21Jul13 - Busy day at YCAB

Busy day at YCAB

21-Jul-13

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From: Nicholas Sheahon
Date: Sun, Jul 21, 2013 at 9:22 PM
Subject: Busy YCAB Day
To: cgcmemlist@vicnet.net.au

Glorious morning while we unwrapped the toys

[Photo: Nick Sheahon]

After both Friday and Saturday cancelled, it has been a very busy day for Caboolture Gliding Club.

Following yesterday's rain, the runways were surprisingly serviceable but the surrounds were a little damp still, to say the least. This certainly included the areas around the new extension to runway 24. With the forecast indicating that we would need 24 as the day progressed, it was decided to head there from the start. This was quickly changed to 12 after we un-bogged both the pie cart and the Blanik from areas just adjacent the taxiway and just to the right of the new threshold. From there, it was full steam ahead and barely slowed til we had put two tanks of gas through the tug.

My bogging of the Falcon and Pie Cart

[Photo: Nick Sheahon]

After Florian and Peter Stephenson flew the Blanik from its bogging on 24, Chris Weir took a couple of his friends, Ray and Terry Vaughan, in the IS-28 and the IS-30. AEF Instructor Kevin Rodda took control of the 28 by taking two of my friends, Mike and Alison Gregory as well as our one 'booked' AEF Rory Nicholson. Always very fair, Kevin even managed to make all three of these flights exactly 21 minutes as well. Surely he could not have planned that if he had tried.

My (ex) workmate Mike Gregory and Kevin Rodda

[Photo: Nick Sheahon]

All the while, Duty Instructor Peter Stephenson and Instructor Mark Thompson were kept busy with Florian Poff continuing circuit entries and landings, new member Samantha Court already being introduced to stalls and spins in only her second day at the club, and David Crocker continuing to improve his landings.

John Ashford and the now toothless Air Cadet tug (with nose painting in progress)

[Photo: Nick Sheahon]

The final tally for student flights was three each to both Sam and David, and Florian ranked up four after he was finally voted (by Sam) to hanger fly the IS-28 with Mark Thompson.

With so many flights today, our one booked in AEF Rory and his wife Gillian had to wait a long time for his flight. As such, when the task of hanger flying the IS-30 came up mid afternoon, Kevin Rodda very generously took Gillian on his own account. Gillian was very grateful (rewarding Kevin a very large hug when their ground roll finished on grass right of Runway 06 while her husband looked on - apparently anyway) and it was certainly a great present for the couple considering that the AEF was a 60th birthday present in the first place. Great work Kevin and another excellent example that the Caboolture Gliding Club spirit is well and truly alive.

AEF passenger Rory Nicholson and Kevin Rodda

[Photo: Nick Sheahon]

A big thanks to tuggy John Ashford, who other than a refuelling, barely moved his bum from the tug’s seat until about 2pm.

This was about the first time there was not a glider (and pilots) ready to go for him after he had landed. He took the opportunity to grab himself some lunch, but I think he even had to eat that in the tug as, by the time he was back, we had two gliders complete with crews ready to go.

New member Sam Court still smiling after a few spins with Mark Thompson

[Photo: Nick Sheahon]

Stats for the day: GYK 6 flights for 1 hour and 47 minutes, CQC 6 flights for 1 hour and 58 minutes and QA 4 flights for 1 hour and 43 minutes.

Thanks to the duty crew and members for a cracking day!

We all have our fingers crossed for good flying weather for the Friday Crew tomorrow.

Please note: I have feeling that, after such a busy day, both the Magna and the Falcon may need refuelling soon.

Safe Flying and Happy Landings,

Nick Sheahon

DUTY PILOT

PS: Thanks also to Kylie (my Mrs) for helping me with my reports (you didn't think I did these reports completely on my own did you?)