The Rolls-Royce user manual used to contain a paragraph along the following sentiments: "The Rolls-Royce does not break down. It may occasionally fail to proceed. Should this occur the owner should contact the service department and await assistance. The owner may wish to avail himself of this opportunity to acquaint himself with his surroundings."

 

Unfortunately we had the opportunity the acquaint ourselves with our surroundings this afternoon when our stand-in tug “failed to proceed” after lunch. A faulty starter motor meant that John Clayton, Mike Grady, Mick Moloney, Kevin Rodda, Chris Weir and I only had time for 6 flights before Mike Oulton dropped the rope on a flypast and headed back to Gympie.

 

New member Dean Nicolle signed up this morning and got into the swing of things with two Blanik training flights with me. Dean is working towards being accepted into Army flight training for helicopters and has been advised that gliding experience will give him a great base to build on. I’ll be more than happy to swap roles when you get your wings Dean !!

 

    

                        Dean Nicolle with Kiwi for the day, Mick Moloney

 

 

Chris reported a very successful DI and run-up of the “new” Falcon. Well done Scrubby and thanks.

 

We had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the parachute brigade when they idled up to us and powered off. They had time to kill waiting for their crew to arrive at their Bribie drop zone. It turns out they all think we are totally crazy flying around in aircraft without engines and they would need a bit of convincing to set foot in a glider. Go figure ??  

 

 

 

Chris was only too happy to take our AEF to 4,500’, Kevin tried his luck in his “single-seater” IS30, Mike G got JC off the ground for a check flight, Mick was an honorary Kiwi for the day (something about a flightless bird ??) and I logged 60 seconds as a tug pilot – manning the controls while Mike O hand-flicked the prop after our malfunction.

 

Chris also took friend Anne for another flight. I’ve seen Chris and Anne fly here before and I’m sorry Chris but Anne will not be allowed on the field again unless she is driving her business coffee van with espresso machine fired up and ready to froth !!

 

Speedy did what Speedy does - up and away for longer than anyone else. An ‘ops normal’ radio call let us know he was still safe out there .... somewhere high and far away.

 

And of course there was the 747 flight amongst all of that ...

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers,

 

David