HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. On one of the clearest days in months, George Powell and I left Fresno headed for Avenal, and immediately could see Black Mountain from the downtown area of Fresno a distance of 66 miles. No smoke, no clouds, no dirt particles floating above the farms on the West Side!!

2. Daniel Solis has decided to join our club and work on his glider rating. Daniel is from Dinuba and had begun power flying, amassing about 20 hours. But now he says he's hooked on gliders and will go all the way to his license.

Welcome to our Club, Daniel !!

3. Peter Sahlberg was here early and helped everyone he could. Then he flew the 1-25 a few times to enjoy the lift and the clear air. Thanks for all that help, Peter.

4. Jeff Lowe was out getting his Student License so George, Peter and I had time to wash both the 2-33 and the 1-26. Now all we have to do is convince someone to add a coat of wax on the upper surfaces of both gliders and that will make them shine, and be more aerodynamic. Any volunteers?

5. For those international viewers of our website, you can come to the U.S. and help out as long as the Euro is so much higher compared to the Dollar. A nice inexpensive vacation, coupled with valuable community service and a chance to soar in America. So make those reservations now and let us know when you'll arrive.

6. Jeff Lowe is getting ever close to his solo, likely this month. His last few tows were excellent and indicative of someone who has locked on to the skill and made it instinctive, rather than thoughtful.

7. Alex Caldwell brought his friend, Patrick McFarland, out to Avenal for his first glider flight. They had a nice time aloft in the Blanik, staying up, probably as long as both bladders held out.

8. Phil Decker from Lemoore NAS brought his buddy, Kevin Watkins, out to Avenal for his first glider flight. They took the Orange Crush and had a nice long flight in the area (after the first premature release). Perhaps we'll get Kevin to start on his glider add-on rating.

9. Peter launched again and reported a 2.5 hour flight all over the area. Excellent flight because it was the best he's ever done in his early soaring career.

10. Durval Freitas showed up in his nice Cessna 140 just to enjoy the beautiful day, and relax, which he did.

11. Loyal's Aerobat has been overheating lately and between several tows, needs to be cooled down with a blower pointing into the cowl. Let's hope the engine is OK from all that hot oil.

12. Near the end of the afternoon, George Powell and I decided to take the Blanik up and enjoy the day. Unfortunately there wasn't too much lift from the West Ridge all the way back to the field and our expected long flight didn't materialize. But any flight at Avenal on such a clear day is nice to enjoy.