Vic has only just converted to flying a self-laudnng Pik, and had a problem with the motor not starting, had to land with it half extended - not pleasant. Just shows you have to have a paddock picked when using a motor. Luckily he did have one and landed in it! Graham Davis landed at Gunnedah airport. Not sure what the rest did or what they did on Sunday.
Monday was quiet when I arrived back, except that Harry had been working like a Trojan on the runway, along with Juho and Robin. My flight from Cowra was warm at 7500 ft, and completely stable, no thermals above about 1800ft. Graham packed up to go home, as apparently Sunday had also been a struggle. Harry Medlicott launched and so did Steve Hedley in OZ the nimbus. They went out west - Harry got to Coonabarabran - he says you have to fly on the difficult days or you never learn!
On Tuesday Ken Flower flew the tug to Armidale for its 100 hourly and came back with IGR, Brad Edwards Pawnee. However Juho was still waiting for a certificat of validation from CASA so couldn't fly it. CASA had a public holiday for the Melbourne cup would you believe! His application has been in since 7th October, its only six months since he was here towing, and it takes them over a month to process this???? Sometimes I think it stands for Cease All Sport Aviation. Anyway no gliding on Tuesday except OZ, but lots of runway work etc.
On Wednesday Miro Mikus turned up and flew the LS7. His Nimbus 2 is having a 30 year survey at Temora. He also spent a lot of time putting up tarps to protect tugs during the comps. Most appreciated. Paul Mander began his coaching sessions on Wednesday, but I missed most of the briefing as I had to fly to Walcha to get Charlie Szitalak to tow in IGR. Still no COV for Juho. Booming thermals on the New England tableland, much quieter at Keepit.
I did a check flight with Chris Bowman in the Puchatek, and then sent him solo then flew back to Walcha with Charlie. 2.8 hours in the Jabiru all together. Was able to sit in on Paul's debriefing session which was very interesting. It was quite a good day in parts, but quite stormy looking by about 4.30. It is rumoured that OZ (nimbus 3 DM) had to start its engine - technical outlanding - but it did start!!
Thursday I flew to Armidale early with Geoff Neely to get the Callair back. When we got back, finally Juho's COV had arrived!! However a trough was above us, and the weather looked a bit indifferent. Ken Flower was sniffer in MXP (Pik 20E) Paul Mander in AK, Phil Volk in Discus CS, Allan Buttenshaw in Cirrus, Vic Hatfield in Cirrus, and Chris Bowman and I in the Grob 103. Task was 2 hr AAT Manilla Narrabri Gunnedah Keepit, with a large circle around Narrabri. 3 gliders bombed out, and two of them gave up at that point. Four of us continued, and attempted the task, and two landed out. It was a day you wouldn't probably try to do anything, but amazingly Chris and I got to 7200ft in the Grob a couple of times and there was some sparse lift about. I thought about flying towards a big shower of rain with a black cloud to the North, but chickened out, so don't know if it would have worked or not. Rangari airfield looked quite inviting at one stage - after a very long glide under the gray sky with not a squeak, we decided to give up and head back. Outlanding the Grob is not generally my idea of fun.
After getting back to the field, Chris went for another circuit in the Grob - he's trying to master it so he can get into the Junior next. Then I did an air experience flight before we packed up. Arran, the "passenger" had done AEFs before, so I gave him a proper lesson. He flew part of the aerotow, and all the circuit until after the turn onto final, so I think he did very well. He may well be hooked!
Meanwhile Trevor West and Bruce Taylor were setting up scales for weighing competitors - flying at the right weight is a touchy subject in Club Class competitions, so we will be making sure nobody cheats! Trevor has done a great job of mowing the tiedown area and installling taps for washing gliders - how many sites are there where you get your own personal tap?
Robin has been rushing around organising the bar for the comps, and Steve Hedley has been installing a new cooker in the club house.
David Jansen flew in from a long way away - but confessed he had the help of a "little motor" at times.
The club is filling up with people in preparation for the Nationals - camper vans and tents springing up everywhere.
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