The Year 2004 in Pictures "A picture says more than a thousand words.." Before we start the 2005 flying season, it is time to take a look back at the previous year. Not only does it bring us nice memories, but also gives us a good perspective of where we are and what we can do this year. The year 2004 was very good to many of us. Let's see: On January 1st, we started at our new airport in Alexandria, and we had our Winter Banquet to placate the pilots until the flying season starts.

In February we had our ground school, and Gerry Whitson joined the club. There was quite a bit more Gerry then than there's now.

In March we did nothing to take pictures of, but Mike Beckage presented his written exam for private pilot and passed, which pricked several other students into taking the exams too. In April, we started flying again, and we had Tommy Sublett, Robert Holcombe, Bill Smith, Gerald Schaeffer, and Olaf Tessarzyk join our club.

In May, Gerry Whitson took and passed his practical test in strong winds. Robert Holcombe had his first landout while flying with Bob Gillan. And yours truly passed his written exam. Also in May, Taylor Bussick joined the club, and Ron Clarke gave us his most interesting flight :)

In June, the club held a glider camp, coordinated by Cheryl Beckage. George Saunders joined the club. On the 5th of June, flying conditions were good enough for Larry Pennington to fly a 3-hour silver distance course, and for Chris Carpenter to fly a 5-hour gold distance triangle all over Indiana. Also in June, many of us started flying a small triangle around the airport, Mike Beckage took and passed his practical test, Gerry Whitson bought his own plane, Gerry Simpson flew his first 2-hour flight, Geoff Eaton passed his practical test, Craig Bixby flew his first solo in a glider and Ron Clarke competed in the Sport Class Nationals. He also (again) brought the trophy back from Ohio. Also in June, Ron Clarke and Don Taylor participated in the Region 7 soaring contest.

In July, Nyal Williams celebrated his 50th anniversary as a glider pilot, Craig Bixby earned his PG, Gerry Whitson earned his Commercial rating and his Bronze badge, Cheryl Beckage also earned her C badge (and lost her title as Queen of Sink), Gerry Simpson did his 2nd 2-hour flight and completed his silver altitude, and Joe Durso joined the club. We also saw Bob Currie's vintage beauty fly before being taken to the museum where she'll be taken care of.

In August, Cheryl flew 2+ hours, Mike Backage soloed in the PW-5, Ken Harry flew his Ka6 for the first time, and we generally prepared ourselves for our practical test.

In September, there was a week of great flying, with me getting my second 2+ hours and my Private Glider Pilot certificate, Dan DeWitt doing his first solo in a glider, Mike and Cheryl Beckage both got their 2nd 2+ hour flights and their silver altitudes, and Bob Currie reached 2500 tows in our Pawnee. September 12th, the trophy changed hands 3 times in the same day ! And we had Mitch Hudson visit us. Also, Robert and Sandra Browning joined our club and so did Steven Hasty. Mike Hutchison re-joined the club after some years away. And, of course, we had our cook out and our first pictures of the turnpoints. We also had one of our beloved Ohio soaring pilots deliver back to us the Anti-Trophy and we had Jorge Gonzales visiting us from Mexico to take a guest ride.

In October, Gerry Simpson took the last part of his practical test and obtained his Private Glider Pilot certificate. On the 9th, 7-year old Mario took his first aerial pictures (aren't they great?). October the 10th, 15-year old Robert Holcombe flew his first solo, signed by Nyal Williams and towed by Tom Eaton; Ron Clarke cut Robert's shirt. Also on the 10th, Mike and Cheryl Beckage earned their Bronze Badges within minutes of each other. October 23rd, we had our End-of-Season Cookout. October 24th was the day that yours truly transitioned to the single seater and flew the PW-5 for the first time. October 30th was so windy that one could almost fly without a plane.

In November and December we had no flights or outdoor activities, therefore no photographs.

So!...Can we do better in 2005 than in 2004?...YOU BET! There are a lot of private pilots in search for badges, and a bunch of students are ready to solo. We should have a long list of accomplishments by the end of this season, but most important of all.. Have fun! –Mario Lazaga

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