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HOLD YOUR FLYING HORSES!
If March was boring, and April somewhat slow, May was a mad race for the skies!
In only a couple of weekends the club had more than a hundred takeoffs (and so many landings), a practical test, 3 endorsements for solo, many renewals of 90-day currency, a triangular course contest, a landout and much more. It seems that all that accumulated energy wants to burn. The sun is shining, the clouds are popping, the pilots want to fly. Write my name on that list!
NEW GLIDER PILOT
After a grueling 3-day weekend spent flying, flying, and flying in preparation for the big day, Gerry Whitson presented his private glider pilot practical test... ON A DAY HE COULDN'T FLY!, because the wind just made it unsafe that day. His refusal to fly under unsafe conditions was a good point in his test! The very next weekend he took the remainder of his practical test and passed. Congratulations Gerry!
And that is not all: Gerry's practical test was also a test for his tester. Mike Rielage was testing Gerry while himself being under the scrutiny of the FAA. Mike also passed his test, and his official standing as Designated Pilot Examiner was renewed. Congratulations Mike!
GOOD BOY
Who shaves the Barber? Who pulls the Dentist's teeth? And who congratulates the congratulator?
Well, I don't know about the Barber and the Dentist, but after passing my private glider pilot written test, as a designated congratulator I congratulate myself. (applause, applause)
Time to get ready for the practical.
Hey Gerry! I need to talk to you.
FAST TRACK
Robert Holcombe is learning about gliding faster than he is growing. On May 22nd, Robert flew in strong wind conditions with his instructor Bob Gillan. They found good lift and were able to climb up to 5200 feet. Their happy smile lasted about 22.3 seconds, quickly turning into juvenile resignation after realizing that while busy thermaling, they had been blown too far by the wind. The dynamic duo of Robert & Robert landed by the textbook 9 miles north of Alexandria 75 minutes after takeoff. The excellent choice of landing field made it easy for the tow plane to tow the glider right out (no disassembly, Pfiu!)
Well, let's see: 5200 feet height, 75 minutes flight, landout, all in one flight. Talk about an experience!
Next day, Robert was back at the field, ready to do it again. Unfortunately the day was a no-fly day and we all had to go home to wait for next weekend.
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NEW MEMBER
Taylor Bussick
Taylor lives in Carmel and is a friend of Mik Medeiros. Taylor has already been to Knott’s field with the Medeiros, and has met the other student members while there.
Phone: (317) 733-0877
Email: wbussic@indy.rr.com
SPRING CLEANING
A BIG Thank you to the folks who stepped up and did a big cleaning job on the 2 tow planes .
Pete Detore organized a cleaning party on 04/May and Darren Bedwell and Mike Nichols helped him get 898 looking very good.
Saturday 08/May, thanks to Cheryl Beckage, the entire new "Student group" took on 87Z and it too now looks like new !
The Maintenance Crew.RON(ZA)
WARBIRD FLY-IN
As we were wrapping up one evening, the Knotts drove up in their car and chatted for a while, wondering how our day went, what with the low ceiling and small turnout. They were surprised by the number of flights we had which prompted the announcement of their annual warbird fly-in on June 12th. This is an RSVP, catered, sit-down, full meal hot lunch, available at $15.00 / person.
We were told that many will drive instead of fly. We can expect that they will be arriving starting at about 0900. Either way, since we fill up the parking area by ourselves, and the limited ramp space, it is planed to move all equipment out onto the field first thing, as it is expected that the taxiways will be surrounded by parked aircraft leaving insufficient room to maneuver gliders in and out. Leaders, you may want to ask if we can place a line of cones across the ramp to prevent the blockage of the door should we have to move club planes back to the hangar in case of bad weather.
We asked Duane if he had given any information about our presence and operation to the invited. We will need to be very observant during that day.
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AIRPORT NEIGHBORHOOD
A new document is available for you.
It is a graphic of distances from our airport and the corresponding altitudes to be able to glide back to the airport at pattern altitude with a safety-assumed L/D of around 15. The map is from a 1998 satellite picture over Alexandria, so expect some small changes. Enjoy!
I WANT YOU
To write an article for this newsletter.
As long as it deals with soaring or flying and is PG-13, it is welcome.
Please send it to me by June 14th.
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