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BLACK
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29-Nov-13 |
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Kookaburra GLM almost ready to
rock 'n roll ... while Speedy Gonsalves locks up the
hangar doors from the inside, Bert Persson gives her a
last look over before she was towed to the flight line
at RWY30 this morning.
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I have always thought
that Black Friday was simply a Friday that fell on the
13th of any month ... that was until this year when,
for the first time that I can recall, I have
received several emails re Black Friday Specials
being offered for Friday 29-Nov-13.
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I have now established
that this is just another USA based commercialisation
of the calendar that is being pushed onto us in Oz as
part of the ever increasing internet-based
"global community". It appears that many in
Oz have already caved in to the marketing hype that
has seen a similarly commercialised US culture
transfer to Oz in Halloween. (Click here
if you are interested in finding out more about the
USA's Black Friday tradition).
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There was however
nothing BLACK about the great day had by the Friday
Crew at YCAB today! The weather forecast understated
what turned out to be a day that saw a total of 14
launches that included three great two-seater flights
before the sea-breeze kicked in at around 2pm ... a
2hrs 40mns flight in Kookaburra GLM (Bert Persson and
Speedy Gonsalves), a 1hr 30mns flight in IS-28 CQC
(Arthur Mailey & Barry McCarthy) and a 1hr 0mns
flight in Blanik GYK (Judith Smith & Charles
Hoch)
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Charles Hoch, Jim Connor and
Tony Sorenson "officiate" over Kookaburra
GLM's maiden launch at YCAB (with Bert Persson and
Speedy Gonsalves on board (photo provided by Nathan
Bowtell).
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The
pie-cart and the flight line were a hive of activity
at RWY30 all day until the incoming sea breeze saw a
late change to RWY06. Apart
from the pilots mentioned in the long flights above,
in attendance were (in no particular order) John Knox
and his side-kick "Pat", Tony Sorensen, Nathan Bowtell,
Steve Bowtell, John Nestor, Shane Tuck, Ken Mitchell,
Neil Schaefer, Kevin Rodda, Cyril Bijoux (AEF
passenger) as well as Peter Pretorious and Jim Connor
(Caboolture Aero Club members keen to see GLM fly
after seeing all the hangar activity around her over
the last couple of weeks).
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Peter Pretorious offers advice to Bert and Speedy as to where they
should head for thermals ... it must have been good
advice ... see next pic.
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GLM on downwind to RWY06 after
her 2hrs 40mns flight ... I suspect the flight may
have been longer if Bert's famous tummy-clock had not
told him it was 2:30pm ... that is Sandora time for
afternoon tea (photo provided
by Nathan Bowtell)
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A
feature of the day was the presentation by Barry
McCarthy (Vice-President) to Nathan Bowtell of a
certificate confirming that he has been awarded Honorary
Membership in recognition of outstanding voluntary
services. Nathan was quite stunned and very
appreciative of having this honour extended to him ...
well done Nathan ... and well deserved!
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Nathan Bowtell receiving
Honorary Membership from Barry McCarthy (at right)
while Bert Persson looks on (at left).
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A very proud Dad (CGC
Tugmaster Steve Bowtell) shares the occasion with
Nathan. Arthur Mailey, Judith Smith and Bert Persson
in the background.
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There
was only one Air Experience Flight booked for today
and that passenger was indeed a very eager participant
... when we collected him from the Aero Club car park for his 11am flight we
learned that he had been at the airfield since 9:30 to
ensure that he wasn't late! Cyril thoroughly enjoyed
his 28 minute flight in CQC with Bob Turner who no
doubt enjoyed getting a rare change to actually use
the controls in the back seat to fly one of the Club's
two-seaters (as opposed to instructing!).
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AEF passenger Cyril Bijoux
back on deck on RWY30 with pilot Bob Turner (at
right).
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A total
of 14 flights and 8:41 of air time attest to the great
support that the Friday regulars continue to provide
to the Club's operations.
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Today's
flight stats paint a clear picture of a mixed day with
some widespread good lift available (in particular to
the northwest of the field) between around 1200 and
1500. I can verify the 1500 as it was all gone by the
time I took Peter Pretorious with me for a 23 minute
hangar flight in CQC at 1510! I did hear some
some late efternoon comments to the effect that all
the thermals had been used up by the thermal-hogs
mentioned re the three big flights at the top of this
report!
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Kevin Rodda
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on behalf of
the Friday Crew
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and with a view to
providing Judith with a (hopefully short term) rest from
Friday reporting duties!
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