 1st June.
I need to put the Mosquito into its trailer this week for its form 2, if anyone could spare an hour or so on Thursday or Friday.
I think the weather will be quite good this week at least until Thursday when it is supposed to rain.
On Sunday took Dad to Mudgee for lunch - by air of course. On Monday morning flew back to Lake Keepit. The weather conditions were a bit odd - the clouds did not seem to know what height to form at. Some showers over the Liverpool Ranges.
Very warm at Lake Keepit, with some huge cumulus, building up to anvil heads in the distance. Its gone back to summer! Couldn't induce Bob Emery to take a launch - he came to do the banking - only a lunch.
Allan Buttenshaw is coming up for Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday with a student - so there will be activity if anyone wants to fly. If anyone felt like flying the tug that would be good too - I could get a fix in the glider. Would be could to have a winch day on Thursday to practice for the cadet weekend on 1st June.
I need to put the Mosquito into its trailer this week for its form 2, if anyone could spare an hour or so on Thursday or Friday.
I think the weather will be quite good this week at least until Thursday when it is supposed to rain.
Sundays weather and conditions by Peter Shiels
Robin's report understated the weather and the general flying conditions.
No one was keen to start until approx 2pm as a result of the rather dreary blip map predictions. Consequently we sat around drinking tea & coffee for some time before a pre arranged joyrider turned up for Gerhard and giving us cause to stir into some sort of activity.
Gerhard launched a little after midday and after staying airborne for nearly 30 min, Jay & Robin decided to advance their launches and took off at 12.45.
Geoff Neely and I followed about a half hour later. By that time Robin & Jay were approaching Barraba and reporting climbs to 6000'.
After a close look at Gainey's airstrip from low altitude, I found a 5kt climb to cloud base at 6500'. Geoff decided to head north but as the area to the east of Manilla looked "interesting', I headed off in that direction. The conditions improved and east of Manilla I found several climbs of 7kts and cloud base was 8000' in parts. I travelled up along the Halls Creek valley towards Bendemeer for about 50km before heading back to Split Rock Dam.
In the mean time Jay & Robin made it to Mt Kaputar and were heading back to Split Rock Dam. Geoff went to Barraba and then off to Gunnedah.
We all thought that we were doing well when Bruce Taylor joined us on the radio to advise that he was over Lake Keepit at 6500' after leaving Kentucky and flying South to Murrurundi then back north to Keepit and was then on his way to Guyra! His comment was "not too bad for a May day?".
Jay later reported that at one point, he had achieved 10kts on his averager in one thermal. He and Robin easily completed 220km.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers Day weekend - by Robin Walker
To all those nice glider pilots that stayed home to look after their
mothers and wives.
Saturday was beautiful, sunny and blue with a few cumulus clouds in the distance towards the north east. There were 4 flights. Mathew Minter did the first flight in the Grob. John Stewart had over 2 hours in the LS7. Justin Smith flew in in his RV8 and did his annual flight review. Lachlan Knight bought out a friend for a passenger flight. Heights for the day 4500ft.
Sunday was another beautiful day with sunny blue skies. Blip maps said no cumulus and not as good as Saturday. Cannot always be right eh guys?
There was a passenger flight at 12.00 pm. Jay Anderson flew his LS6, I flew my Ventus BM, Geoff Neely flew the DG 400 HDB and Peter Shiels flew the Cirrus.
With cumulus to the north east towards Manilla we headed off towards them. Luckily for us they came halfway to meet us and we got to 7,000 ft and headed towards Barraba, then headed for Kaputar arriving at 8,000ft, then back to Split Rock for the run home.
Best day all week guys. Sorry you were not here but we enjoyed it for you.
See you all next weekend.
Robin (edited slightly by Jenny)
mothers and wives.
Saturday was beautiful, sunny and blue with a few cumulus clouds in the distance towards the north east. There were 4 flights. Mathew Minter did the first flight in the Grob. John Stewart had over 2 hours in the LS7. Justin Smith flew in in his RV8 and did his annual flight review. Lachlan Knight bought out a friend for a passenger flight. Heights for the day 4500ft.
