GOOD FLYING START FOR 2006 On January 1st, our club held its traditional First-Flight-Of-The-Year day. The weather was unusually warm for January, and this allowed many of the pilots to come to the airport. It was nice so many of the club members getting together at the start of 2006. Don Taylor took the first flight, and everyone followed. Later in the month, a couple of warm days also invited the most impatient of pilots to soar. We hope this is an indication of good flying days this year. Unfortunately... the big hungry dog inside my computer ate the pictures.

KIWI WINTER BANQUET First 2003, then 2004, and now 2005. Once again I hardly recognized many of the pilots at the annual Winter Banquet this year; you pilots just don't look the same without your hats. Good food and friendly conversation (about soaring, of course) were enjoyed by all. Woman Glider Pilot Cole Franz was this years guest-of-honor. Cole shared with us a slide-show presentation of her Summer as a tow pilot and guest instructor in New Zealand. With those awesome pictures, she probably inspired a 'New Zeal' for soaring in more than a few pilots. The traditional badge recognition ceremonies and club awards were presented by Ken Harry. It looked like 2005 was a good year for breaking records and earning badges, as indicated by Darren Bedwell. Some pilots even received their instructor ratings. Many pilots broke or established records, and Ron Clarke reached his 100th record flight, which itself must be a record. Congratulations to all. We signed special cards for Bob Gillan and Don Reid, wishing them a speedy recovery. Just when I was sure that we were going to go home nice and quiet, I heard Don Taylor speaking Spanish like a diplomat. My lovely husband was awarded the SST (Super Slow Turtle) trophy for the slowest cross country flight of the year. The trophy is a handsome hand-carved turtle that now sits on the shelf together with Mario's soaring pins. He's proud of it. Why? I don't understand! Now he is Mario "Slow" in addition to being Mario "Late". The passion for this sport and the lengths to which pilots go to be a part of it still mystifies this spouse, and I am sure the other wives would all agree, yet, we grin and bear it, what else can we do? -Vickie Lazaga-

THE PW5 IS BACK Nyal Williams and George Saunders drove to Ohio to pick up our beloved PW5. The goopy-looking ship had undergone tailboom and landing gear surgery, but is now ready to fly again. Many of our pilots are already planning to fly the PeeWee for badges and XC flights.

I WANT YOU To stop waiting for someone else to write YOUR article. Write a piece for this Newsletter and send it to me by February 14th.

--------------------------------------------------- Thanks to John Morrical for all the great pictures. Thanks to Vickie Lazaga for the lines about the Winter Banquet.

Pages: 1
BACK ISSUES