With weather looking so hopeful, we had a good crew ready to go flying under Tony Sorensen’s tender care! Tony stepped in when Barry McCarthy, our rostered L2, was struck down with a most painful sore neck, so thanks Tony for giving up the pleasures of your Kingscliff visit. Bob Turner was busy working on his Libelle as we got organised for the day but offered to give Tony a hand, if needed, with two students and refresher flights scheduled.  Thanks for the help, Bob, as it turned out to be a busy day for all.

 

GYK, QA and JY went to runway 12 along with the van where we joined John Knox who was sitting in the shade seemingly deep in contemplation.

 

John Nestor is back from a few months in the "Old Dart"

Tony and Jim Thompson quickly changed that, heading off to continue his training flights as soon as GYK arrived, promptly followed by Liam Burrell and Bob Turner once GYK returned.  Both students were able to have four flights each with Bob and Liam being the lucky ones to be aloft when the brief spell of good lift occurred.  John Knox departed, handing SPA over to Steve Bowtell, advising us to go flying because there was some good lift.  Those who hesitated in order to take a lunch break were condemned to experience the more usual flight times for the day, though Jim Thompson and Tony were focussing on circuit practice more than anything so many launches were only a bit over 2000ft.

 

Kevin Rodda was seen about the airfield and launched his motor glider on 06, unfortunately as the best of the day’s lift was fading.

 

As for our ‘thank you’s, we must also include John Nestor who spent much of his time before and after his flight in JY helping Lindsay Mitchell who had brought us some new batteries so that, maybe, our radios will last the day better.  They were put on charge so those flying today should notice an improved performance?

 

The angry Mother Plover's nest on RW06 grass left. 

Shane Tuck had to depart before he had a chance to get a flight but was occupied for much of his time just keeping everything going.  Ken Mitchell returned from OS to take a refresher flight with Tony in QA before doing the hangar flight to end the day.  Hangar/tie-down flights both ended at approximately 1630 so, by the time we were able to assemble in Kevin’s hangar, the sun was about to set as those left stopped for a quick chat before departing, leaving Kevin to push his glider into its hangar.

 

Hopefully, this is the start of a summer season of great flying for all Club members.  Remember to have plenty of water on hand with the return of warm dry days.

 

Stay safe,