At home, I waited patiently through the early rain before deciding that since the sky was clearing, it may be worth making a trip to Caboolture – if I could get through the busy traffic. I certainly could not get through on the phone which was missing. Maybe someone has it in their pocket? There were other bits and pieces missing like the release check rope. Please check pockets for that too.

 

I joined Bob Hainsworth, Arthur Mailey and Ken Mitchell helping Bob Turner to organise the van and DI glider CQC as Bert and ‘Speedy’ finished their discussions and departed our bit of the airfield. I was to take charge of Pat who had been installed in the back seat of the Falcon, ready for his trip to runway 12 where he was reunited with his master, John Knox who had brought SPA out to play. A little later John and Pat were free to depart when replacement tuggie, Karl Bodi, took over for the afternoon shift. Thanks to our tuggies and instructor for today.

 

Ken and Arthur commenced proceedings with a flight that gave us hope that the sky would offer more than circuits so Bob and I hopped into CQC next for a slightly improved flight time before Ken was able to set off, solo, for what we acknowledged would be ‘the flight of the day’ at 40 mins. Meantime, we settled beside the van and enjoyed the passing parade and kept a wary eye on cloud building to the east and to the west.

 

When the wind sock started to indicate a possible sea breeze, Arthur and I decided to have one more flight, a possible ‘tie-down flight’, with those left behind having the option of changing their minds before we landed. While we did our best to keep out of the way of the Harvard on its frequent circuits, base advised us to take CQC home when we were finished, which we did, just barely cheating Ken of flight of the day. CQC’s total for the day was four flights for 2:26 which Arthur reminded me to note brought CQC up to time for its 50-hourly inspection.

 

Packing up was achieved relatively painlessly so we settled quietly for a chat as we reviewed the day. Maybe, sometimes we get a good Friday; or maybe the weather gods were spooked by a Friday 13^th flying day. Enjoy the full moon tonight everyone. I gather it will be the last full moon on Friday 13^th for a while.

 

Best wishes to those flying over the weekend but more importantly, stay safe