HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. It was a no-lift day, so Mario and crew decided to help out by starting fires all over the field in hopes of providing the pilots with lift. It didn't work very well. Thermaling in smoke isn't a good idea because most of the soaring pilots don't have an IFR Rating. Other than that, the day was fun and work for most everyone. Mario, Jerry Badal and crew did most of the work clearing brush, trimming trees and starting brush fires. The place continues to look better and better, and next week we'll have an official member work day replete with a barbeque lunch offered by our Pres, Richard Walker.

2. There aren't many details to cover since most of the trips aloft were sled rides right back down, usually at about 150-200 feet per minute. But Doug Staudmeister and I had work to do in the Blanik and after two good maneuvering flights, Doug flew well enough to us to engage in the next checkout maneuver, spin training. That will be the topic of next week's training for him. Today, he did very well controlling a touchy glider.

3. Our newest member, Bart Klusek, drove all the way down from Davis, CA to fly gliders at Avenal and liked the atmosphere so well he joined the club today. Bart and I flew two flights to orient him inside a 2-33 as well as field orientation here at Avenal. His experience came from flying gliders in the U.K., more specifically the K-13, a glider that Rodney and Anthony Squires flew at Lasham in England last time they were together in there. Bart will be a good addition to our club, and since he's already soloed a glider in England, we expect him to be soloing here in Avenal the next time out.

4. Julie Butler continues her training for her Pilot's License, doing solo work in the 2-33. No thermaling but good practice on tow and setting up for pattern and landing. Naturally her landings were more than just good, as usual. She's really a show-off at heart, but backs it up with performance. = )

5. Because of heavy aircraft scheduling, Toy Marlette and I took the Blanik aloft. I thought she'd struggle with that glider, but in fact, flew it better than she has flown the 2-33. Not sure why but I won't argue with it. I was more than impressed with her confident approach to handling the controls once off tow. Even on tow, she did well. Now she doesn't want to fly the 2-33 any more. But later in the day, we did have a chance to fly the 2-33 and with the recent Blanik comparison, she did much better in the 2-33 than before.

6. Morgan Hall flew the 1-26 several times, and like the rest of us, found only small amounts of lift in various meager places. But, it was a beautiful day for flying so no one who launched was entirely disappointed.

7. Doug Betts flew out with his friend, Al (I think that's his name) and wanted to fly a demo flight but with the tight scheduling we just couldn't accommodate them today. I trust they'll be back again in a week or so. Sorry, guys.

8. Daniel Solis came back today after soloing one flight last weekend, to finish up his remaining two solo flights, get his shirttail cut off, and then have fun with a high tow on a nice smooth flying day. His smile was still there hours later when he finally left Avenal still wearing the backless T-shirt. He had fun, we enjoy having Daniel as a member, and look forward to many hours of flying in thermals, and sharing laughter on the patio.

9. Guy Ashby, and long time ago club member, was here today along with a friend of his to take a demo ride. Again, because of glider scheduling problems, the Blanik was the only choice. Giving Mario a break from his pyrotechnics, he took Guy's friend up for a ride and they actually did encounter tiny bubbles of lift in various places.

10. It was a fun day for all, and who really cared about the lack of thermals. Most of the time, our fun comes as much from our own club members and fun on the patio as it does from soaring. I have never been associated with a club with as fine a membership as we have in the CCSC. I've said this often to everyone who will listen and I believe most of us now agree everyone is a pleasure to be around, to talk with, to laugh with, and to share stories. Mario is good at story telling so that the newer members can be sufficiently scared as to bring more honor to the older members for their courage and tenacity in the face of constant danger. Hmmmmmm .....