HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. Well, as I suspected, it didn't take all that long for Morgan Hall to solo a glider since he's been flying hang gliders for years, high up and long distances. So, welcome to our gang of solo pilots, Morgan and CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SOLO FLIGHT !! He had no difficulty with the flights and touched down each time smoothly and confidently. I'd like to think it was because of his talented instructor but the real reason is that he has excellent hand/eye coordination and a skill set from hang gliding that served him well in the 2-33. Julie Butler came out with Morgan, but wanted him to have the necessary flights to hopefully get to solo. There wasn't time for Julie to fly but she was most unselfish and let Morgan have all the media time. Thanks, Julie !!

2. Harlow Voorhees brought out a good friend, Larry Mennuci, for Larry's first, and perhaps only, glider flight. Along with Larry were his brother, Don and good friend, Jerry Karabian. Both Larry and Don are retired Fresno firemen, and Larry is especially involved in aviation because he builds and flies model airplanes. Larry loved the flight but indicated that it was just what he wanted to accomplish and nothing more. That's OK with us. We ask everyone to take even one glider flight just to see what it's like. If people like it well enough, they'll come back for more. But at least they take one flight. Thanks, Harlow and Larry.

3. It was one of those nice days when there were sufficient markers to immediately find a thermal. Bruce Patton wasn't going to wait as long as everyone else so he launched early. The other side of that coin is that it was clean-up day at Avenal and those pilots who did help out, like Jeff Lowe completely cleaning the inside of the clubhouse, weren't able to fly until later on in the afternoon. Bruce had a very long flight up and down the Temblor Range and arrived back in mid afternoon.

4. Toy Marlette was back again continuing to train for her glider license. She progresses nicely and naturally she'll be soloing one day soon. That will be a moment for Hanna, back in Colorado Springs in the Air Force Academy. A cheer from afar.

5. Alex Caldwell was busy taking people for rides in the Blanik. He brought a friend out to Avenal and they were first up in the Blanik. Then, a friend of Frank Owen, Claus, went for a ride with Alex touring the mountain area. All had a good time.

6. Jack Wiegand had a great flight in the 1-26, up for over an hour and high at over 5000 msl. Let's hope Jack gets going on his written test because he is so close to getting his license, the plastic is almost in his hand.

7. Jeff Lowe finally got a chance to fly the Orange Crush after his cleaning marathon in the clubhouse. It's as clean as I ever remember it, so thanks from all of us, Jeff !! His flight in the 2-33 was high and long, probably as good a flight as he has ever had solo. If he keeps up these good flights in the 2-33, we'll move him into the 1-26 where he will likely want to stay for months at a time.

8. Joe Anastasio finally took his turn in the 1-26 and like everyone else, had a wonderful flight chasing the markers and getting into some ferocious lift.

9. Frank Owen flew out in his Cessna 152 along with friend, Claus (can't remember his last name). Not sure if Frank flew at all but was around helping out and making sure that Claus got his flight before he went back to Germany.

10. Jerry Badal and Mario Crosina were here today but I don't know whether they went flying. It sure was a nice day but perhaps their cleaning time took up all their flying time.