Sunday started up with John Ashford (Tuggie), Mick Moloney (Duty Instructor), Lindsay Mitchell (Air Experience Instructor) and myself (Duty Pilot) contemplating the weather and wondering if we would suffer from showers as predicated by the weather forecast.  

 

After that Mick declared that we would be settling on 12 for the start of the day. This said, the uncovering and the DI's could start. CQC and GYK were initially prepared for flying and taken out; as Chris Weir came out with his friend for a later flight.

 

Three passengers flights today, although there was a double booking for 11am, this issue was dealt with by having one of the passengers coming at 10:30. Therefore the passenger flights were at 10:30, 11:00 and 12:00. 

 

Len McIntyre, the first passenger, went for a member/friend flight with Rod Wilson at 10:58 in the Blanik and this was the first flight of the day (late start). The poor conditions of the morning condemned Rod and Len to a 33 min flight. 

 

Lindsay later (11:19) took Joe Hallam, the second passenger, for a flight in CQC in which he achieved a 28 min flight.

 

At this point the weather started to clear up and we optimistically believed that it would become a really good day. This was confirmed by the 76 min flight of Chris and his friend in the Blanik! This was the turning point of the day as we now had a completely different state of mind due to the positive change of conditions. 

 

Meanwhile, Lindsay took the last passenger of the day (Alistair Green) up in CQC. Not reaching to get over the sink as described by Lindsay himself, this flight was cut short, landing after 17 min of flying, better luck next time!

 

 

 

Kevin Rodda then came out with his beautiful camper van (see picture) and wondered if bringing his Ka6 out would be worth it. Optimistically observing the change in weather conditions and not listening to Bert Persson’s ealier advice that it was not worth the effort to bring his aircraft out, he gave us all a lesson, not coming down for 2 hours and 26 minutes, what a flight!

 

 

The strong south-easterly winds meant there was a heaps of downwind drift to be mindful of whilst thermaling. The amount of lift on offer was surprising considering how cold and dark it was for most of the afternoon up under cloud base at 3,500 feet (see picture taken from the cockpit of the K6 ... the Glasshouse Mountains are straight ahead in the gloom).

 

 

Three flights occurred during Kevin’s flight, the first one being a check flight for Jacob Mason, which after talking to the tuggie (see picture) went for a flight. Mick went up with Jacob in CQC and they came down after 26 minutes. The second of these flights was the first gliding experience for a new member to club, Robert Collins, Welcome to the club! Gone with Mick for 42 minutes in the Blanik he described his flight as “awesome”.  (see photo)

  

 

The third flight was Friday Crew regular John Nestor, who was going for his last 1 hour flight before getting his C Certificate. He did not quite achieve this, as he flew for 46 min in CQC. You will get it! Right after his landing, Kevin came down.

 

It is at this moment that Garrett got to the airfield to pick up his magnetic key to the airfield for the hangar inspection next Thursday. He stayed until the end of the day to help us pack up, thanks! 

 

After his arrival, Lindsay took Ray Collins (Robert’s dad) for a hangar flight in the Blanik in order to share with him what his son will experience during his training. 

 

 

Meanwhile, Kevin was proudly showing Garrett that he got the flight of the day with 2 hours 26 minutes (see picture). 

 

 

Half an hour later Mick took John Nestor for a hangar flight in CQC. Prior to the flight, while both in the glider, they explained to Robert the principles of a hangar flight (see picture).

 

 

By late afternoon it was showering at the airfield, and the mountains could not be seen through the heavier rain that was falling to the west of Caboolture (see picture).

 

Thanks John Ashford for the efficient tugging.

 

Stats for the day:

 

CQC: 5 flights for 127 min

GYK: 4 flights for 158 min

GRV (Kevin’s): 1 flight for 146 min

 

Great day, Safe and Sound flying.