HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. The Club recently purchased a Cessna 150 for towing at Avenal. We know that Loyal is selling his plane and will be relocating somewhere else. So our plan is to use club members and other pilots to provide towing services. We won't be paying the tow pilots so the value to them is to learn to tow gliders and fly free. That was enough to entice 12 attendees to our first annual tow plane pilot seminar. Dan Gudgel conducted the session and did exceptionally well covering a lot of material in the two hours we were there. Probably after New Year's Day, we'll gather the pilots again and at that time put them in the Cessna with gliders attached, and Dan Gudgel in the right seat instructing. Those attending were Dan Gudgel, Loyal Savaria, Harlow Voorhees, Kevin Krauter, Dave Johnson, Doug Betts, Durval Freitas, Doug Staudmeister, Alex Caldwell, Peter Mersino, Steve Schery, and yours truly.

2. Julie Butler continued her training in the 2-33 getting closer to the number of flights needed to solo the 1-26. I have no doubt that when she is ready, her flight of the 1-26 will be smooth and confident. That might be a weekend or two away but my guess is no later than December 20th.

3. Morgan Hall continued his Blanik training with a series of straight and turning stalls. His recovery was excellent and he is more comfortable each time he flies it. Next chance we get, we'll do the spin series so he can understand what happens to a higher performance glider during and after the spin. Compared to a power plane spin, the glider is a bit more exciting. When the recovery begins and the stall is broken, the glider accelerates much more quickly pointed at the earth than would a power plane. The reason is that the windmilling propeller on the power plane acts as a barrier of high drag preventing the higher acceleration gliders experience.

4. Daniel Solis was out again continuing his flights in the 2-33. He's really anxious to fly the 1-26 and his goal is to get the required number of solo flights in the 2-33 that will qualify him for the single seat glider. I have no doubt he'll do it soon based on how much he's been flying lately.