HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. It wasn't a great day at Avenal but satisfactory for most because even with the weak day, flights were aloft long enough to make it worthwhile to launch. Early in the morning it was quite hazy, thus keeping much of the sun's energy from reaching the ground. Later on, the clearing began southeast and proceeded to the northwest allowing some increase in thermal strength. The good news is that is turned out to be a very good training day for my students who did well both on and off tow. That helped get them some additional experience and confidence.

2. Steve Schery was already aloft in the 1-26 when I arrived but even taking a high tow and looking everywhere, there wasn't any lift to be found, and he simply glided back down. He was our sniffer who sniffed nothing.

3. Daniel Solis trained today, doing the simulated rope break and several high tows. We needed to accomplish them in order for him to begin working towards his solo flights. That's all he has to do from this point forward and he will then solo. That might actually happen next time out. We'll see.

4. In between flights with Daniel, the high performance guys took to the air. Joe Anastasio launched first in the Blanik and he, too, got enough lift to stay up for awhile. Mario was next in his Ventus 2AX, followed by Dave Pilati in his Schweizer 1-35 with Andy Reistetter in the Russia launching last in that group. They all had enough time aloft to make it worthwhile but none got much higher than 4000+ msl.

5. Doug Staudmeister flew the 1-26 after Steve Schery and enjoyed the flying even though the day wasn't all that good. But working weak thermals and remaining aloft under those circumstances helps build skills and flight experience for future cross country flights.

6. Julie Butler and Morgan Hall arrived so Morgan took the 1-26 and managed to stay aloft a reasonable length of time, given what weakness existed out there. He's good a finding and extracting lift out of weak thermals from his hang gliding experience.

7. Julie is also on track to solo very soon. We did the last of the maneuvers today including boxing the wake, and the simulated rope break. So, if all goes well next time we'll be doing only the pattern tows in anticipation of solo flight. No hurry and she'll be safe and competent when I turn her loose but she's getting close.