HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. Now this young lady was determined. She wanted to fly, and fly often especially up to solo and that's just what happened. Erin Parsons decided to get her pilot's license before her driver's license and it looks like that will happen. She wasn't satisfied with the number of her flights on Saturday, August 23rd, and wanted more. So we met at Avenal on Tuesday, August 26th and continued her series of flights. I wasn't sure she would solo because trying to pack more than a few flights into one day. But we started anyway, and she did so well it was obvious she was ready. So, out I went and her three flights were excellent. Her father was there to watch, just as proud as any father would be. Now Erin joins the elite list of young people who have soloed at Avenal and are on their way to a Pilot's License. Our CONGRATULATIONS FROM ALL OF US, ERIN !!

2. Erin came back out the following Saturday, August 30th, along with her Dad and Mom, to watch as she went aloft, taking a high tow each time. That was a thrill for all of us since it marks the time when her solo flights are all her own rather than supervised as the first three were. Yes, she did very well and appeared to enjoy the time aloft. Finally they celebrated as a family by going to Debbie's for the famous hamburgers.

3. Jack Wiegand and I flew out to Avenal in the Cherokee 140. Jack needed a refresher flight since it had been awhile after his last flight. We took a 2800 msl tow and he did fine. So, later on, after helping out around the field as he usually does, Jack went aloft in the 1-26 and was up for just over 2.5 hours. A great flight and as I was taking students up at various times, we say Jack doing a great job of thermaling. At one point, we were in the 2-33 quite high above Jack in the same thermal. In no time, he had passed us and we were then looking up at him. Nice flying, Jack.

4. Julie Butler and Morgan Hall were out today for demo flights  both determined to gain their Pilot's Licenses. Morgan isn't new to flying, having spent a number of years as a hang glider pilot. Julie isn't new to flying either, but her previous tasks have been to follow Morgan via car, if possible, and rescue him when he lands far from home base. Just like all the other crew members we have welcomed over the years to glider flying. They are both dedicated to learning gliders and their determination showed in their first few training flights. WELCOME TO THE CCSC, JULIE AND MORGAN !!

5. Julie was catching on very quickly demonstrating good stick and rudder coordination right from the very beginning of her demo flight. She will definitely make a good pilot, and look forward to her soloing in the very near future. Julie and I didn't find a lot of lift on her flight but enough to get a good idea of thermal flying. Morgan did exceptionally well considering he had never flown a full-sized aircraft prior to today. It was quite amazing how quickly he took to the tow, doing all of it by his last flight of the day. Yes, he had a few tows during his hang glider days but on tow in a full-scale glider is different from hanging back there on tow in a hang glider. The more amazing part of the flight was his performance off tow. We fortunately got off in good lift and Morgan, with a bit of coaching from the back seat managed to thermal us up over 7600 msl !! That may have hooked him and he did exceptionally well thermaling as most good hang glider pilots do when they get in a glider.

6. Doug Staudmeister was back out again today, flying more solos and as the number of 2-33 flights increases, I'll be ready to solo him in the 1-26. He should enjoy that and we can use the 2-33 time freed up. One of these days we might see another 2-33 on the field, but in the meantime, we'll have to do with the Orange Crush only.

7. Mario Crosina flew again today. Seems he is out more at Avenal lately than he has ever been. This time he soared hours and gained altitude up over 10,000 msl. It was that good a day for soaring and he took advantage of it. Great flying, Mario !!

8. Joe Anastasio was out again, flying the Blanik. As I recall, he did very well, remained aloft for a long time and got back quite elated for the height and duration of his flight.

9. Jerry Badal was here, wanting to train for his upcoming flight check ride on September 12th, but the lone 2-33 we have was taken up by other students. So Jerry flew the 1-26 and he also was up over 2.5 hours until late in the afternoon/early evening.

10. Another great day at Avenal with promise of two new students in Julie Butler and Morgan Hall. They are both really nice people and would make great additions to our club.