SATURDAY, July 22, 2017

WEATHER
Visibility: Unrestricted.
Wind: Early from the NW, later from the SE but light and variable
Altitudes: 5400 msl.
Time Aloft: More than two hours
Max Lift: 1000 fpm
Temperature: Hot, above 100 degrees
Comment: Meeting on the patio early, soaring in the afternoon.
Tow pilot: Julie Butler and later, Neiman Walker.
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The long burn scar from the Avenal fire that consumed the entire ridge all the way to Coalinga.

Luca Soares and Jim Rickey looking at the aileron and the hinges connecting it.

Julie Butler moves the tow plane into position for a hot day launch.

Those are the mountains where we typically go to get good soaring. Now Tar Peak is just a black ridge.

Joe Anastasio on his way to finish assembling his PW-5.

Jim Rickey and Troy Wollman talk over the condition of the tail wheel from the DG-100.

Luca Soares and Joe Anastasio going in different directions but with the same objective.

The trio are still looking at the tail wheel hub on the DG-100.

Niva, friend of Eric Burlingame, waits patiently on the patio with her young puppy.

Moving Big Bird past the patio are Eric Burlingame driving the tow vehicle and Luca Soares walking the wing.

The wheel hub had numerous cracks in it and will need to be ordered to fly again. Troy, Jim, and Joe all agreed.

Luca Soares watching as Neiman Walker launches in the 1-26. We'll see more of him aloft.

Hosing off Big Bird is Luca Soares and sure does make the glider reflect yellow much more brightly.

Luca Soares ready to launch in Big Bird for a renewal of his solo privileges.

Luca in a 3-knot thermal working it well and gaining altitude quickly.

He was able to convert the last thermal into a 5-knot thermal and we got into the cool upper air more quickly. Ahhhh!

Neiman Walker in the 1-26 below us and he's heading for our thermal, a good move for him.

And then we headed to his thermal when we saw Neiman above the horizon. It meant he was above us.

Neiman Walker above us in the same thermal gaining altitude about the same rate as we were.

We finally moved away from Neiman in the 1-26 and looked for another thermal nearby.

The very long burn scar from Tar Canyon on the left all the way to Coalinga.

All that shows are the uplifted rock patterns at the base of the West Ridge. That ranch house was nearly consumed.

A better view of the uplifted rocks along the base just northwest of Tar Canyon, off to the left of the photo.

Luca Soares after his very nice flight, thermalling well, and renewing his solo privileges.

Eric Burlingame on tow in the Orange Crush, nice and low in good position.

The gouge left by the tail wheel on the Orange Crush. Let's hope that during restoration that tail wheel will be fixed.

Carlos, Avenal resident, and student at Cal Poly taking a demo ride. He may join his fellow students and take lessons.

Yes, Carlos definitely liked the ride (we topped 5000 msl) and perhaps he'll be back soon to begin flight lessons.

Zach Yamauchi getting in two checkride practice flights today. He takes his written on Monday. (95%).

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SATURDAY, July 1, 2017.

WEATHER
Visibility: Clear and unlimited
Wind: Southeast light and variable.
Altitudes:
Time Aloft:
Max Lift: 800 fpm
Temperature: Plus 100 deg
Comment:
Tow pilot: Julie Butler.

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Rick Eason trying out his new Grob, solo this time, and had lots of fun.

And Rick had a lot of help from Julie Butler who braved the heat to help out on the launch line.

It takes awhile to get situated in that Grob for a big guy like Rick.

OK, the last items are handed over and his solo flights should begin soon.

Back from his solo flight in the Grob, Rick Eason is very happy with his and the glider performance.

Russ Genet, back from world travels and soaring flights elsewhere, adapts to the Orange Crush.

Erich Harding just after a nice flight in the Orange Crush. He is really getting good at glider control.

Luca Soares hasn't flown solo for awhile and wanted a few training flights to restore skill and confidence.

Luca Soares about ready to launch on a good training flight.

Russ Genet taking a second flight because he wasn't happy with his performance on the first flight today.

Sergio Grajeda helps his father get belted in for a nice, Father-Son afternoon of flying.

You can't miss knowing these two are father and son. Look at the amazing resemblance.

Now they are just about to launch and Sergio looks happy taking his dad for a glider ride.

