Weekend Report: Course goes well
The course ended on Friday on a high note with Andre Stander and Robert Bedford both going Solo! Well done to both of you!!
Many, many thanks to Fred Vernimmen who was absolutely marvelous in running the course and his tireless efforts in giving the students all his attention until late every evening. All the preparation in the lectures for every night after dinner! Marion Cole was incredible in running operations on the runway every day despite the heat and the horse-flies. Her sense of humour and ability to keep the show on the road endeared her to all at the launch point.
Thanks to all the instructors and tug pilots – especially Nina; Ed who managed the administration, and Hans Sterling who loaned us his projector.
After everyone had gone home, the airfield was a little quiet and Saturday dawned with a strong NW which increased until we were eventually blown out. Some of the “team” arrived but it really was a “no go”. After lunch Rico very bravely, with Sven, took off in the DG in a wind which I estimated to be around 65 – 70kph! And gusty! They did not stay up very long as they did not manage to contact the wave.
Much maintenance was happening in the various hangers during the afternoon – Bill and Johnny with Bill’s G109, Kevin, Jerry and Alvin with Kevin’s DG, Alvin with GUC, Dave and Hubert with their gliders and Rudi helping out as well. A busy day on the ground.
Sunday was a Classic wave day. The NW had abated a little making it possible to take GHB out of the hanger. GOK was first flown by Alan O’Regan and Sam, then it was taken into wave by Jacobus who flew for close on 2 hours. (He must have had a wonderful time as one of his radio calls was “Yeehaaa”) Michael Allen and Wally flew GHB in wave for over an hour and then Andre Stander flew with Wally in GHB as well. He said that the ridge was working so well that, after 2 passes, they were at 6500ft and then pushed forward into the wave over Rawsonville.
Alan Procter had a flight in GIG but, by that time, the wind was dropping and he was not as fortunate to find wave.
Those who did not come out to Worcester really missed excellent wave conditions.
Remember the gauntlet and the Potjie on Saturday and remember to book with Wally!!
See you next weekend.
Alison
Many, many thanks to Fred Vernimmen who was absolutely marvelous in running the course and his tireless efforts in giving the students all his attention until late every evening. All the preparation in the lectures for every night after dinner! Marion Cole was incredible in running operations on the runway every day despite the heat and the horse-flies. Her sense of humour and ability to keep the show on the road endeared her to all at the launch point.
Thanks to all the instructors and tug pilots – especially Nina; Ed who managed the administration, and Hans Sterling who loaned us his projector.
After everyone had gone home, the airfield was a little quiet and Saturday dawned with a strong NW which increased until we were eventually blown out. Some of the “team” arrived but it really was a “no go”. After lunch Rico very bravely, with Sven, took off in the DG in a wind which I estimated to be around 65 – 70kph! And gusty! They did not stay up very long as they did not manage to contact the wave.
Much maintenance was happening in the various hangers during the afternoon – Bill and Johnny with Bill’s G109, Kevin, Jerry and Alvin with Kevin’s DG, Alvin with GUC, Dave and Hubert with their gliders and Rudi helping out as well. A busy day on the ground.
Sunday was a Classic wave day. The NW had abated a little making it possible to take GHB out of the hanger. GOK was first flown by Alan O’Regan and Sam, then it was taken into wave by Jacobus who flew for close on 2 hours. (He must have had a wonderful time as one of his radio calls was “Yeehaaa”) Michael Allen and Wally flew GHB in wave for over an hour and then Andre Stander flew with Wally in GHB as well. He said that the ridge was working so well that, after 2 passes, they were at 6500ft and then pushed forward into the wave over Rawsonville.
Alan Procter had a flight in GIG but, by that time, the wind was dropping and he was not as fortunate to find wave.
Those who did not come out to Worcester really missed excellent wave conditions.
Remember the gauntlet and the Potjie on Saturday and remember to book with Wally!!
See you next weekend.
Alison
posted by CGC Reporter at 2.10.06
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