Sunday 4 Jan

Another opportunity for the 750? The weather didn't quite comply. It was a good day, but it didn't get going until quite late. I launched at 1230 and couldn't get higher than about 4000 ft asl. There were clouds to the north, and I crept along taking everything until I was able to climb to cloudbase at Mt Surprise. From there, the clouds seemed to be aligned toward the south west, so I decided to go to Coonabarabran. Once there it still looked good so I kept going past the Warrembungles. Turned back when a large gap in the clouds loomed, and decided to try for Weewaa. However, chickened out at going over the Pillager Scrub, even though the clouds looked good, and went to Kaputar and then back to Keepit 430 km.

Robin did about 230 km in the Grob with Austen Damm, and John Stewart flew in the LS6 - not sure what task he did.

We welcome back Matthew Atkinson - a former member who has rejoined. Vic checked him out on Saturday and Peter Shiels finished his AFR on Sunday. After a 5 year break from gliding, he doesn't seem to have forgotten much. He spent the day skying out in the Junior.

We have three visitors from New Caledonia for the week - checked out and ready to fly some miles during the week. Looks as if it will be another busy week - hope the weather holds.

Saturday 3 Jan

Stayed at the club this weekend in the hope of doing the elusive 750 km! However the weather on Saturday did not seem that fantastic, and I was so tired after the busy week that I couldn't get my act together in time anyway. Had a problem with my tail dolly wheel, and didnt manage to launch until 1430.  

Conditions had improved by then. The rest of the pilots were on their way to Edgeroi silo, so I decided to follow. Conditions were excellent by the time I got there, so I kept going on to Moree - seems to be my favourite turnpoint. Back to Lake Keepit for a landing at about 1900. Distance of 380 km. The rest of them did Barraba Edgeroi Mullaley and back.

Great day - nice to get in the Mosquito again

Week ending 2nd January

Very busy this week. Two students from Southern Cross Gliding club, Jaques Graells and Brian Kranz, plus heaps of other club members flying. Austen Damm visiting from Arizona, USA was flying with Garry Speight too.

Weather during the week was hot and windy, the students got quite good at crosswind take offs and landings. Juho pushed the cross wind capability of the tug to the limit. One day there were about 22 tows altogether.  John Hoye assisted Juho with the towing - thanks John - its really hard for the tuggie to keep going for so many tows in such hot conditions.

Some good cross country flights were done, posted on OLC - and a few outlandings too.

Both Jaques and Brian went solo on Friday morning - I thought they might have got there a bit sooner, but it was very hot and tiring during the week, and the weather wasn't that kind.