Sunday was another beautiful day with sunny blue skies. Blip maps said no cumulus and not as good as Saturday. Cannot always be right eh guys?
There was a passenger flight at 12.00 pm. Jay Anderson flew his LS6, I flew my Ventus BM, Geoff Neely flew the DG 400 HDB and Peter Shiels flew the Cirrus.
With cumulus to the north east towards Manilla we headed off towards them. Luckily for us they came halfway to meet us and we got to 7,000 ft and headed towards Barraba, then headed for Kaputar arriving at 8,000ft, then back to Split Rock for the run home.
Best day all week guys. Sorry you were not here but we enjoyed it for you.
See you all next weekend.
Robin (edited slightly by Jenny)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thursday 8th May 2008
Another blue day. In the office trying to wrestle with the paperwork to transfer a glider registration. This has to be just about the hardest form to do. Robin has been clearing out the gutters of the glider hangar - they were very clogged up, and badly needed doing. Thanks Robin.
John Hoye came out for a fix - although the day didn't look particularly exciting he took a launch in the LS6 anyway. I said that if he bombed out, he could tow me up instead. However unfortunately for me he didn't bomb out, and managed to soar for two hours. Highest was 4500 ft he said. All good practice, and good for keeping current.
I am happy to say I did an absolute greaser of a landing in the tug - but of course no one saw it.
Gerhard arrived for the weekend this afternoon, and Ray Tilley is coming out tomorrow, so tomorrow would probably be a good day to get the cobwebs out of the gliders, if anyone feels so inclined. I am hoping to have a couple of practice winch launches if we can organise it - but I will fly the tug for anyone who wants to aerotow.
This kangaroo and her joey were enjoying the grass in the quadrangle as John Hoye was landing in the LS6. I thought she was going to hop in front of the glider, but luckily she turned and went the other way. Joey pulled his head right in!
John Hoye came out for a fix - although the day didn't look particularly exciting he took a launch in the LS6 anyway. I said that if he bombed out, he could tow me up instead. However unfortunately for me he didn't bomb out, and managed to soar for two hours. Highest was 4500 ft he said. All good practice, and good for keeping current.
I am happy to say I did an absolute greaser of a landing in the tug - but of course no one saw it.
Gerhard arrived for the weekend this afternoon, and Ray Tilley is coming out tomorrow, so tomorrow would probably be a good day to get the cobwebs out of the gliders, if anyone feels so inclined. I am hoping to have a couple of practice winch launches if we can organise it - but I will fly the tug for anyone who wants to aerotow.
This kangaroo and her joey were enjoying the grass in the quadrangle as John Hoye was landing in the LS6. I thought she was going to hop in front of the glider, but luckily she turned and went the other way. Joey pulled his head right in!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
7 May
Another quiet day at Lake Keepit. I went to check Geoff Sim's fence at about 11.30 this morning and found the thermals were already noticeable blowing through. I thought I might ring Vic up and tell him to come flying, but before I could he turned up on his motor bike! Not to fly thought By about 1.30 pm there were beautiful cumulus clouds all over the sky. We had a visit from a tuggie and glider pilot from Tocumwal who was just passing by. He said he really likes towing with a Bellanca Scout! Also says they have a Sportstar with a hook on it down there. He said to his surprise it's quite good as well, but not on a hot day. Said it would cope with a Blanik OK on a day like today. They have 100 hp Rotax motor. He said that before he tried it he thought that a light aeroplane would get pulled about by the glider, but found that it wasn't the case. Food for thought.
By 3.30 the sky looked as in the photos above. The was a westerly breeze today, but not exceptionally strong. So we are still getting good days.
Jay Anderson is coming to tow at the weekend, so please make it worth his while to make the trip! Ask him if he can give you a lift!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
6 May 2008
It's been very quiet here for the last week or so, although the weather has been quite pleasant - perfect for training - but no trainees!
