Thought I had better write something so that the blog doesn't look too neglected. Not a lot has happened since our attempted wave flight 10 days ago. I have been plugging along with maintenance, and John Clark has been frantically moving the web site to another host because it broke down.
If you usually get to the Lake Keepit Soaring Club web site through Google, it is not working terribly well at the moment, but if you type www.keepitsoaring.com into your browser, it works perfectly!
The weather has been cold, but at the moment blue and sunny - really pleasant to be here in the countryside with the kangaroos for company.
Work has started on the new hangar doors and there is visible progress - one quarter of one hangar now has working doors - and I'm sure the rest will follow quickly.
I am planning to have a glider maintenance week in August - a Form 2 party! Thought if we all did our Form 2s together (club and private ones), we could help each other out, and learn from one another. Also I will organise proper food for the participants, so we can socialise over a meal after a hard day's glider inspecting! Proposed time is 18 to 23 August or 25-29 August ( which are all weekdays). Test flying could then take place at the weekend! We will need helpers who are not form 2 qualified, as well as form 2 inspectors to supervise. You don't have to be an expert - a lot of it is cleaning and lubricating! Please could anyone interested in taking part let me know which week is best for them - majority rules.
Thought I would try and run a gliding course specifically for women and girls, if there is any interest. Keep the OFITTHs out of it. Please mention this to anyone you know who may be interested.
Quite a large contingent of people are expected this weekend, including Kurt Wiesman and his partner DongPing, who are coming up with Jay Anderson in his Piper Saratoga.
That's all for now
Jenny
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday 15 June
After Saturday's barbecue, I went back to the tug hangar to do "Action 2" on the tug's tost release and change the spring. This took quite some time, but as I was in the mood to get it done I persisted with it! We used it today.
Garry turned up in the morning, and for a while no one came. Then some people drove in who had seen the winch launching from the Caravan Park yesterday - however at the time they came, we were not operating, so they left
Then David Seib turned up and Geoff Neely.
Conditions were very windy, which is why I elected not to fly home - its very boring fighting a 30kt headwind in a Jabiru! However, there were signs of wave in the sky. Geoff Neely self launched in the DG400 and reported passing 8000ft in wave. Dave and I then decided to fly, as Garry was happy to fly the Callair. Dave flew the Jantar, and I took the LS6 as it was in the front! Geoff by this time reported climbing to 12000 feet in the wave.
However Dave and I were unable to contact the wave, although we did get some lift, neither of us was skillful enough to find the wave and get up in it. I tried to ridge soar the Carrol range, but gradually descended and left myself a nail biting glide to get back to the field. However the LS6 is a very good glider and I made it back for most of a circuit!
It was quite interesting and different to fly in these conditions, and the verdict was "better to fly than not fly" I am now enthused to try searching for wave conditions here this winter!
Garry turned up in the morning, and for a while no one came. Then some people drove in who had seen the winch launching from the Caravan Park yesterday - however at the time they came, we were not operating, so they left
Then David Seib turned up and Geoff Neely.
Conditions were very windy, which is why I elected not to fly home - its very boring fighting a 30kt headwind in a Jabiru! However, there were signs of wave in the sky. Geoff Neely self launched in the DG400 and reported passing 8000ft in wave. Dave and I then decided to fly, as Garry was happy to fly the Callair. Dave flew the Jantar, and I took the LS6 as it was in the front! Geoff by this time reported climbing to 12000 feet in the wave.
However Dave and I were unable to contact the wave, although we did get some lift, neither of us was skillful enough to find the wave and get up in it. I tried to ridge soar the Carrol range, but gradually descended and left myself a nail biting glide to get back to the field. However the LS6 is a very good glider and I made it back for most of a circuit!
It was quite interesting and different to fly in these conditions, and the verdict was "better to fly than not fly" I am now enthused to try searching for wave conditions here this winter!
Saturday 14 June - by Peter Shiels
New father, Tim Carr was rostered as duty Instructor, but asked to be relieved of flying duties that day. I volunteered to take his place.
I didn't broadcast this substitution as I suspect that people have been avoiding turning up when they know I am the Duty Instructor.
I was surprised to find Jenny on site when I arrived. She advised that she was there to arrange to ferry the eTug to Scone for AD works. She had arranged for Geoff Neely to fly CUR to Scone and that she would precede him in the Jabiru for the trip back.