SATURDAY, June 10, 2017

WEATHER
Visibility: Clear and unrestricted.
Wind: Light and variable from the NW
Altitudes: 4500 msl
Time Aloft: More than two hours.
Max Lift: 600 fpm
Temperature: Hot, above 100 deg
Comment: New checkout for Rick Eason and Jan Zanutto's Grob.
Tow pilot: Ken Hartman

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Andy Reistetter waiting for a tow plane for his first 1-26 ride in awhile.

Rick Eason just landed after his and Dan Gudgel's checkout ride in the recently bought Grob.

Bennett Diamond about to launch solo in Big Bird.

All four gliders at the launch end waiting for a tow. Recognize them all?

Lexy Aguirre and Bennett Diamond moving Big Bird out of the launch path.

Karl Kunz waiting for a tow from Hartman's Maule with dust devils in the distance ready to lift all who venture there.

Mike Paoli just finished moving his Libelle out to the launch area. Background is Rick Eason's Cessna 172.

Eric Burlingame and Alex Caldwell chat amidst a glider group waiting for pilots.

Dan Gudgel giving further pointers to Jan Zanutto about flying Jan's newly purchased Grob two-seater.

With the launch line filled with waiting gliders, Dan has one more chance to instruct Jan in the intricacies of the Grob.

Looks like they're getting ready to "mount up".

Karl Kunz in his beautiful ASW-20BL. He'll be gone for several hours.

Everyone's had their eyes on this field because the car is kicking up huge dust devils.

The dust devil enlarges in size the longer the hot ground provides fuel for the lift.

Rick Eason is headed home in his Cessna 172. He doesn't use his RV too much at Avenal because of the dust.

Mike Paoli on tow just above runway 31R in good position.

Mario Pauda also on tow in the late afternoon with his neat Schweizer 1-26.

Dan Gudgel  in the back seat and it looks like Mario in the front seat. Maybe someone else.

Alexia Aguirre about to make one of her best flights, controlling it all from takeoff to landing.

Alexia is one happy young lady because she knows how well she performed.

Neiman Walker on tow above runway 31R in nice low position in the 1-26.

Mario Pauda heading off for another flight in his 1-26.

Memorial Day XC Camp

WEATHER
Visibility:
Wind:
Altitudes:
Time Aloft:
Max Lift:
Temperature:
Comment: The club moves to KIZA
Tow pilot:

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I’m probably fired from planning this event due to uncooperative weather for the most part.

Despite less than ideal conditions for 2/3 of the days, it was still a really fun weekend. We had six private ships from the Avenal crew, plus 2 from the bay area, and several local Santa Ynez pilots attend. In addition, we had 12-15 other Avenal members come out to fly as passengers, crew, and just hang out and socialize.

Saturday was a rough day with ragged thermals that kept everyone in the Santa Ynez Valley. While the day was not great for soaring, we overtook the glider office for one awesome BBQ in the evening.

The forecast for Sunday was much more promising. So after a meeting in the airport admin office, we all lined up to launch with our trailers ready to go out on retrieve. Ramy launched first in TG and quickly returned. Morgan went next in 5H and reported not finding much. So, the rest of us waited for it to improve. It didn't.

Monday's forecast was similar to the previous day and only a handful returned to give it a try. I decided that without a crew and with a dog waiting in the car, I was too chicken to dive over the mountains and into the Cuyama Valley. CZ, 5H, IKS, and TG however all went for it and had some really great flights. Check on OLC once they are posted.

 Ground school in the airport office at Santa Ynez.

 Lizzy and Tucker are airport buddies.

 Gliders slowly wake up in the morning to brave another day.

Here is someplace you don't normally see Ramy. Sitting under his wing with a group of Akafliegers discussing blow holes and turbulator strips.

Huge, huge thanks to everyone at Santa Barbara Soaring and Santa Ynez airport for hosting us and graciously lending us their meeting room, grill, refrigerator, lawn for camping,... Cindy was awesome in teaching everyone all weekend and Dave was amazing at making sure we had everything we needed. I cannot thank you guys enough.

And last, thank you to all that showed up. The flying left a little to be desired, but the company was superb. I can't think of another way I would have wanted to spend my weekend.