Friday Slackers

During the flight tests last weekend, it was noted that the oil consumption in the towplane was getting a bit excessive.  A hasty arrangement was made with our new mechanic, Noah, and the L19 was delivered to Dean Memorial airport for some maintenance on Sunday after flying.

We expected to get the towplane back on Wednesday, which would be in plenty of time for the forecast good soaring weather on Friday.  In the end, however, there were delays and more things to fix than originally anticipated.  As the forecast for Friday got better and better, we stood by nervously as Noah, Andy, Mark, and Don worked on the L19.  It was finally back at Post Mills and ready to go on Thursday evening, and eleven Slackers got the word that Friday was a go.

The day started early, and we had four gliders in the air by noon.  It was difficult at first, with light winds and an uninspiring ribbon of blue sky along the river.  It wasn't too difficult for the high performance guys to glide out to the clouds to the west, but conditions were difficult around home.  Despite this, Jeff (505) managed to stay in the air for 1.5 hours at the beginning of the day.  He wasn't done yet.

We had a surplus of towpilots, and both Mark (PM) and Tim (BU) were able to go flying after towing.  They flew together between Lebanon and Moosilauke, giving Mark his first real taste of cross-country flight in a glider.

Moshe (RU) and Peter (HG) flew west to the Green Mountains.  Moshe came home via Franconia, and Peter reached 7500 feet after getting low near Bailey.  It was Peter's first 250 km flight.

Meanwhile, the conditions back home improved, and Dave B (NT) and Jeff (505, again) flew for 4h35 and 3h11 respectively.

Leslie (H) flew for five hours and 162 km in the Libelle.  He spent 45 minutes stuck at Dean on the way home, eventually landing there.

The longest flights of the day were achieved by Greg (JR), Shawn (SB), and Evan (T8).  Greg and Shawn flew together for 450 km, with turnpoints at Jay Peak, Old Speck, and Mount Ascutney.  Evan had the longest flight of the day (549 km).  He flew along the Canadian border from Jay all the way to Rangeley, Maine before heading back to Post Mills.

Weekend report August 15 - 16

 In addition to the successful flight tests over the weekend, we had a few more noteworthy flights.

On Saturday, Greg and Moshe (our notable test-prep instructors) wisely concluded that their work with applicants was done, and they went flying.  Greg (JR) flew a 514 km quadrilateral, with the first leg going southwest to Mount Snow, where he reached his high point (6800 feet) at 2:11pm.  He landed back home at 7pm.

Moshe (PM) showed up not planning to fly, but he was able to spend a couple of hours getting refamiliarized with the 304.  That makes 8 different glider types for him this year, all flying out of Post Mills.

Tim (BU) flew 226 km, including an out-and-return to Twin Mountain, and Evan (T8) took a late start and flew a South Carolina-shaped flight all over Vermont and New Hampshire (384 km).

Shawn (SB) flew with Greg for 300 km but was unable to make the last leg from Plymouth to Post Mills.  He arrived at Plymouth at 3000 feet, struggled there for a bit and eventually landed.

Kevin went to get him.  Shawn and Kevin were the only ones who missed the party and the beautiful sunset at Post Mills.

By comparison, Sunday was a quiet day.  Toby took his flight test in the morning, before anyone else arrived at the field.  Newly-soloed Mathias disappeared in the 2-33 for a couple of hours, and new member Phil Gerding flew PM for the first time.

Then the towplane went to Dean for maintenance, and we're hoping to get it back for some more flying before next weekend!