Weekend Report: The Stork flies - and Wave
This week’s news begins a little earlier when, on Thursday evening, John Spargo and Libby’s baby daughter, Katie, was born. Congratulations – well done!
Friday afternoon was such a beautiful evening at Worcester that I flew RMP for half an hour locally. The spectacular weather persisted on Saturday and not a breath of wind blew! I took VAE out and had an hour flight in the valley. Fantastic weather for training or motor glider flying and June Sterling as well as Alan Procter took advantage of the conditions in the Rotax Falke. It took Paul Troskie just a few minutes to do his conversion, too! Kevin Mitchell had a wonderful late afternoon flight in his DG400 and landed just as the sun set. Hans Sterling set off with Martin Grunert for a flight in his Stemme.
Work was being done in the hanger when Rudi, Michael Allen, Kelvin Holmwood and Nina Grunert took care of the AAI (old LS1) inspection on GHB. Thanks guys! They then took it out of the hanger and Kelvin did a few solo flights until sunset. Adriaan went whale watching in his Lambada, while Rudi flew in the tandem falke with Gerhard.
Thanks to Michael Allen who did his duty solo and handled it very competently, too.
Sunday was a very different picture and the predicted NW began fairly early. Jacobus Hartman was there early and gave a hand to Gareth in preparing GUC for a wave flight. Johan Gericke beat everyone with an early launch in GIG and throughout the day I heard him at various altitudes and changing to 119.7 as well! Gareth called at various points in the valley at 8.0’ as well as Ian Forbes in GLW. Hotel Bravo was taken to the ridge by Paul Cartnel as well as Kim Carter Brown and they both managed to stay up high for long flights with Grove Steyn and Fred Vernimmen. Gerhard Waller flew his Janus with a friend and had a wonderful flight, too. Unfortunately Adriaan and Adri’s wonderful flight in wave ended with a mishap on landing – sorry about that, Adriaan. It was very gusty at that point and we also had to stop tugging.
I had to leave early and collect a car at Stellenbosch airfield and, when I arrived there, I met William Whittaker doing a preflight on OHI. Wrong choice again, William. Longer wings and the north side of Vic Peak would have been the better option! I hope you enjoyed it, anyway!
For those who have not been coming to the field, you have been missing out on the best wave that we have had for a few years and it is there virtually every weekend!.
Remember that there WILL be flying on Wednesday at FAWC. (Weather permitting).
Dieter Eberbach is looking for a single seater glider that is not in use anymore for his displays at airshows. If anyone knows of anything available, please contact me.
All pilots are invited to a talk on weather by Steve Metcalfe at 6.30pm at Stellenbosch Flying Club on Monday the 21st August. RSVP Alison 082 728 7386. Snacks will be served.
Last but not least – remember the Gauntlet this Saturday at FAWC.
That reminds me……. no competition finishes over the Clubhouse as the Stork is on short finals once again. In two weeks time we are expecting the arrival of Kevin and Tombi Mitchell’s baby! Good luck, guys.
Until next time – happy flying.
Alison
Friday afternoon was such a beautiful evening at Worcester that I flew RMP for half an hour locally. The spectacular weather persisted on Saturday and not a breath of wind blew! I took VAE out and had an hour flight in the valley. Fantastic weather for training or motor glider flying and June Sterling as well as Alan Procter took advantage of the conditions in the Rotax Falke. It took Paul Troskie just a few minutes to do his conversion, too! Kevin Mitchell had a wonderful late afternoon flight in his DG400 and landed just as the sun set. Hans Sterling set off with Martin Grunert for a flight in his Stemme.
Work was being done in the hanger when Rudi, Michael Allen, Kelvin Holmwood and Nina Grunert took care of the AAI (old LS1) inspection on GHB. Thanks guys! They then took it out of the hanger and Kelvin did a few solo flights until sunset. Adriaan went whale watching in his Lambada, while Rudi flew in the tandem falke with Gerhard.
Thanks to Michael Allen who did his duty solo and handled it very competently, too.
Sunday was a very different picture and the predicted NW began fairly early. Jacobus Hartman was there early and gave a hand to Gareth in preparing GUC for a wave flight. Johan Gericke beat everyone with an early launch in GIG and throughout the day I heard him at various altitudes and changing to 119.7 as well! Gareth called at various points in the valley at 8.0’ as well as Ian Forbes in GLW. Hotel Bravo was taken to the ridge by Paul Cartnel as well as Kim Carter Brown and they both managed to stay up high for long flights with Grove Steyn and Fred Vernimmen. Gerhard Waller flew his Janus with a friend and had a wonderful flight, too. Unfortunately Adriaan and Adri’s wonderful flight in wave ended with a mishap on landing – sorry about that, Adriaan. It was very gusty at that point and we also had to stop tugging.
I had to leave early and collect a car at Stellenbosch airfield and, when I arrived there, I met William Whittaker doing a preflight on OHI. Wrong choice again, William. Longer wings and the north side of Vic Peak would have been the better option! I hope you enjoyed it, anyway!
For those who have not been coming to the field, you have been missing out on the best wave that we have had for a few years and it is there virtually every weekend!.
Remember that there WILL be flying on Wednesday at FAWC. (Weather permitting).
Dieter Eberbach is looking for a single seater glider that is not in use anymore for his displays at airshows. If anyone knows of anything available, please contact me.
All pilots are invited to a talk on weather by Steve Metcalfe at 6.30pm at Stellenbosch Flying Club on Monday the 21st August. RSVP Alison 082 728 7386. Snacks will be served.
Last but not least – remember the Gauntlet this Saturday at FAWC.
That reminds me……. no competition finishes over the Clubhouse as the Stork is on short finals once again. In two weeks time we are expecting the arrival of Kevin and Tombi Mitchell’s baby! Good luck, guys.
Until next time – happy flying.
Alison
posted by CGC Reporter at 7.8.06
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