HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. The cold front passed through and the soaring was excellent all day. There were a few spots around Avenal where the lift wasn't all that good. Some reported that over the Kettleman Hills the lift wasn't doing much. But everywhere else the lift was more towards 1000 feet per minute than lower. And Loyal reported one student releasing in what Loyal pegged at 1400 feet per minute. Cloud base was initially at 7500 msl then rose to over 8000 msl as the day progressed. It was a most satisfying day for experienced pilots and for all of my student who showed up today most of whom had the best soaring flights of their careers. As most will tell you, it sure is satisfying to be circling in a thermal that is going up at 1000 feet per minute. The altimeter winds up as fast as the second hand on a clock. Lots of fun for all.

2. Since it has been sometime since Peter Sahlberg flew the 2-33 it was time to renew his solo privileges (every 90 days for student pilots). We flew one flight and his skill set is intact and working properly so he gets a sign-off for another 90 days. We didn't get much lift at that time because it was early and the thermals hadn't triggered by then. But Peter stayed around and did launch in the 1-26 later in the afternoon with a good flight and good height.

3. Morgan Hall and I went flying, with Morgan snagging a very nice thermal, going up at times as fast as 1000 feet per minute. We arrived near cloud base rather quickly, leveled off, headed for another cloud base that was a bit higher, remained aloft as long as we wanted, and finally headed back down because I had students waiting for me. That's always tough for a soaring pilot giving up altitude, but in this case the height was so easily attained, it didn't matter too much. Morgan just went back up again and found even better lift.

4. Julie Butler went flying, climbed to 4500 msl, was able to thermal in good lift, remained aloft for 45 minutes, and remarked afterwards that it was the first real solo soaring flight she has ever made. That's great and a nice confidence builder for the future. And besides, it's all a lot of just plain fun.

5. Daniel Solis did three flights with me, and needed to demonstrate how well he's doing so that soon he'll be flying the 1-26 alone. We smoothed out a few things that got a little rough around the edges but that's normal for his level of training. He'll be alone in the 1-26 in no time.

6. Jerry Smeltzer flew the 1-26 over the Kettleman Hills and reported weak and practically no lift in that area. As we found out the lift was all west of highway 33 and especially strong at Tar Canyon, hitting the 1000 fpm mark for many of those heading out that way.

7. Jeff Lowe had a great flight. Here's what he said about it: "Towed to 4K agl.  Reached 7.8K the last time I looked at the altimeter. Lift was pegged beyond the 1K variometer limit for the 1-26. Found major lift southwest of the prison. I was exhilarated and had a bit of a nervous ( but controlled ) adrenaline rush when I approached cloud ceiling at 7K agl and continued rising quickly into the cloud base even with 1/2 dive brakes open. I opened the dive brakes to full and still continued to ascend, so I pointed the nose down about 20 degrees while full dive brakes open, in order to get out of the clouds as they continued to  pull me upward. It was a rush - especially at my level of experience. I remained calm and focused, thanks to your training skills. I felt good about my decision making and reactions. I can't tell you how much fun it was for me!   I was up for about 75-80 minutes and could have stayed up much longer." Later on in the clubhouse, Jeff treated us to a new song he composed, sang and played on the guitar.

8. Morgan and Mario Crosina flew together using the Blanik and did a bit of cross-country soaring. North to Coalinga, south to Reef City back again circling the area. Morgan did well thermaling when necessary and they both had big smiles after the flight.

9. Finally, Jerry Badal got a chance to fly. Mario had convinced Jerry to head to Avenal because of the great lift. They arrived and Mario promptly went flying with Morgan for about two hours or more. There weren't too many members around when Mario and Jerry landed but I believe the lift weakened considerably by the time they launched.