HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. The 1-26 was well scheduled today, and the thermals were building early. However, fate had other plans and the flat tire on the 1-26 pushed the flight schedule back an hour or so. But, as has been happening lately, some really conscientious members stepped forward to help and the 1-26 was flying again relatively quickly. Thanks especially go to Peter Sahlberg and help from others including Dave Pilati made the project go faster. Once back in the air, the flying was fun.

2. Norm Lambert was back again for continued training. This time his performance on tow was the best he's done so far. With that achievement, he can now move more quickly toward his solo flying. He's not pushing to do that, but it is a milestone when one can finally "get" the idea of being on tow. It was bumpy today but even through the bumps, Norm held on and maintained good position.

3. Dave Pilati and Mario assembled their gliders and sometime after lunch they launched into a sky full of thermals. Both had satisfactory flights for the day.

4. Daniel Solis was back again continuing training. He's catching on quickly and I expect him to be ready to solo in a couple of weeks. He's a smart young man who gave up learning to fly power planes after his first demo flight in a glider because he thought it more valuable and more fun than worrying about engines, propellers, fuel, RPM's, etc. Later on I'm sure he'll return to powered aircraft after his glider license. For now, though, he's enjoying learning how it feels in pure flight.

5. Alex Caldwell was here today giving rides in the Blanik. He brought his nephew, Freddie Alvizo, to the gliderport, and mid-afternoon they went flying towards the mountains. Alex has no trouble staying aloft even in what seem like very light conditions to anyone else, me included.

6. Doug Staudmeister has been getting a lot of experience flying the 1-26. When Peter Sahlberg was finished flying the 1-26, Doug was scheduled after him. So Doug went aloft and stayed there for quite some time. Doug is a licensed power pilot working on his add-on rating.

7. Julie Butler came out today, without Morgan Hall, because she wanted to maintain her track toward solo and didn't want to lose a weekend of flying. We worked on all the normal maneuvers, especially getting better at staying on tow. That is, for Julie, like it is for everyone who tries it for the first time, an initial difficulty that later on turns into a non-event. She is doing well and I look forward to her soloing sometime soon.

8. Some of you who follow our website may remember Audrey Peterman who visited us for the first time back in November, 2007. She is already a licensed glider pilot, stationed at Lemoore NAS, and, I believe, is a Weapons Systems Officer in an FA-18. This time she brought her friend, Joe Heyne, who had never been in a glider before. He did very well, stayed on tow in good position and, if he chooses, could get his add-on rating with no difficulty once he does the paperwork for his civilian license. Joe is a Super Hornet Pilot in VFA-147 at the base.