Weekend Report: Wave with a vengence!

Saturday

What a day! Sven Olivier and Alan O’Regan flew most of the day together with fantastic wave over Theewaterskloof dam, and Slanghoek. The wave was also good at Matroosberg, Rawsonville and Jan du Toitskloof. Unfortunately the front ridge was too clouded in to allow the run to Rooi Els, as we hoped.

Martin Grünert took Kelvin Holmwood for a 175km cross country in GOK and afterwards we couldn’t wipe the smile off Kelvin’s face! We’re hoping this has got him hooked on becoming another cross-country junkie. Adriaan Hepburn took the Lambada for a great motor-less wave flight too, getting to Franschhoek – and nearly staying there!

Thanks Nicky, Alison, Bill and the duty folk for getting going early so we could launch before the blowout!



Sunday

Again a good wave day with Johan Gericke, Alan Procter, Rob Kakebeeke and Kevin Mitchell all enjoying the silky smooth stuff and plenty of altitude. Even a visitor had the wonderful wave experience as he partook of an “air experience” flight in GOK with Peter Clemence.

After some last-minute juggling of positions, the five-day beginners’ course got off to a good start on Sunday evening with 11 of the 12 student pilots already at Worcester. Latest news is that Monday morning 07h30 the students were already keen on getting the show on the road – the only obstacles to this being the sleepy instructors!

News:
Peter, Alan, Alison & Adriaan

Wave goodbye to September

Sunday

Again a good wave day with Johan Gericke, Alan Procter, Rob Kakebeeke and Kevin Mitchell all enjoying the silky smooth stuff and plenty of altitude. Even a visitor had the wonderful wave experience as he partook of an “air experience” flight in GOK with Peter Clemence.

After some last-minute juggling of positions, the five-day beginners’ course got off to a good start on Sunday evening with 11 of the 12 student pilots already at Worcester. Latest news is that Monday morning 07h30 the students were already keen on getting the show on the road – the only obstacles to this being the sleepy instructors!

News:
Peter, Alan, Alison & Adriaan

Puffed up with Wave

Saturday

What a day! Sven Olivier and Alan O’Regan flew most of the day together with fantastic wave over Theewaterskloof dam, and Slanghoek. The wave was also good at Matroosberg, Rawsonville and Jan du Toitskloof. Unfortunately the front ridge was too clouded in to allow the run to Rooi Els, as we hoped.

Martin Grünert took Kelvin Holmwood for a 175km cross country in GOK and afterwards we couldn’t wipe the smile off Kelvin’s face! We’re hoping this has got him hooked on becoming another cross-country junkie. Adriaan Hepburn took K17 for a great (motor-less) wave flight too, getting to Franschhoek – and nearly staying there!

Thanks Nicky, Alison, Bill and the duty folk for getting going early so we could launch before the blowout!

News:
Peter, Alan, Alison & Adriaan

Weekend Report: Swellendam - nearly!

Saturday
Having not been present at Worcester most of this year it was great to find such a friendly, enthusiastic vibe at the airfield. We experienced an unexpected strong NW wind which delayed the start to 12h30, but the three student pilots (Kelvin, Peter & Wikus) all had multiple flights. Aubrey Terblance had his first experience of a serious “box” as yours truly went through the motions of a GPL validation test (Aubrey had earlier flown MIV back from Stellenbosch where Johnny Navarro had sorted out exhaust manifold and radio problems). Even with the wind, Vic Peak failed to deliver but there were thermals if you were clever enough to use them. Randy Cullen was the only private owner airborne other than Hans Sterling, who kindly treated an enthusiastic visitor to a ride in the Stemme, while June stayed on the ground keeping the times. Maybe our visitor will decide to join the next course, as this one has ended up being totally oversubscribed.

The new Rotax Falke was rigged on Saturday and is really looking lovely – I’m sure there’s going to be a scramble for folk to get converted once we get the paperwork back from CAA. The flight manuals are now available from Nicky. We are planning on using this aircraft for early basic training, but are holding our breath that it is going to be A1 for tugging as well. Hopefully members are going to use it for some longer distance flights too.

On the power side William Whittaker visited in a Cessna together with Kim Cater Brown and some Belgian friends, and Riaan van Deventer was seen flying around with André “Woxie” Leeb du Toit in his Scheibe SF25. If I’ve left you out of the report I apologise – it was a busy time! Nicky had some friends out for air-intro rides and when we left the party was beginning to get noisy!

Sunday
The “real news” of the weekend is that Sleepy Hollow has finally woken to a bright spring after an unusually sound winter sleep. The Sunday wind has swung to SE and the day began with an usually early 10am start – thanks Alison! Sven Olivier is back to his former tricks, zooming round the valley to Ashton and Villiersdorp, clocking up about 275km. Gareth Floweday and Helmuth von Michaelis both had good long soaring flights. Although he had to stand in for a no-show as duty pilot, Alan O’Regan managed a commendable 2.5 hours in the club Cirrus GIG, getting to about 30km short of Swellendam and back – can you credit this guy! And that was even after Alan Procter had had a successful soaring flight in GIG as well. There were a couple of visiting paxes (one with Peter Farrell) and Chris Loedolf had a good soaring flight in his “new” Single Astir. Thank to the “officials” of the day: Phil Surridge, Rico Suter, Alan O’Regan, Graham Anderson and Rob Tiffin.

It’s time to fly the bubbly spring air – don’t miss out!

And some more…
We are planning an evening, possibly coupled with a social weekend, where Sven Olivier, Martin Grünert and Alan O’Regan will talk about ridge running around Worcester. This will be an interactive occasion so you will be welcome to ask about all those things about soaring that still perplex you (and me). This is not an evening especially for the pundits – it’s for ALL of you. We will keep you informed of the date.

Peter

Weekend Report: Painful duty . .

Saturday

Saturday dawned a beautiful calm day but true to Worcester form, the wind picked up very quickly to a strong NW. Sven and Alan took advantage of early launches with Ari very competently tugging. Unfortunately the wind was too strong for the trainers so the only two seater used was GOK.

Those that flew had long wave and ridge flights in GOK until sunset. Peter Middleton, who was on duty with Cornelius von der Heyden, was a good example of one dedicated to duty! He had had an Achilles tendon operation a few weeks ago and was in great pain by the end of the day but still insisted on doing his duty. Not many like you, Peter.

An aileron pushrod was damaged on the Motor Falke (Rotax Falke) during transit from Germany. This was repaired by Johnny Navarro on Saturday, so the aircraft is now ready to be assembled this coming Saturday. I have organised the lettering for the registration letters to be applied to the underside of the wing - thereafter we can rig the Falke and put her in her place in the Club hanger.

In general a good day was experienced by everyone who flew on Saturday.

Sunday

Thanks to the team who turned up to do their duty - but no students or other pilots turned up to fly. I think that they were put off by the Cape Town weather which initially looked threatening but cleared gradually during the morning. It certainly wasn’t blown out.

I’m please to report that the City’s major water storage dams are, as of this morning, at 81,5% capacity, with only Voelvlei lagging significantly behind the other four.

Alison