..... Watts Bridge came to Caboolture.

Turning into McNaught Road this morning it was quite obvious we had spawned a few extra gliders and trailers since the dejected Watts wanna-be's left the field yesterday afternoon. Gliders OW, MO and TQ had been rigged and were ready to commit aviation at YCAB, courtesy of owners Stewart Hamey, Laurie Simpkins and Jeff Simpkins. Jeff's son Zack, plus friend of the group Bruce rounded out the visiting contingent. The boys were going to fly with us at Watts Bridge and decided to still make the best of the situation and join us here for the weekend. Nothing like a bit of added responsibility for Mick Moloney's inaugural L2 duty instructor day. 


Stewart preparing Cirrus OW

 

Laurie completing his Cirrus build and Jeff & Zack about to re-wing the Dart. 


The CGC roll-up included Peter John, Steve Chapman (sans a tug), Alan Graham, Rod Elsworth, David Guzzwell, Lindsay Mitchell, Bert and Speedy lurking in the background, and yours truly. 

Speedy soon had volunteers Alan and David helping to put his KA6 back together for an evaluation flight later in the day by Lindsay.

Of course the whole operation hinged on Paul Strike and his Decathlon being checked out and endorsed for glider towing operations. That was the first task of the day on runway 30, with PJ in the rear seat of our temporary replacement tug and Lindsay Mitchell on tow in the Libelle.



A fuller than normal flight line with Lindsay ready to sample the Decathlon.

The check flight proved the capabilities of both man and machine and with PJ's blessing we were set to again take to the skies. Mick gathered the troops around for the morning briefing where he ran through Caboolture procedures for our visitors and PJ explained the idiosyncrasies of Decathlon towing to everyone.


Some new faces at the pie cart

Mick and Alan were next in the IS28, towed aloft into what looked like still developing morning air for a check flight. Climb rates behind the Decathlon are not as energetic as the Pawnee but arise they did, release they did, and descend they did. Yep, still developing air. 

Almost an hour later Jeff was launched by shade-maker Guzz ..



.. into better skies and scored a 2 hour flight. 

I managed 2 hours 56 in the Libelle, Lindsay 52 minutes in Speedy's K6 and Laurie stayed sky-bound for 2 hours 43. During my time off the ground I saw the crew up-stumps on 30 and move down to runway 12 and then 2 hours later turn around and come back to runway 24 for the duration.

Stewart in OW pinged off at a respectable 1,900' into solid 4 knots which continued unabated for 9 minutes until he rolled to a stop and then watched the tug land past him.



Jeff had to head off this afternoon but Stewart and Laurie are staying for Sunday and Monday. Garrett and I are doing half-day L2 duties each tomorrow and then Garret is returning once again on Monday so come on over to the field and experience some inter-club camaraderie, fly behind the Decathlon and also witness Stewart's return to form with a multi-hour flight.

When you come out it's important that you are aware of the procedures with the Decathlon tows so if you miss morning briefing make sure you ask the duty instructor.

Have fun and safe flights.
David