I believe there was only one launch on Saturday, and none on Sunday.
On Monday I landed after an uneventful flight from Cowra to find Robin Walker in residence - otherwise the club has been deserted.
Today I had a visit from a Southern Cross Gliding Club member. Lee McKinnon, who was passing through. He was a gentleman who had learned to fly in Malaya in primary gliders in the 50s! After a very long lay off, he is doing a bit of gliding again, and had two flights with me in the Puchatek - which he enjoyed.
The weather was very calm, blue and warm and sunny. There was a bit of lift about, but not what you would call cross country weather. Garry Speight came out to fly the tug. After lunch, Garry decided to have a flight in the Puchatek, so I towed him up. He managed about an hour soaring.
Lee seemed very impressed with our airfield, and is thinking of coming back on his way home.
John Wakefield came out this afternoon, but didn't fly. We looked at putting the belly release back in the club Jantar, but the release cable is no longer there. This appears to be a more complicated job than first envisaged.
Gerhard will be coming out to instruct for the weekend, so I hope our club members will make the effort to come out. While the weather Has not been brilliant for cross country flying, it has been excellent for training, keeping current, and for some challenging soaring in the middle of the day.
I believe there was only one launch on Saturday, and none on Sunday.
On Monday I landed after an uneventful flight from Cowra to find Robin Walker in residence - otherwise the club has been deserted.
Today I had a visit from a Southern Cross Gliding Club member. Lee McKinnon, who was passing through. He was a gentleman who had learned to fly in Malaya in primary gliders in the 50s! After a very long lay off, he is doing a bit of gliding again, and had two flights with me in the Puchatek - which he enjoyed.
The weather was very calm, blue and warm and sunny. There was a bit of lift about, but not what you would call cross country weather. Garry Speight came out to fly the tug. After lunch, Garry decided to have a flight in the Puchatek, so I towed him up. He managed about an hour soaring.
Lee seemed very impressed with our airfield, and is thinking of coming back on his way home.
John Wakefield came out this afternoon, but didn't fly. We looked at putting the belly release back in the club Jantar, but the release cable is no longer there. This appears to be a more complicated job than first envisaged.
Gerhard will be coming out to instruct for the weekend, so I hope our club members will make the effort to come out. While the weather Has not been brilliant for cross country flying, it has been excellent for training, keeping current, and for some challenging soaring in the middle of the day.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Weekend Flying (by Nick Singer)
I arrived with Alan Buttenshaw on Friday to a complete electrical black out and light rain on the way.
Woke up Saturday to power, sunshine and no wind; arranged crews for winch operation. Dave Shorter taught winch driving, Al did retrieves and duty pilot, Mathew Minter and I instructed in the Grob and Puchatek .
I revalidated Bob Emery on the winch and he did a good solo launch. Harry Medlicott took time off welding and flew a visitor friend and I flew his wife, we both had soaring flights. I found 6knts to 6000ft and went to the ranges then returned. I flew with Paul Tridgel who thermalled well for an hour. He recently re-soloed after 130 flights in 1982. He drove the winch whilst I flew with his son Stephen - 6 launches.
Matthew flew with Jim Thompson on the winch. Dave Shorter and Christian went cross country. It was very good of John Hoye, who had turned up for the instructor meeting, to go and retrieve Christian in the Etug.
25 good winch launches, no cable breaks. I was going to give Stephen a power loss half way up but forgot to communicate with the winch; serendipitous timing, as the winch ran out of fuel half way up!!
Sunday dawned clear but 25 kts going to 35 kts at height. No one was keen to fly so the flying was abandoned. You should have been there yesterday.
Nick Singer
1 May
Been a bit quiet since my last post. A few turned up on ANZAC day - I tried to fly home but it was raining and very low cloud all day here, although bright and sunny at Cowra so I was told. At 3 pm we had a power cut, and it didn't come back on until about midnight. We can a candle lit supper in the club house, cooked on the wood stove, the barbecue and my Trangia camping stove. Thanks Dave and Carol shorter for the Nachos! It was a very dark night.
