I do wish someone would speak to those weather gods. Wednesday, overcast and several showers; Thursday, perfect for flying, and Friday, well, trying to emulate Wednesday but not quite succeeding.

 

So we assembled at Caboolture and optimistically took covers off GJY and GYK while Lindsay Mitchell, with Bert’s help (once he had breakfast) continued with CQC’s Form 2 inspection partly shaded by Kevin’s hangar. John Knox gave me Pat to look after while he prepared SPA and then departed for runway 12. Tony Sorensen had his hands full with the rest of us checking the gliders and loading the van in preparation for our day on 12. For some reason, we seemed to have a little more traffic today – maybe something to do with International Women’s Day?

 

Once we got ourselves settled and resecured our awning once the mower had got past us, we launched John Nestor into the not-too-welcoming sky to ‘test the water’ as it were. Just to prove that he could wring lift out of the slightly improving sky, Arthur Mailey followed in JY. The outcome was that John came back after the expected interval but Arthur did not so Barry and I set off in GYK to see what was going on. Clouds were still big and gloomy grey but there was a bit of lift to be had if we were prepared to work for it and we returned at about the same time as Arthur who scored 1.17. The main obstacle was dodging the showers moving through to the north and a small one to the south.

 

Steve Bowtell turned up to take his place in SPA but retired hurt so Tony, again multitasking, took over final launches. Rest please, Steve, we want you back. Thanks to all who took control of SPA – including Neil Schaeffer who did some circuits before we headed off to fly.

 

After that, we had some keen ‘takers’ and Bob Hainsworth set off in JY to see if he could better Arthur’s effort and had the flight of the day at 1.29. Congratulations, Bob. It must have been a challenge because our newest solo members achieved more ordinary times but seemed to be content with their efforts.

 

Ken Mitchell launched into a newly-created blue hole and Neil Schaeffer took John Nestor for a coaching flight focusing on thermalling after Garrett took Anne for a flight. That was about the end of our enthusiasm so Garrett took another half-hour flight to the tie-down area in JY and Ken ended our day, trying to make the most of the few puffy clouds just emerging. Of course, the sky looked perfect as we tucked GY, JY and CQC back under wraps before heading off to debrief.

 

Stats? JY, three flights for 3 hours 16 mins and YK, six flights for 2 hours 33 mins.

 

Anyone looking for the maintenance release for CQC tomorrow so they can take that one off for a flight should contact Lindsay – unless, of course, he is already there on the spot with it signed off. Good luck with the weather and may you have as successful a day out as we had. Get some flying in before a cyclone makes a real mess of the weather.