Southern Cross Gliding Club
Amelia Steadman, 15 year old, was sent solo on Friday 22nd November in an ASK-21. Amelia has been learning to fly with Southern Cross Gliding Club and has been working hard at achieving this milestone in her flying career. Amelia is also an Australian Air Force Cadet in 323 Squadron, City of Blue Mountains. Congratulations, Solo Pilot, Amelia Steadman! Well done, this is just the start, of what I'm sure will be, your lifelong love of aviation.
Greg Dillon Southern Cross GC
Cameron completed his first solo on 16 December. Congratulations Cameron, flying solo is a defining moment for any pilot, demonstrating not just skill and training but also courage and determination.
Central Coast Soaring Club
Club members Paul Tridgell and Josh Davis arrived at the club to pack up the DG1001 to take to the NSW State Comps at Temora, only when they saw cumulus developing up to 8000ft, there was only one thing to do. Josh took off and flew under cloud streets to Hunter Valley Gliding Club to take the NSW Gliding Association 'Come and get it' trophy, which was recently picked up from Bathurst Soaring Club by Mick Webster. A quick pit stop and he was off. With a climb to almost 8000ft, above final glide by 3700ft, a high speed detour to Warnervale was in order. Arriving back with plenty of daylight left, the DG was quickly packed up and trophy deposited in the Central Coast clubhouse. All we can say is... come and get it!
Southern Tablelands Gliding Club
LEFT: Andrew Holor’s first solo at Carrick by winch on 6 December. He is photographed with Roger Browne his L3 Instructor prior to flight. Andrew had an exceptional day today. His second solo flight was a bit over an hour in duration with a height of over 8,000ft achieved. Nice work Andrew.
It was another top day at Carrick on 16 December with lift to over 9000ft. Lots of strong lift accompanied as usual by very strong sink and so you either got away or you were back on the ground within 5 minutes. Phil Glasson returned to Carrick after 14 years away and enjoyed almost an hour in the Janus, ‘GeeWizz’ with Andrew Edwards
Tocumwal Soaring Centre
Big congratulations to father and son team, Dave and Jack who both went solo on 14 December and transitioned into the PW5. Both having achieved their A and B certificates in the process. There will be a bit of competitive discussions around the dinner table we look forward to setting them loose in the LS4’s together.
Hunter Valley Gliding Club was well represented at Narromine Cup with 11 members attending all working together to achieve their own personal goals. Special thank you to the Narromine club for hosting and to Beryl for organising and running the event.
Gliding Club of WA
The Christmas party was enjoyed by all with free flowing drinks and wonderful food.
It has been a difficult year at GCWA with engine problems, airfield closures and Pawnee ADs. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from President Stuart Usher and the GCWA committee.
VINTAGE
At the Australian Gliding Museum Work has progressed steadily on the Schneider ES-56 Nymph. Here's a shot of the fuselage, from a few weeks ago, after the fabric has been stripped and some repair work done to the plywood.
Southern Cross Gliding Club Congratulations Melysha 333kms Diamond Goal flying an LS4 flying from Cootamundra on 31 December.
LIBELLE GATHERING
The Libelle Regatta took place at Gawler 15 - 18 November. The weekend was very hot and windy and unflyable. There were tasks set on the Friday and Monday. The event was a success and everyone who took part had a great time. It was fantastic to see the fleet of Libelle’s on display.
You can see video of the Libelle above in flight at
tinyurl.com/LibelleRegatta