On Saturday I was able to fly home - Jabiru is going much better with the nose spat back on! My Ultralight BFR was due, and so I did it on Saturday afternoon with Phil Goard of PG Aviation at Cowra, who is a level two instructor, as well as being the maker of the Brumby light sport aircraft. I was able to do my BFR in the prototype Brumby - it must be easy to fly as I did OK! I have one on order, and am really looking forward to getting it! Will be faster than the Jabiru, and carry more stuff!
Arrived back on Monday - brilliant sky and lots of thermals but no pilots! It was quite windy, but the thermals were strong enough to overcome that problem, and the wind moderated during the day.
Tuesday morning at 7.00 am in a frost, Geoff Neely and I flew to Inverell in the Jabiru to pick up the Callair. While we were there we had a message from Geoff Sim to say he was flying up from Wollongong in the afternoon, and could go via Cowra if it helped. We got the Callair back to Cowra, refuelled, did a flight plan and sent Geoff (Neely) on his way to Cowra. He refulled again at Mudgee and arrived at Cowra about 5 min before Geoff arrived there. The Callair is at Cowra to have some work done on the electrical system before the 100 hourly is signed off. Geoff and Geoff arrived back safely in Geoff Sim's Lancair later that afternoon.
Meanwhile, I had an air experience flight to do, and Garry Speight very kindly turned out to fly the tug. Launched at 12:30 - blue sky, little wind, no clouds. At first I thought it would be a sled ride, but found a thermal at about 1500ft, and worked it up to about 3200. My passenger was able to have a good go at the controls, as the conditions became better and better, until you guessed it I had to airbrake down at the end of the flight! Max height obtained about 4200 ft, but it may have gone higher.
On Wednesday went in to Tamworth with Geoff Sim to visit Trevor and Jenny West. Trev is recovering, and hopes to take to the air again in mid-June. Wonder if he'll want a check flight?
Overcast today (Thursday) but not quite as cold. Work has started on the Callair!
On Saturday I was able to fly home - Jabiru is going much better with the nose spat back on! My Ultralight BFR was due, and so I did it on Saturday afternoon with Phil Goard of PG Aviation at Cowra, who is a level two instructor, as well as being the maker of the Brumby light sport aircraft. I was able to do my BFR in the prototype Brumby - it must be easy to fly as I did OK! I have one on order, and am really looking forward to getting it! Will be faster than the Jabiru, and carry more stuff!
Arrived back on Monday - brilliant sky and lots of thermals but no pilots! It was quite windy, but the thermals were strong enough to overcome that problem, and the wind moderated during the day.
Tuesday morning at 7.00 am in a frost, Geoff Neely and I flew to Inverell in the Jabiru to pick up the Callair. While we were there we had a message from Geoff Sim to say he was flying up from Wollongong in the afternoon, and could go via Cowra if it helped. We got the Callair back to Cowra, refuelled, did a flight plan and sent Geoff (Neely) on his way to Cowra. He refulled again at Mudgee and arrived at Cowra about 5 min before Geoff arrived there. The Callair is at Cowra to have some work done on the electrical system before the 100 hourly is signed off. Geoff and Geoff arrived back safely in Geoff Sim's Lancair later that afternoon.
Meanwhile, I had an air experience flight to do, and Garry Speight very kindly turned out to fly the tug. Launched at 12:30 - blue sky, little wind, no clouds. At first I thought it would be a sled ride, but found a thermal at about 1500ft, and worked it up to about 3200. My passenger was able to have a good go at the controls, as the conditions became better and better, until you guessed it I had to airbrake down at the end of the flight! Max height obtained about 4200 ft, but it may have gone higher.
On Wednesday went in to Tamworth with Geoff Sim to visit Trevor and Jenny West. Trev is recovering, and hopes to take to the air again in mid-June. Wonder if he'll want a check flight?
Overcast today (Thursday) but not quite as cold. Work has started on the Callair!
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