HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. It was indeed a crazy wavy day. In the morning the wave looked classic. When Norm Lambert arrived we launched into the wave and in laminar flow air, rose smoothly in 3-4 knot lift up to 4500 msl where we exited the wave because we had maneuvers to perform. We easily could have gone higher because as we rose the lift strengthened. I estimated the largest lenticular height at about 9000 msl. But as folks showed up at Avenal, the wave began to change, breaking up for awhile, then reforming, then breaking up. So one's lift experience depended on when the launch took place. The wind aloft at 4500 msl was just about 35 mph or so because as we pointed into the wind, we moved forward very slightly. The troughs and crests were perfectly formed when we launched but later on, no one could guess exactly what was happening. Sometimes we watched broken thermal clouds form, then dissipate, then the wave would come back again clearly in evidence. The towing was rough and most of the flights were made by students in order to experience turbulent clear air. One effect was the spectacular formations almost minute-by-minute across the sky.

2. Butch and Shirley Wright from Coalinga came back again. They were here two weeks ago trying to get a demo ride, but you may recall that day was crowded with training flights and demo flights and no time was available for another two demo rides. This time, they really enjoyed their time aloft and Butch in particular inquired about the possibility of taking soaring lessons. Maybe they'll be back for more in a few weeks.

3. Toy Marlette, Hanna's Mom, continued her training but because the air was rough her one flight was mostly to experience what those weather conditions are like. We weren't up long but enough to show her that on some days, the towing can be a bit difficult to handle.

4. Julie Butler and Morgan Hall also showed up. Julie decided to go up once to experience the towing and did exceptionally well hanging in there and controlling the glider regardless of the turbulence. Morgan originally came out to build concrete pads for the main wheels of the gliders, but couldn't resist the awesome sky as it beckoned to him to come up and join the fun. He launched in the 1-26 but like most of the rest of the pilots today, didn't find the wave even though the lennies were up there all day. Anyway, he had a nice flight and later on worked hard putting concrete pads in the ground.

5. Joe Anastasio flew the Blanik and since he was going alone, Julie asked him about going along for the ride. Joe quickly invited her and they went up looking for the wave. They found enough lift to remain up there for awhile but reported they couldn't find the wave form as Norm and I had earlier.

6. Just about the time we all quit and decided to head to Debbie's for her famous hamburgers, Mario and Jerry Badal had already shown up and were already at Debbie's when we decided to go. They were just about to launch when we finished lunch and got back to the gliderport. Off they went, didn't find the wave, found only a bit of lift, and landed again. Since they were going to try once more, they left the Blanik out, which made for a nice photo of it sitting there under the huge lenticular clouds formed by the high level wave.