WEATHER
Visibility: Clear all day.
Wind: Light and variable.
Altitudes: 5,000+ msl.
Time Aloft: One and one half hours.
Max Lift: 6-7 knots.
Temperature: 96 deg.
Comment: Smoke overhead from Zaca fire.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Well, the fire's out, no harm done to persons or property other than a few hunter's shacks deep in the canyons. Now the forest can begin its own restoration. That won't take long, if the Mount St. Helen's experience is a guide. I would bet some small shoots are already pushing themselves up through the ash. And the ash itself will contribute fertilization to the land. Nature simply does a better job of managing the earth's resources than we ever could. At least that's how it has been for the last umpteen million years. Even though it seemed like a large fire last week, looking at the burned area this week showed it to be relatively small compared to the Temblors themselves. There are still huge areas of mountain along the West Ridge that weren't touched by the fire so the biking scenery will still be worthwhile. It was called the Tar fire but not a single spark hit Tar Peak, Tar Canyon, or Tar Creek. So much for relevant nomenclature.
2. There weren't too many people out today. I guess the last weekend of freedom for many middle school and high schoolers as well as fitting in the last weekend at the beach or in the mountains for families with kids in school kept most away. Regarding our young members, Hanna is busy with welcoming a Russian exchange student to America, Jack is busy getting ready for high school in Fresno, Dylan Boone hasn't been heard from for months, and Andrea Mersino is also starting high school this Fall. They certainly grow up fast, don't they?? And our young people from the coastal area where Frank Owen lives and contributes scholarship money, haven't been heard from in such a long time we might have forgotten their names. But Conner, Maya, and Chris come to mind. I think!
3. Loyal is still having some difficulty getting his Cessna 150, 31T to run smoothly. He's not sure what's happening, and it would appear neither is Mike Schoenau since the overhauled magneto still didn't seem to clear up the engine missing. They need to persevere since that's the only tow plane we have available. Good luck!
4. Ben Loper, an engineer with BAE Systems in Alabama is out here on the West Coast for at least a year working on projects in Santa Clara for his employer. Since he started working on his glider rating back at the Moontown (yep, that's the real name. Don't ask how it got named that, however), Alabama, airport, he is thinking about continuing his training here at Avenal. Ben and I went for one demo flight and since no one else was waiting for the glider, we snagged a few thermals and had a fun time. About 45 minutes aloft and Ben got more thermalling than he's ever had in the past. I think he would really enjoy being a club member and getting his add-on rating since he's already an ASMEL Pilot. He's thinking about it and will likely make a decision next time out.
5. Joe Anastasio was going to fly the Blanik but waited for Ben and I to finish, then a visit to Debbie's, and finally he thought it was his turn to launch. A magneto repair interrupted his expectations, and I'm not sure he ever got to fly.
6. Soaring should be a bit changed and interesting over the next few years in the immediate Temblors. The fire burned out most everything on the west side of the ridge yet the east side remains full of growth. So perhaps a strong shear line might develop right at the boundary between the two dissimilar areas. We'll keep you posted on what might become another excellent area for "house thermals".
