First Month of the Flying Season We have started the 2005 flying season with a mix of excellent flying days and ugly, cloudy, windy, no-fun-to-fly days. The quality of our soaring has also been from excellent some days, to not-so-great other days. A plan is in the works to bring our operations back to the faultless, disciplined practice of last year. WELCOME BACK CHARLIE! April was the month when we saw Charlie Epperson get back in the air. He had been unable to fly for a whole season, but now he's back in the saddle and we are all thrilled by this, and by his new "bearded" look. COME BACK DON! This season also started with the news that Don Reid had a little accident while camping and broke a few bones, which prevented him from flying until the doctor allows it. I visited him at his home and found that he's progressing quickly and itching to get back in the glider. We hope we see you soon!

SILVER ALTITUDE AT LAST! September last year, Gerry Simpson and Cheryl Beckage both claimed their 1000m legs for the Silver Badge. I tried twice, but all I did was find THE thermal for someone else to climb! Well, on April 10th I finally climbed to 6800' from a low of 1800' AND I had the barograph with me! Look at the beautiful trace :) And look at the trace of "One-Thermal" Gerry

APRIL 11th. WOW! As beautiful soaring conditions as we ever see. Several pilots climbing to 8000' MSL altitudes. Gerry Simpson heard Jeff Melin radioing his altitude, and in a few minutes got in 303BA and climbed to 8630'. So far this year the highest flight. WOW!

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS Nyal Williams was in California to fly the wave. While in California, Nyal observed other soaring instructors and realized that we need to review a few things. Read the plan he has for this year on page 2.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER Q. Do you know what the NTSB does first in their examination of an aircraft crash? A. They begin by examining weight and balance. Q. Do you know what the insurance company does if the aircraft was either over gross weight or out of CG range? A. It denies coverage because the flight was illegal according to FAR's. Q. What should be the very first item on your checklist before you get into the glider? A. CHECK THE BALLAST BEFORE CLIMBING IN! The previous pilot might have ballasted it in such a way that it would be illegal for you to fly it without changing correcting it. -Nyal Williams

MOST STUDENTS GRADUATING Earlier this year, the Soaring Society of America awarded Nyal Williams a plaque in recognition for having graduated the most students from Region 6. Congratulations Nyal! When is the Prom? :)

MOST BADGES Also in February of this year, the Soaring Society of America gave our club an award in recognition for having produced the most A, B and C badges in Region 6. Congratulations to us all!

BE NICE TO YOUR TOYS Someone has been pushing the Blaniks backwards and that is a NO-NO. The planes don't like it. Craig Bixby has written some words about it on page 3.

SOARING CONVENTION Dave Newill was present at the SSA convention and took a lot of nice pictures. Read his article and see the pictures in page 4.

I WANT YOU to write an article for this Newsletter. Please send them to me ASAP.

So far, 2005 has been good for soaring. Badges, records, pictures, fun..Let's make the best of it, but let's not forget that safety is always our top priority. CU at the field! –Mario Lazaga

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