Christian Linnet, Sam Clift, Trevor West and Garry Speight turned up. We decided to get the winch out with the main objective being to give Sam Clift a conversion to the winch. 
There was a steady breeze blowing from the South and the lowest height gained was Sam's first (instructional) flight when we got to 1450'. After driving the winch for the first 6 flights, Christian decided that the developing cu's were too tempting and decided to get the Cirrus out of the hangar.
With me now driving the winch, XQV achieved 1800' and Christian managed to find a thermal and disappeared for about an hour. Garry Speight who had taken over instructing duties with Sam Clift decided that Sam was proficient in the dark art of winch launches and sent him off solo. Well done Sam!! Sam had 3 solo flights in all and reported 1700' height on all launches.
Trevor West was content to be the retrieve car driver all day. Thanks Trevor. We finished the day with 10 winch launches, all without breaks - real ones that is!
To celebrate, Sam had brought some steaks with him, Christian supplied the bread rolls and we finished the day with a barbecue tea. (Although the steak was the best I have ever tasted, Sam admitted that it wasn't Breeza Plain grain fed beef, but all the way from Gloucester!)
Jenny and Geoff had a successful trip to Scone and back. Hopefully the eTug will soon be back as support for the Callair.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Callair Returns to Keepit!
At home at Cowra, I looked at the aviation forecast, and it was none too good. Strong headwinds and rain showers. However, looking out of the window, it didn't look too bad so I decided to give it a go. Went out the the Cowra aerodrome at about lunchtime and started loading my stuff into the hopper of the tug and installing the required cushions so that I could reach everything. The DI revealed that an inspection hatch was missing - Phil Goard supplied me with another one. Everything else being OK, I fueled it up and sallied forth to Mudgee.
There was a citation jet doing (very large) circuits at Cowra, and he called me up to see if I was doing ag work locally or flying away. Silly man - if I had been a real crop duster, I wouldn't have had a radio!
Anyway the flight to Mudgee went very smoothly - a bit of a shower on the way, but only a few spots. As luck would have it the wind was blowing straight up the strip, and I greased it on. Of course there was no one there to see.
Fueled up again (60 litres) and set off for Lake Keepit. Went up higher this time to try to save fuel, but it was very cold. Once over the Liverpool ranges I came down again to warm up a bit.
Not a soul at Lake Keepit, so had to do a precautionary search to scare the kangaroos off the strip, then landed on runway 14 (several times). Boris used to say that the number of bounces you do when landing corresponds to the number of people watching. It certainly worked at Mudgee - but do kangaroos count at Keepit? I'll have to practise more. Fueled up again - 68 litres, so it took 128 litres for the trip. The tanks hold 150 litres, so I could probably have done it in one go - but played it safe. (A Jabiru requires 30 litres for the same trip - but not so good for glider towing!)
Managed to rearrange the hangar so as to get the Callair in ( the Junior, E-tug & Jabiru are in there as well), and that is the end of the story!
We need to do "Action 2" on the hook before we can use it for towing.
E-tug needs to go to Inverell this week for a bungee change amongst other things. Anyone interested in flying it there? I will retrieve said person from Inverell either by Jabiru or motor car whichever they prefer! Alternatively I can fly the E-tug, if someone else can do the retrieving.
There was a citation jet doing (very large) circuits at Cowra, and he called me up to see if I was doing ag work locally or flying away. Silly man - if I had been a real crop duster, I wouldn't have had a radio!
Anyway the flight to Mudgee went very smoothly - a bit of a shower on the way, but only a few spots. As luck would have it the wind was blowing straight up the strip, and I greased it on. Of course there was no one there to see.
Fueled up again (60 litres) and set off for Lake Keepit. Went up higher this time to try to save fuel, but it was very cold. Once over the Liverpool ranges I came down again to warm up a bit.
Not a soul at Lake Keepit, so had to do a precautionary search to scare the kangaroos off the strip, then landed on runway 14 (several times). Boris used to say that the number of bounces you do when landing corresponds to the number of people watching. It certainly worked at Mudgee - but do kangaroos count at Keepit? I'll have to practise more. Fueled up again - 68 litres, so it took 128 litres for the trip. The tanks hold 150 litres, so I could probably have done it in one go - but played it safe. (A Jabiru requires 30 litres for the same trip - but not so good for glider towing!)
Managed to rearrange the hangar so as to get the Callair in ( the Junior, E-tug & Jabiru are in there as well), and that is the end of the story!
