Dig this limerick!

Rob Tiffin, our energetic chairman, is offerring to remove soil excess and dig holes on the airfield for any who want or need it, prompting the following responses:

EY (Sven Olivier): Will pupils and other interested club members be allowed to attend and observe how one digs a hole for oneself? (I wonder whether Alan will do a limerick on this?)
;-)

X32 (Alan O'Regan):

Rob is our redoubtable chair
Undaunted he'll not turn a hair
He glides with flare
and occasional scare
But digs holes with an air of flair!

ID (Peter Farrell): I think you just coined a new nick name for Rob! "Flare & Scare Rob"

EY: But it could also be “Scare with flair Rob”

X32: Just goes to show that not even the hallowed committee are safe (from a little digg, that is).

That said, Rob, u da man! with the digger. And we all diggin’ it, bro!

Weekend Report: Windy visitors

Saturday was a beautiful winter’s day; no wind, calm, not cold and perfect for doing the odd job.

Friedrich Moolman continued with getting experience in gliders. He is a power pilot who bought an Apis motorglider so he has to get experience in motorless flight.
A visiting (professional) pilot in a Cubby was taken for a ride by Rico in GWU. They managed to stay up at Vic Peak for an hour; the longest flight of the day. The daughter of the Cubby pilot went for her first soaring flight in HB and very likely we will see her more here since Daddy also thinks that gliding is the way to learn “the ropes in aviation”.
The Sterling’s did some touch and go’s in ZF while Nicky and Sven used ZF for some practice. A perfect day herefor.

Sunday was a blow out as forecasted. We measured 100 kph wind speed.
Still some six members turned up. Phil and Martin took two visitors up in ZF for a flip. Most likely they are now so scared that they will never go for flips again.

Weekend Report: One launch weekend

With the forecast the way it was I was surprised to see a few faces out at FAWC on Saturday.

Rudi turned up to inspect his hanger and gliders and do some work as did Herbie who was doing some carpentry work in his hangar.

The weather was so foul that the duty pilot and instructors decided to call off operations early on Saturday. The airfield was waterlogged and the river was up to the cross runway fence again. So – no flying was done.

BUT

Sunday was a different story – we had one brave person take a launch! 100% more flying than Saturday. Great!

Johan Gericke was out at the field bright and early to do the Annual Inspection on GIG. So, assisted by Bill Griffiths, they worked in the cold, dark, clattery hanger until after lunch when the glider was rigged.

Bill then aerotowed Johan to Jan du Toit’s but he was unsuccessful in contacting the wave and flew back to the airfield.

That morning early, Ryno Oosthuisen arrived at the field to do his duty but was advised by Ed that there would be no flying due to the conditions being the same as the previous day. At this time the wind was gusting up to 60kph as well. So – once again – flying was cancelled.

Hopefully the weather will be better next weekend so – see you all then!

Alison

Weekend Report: So quiet even the duty pilots could not be heard!

Saturday saw a stable sunny autumn day. The Gauntleteers enthusiasm was accordingly. Alan was recovering at home and Sven as stand in was trying although sick with flu to get the show “off the ground”.
Peter F was the first to launch at 14.00 hrs and staid up for an hour at Vic Peak. Martin and Jaco in GOK were the longest in the air with 72 minutes on the Hexrivervalley side of the Audensberg where they found that a north easterly wind gave them lots of lift. Beautiful cumulus could be seen there. Unknown terrain and not for the inexperienced I would think.

Frans Moolman went solo. Well done. That did not take too long. Some 5 pax rides were made too while June S did her touch and go’s in GZF.

The day after a Gauntlet day is normally quiet but this Sunday was quieter than anything before. Both duty pilots did not turn up and especially that one person should show a bit of responsibility towards club matters. Grove turned up with some paxes and enjoyed the conditions. The cumulus were now over the valley and it was hot and humid like on a summer’s day on the Highveld just before the rain. Gareth had a long ride in GUC of more than 3 hours and was hoping that the north westerly wind forecasted would enable him to get out of the valley and on to the ridge. Alas, no wind and no rain so far this Sunday nite.