Decision made...GNM is in it's trailer, the trailer is parked in the garage, the batteries are off the charger, I'm off the roster, and my logbook is closed until October. Summer is over...for another year.
And what average summer it's been...
Highlight was the second place in the National Club Class contest. I got to bank a cheque for gliding...only the second time I've managed that whilst gliding, the other was a month being paid to fly a Duo out of Omarama. Usually it's all about paying in...
Total gliding hours this summer - 65...fairly low by my standards.
So what's the plan for next year??
Well the multi-class Nationals are in Matamata in Feb. And the Club Class nationals will be in Omarama...could I squeeze both in??...not sure yet.
The 100km out and return record for a 15meter glider beckons...need to beat 164kph...or do the 100 kms in less than 36 minutes. I think it's possible on the Kaimai ridge...Kaimai Rd Crossing to the base of the Tirohia Spur (avoiding going out the Spur as that'll slow you down) and back. 101kms.
I will need to look for a very strong ridge day...so strong in fact that the tow-pilots will be reluctant to fly. Will need every once of water...100liters a side, 50 liters of drinking water, no loo stops for the preceeding 12 hours etc.
As I look out the window it's blue...blue blue blue...
Why??
If you look at the squiggly lines (although Maurice won't be able to as he hasn't mastered his computer...seems the photo's don't come up) the predicted temp for today crosses the dew point line on the LHS...no clouds to mark the thermals. Any thermals will top out at 4000ft maybe. The skinny blue line shows how warm it would need to be to get clouds...30 plus degrees...I don't think so.
And lastly, another bites the dust...or at least fails a medical. Seems one of our more educated tow-pilots, Contest Director, Duo rated glider pilot, past President (enough clues) has retirement on the horizon. I guess it catches up with all of us in the end. However it would give him more time to administer to the Club's finances, structure and rules, and build the membership - something that has flown under the radar (excuse the obvious slip) a bit in the last few years...that has to be a good thing.
I think reality is that this retiring ex everything is the principle reason why the club has not progressed at all in the last decade
ReplyDeleteI would suggest the new hanger and clubhouse somewhat flies in the face of this view...or put another way - "you are wrong"
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