We need to do "Action 2" on the hook before we can use it for towing.
E-tug needs to go to Inverell this week for a bungee change amongst other things. Anyone interested in flying it there? I will retrieve said person from Inverell either by Jabiru or motor car whichever they prefer! Alternatively I can fly the E-tug, if someone else can do the retrieving.
Sunday 8 June - By Peter Shiels
Sunday was a nice warm sunny day. Clear skies early but cumulus forming about mid day. Brisk, but a not too strong breeze from the E - SE.
I arrived at 9.30am to find I had the place to myself. Tug pilot Charlie Szpitalek rang from to advise that strong winds and low cloud was delaying his departure by C172 from Walcha aerodrome. I recommended he call back later as there were 2 AEF's (Air Experience Flight) booked for 12.30.
I did some miscellaneous cleaning up in the Club House. It was obvious that Miro had been visiting from the North Coast as there was a box of beautiful, big avocados in the kitchen. As they were rapidly ripening, I took several home with me. Delicious!! Much nicer than the usual supermarket fare! Thanks Miro.
Charlie rang back to say he had been in 'phone contact with Jenny and that the AEF's were due to arrive at 1300hrs and that he was leaving Walcha to fly to LK.
Jason Cluff and his lady friend, Alex Halsted arrived on schedule as did a young visitor (Dominic) from Rathmines (Lake Maquarie).
Jason owns the property at Mullaley where the distinctive mountain peak is situated. He (and Alex) has recently tried tandem parachuting and paragliding and were keen to try soaring. Dominic and his family were regular visitors to Lake Keepit for the June long weekend "Keepit Kool" sailing regatta. His brother had been for a joyflight on previous trip and now it was his turn.
I was able to find lift on all three flights (<4kts>) and all three enjoyed their flights (Dominic was starting to feel "off" and we made a rapid decent from 4000' without "incident" but Dom insisted that he still enjoyed his flight.)
I have a feeling that we will see Jason back at LKSC again. He was enquiring about training times and costs. I am sure Jenny will follow him up, particularly as he lives relatively close by.
That was Sunday. Pity there were not more there to enjoy the pleasant early winter weather.
Regards
Peter Sheils
Sunday, June 8, 2008
News to Saturday 7 June
Friday was a blue sunny day, and after chasing 4 cows off the runway, I got the tug out and ready to fly. The wind was very light, and although the cumulus looked reasonable, there wasn't much lift about. Kurt did five solos in the Puchatek, the last of which we practised cruising level on aerotow.
Ray Tilley and Marga Tilley turned up in the afternoon, and Ray drilled a hole in the Junior to inspect a suspected crack that had been noticed in the form 2 inspection. It turned out that there was no crack, and the inspection hole will be repaired in due course, but it won't stop the glider from flying once we have the replacement trim spring.
On Saturday morning Craig Borchard came out to do some more training on the winch. We did the daily inspection of the glider and winch in thick fog, but it cleared up as predicted and became a nice sunny day.
Trevor West made a comeback, and after helping with the winch operation, lined up for an aerotow. John Stewart also made an appearance. Sam Clift came out to the club, and fixed the shade sail almost before anyone noticed he had arrived! He and Ray between them also replaced the bearings in the tailwheel of the Junior.
Craig had three winch launches with me, and Kurt Wiesman had two more solo launches. In very light conditions, Craig and I managed a launch to 1700 ft in the Puchatek. This winch launching really is OK! Craig was much more relaxed than last time, and his co-ordination much improved.
The Winch was put away at about 12.30 pm, and the operation changed from 14 to 32 and aerotowing, thanks to Geoff Neely who flew the tug. Geoff Sim offered me a lift back to Cowra in his Lancair departing at 1.30. We arrived at Cowra at 3.00pm despite having 15 to 20kt head wind at the height we were flying. That aeroplane is fast! Geoff Neely took over the running of the day, and also offered to look after the flying on Monday. Thanks Geoff, much appreciated.
I am planning to fly the Callair back to Lake Keepit on Monday weather permitting.
Ray Tilley and Marga Tilley turned up in the afternoon, and Ray drilled a hole in the Junior to inspect a suspected crack that had been noticed in the form 2 inspection. It turned out that there was no crack, and the inspection hole will be repaired in due course, but it won't stop the glider from flying once we have the replacement trim spring.
