HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. It was a day for cleaning up around the gliderport and a whole lot of people pitched in and got it done. Mario was the key guy in this effort since he worked around the field before with Dennis Mast and others. Richard Walker oversaw and worked with the crews. This time, he and Jerry Badal, along with Jim Burgess and his grandson Daniel, Morgan Hall and his Dad, Jim as well as Julie Butler, Andy Reistetter, Joe Anastasio, Steve Schery, Paul Hanson, Frank Owen, Doug Staudmeister, and Alex Caldwell all were on hand for the big pyrotechnic show. The place looks so much better now. Trees and bushes are trimmed for better growth and more spaces between them. More watering done for the roses, especially, and ground dried grasses and weeds were burned off. A much needed change for our gliderport. Thanks to Everyone for all the Great Help !!!

2. Norm Lambert went up for another of his series of instructional flights and did so much better this time compared to the all the flights before. His tow was confident and smooth and I believe he has now crossed that threshold and "got it" for towing. His first completely unassisted landing was also quite acceptable so I now envision him moving more rapidly to solo flight.

3. Doug Staudmeister and I went aloft and did spin training in the Blanik. We spun it out of the more traditional straight ahead stall, then spun out of the less well-known thermaling banked turn. He did well on both and can now fly the Blanik solo for his practice flights.

4. Julie Butler continued her flight activities going solo in the Orange Crush. No, there wasn't much lift but practice is easier these days with the smooth air aloft. She gains her skill level increase even though no thermals to chase. Soon she'll be moving over into the 1-26, a ship she will really like.

5. At the end of the day, with the sun painting the evening sky a beautiful pink, and the bonfires still glowing bright red, all we lacked were a few marshmallows and some good chilled wine.