Weekend Report: Trailer Reversing & more
Saturday
The Cape Gauntlet comp comprised a record entry of nine – a sign that things are growing again on the local cross-country scene. We have a lot of experienced and capable cross-country pilots, many of whom own excellent ships – so it was super to see so many flying. Alan’s “Gauntlet” efforts have already done much to encourage pilots back into their ships and to “do it” – thank you Alan, all it takes is a spark and the magic is there. I hope it will also be an encouragement to the up-and-coming pilots who must surely have their sights set on new cross-country endeavours. Be encouraged! – I have yet to meet a returning cross-country pilot who is grumpy – even when returning by road form an outlanding. Cross-country soaring must be the most satisfying thing on earth after …, well, who knows
Adri kindly stood in as duty pilot; Mark tugged with NIG and Paul Troskie, MIV. Unfortunately the NW wind picked up to the extent that we had to put the Ka13 away. Of the singles that launched, Alan takes the trophy for the most perseverance, as he took three launches before getting on task. It must have paid off because he came third overall with Adriaan taking the laurels once again. Well done Adriaan, the CGC’s “secret weapon”! We had a full time sheet I must thank everyone who took part in the day. More news on the actual “flying” will be on Alan’s Cape Gauntlet blog.
The trailer-reversing competition was hilarious! The spirit of the participants as well as the spectators was great. John Spargo beat everyone with his skills. It certainly wasn’t easy and I came stone last, but at least I tried.
Wally organised a wonderful “potjie” from the famous Helgaard and a few people dressed "silly". I think Wally won that competition. There was some consternation when a "male stripper" turned up, which everyone denied arranging. The party went on until the small hours so I was pleasantly surprised when Sunday dawned to early activity.
Sunday
During the reading of the “Gauntlet” results, Alan O’ Regan had requested help the next morning at 08h00, to rig two Ka7 trainers. What a joy to see Alan himself, Peter Farrell, Wally Tamsen, Tom Heaslip and Jaco Hartman all arrive right on time. Craig Fussel and Andre Leeb du Toit came along a bit later. The result: - both Ka7's rigged by 09h30. What a team! Next, GUU was then taken to Dave Starke's hanger where Dave spent the entire day sorting out the plumbing and electrics in order to get the glider ready for the course. We owe you big time Dave! You were pivotal in getting the tools for the course ready. Thanks also to Andre who weighed the glider, and Rudi who performed the annual inspection and did the paperwork.
Congtratulations to Gareth Floweday who converted to GUC. He looked so cool and comfortable in GUC before the flight, that I had no idea it was his conversion.
It was one of those weekends when, at the end, I felt that I had had a great time – a return to "old times" and fun times.
Alison (with a little help from Peter)
The Cape Gauntlet comp comprised a record entry of nine – a sign that things are growing again on the local cross-country scene. We have a lot of experienced and capable cross-country pilots, many of whom own excellent ships – so it was super to see so many flying. Alan’s “Gauntlet” efforts have already done much to encourage pilots back into their ships and to “do it” – thank you Alan, all it takes is a spark and the magic is there. I hope it will also be an encouragement to the up-and-coming pilots who must surely have their sights set on new cross-country endeavours. Be encouraged! – I have yet to meet a returning cross-country pilot who is grumpy – even when returning by road form an outlanding. Cross-country soaring must be the most satisfying thing on earth after …, well, who knows
Adri kindly stood in as duty pilot; Mark tugged with NIG and Paul Troskie, MIV. Unfortunately the NW wind picked up to the extent that we had to put the Ka13 away. Of the singles that launched, Alan takes the trophy for the most perseverance, as he took three launches before getting on task. It must have paid off because he came third overall with Adriaan taking the laurels once again. Well done Adriaan, the CGC’s “secret weapon”! We had a full time sheet I must thank everyone who took part in the day. More news on the actual “flying” will be on Alan’s Cape Gauntlet blog.
The trailer-reversing competition was hilarious! The spirit of the participants as well as the spectators was great. John Spargo beat everyone with his skills. It certainly wasn’t easy and I came stone last, but at least I tried.
Wally organised a wonderful “potjie” from the famous Helgaard and a few people dressed "silly". I think Wally won that competition. There was some consternation when a "male stripper" turned up, which everyone denied arranging. The party went on until the small hours so I was pleasantly surprised when Sunday dawned to early activity.
Sunday
During the reading of the “Gauntlet” results, Alan O’ Regan had requested help the next morning at 08h00, to rig two Ka7 trainers. What a joy to see Alan himself, Peter Farrell, Wally Tamsen, Tom Heaslip and Jaco Hartman all arrive right on time. Craig Fussel and Andre Leeb du Toit came along a bit later. The result: - both Ka7's rigged by 09h30. What a team! Next, GUU was then taken to Dave Starke's hanger where Dave spent the entire day sorting out the plumbing and electrics in order to get the glider ready for the course. We owe you big time Dave! You were pivotal in getting the tools for the course ready. Thanks also to Andre who weighed the glider, and Rudi who performed the annual inspection and did the paperwork.
Congtratulations to Gareth Floweday who converted to GUC. He looked so cool and comfortable in GUC before the flight, that I had no idea it was his conversion.
It was one of those weekends when, at the end, I felt that I had had a great time – a return to "old times" and fun times.
Alison (with a little help from Peter)
posted by CGC Reporter at 3.4.06
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