On Saturday morning Craig Borchard came out to do some more training on the winch. We did the daily inspection of the glider and winch in thick fog, but it cleared up as predicted and became a nice sunny day.
Trevor West made a comeback, and after helping with the winch operation, lined up for an aerotow. John Stewart also made an appearance. Sam Clift came out to the club, and fixed the shade sail almost before anyone noticed he had arrived! He and Ray between them also replaced the bearings in the tailwheel of the Junior.
Craig had three winch launches with me, and Kurt Wiesman had two more solo launches. In very light conditions, Craig and I managed a launch to 1700 ft in the Puchatek. This winch launching really is OK! Craig was much more relaxed than last time, and his co-ordination much improved.
The Winch was put away at about 12.30 pm, and the operation changed from 14 to 32 and aerotowing, thanks to Geoff Neely who flew the tug. Geoff Sim offered me a lift back to Cowra in his Lancair departing at 1.30. We arrived at Cowra at 3.00pm despite having 15 to 20kt head wind at the height we were flying. That aeroplane is fast! Geoff Neely took over the running of the day, and also offered to look after the flying on Monday. Thanks Geoff, much appreciated.
I am planning to fly the Callair back to Lake Keepit on Monday weather permitting.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thursday 5 June
No flying on Tuesday or Wednesday due to an excessive amount of rain and low cloud. Geoff Sim flew in on Wednesday, amazing us all by diving through a hole in the clag near the dam wall, and flying a circuit under the cloud at about 500 ft. He declined to fly the ASH though!
Kurt and his girlfriend went shopping in Tamworth instead of flying - and so did I. Miro and Ian Barraclough went home.
Today it was quite cloudy for most of the day, but calm conditions, and the runway gradually drying out. We had a leisurely start after lunch. Kurt decided he would like to finish off his winch endorsement, which he started last time he was at the club. Garry came out to fly the tug, but obliged by driving the winch instead - most efficiently as always.
Kurt flew well on the winch, and went solo at the end of the day. The sky cleared and it was quite blue towards evening.
I'm hoping it will be a better day tomorrow and Kurt can get a few more solos under his belt.
On Saturday, I will be instructing on the winch in the morning for Craig Borchard - anyone able to assist with crewing would be appreciated. Then the plan is to go home and get the Callair!
Kurt and his girlfriend went shopping in Tamworth instead of flying - and so did I. Miro and Ian Barraclough went home.
Today it was quite cloudy for most of the day, but calm conditions, and the runway gradually drying out. We had a leisurely start after lunch. Kurt decided he would like to finish off his winch endorsement, which he started last time he was at the club. Garry came out to fly the tug, but obliged by driving the winch instead - most efficiently as always.
Kurt flew well on the winch, and went solo at the end of the day. The sky cleared and it was quite blue towards evening.
I'm hoping it will be a better day tomorrow and Kurt can get a few more solos under his belt.
On Saturday, I will be instructing on the winch in the morning for Craig Borchard - anyone able to assist with crewing would be appreciated. Then the plan is to go home and get the Callair!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The news up to Tuesday 3 June
Spent most of the day with Dave and Sam doing the form 2 on the Junior. Sam arrived at the crack of dawn, and as no-one was about, set to and fixed Geoff's electric fence to try and make it more cattle proof! However they are very resourceful cattle, and they were in again the next day. However the fence was still intact, more or less. It seems that the battery powering the fence is stuffed, so at the moment the trusty statesman is doing the job.
On Saturday it was more form 2 work. Vic ran the day, and got the winch out. Both Geoff Neely and I were available to fly the tug, but no-one seemed to want to aerotow. Christian and Vic drove the winch between them.
On Sunday we had a group of kids from the Australian Air League Tamworth Boys and Girls squadrons. We had the gliders out early, and the winch inspected and ready to go - but they didn't turn up. Just when we thought they were not going to show, they arrived! It seems I had misunderstood their time of arrival. Sam Clift drove the winch all day, Geoff Neely looked after the paperwork and glider times, Kurt Wiesman (new member) ran wings and did the radio calls, Graham Holland retrieved the rope with the dune buggy and I retrieved gliders and did the odd splice. Dave Shorter, John Hoye and Garry Speight did the flying. We got a couple of the kids to hook the rope onto the gliders, as we OFITTHs preferred not to grovel about on the ground. That has to be the worst aspect of winch launching.
