SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2015

WEATHER
Visibility: Hazy and 15 miles below the haze layer, 150 miles above it.
Wind: Brisk from the southeast causing runway 13L launches.
Altitudes: No more than tow heights.
Time Aloft: Not much less than 20 minutes including tow.
Max Lift: At times, maybe 100 fpm.
Temperature: Cool 70's, a lovely winter weather day.
Comment: NEIMAN WALKER SOLOS!!!
Tow pilot: Dan Gudgel until 1:30, then Jim Rickey and Harold Gallagher

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REMEMBER IF YOU WANT TO SEE A LARGE SIZE OF ANY PHOTO JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO AND YOU WILL SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

Another milestone for the Cal Poly group. Today, Neiman Walker soloed, and had three very nice flights. He's already a power pilot so the learning curve was quite steep upward. We continue to add new members and new solo pilots on a regular basis thanks to Jennifer Bauman who has organizational skills better than most. Thanks again, Jenn. And CONGRATULATIONS NEIMAN WALKER!!!

Harrison King and Griff Malloy after their respective training flights.

Harrison King came out today for the first time, and for his first glider ride. He enjoyed it and took the controls off tow, did a very credible job and perhaps he'll consider signing on with the CCSC and working on his Private Pilot's License.

Griff Malloy has already had a number of glider flights and is moving rapidly toward his solo flight. He's done very well on tow and off so we have a few more maneuvers to go through, a pre-solo test, and he will be ready to go aloft on his own.

Rick Eason was also on the field and had two nice up and down flights in the 1-26. It was just that kind of day here. So he will be flying it a few more months before he starts getting the itch to fly the DG100.

We haven't see Yutaka Buto here at Avenal for a few months but here he was again, out to fly and just to have some free time with the other members. He flies of Ameriflite, running a route from Bakersfield to Burbank in a twin-engined turboprop Merlin Metro.

Ethan Lawton is a new arrival on the field, coming from Cal Poly and aerospace engineering, like all the rest of his group. He chose not to fly but just get familiar with the operations on the field, enjoy being with other student friends, but maybe he'll change his mind some day and begin glider training.

Work continued on in the southeast hangar on Big Bird. It's now a familiar yellow and will be painted again after some soft sanding takes place today. It's close but as Jan Zanutto points out, assembly and fixing small issues will take some time. We're coming up rapidly on a year of effort by our great work crew, whew, and they are committed to taking a major break between Big Bird completion and restoration of Orange Crush.

Jim Rickey and a few other good souls worked on Big Bird in the morning, and then at about 1:30 or so, Dan Gudgel had to leave after a mornings worth of towing, so Jim Rickey gratefully took over the responsibility of launching gliders into the wild blue yonder.

Thanks again to Jennifer Bauman who brought two new students to Avenal along with four other returnees. She has done a masterful job of rounding up Cal Poly students who she convinces to have an interest in gliders. So far, the number of students exceeds 10 as I recall. If I'm wrong on that, she'll have it over ten in a week or two. Thanks Jennifer for such great effort at bringing new people to the club.

Ethan Lawton and Jennifer Bauman enjoying the activities.

Harrison, Ethan, Jennifer, Neiman, and Griff simply enjoying the beautiful day.

OK, time for us to get moving and get the gliders launched.

Yutaka Buto visited us today and Rick Eason is hooking him up for launch.

On approach to landing is Neiman Walker on his first solo flight.

Yes, Neiman is happy but the sun, low on the horizon, is shining directly into his eyes.

It's great to see the Cal Poly group always helping one another and wishing each other well.

This will be Neiman's second solo flight, with the sun getting closer to the West Ridge line.

We have been launching all day from the NW end, taking off on Runway 13L.

This is Neiman's second approach to landing and is in perfect position for safety.

The sun is just about to set behind the West Ridge as Neiman passes by on final.

While the Cal Poly crew retrieves Neiman, the tow plane rolls in with Jim Rickey at the controls.

Wearing a video camera, Neiman is ready for another solo in his series of three flights.

Jennifer and Troy assisting Neiman in his next launch.

Neiman looks as ready as he'll ever be. And his launch was a good one.

The Cal Poly crew waiting for the next retrieve in the hazy light of late afternoon.

Neiman Walker high above the airport in the light of the sun that has already set on the ground.

Right after release, the tow plane is departing down and to the left while Neiman turns right.

Neiman's second approach to runway 13R is a good one in excellent position.

Neiman is just passing by the end of the runway where we are all standing and waiting.

The Cal Poly retrieve crew going after the Orange Crush with Neiman waiting patiently.

There was a rather high aircraft on left downwind for runway 31L but apparently overflew the field.

The end of the day's launches and a happy crew helps Neiman (third from left) celebrate his solo flights.

Troy Wollman, Neiman Walker, Jennifer Bauman share achievements.

Jan Zanutto making sure it is really YELLOW!!!!

You can see in the background that most of the glider is painted with at least one coat. 

With a new spray gun, the job has gone a lot faster than previously.

Even if you don't plan on flying this coming weekend just come out and enjoy the beautiful weather we have had at Avenal for the past four or five weeks. It is soothing, comfortable, warm, sunny, and full of laughter from our happy group of club members.

See you next weekend,

Harold Gallagher

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015

WEATHER
Visibility: Hazy but more than 20 miles
Wind: Mostly calm with occasional 3-5 knots
Altitudes: Tow altitudes only.
Time Aloft: 30 minutes max
Max Lift: 1-3 knots
Temperature: Mid 80's
Comment: Troy Wollman's First Solo!!
Tow pilot: Peter Mersino all day long.

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REMEMBER IF YOU WANT TO SEE A LARGE SIZE OF ANY PHOTO JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO AND YOU WILL SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF ALL THE PHOTOGRAPHS.

