Latest news by Ritz on November 29 2006
Alphen aan den Rijn , The Netherlands.
It feels like spring here in Holland. Everything is “the hottest ever in history” . With temperatures between 12 and 18 dgr. it is not too bad to be in Holland now. I dislike the rain however and we have quite a lot of it.
In Europe it is more or less time for “looking after the gliders”, instead of gliding. After a great season they deserve to be pampered and to be prepared for hopefully another good season in 2007.
Lots of my friends have left with or without glider for sunny and good thermal-activity-places! For that you have to go to Australia, Africa but also New Zealand has sometimes good flying in their winter.
I have asked some of my friends who are flying in Australia and Africa , to give us their opinion about their soaring holiday and as soon as I have the stories I will place them for you to share.
In between the Tocumwal pilots are back on track. Their first inaugural weekend on the 25th and 26th was a success. Very symbolic; the first flight was made at 11 AM by Ingo Renner in the beautiful coloured Blanik and his passenger was : Bill Riley!!!!
Bill , in his eighties, managed to “hop” in the glider and fly around on a pretty hot day!The former owner and founder of the Sportavia Soaring Centre, which as you all know by now, DOES NOT exist anymore (sad enough!), started with this flight , a new beginning for the MBFC.( Murray Border Flying Club).As Bill and Ingo both were succesfull in their lives, I hope this succes will be felt in the new club. Good luck!!!
The day started at 10, when the Scout VH UTK landed at 36. It felt like it came back home. Benalla has bought this Scout on the auction on October 28 , but was happy enough to bring it back , to help the club to start flying. Thanks to the Benalla friends.
Several check flights have been done over the weekend. Also passengerflights and revalidation of instructor ratings. Busy enough for Ingo.Lunches and BBQ were provided for all guests and Judy Renner helped out there .
Hopefully the Maule will be ready next week and then, there is soaring in Tocumwal again. Hurray! A lot still has to be done but next season , I presume it will be great to fly there again certainly when you have or bring your own glider . As soon as Eddie starts his web site I will inform you and you can read what’s happening.
Sorry that I carry away a bit while writing about gliding in Tocumwal, but it has been my life for more then 10 years.Apologies, but I do not want to offend any other gliding club in the world.
In Italy they are going strong with the preparations for the Junior World comps. In Holland they are very busy with the preparations for the Nationals , which will be held in Germany. Every second year the Dutch pilots qualify for the toprankings in another country then their own. Mostly because of the weather. Till now they flew in France, this year it will be in Germany , close to Berlin;Stendal. Good place as preparation for the World Comps in Lusse in 2008 for 15 m ,18 m and open class.The competition is from May 17 till May 27 2007.
That’s it for now, keep reading, though I cannot promise to write every day as I am VERY busy!!! Cheers Ritz