There was a brisk easterly breeze, and good soaring conditions. It was sunny all day. Many of the flights were soaring flights, so the youngsters had a good time. First and last launches had rope breaks, and there was one frayed splice that Sam spotted before it caused trouble that we had to fix. All the breaks occurred at splices, so we need to inspect all the splices carefully before we use the winch again. The rope itself still seems OK.
Phil Anderton came out to fly the tug, and did 3 launches. Harry and Wendy Medlicott flew their gliders and David Seib flew the Jantar Standard. We had aerotow and winch ops at the same time.
2o flights in all during the day including the two cable breaks. We packed up quite early and I for one was quite tired. Harry Medlicott came back at dusk, and those darn cattle had got in again! We scared them back into Geoff's so Harry could land.
I have not seen them on the strip since then - so I hope they are learning to fear the fence again.
Thanks to everyone who helped out with the air league cadets. They all had a great time, and perhaps we may have planted a seed that will grow into a new glider pilot in years to come.
Monday was overcast all day, and with a brisk easterly wind. Kurt Wiesman is my post solo student for the week. He has his A certificate now, and wants to work on the B and C. We had problem with the water supply again - but the State Park managed to fix it by about lunchtime.
I had three flights with Kurt - he was a bit rusty since his last visit, but the conditions were quite challenging.
Today (Tuesday) and during the night we have had a lot of rain - the green tank is almost full again! The black one does not seem to fill up as fast - I must look into that. No flying today, but we are hopeful for some more training tomorrow.
The Callair is ready to return to Keepit, but I unable to fetch it until the weather clears up.
We struck a slight snag with the Junior form 2 - the trim spring broke. Good job it happened on the ground rather than in the air! It will take about 10 days to get a new one made, but other than that it is OK.
On Saturday it was more form 2 work. Vic ran the day, and got the winch out. Both Geoff Neely and I were available to fly the tug, but no-one seemed to want to aerotow. Christian and Vic drove the winch between them.
On Sunday we had a group of kids from the Australian Air League Tamworth Boys and Girls squadrons. We had the gliders out early, and the winch inspected and ready to go - but they didn't turn up. Just when we thought they were not going to show, they arrived! It seems I had misunderstood their time of arrival. Sam Clift drove the winch all day, Geoff Neely looked after the paperwork and glider times, Kurt Wiesman (new member) ran wings and did the radio calls, Graham Holland retrieved the rope with the dune buggy and I retrieved gliders and did the odd splice. Dave Shorter, John Hoye and Garry Speight did the flying. We got a couple of the kids to hook the rope onto the gliders, as we OFITTHs preferred not to grovel about on the ground. That has to be the worst aspect of winch launching.
There was a brisk easterly breeze, and good soaring conditions. It was sunny all day. Many of the flights were soaring flights, so the youngsters had a good time. First and last launches had rope breaks, and there was one frayed splice that Sam spotted before it caused trouble that we had to fix. All the breaks occurred at splices, so we need to inspect all the splices carefully before we use the winch again. The rope itself still seems OK.
Phil Anderton came out to fly the tug, and did 3 launches. Harry and Wendy Medlicott flew their gliders and David Seib flew the Jantar Standard. We had aerotow and winch ops at the same time.
2o flights in all during the day including the two cable breaks. We packed up quite early and I for one was quite tired. Harry Medlicott came back at dusk, and those darn cattle had got in again! We scared them back into Geoff's so Harry could land.
I have not seen them on the strip since then - so I hope they are learning to fear the fence again.
Thanks to everyone who helped out with the air league cadets. They all had a great time, and perhaps we may have planted a seed that will grow into a new glider pilot in years to come.
Monday was overcast all day, and with a brisk easterly wind. Kurt Wiesman is my post solo student for the week. He has his A certificate now, and wants to work on the B and C. We had problem with the water supply again - but the State Park managed to fix it by about lunchtime.
I had three flights with Kurt - he was a bit rusty since his last visit, but the conditions were quite challenging.
Today (Tuesday) and during the night we have had a lot of rain - the green tank is almost full again! The black one does not seem to fill up as fast - I must look into that. No flying today, but we are hopeful for some more training tomorrow.
The Callair is ready to return to Keepit, but I unable to fetch it until the weather clears up.
We struck a slight snag with the Junior form 2 - the trim spring broke. Good job it happened on the ground rather than in the air! It will take about 10 days to get a new one made, but other than that it is OK.
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