It was a busy day especially from noon on until dark. And dark it was when all the activities had come to a halt. The best news is that Troy Wollman soled for the first time. As usual, the first solo flight is always better than what students demonstrate to the instructor before first solo. Troy did his best without the instructor in the back seat. Hmmm. I'll have to think about that one.

Early in the day, Clark Woolf flew two excellent flights, both of which were marked by his taking over most control of the tow. He's only had a few flights so far, so his progress is quite remarkable. Did I forget to tell you that Clark just turned 13 a few weeks ago? He is one young man to watch as he moves forward this year on his training. With his progress so far, I expect great things of him not only in soaring but in his life as well. He shows great promise in other phases of his life at home and in school. Well done, Clark.

Clark Woolf doing well with flight maneuvers.

Clark making a nice coordinated turn. Note the yaw string straight back.

Clark is very good for his age. I expect great things from him in aviation.

As she has done in the past, Jennifer Bauman brought out another group of superb Cal Poly students. One by one, they are joining the club and moving rapidly forward with their training. Kyle O'Connell was first up and he has had prior training in gliders, especially at Southern California's gliderport, Lake Elsinore. So I expected good things of his handling the glider and I wasn't disappointed. After today, one or two more quick flights to pattern and Kyle will be ready to fly here on his own.

Jennifer Bauman about to hook up for Kyle O'Connell.

And here's Luke Bughman heading over to run the wing for Kyle.

Kyle O'Connell and Harold are ready to launch in the Orange Crush.

In a cloud of dust they launch and follow the rope for a few hundred yards.

Sometime after Kyle flew, others in the Cal Poly group took their turn in the Orange Crush.

Andrew Palmer continues to improve his control of the glider on tow, removing more of the anxiety each flight. His off tow flying is excellent and his landings are well controlled and smooth, the best part of his flying to date. Next up was Luke Bughman who also did very well on tow and managed to handle the off tow flying as well, including stalls, steep turns, patterns and landing. Neiman Walker, another Cal Poly future aerospace engineer, took his second flight and demonstrated his rapidly gaining control of the towing, and off tow maneuvers. At this rate, he might very well solo within a week or two. Well done, gentlemen!!

Troy Wollman is closest to his solo flights. Last time he flew I noted that if all goes well he might very well solo on the weekend of November 7th. Well today, he invited his Dad, Richard and brother Trenton, to Avenal to see if, in fact, the solo would happen. As it turned out, Troy was ready in my evaluation even though he might not have been all that convinced within himself. But that's common among a lot of students when I get out of the glider to let them solo. In this case, our first two flights together were not the best he could have done, but I recognized his underlying skill that made me comfortable with his solo flight. So, after only two flights with me today, it was time for him to fly on his own. And fly well, he did. In fact, Troy saved the best flights of the day for his solo, and that also is not uncommon among newly crowned solo pilots. 

CONGRATULATIONS TROY!!!. Welcome to the wonderful world of aviation and solo flying.

Jennifer Bauman, Sergio Grajeda, Richard Wollman, and his son, Trenton.

Andrew Palmer and Alex Caldwell watching the proceedings.

Troy Wollman ready to launch on his first training flight of the day.

A crowd gathered to see whether Troy would solo today.
Trenton Wollman, Richard Wollman, Andrew Palmer, Neiman Walker, Kyle O'Connell, Jennifer Bauman, Greg Bauman, Luke Bughman, and the tow pilot, Peter Mersino.
Alex Caldwell is hidden behind Jennifer Bauman.

Hmmm, I wonder if they're all nervous for Troy. 

Jennifer is busy attaching the Go-Pro video camera to the underside of the wing.

Troy receiving last minute instructions just before his first solo flight.

Trenton Wollman is very happy for his brother after Troy's first solo flight is completed.

There were a number of members who flew the 1-26, Bart Klusek and Jim Rickey among them, and including Jennifer Bauman, whose parents, Greg and Terri came out to watch her fly a glider, a first time for each of them. Naturally Jennifer did well in spite of the obvious lack of lift on a cold day, very late in the afternoon as you can see by the long shadows cast during the photo shoot. She loves the 1-26.

Jennifer is receiving ample help for her launch in the 1-26.

Jennifer loves the 1-26 and wanted her picture taken in front, just to remember.

As you can see, there were more than one taking Jennifer's picture.
Left to right, Greg Bauman, her Dad, Kyle O'Connell, Terri Bauman, her Mom, and Jim Rickey watching.

Now it's Jim Rickey's turn to fly the 1-26. Bart Klusek launched just before Jim.

It was so busy all afternoon folks were still standing around watching the launches as the sun disappeared.

Now the cool air begins to flow into the valley and the daylight is quickly fading.

It turned out to be a very long day with all the paperwork finally being completed when it became absolutely dark except for a light sliver of daylight over the West Ridge. Naturally Troy Wollman's shirttail was cut off as is our custom and he reportedly went into a restaurant looking like that. In fact, that's good because then the other patrons will wonder, ask questions, then maybe start training in gliders for themselves.

The new up high and the old down low. Both play an important role in aviation.

A memorable day to be sure and one that turned out to be fun for most of those present. Keep in mind the wonderful contribution the workers in the far southeast hangar are making for the club. Every weekend they are out working on Big Bird to get it ready for its return to active flying. They were there this morning as well and over the past few months have included nearly all the dedicated working members. A few names that come to mind are Jim Rickey, Skip Breidbach, Larry Johnson, Peter Sahlberg, Joe Anastasio, Rick Eason, Richard Walker, John Harbick, Jeff Richardson, et. al., and headed up by Jan Zanutto along with his mechanic-mate, Martin Caskey.

Next week should bring another round of good training and surprises for those in attendance. See you then.

Harold Gallagher