Weekend Report
Saturday
The weekend was overshadowed by the funeral of Hans Lobach on Saturday afternoon. It was attended by a good many of our members. Thanks to Reinhold Laurenz who spoke at the funeral on behalf of the Club and the soaring members in general. Our sincere condolences have been conveyed to Elizabeth and the extended Lobach family.
Saturday dawned with low cloud which persisted until after lunch. I had to fly out to an event at Happy Valley near Greyton. We went in ZS-RMP, the Cherokee 180, via Bonnievale and from there crossed over the Sonderendberge to reach Happy Valley. For anyone interested, the runway is a good grass one of approx 35m width, 650 metres long. It is 1000' above sea level and has a hump in the middle! The owners, Marianne and Neville Wright, welcome anyone who wants to land there and you can pre-book for breakfast, or simply pop in for coffee.
We flew back via Theewaterskloof dam, arriving at FWC at 14h45. Adriaan and Adri were on duty at FAWC at the time. Before we had taken off that morning we were privileged to see Kevin Mitchell do the first of his three maiden flights in his beautiful DG400M. We wish you lots more happy hours in your new glider, Kevin!
Andre Stander, the only student on Saturday, managed three flights while Tom Heaslip flew two hours, Sven 6.2 hours, and Trevor Johnson 1.5 hrs. At 15h00 the convergence was well developed. Adriaan and Bill G managed to fly alongside Sven near Greyton, enjoying the strong conditions.
The Rotax Falke was kept busy with Ari and Andre Stander practicing circuits. Both Frans du Toit and I completed our respective conversions onto the RF, under the watchful eye of Martin G. Otto and a friend flew in his DG but after an hour he called to say that he had to return to the airfield because "he was full and his passenger was empty". Very descriptive!
Those who did not fly - especially the students - missed a very good training day with good flying conditions.
Sunday
It began with a NW but threatened to blow out. We therefore took GOK to the launch point in anticipation of the expected conditions and to prevent scurrying back to the hanger with the lighter trainers. Andre LduT and Peter Clemence were kept busy with three students and two visitors. It was very nice to see Rene Heise at the field again. One of the “AE” visitors was Urs Rothacher, the technical director of FLARM who was visiting. He also upgraded various FLARM units. It was a pity that the conditions were not good enough for him to have a really spectacular flight. Hopefully he will visit us again.
At about 15h30 the wind strengthened and the operation had to called off. We certainly seem to have had an undue and disappointing number of "blow-outs" this season.
We will advise members whether there will be a tug for flying on Wednesday, the public holiday. Watch the news on the “CGC discuss” forum.
Do also remember that it’s the “Cape Gauntlet” this weekend as well as the first Saturday party in the Clubhouse. For those with motor gliders, it’s the Swellendam fly-in is this Saturday and Sunday at Swellengrebel Flying Club. Camping facilities are available at their airfield.
Thanks to Tom Heaslip and Rob Kakebeeke who put the roof back onto the ERV as well as repair the seat of the tractor. Speaking of which - Peter Clemence has been signed out after his conversion onto the tractor - he just has to send his paperwork in!
That’s all the news for now. Just one more request: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO DO THE ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THE Ka7 ON THE WEEKEND OF THE 17TH MARCH. Please contact Jerry Betbeder should you be able to help. Remember students - this is an excellent opportunity to get to know the workings of the gliders.
Alison
The weekend was overshadowed by the funeral of Hans Lobach on Saturday afternoon. It was attended by a good many of our members. Thanks to Reinhold Laurenz who spoke at the funeral on behalf of the Club and the soaring members in general. Our sincere condolences have been conveyed to Elizabeth and the extended Lobach family.
Saturday dawned with low cloud which persisted until after lunch. I had to fly out to an event at Happy Valley near Greyton. We went in ZS-RMP, the Cherokee 180, via Bonnievale and from there crossed over the Sonderendberge to reach Happy Valley. For anyone interested, the runway is a good grass one of approx 35m width, 650 metres long. It is 1000' above sea level and has a hump in the middle! The owners, Marianne and Neville Wright, welcome anyone who wants to land there and you can pre-book for breakfast, or simply pop in for coffee.
We flew back via Theewaterskloof dam, arriving at FWC at 14h45. Adriaan and Adri were on duty at FAWC at the time. Before we had taken off that morning we were privileged to see Kevin Mitchell do the first of his three maiden flights in his beautiful DG400M. We wish you lots more happy hours in your new glider, Kevin!
Andre Stander, the only student on Saturday, managed three flights while Tom Heaslip flew two hours, Sven 6.2 hours, and Trevor Johnson 1.5 hrs. At 15h00 the convergence was well developed. Adriaan and Bill G managed to fly alongside Sven near Greyton, enjoying the strong conditions.
The Rotax Falke was kept busy with Ari and Andre Stander practicing circuits. Both Frans du Toit and I completed our respective conversions onto the RF, under the watchful eye of Martin G. Otto and a friend flew in his DG but after an hour he called to say that he had to return to the airfield because "he was full and his passenger was empty". Very descriptive!
Those who did not fly - especially the students - missed a very good training day with good flying conditions.
Sunday
It began with a NW but threatened to blow out. We therefore took GOK to the launch point in anticipation of the expected conditions and to prevent scurrying back to the hanger with the lighter trainers. Andre LduT and Peter Clemence were kept busy with three students and two visitors. It was very nice to see Rene Heise at the field again. One of the “AE” visitors was Urs Rothacher, the technical director of FLARM who was visiting. He also upgraded various FLARM units. It was a pity that the conditions were not good enough for him to have a really spectacular flight. Hopefully he will visit us again.
At about 15h30 the wind strengthened and the operation had to called off. We certainly seem to have had an undue and disappointing number of "blow-outs" this season.
We will advise members whether there will be a tug for flying on Wednesday, the public holiday. Watch the news on the “CGC discuss” forum.
Do also remember that it’s the “Cape Gauntlet” this weekend as well as the first Saturday party in the Clubhouse. For those with motor gliders, it’s the Swellendam fly-in is this Saturday and Sunday at Swellengrebel Flying Club. Camping facilities are available at their airfield.
Thanks to Tom Heaslip and Rob Kakebeeke who put the roof back onto the ERV as well as repair the seat of the tractor. Speaking of which - Peter Clemence has been signed out after his conversion onto the tractor - he just has to send his paperwork in!
That’s all the news for now. Just one more request: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO DO THE ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THE Ka7 ON THE WEEKEND OF THE 17TH MARCH. Please contact Jerry Betbeder should you be able to help. Remember students - this is an excellent opportunity to get to know the workings of the gliders.
Alison
posted by CGC Reporter at 26.2.06
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