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Friday
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12-Jul-13 |
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From: Judith
Smith
Date:
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 5:53 PM
Subject:
Friday 12th
To:
cgcmemlist@vicnet.net.au
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Some
very interesting wave cloud patterns to the south of
the Airfield as the gliders were being moved out to
the day's flight line at Runway 12..
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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Sixteen
flights on a grey, grim day would indicate that
something was pushing our small crew to
extraordinary lengths. Of course, when we started, we
were delighted at the sunny prospects but as happens
lately, the blasted clouds
started to spoil our fun.
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To specifics, Bob Turner, Bob Hainsworth, Charles
Hoch, Ken Mitchell, Shane
Tuck as well as John Nestor and Anne were busy with
gliders while John Knox started
checking TOJ. Curiosity about certain comings and
goings turned to concern
when a virtual convention convened around the tug
while decisions were made
about the serviceability of its prop. Eventually,
our fears subsided and we
all departed to runway 12 to set up.
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A
not so welcoming sign at the fuel bowser - time to use
Plan B again (the Redcliffe bowser).
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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Of
course, there was the added concern about whether the
bowser would function when required, so a trip to
Redcliffe was scheduled after two gliders were
launched. Later in the day, someone appeared to fix it
and Steve Bowtell was able to refuel before putting
TOJ to bed.
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The
extension to Runway 06/24 is now in use and the
overhead power lines are gone (view is from
intersection east to
the 24 undershoot area). The piano-keys on approach to
06 are now in line with Hangar 21 which leaves a huge
undershoot area back to the highway and to where CGC's
proposed new hangar is to be located.
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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Obviously
flying did not commence again after John's round trip
to Redcliffe until about 11.30 when Kevin Rodda was
scheduled to take our passenger for her anticipated
flight. Once back on the ground, she seemed delighted
by how calm and smooth it all was. There was little
lift anywhere so Kevin's sterling efforts were
applauded by all as the flight of the day.
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Kerry
Thomson (who travelled from Tweed Heads for her Air Experience
Flight with Kevin Rodda in
IS-28 CQC) pictured here with Shane Tuck who was on hand all day
helping to keep things ticking over as ground crew.
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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Friday
Crew regulars Judith Smith (duty pilot) and (an always
very serious) Charles Hoch.
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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It's
no use Knoxy, he's only teasing ... the "Hainsworth Friday
Feast" is never shared (morning tug pilot John
Knox with Bob Hainsworth).
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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From there we returned to the focus of the day:
John Nestor dearly wished to join the ranks of
solo pilots so all efforts were devoted to achieving
that goal - even if it meant that Kevin and I sat in a
frigid glider waiting for a tug that never seemed to
come for us. Worst of all, we watched several gaggles
of undisciplined raptors gather in a rare spot of blue
sky and thermal to heights we could only dream of in
our earthbound plane.
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By
afternoon the air was getting much colder ...
(Shane Tuck with tug master and afternoon
tug pilot Steve Bowtell who confirmed that SPA is
expected to be back in operation at YCAB next week).
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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But
they
say patience has its own reward so, eventually, we
caught Steve Bowtell's eye and CQC was towed aloft in
one of the smoothest launches I've ever known. We were
back on the ground on 06 ready to go to the tie-down
area in 19 mins. A few more minutes and we would have
had the flight of the day!
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However the highlight of the day came as we neared
16.30 and the darkness and cold increased. John
Nestor took to the air for his first solo and ended
with a very nice landing.
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John Nestor's first solo
flight ... (seen here diligently completing his pre-flight checklist under the watchful eye of
duty instructor Bob Turner).
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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Back
over the fence and you could almost see the smile on
his face as we were looking up from the pie-cart ...
(John Nestor in GYK on final to Runway 12 for his
first solo landing).
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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It
doesn't get much better than this ... John Nestor walking through the afternoon twilight
hand-in-hand with his two
favourite girls (Anne Bradley and Golf Yankee
Kilo)!
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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He
consoled us by shouting drinks at the end of
the day so we all congratulated him before we left the
deserted airfield for the comforts of home.
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John
shouts the bar (John Nestor, Bob Hainsworth,
Steve Bowtell, Anne Bradley and Shane Tuck ... perhaps
wishing that the drinks were warm soup or hot
chocolate). John commented that nothing could upset
him after his solo flight ... but changed his mind
when advised by the Treasurer that the price of beers
had been increased to $10 each!
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[Photo:
Kevin Rodda]
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Stats: GYK had 13 flights for 2.02 and CQC scored
four flights for 1.20. Now there's a challenge
for the weekend crews! Surely the weather has to be
more cooperative. I suggest you all talk nicely to the
weather gods.
Finally, a request from our crew about parking the
vehicles: Could they please be reversed into
their 'hidey-hole' at the end of day just in case
their batteries go flat and we need to jump start
them. In such cases, we need access to the front of
the vehicle and if it is in a corner, we cannot get
another vehicle in to start it. Thank you.
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Stay safe
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Judith Smith
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on behalf of the Friday crew
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