After two weekends of false starts, in which we tried valiantly to find the right combination of weather, surface conditions, and volunteers, we finally were able to get out of the hangars and onto the tiedowns on April 16. The weather was great both days of the weekend.
Club members showed up early on Saturday and assembled the Blanik, the 2-33 and 1-23 in plenty of time to go flying. Thanks to the Slackers, the towplane was already checked out for the season, and we were able to make 18 flights on the first official day of operations!
Most of the flying was comprised of annual check rides and introductory flights for new members, although Dan (EA) and Greg (JD) were able to go off and sample the early Spring conditions in the White Mountains. Mark (HG), who still thinks that OLC is just a fad, had his first flight of the year in his glider.
In the meantime, Evan got a full dose of instructing as he accompanied both old (above) and new members. Here he is signing the logbook of new member Eric Woudenberg. You can tell he's new at this instructing gig, because he still has to look at his CFI certificate for the number. Eric is already a glider pilot, so he should fit right in.
We were also pleased to welcome new student pilots Sam Freihofer and Iver Hulleberg to the Club. They have already had a couple of flights each, and they seem to like it, so far.
Before the day was over, Dennis, Paul, Sonny, Willy, Lane, and Gregg Ballou were returned to flying status. Gregg is active with the Club again, which is good news because we still need more CFIs.
Tim towed all day Saturday.
On Sunday it was more of the same. Sixteen flights, including Moshe's first flight in PM, and flights by DC, EA, AT, and JD, all of whom struggled to stay in the air earlier in the day. Willy had a couple of solos, and we gave introductory flights to Mark Sullivan and Rick Sayles, both of whom are power pilots looking for something more interesting to do. Andy towed all day.
All in all, it was a great kickoff weekend. Special thanks to Tim and Greg who postponed their own flying to give rides.
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