The Alps have given and are still giving pilots great pleasure ! The always active German Sport Soldiers have their training camp in Lienz [Austria] since Wednesday .
Marco Barth , not long ago flying from the airport of Chaves, is one of “the soldiers” and he flew already on Wednesday 643 km. in the ASH 25.
After a few off-days, the weather improved and yesterday and today it should be better , at least that’s what’s expected/hoped for.
Don’t know about today but yesterday they flew around with 500 km. flights
Also around 700 km. flights by other guests flying in Lienz, as Alexander Müller.
Another group of German pilots is in Puimoisson and Patrick Gai, JWGC Champion in Rieti in 2007, flew himself to the OLC top with 725 km.[515 FAI triangle] in an ASH 31MI/21 m. last Friday.
And,…knowing that the weather would be good this weekend and seeing with my own eyes great cu’s yesterday, I hoped for fantastic flights ,…..but it is raining this morning with the promise from the meteo, that we should not doubt him; it will be a great spring day/afternoon with up to 22 dgr.
I was also sure that ” good things were happening” yesterday . But it was so-so. It started too late here , pilots still flew 350 with a start at 3 PM and p.e. in Lienz they struggled in the morning with the aftermath of the thunderstorms in the night, so late starts as well.
Calcinare in Italy had pretty good weather as Luca De Marchi topped the OLC list yesterday with 700 km, a declared 500 FAI triangle in it, [a speed record with 110.6 km.h. starting on a leg] in the 15 m. Ventus 2AX.
Not long ago I mentioned a very interesting movie on TV about the ladies in the RAF, working for ATA. On FB, Sandra shared a message about one of the ladies passing away,on FB, from the Magazine “Flyer” ;
I agree; WE SHOULD NOT FORGET THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR.
For that reason I share it with you.
Here is what was written and what a glorious picture;
—-“Maureen Dunlop de Popp, a pioneering female pilot, has passed away aged 91. Dunlop was a pilot with the WWII Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), one of the 164 femal…e pilots who transported planes between factories and military airfields. With the ATA, Dunlop mastered the controls of 28 different single-engine and 10 multi-engine aircraft types, which also included the Hawker Typhoon, Hawker Tempest, Avro Anson, Mustang, Bristol Blenheim and Vickers Wellington. Aside from her flying duties, Dunlop also became a wartime icon in 1944 with this photograph which was featured on the cover of Picture Post magazine, showing Dunlop leaving the cockpit of a Fairey Barracuda. The image is remembered for changing the perception of women who worked for the war effort.–“
Talking about the WW II, I went with my daughter to the musical Soldier of Orange[Soldaat van Oranje] last week, based on the autobiography of Eric Hazelhoff Roelfsema.
He, an aristocratic Dutch student was one of 6 ,who were totally not interested in politics but became heroes in the resistance or sadly lost their lives.
Only ONE word; MAGIC!!!!!!
It was in a hangar at the military airport of Valkenburg.
Can’t believe the guts from those students to help out in the resistance. I saw the movie , read the book but this musical, where we were sitting in the middle with about 1500 people and the audience was turning around on a big round scale, while the decors were firm built around the audience.
That way we “visited” the beach in Scheveningen, the rooms from the students , their society-building and we could look outside , as the doors from the hangar were opened, at a very old DC 3 bringing the former Queen back from London to Holland. Though it was sad as well, it was too impressive to say in words.
The young pilots will not know him, but it is good when they hear from him. Herbert Frehner died age 84. I met Herbert as the TC for the Swiss in the past and I met him in Anger. A wise and kind person and very down to earth.
He was one of the first European pilots flying in Australia and even visited Tocumwal.
In his later years he flew in Namibia [Bitterwasser] .
One of his close friends said: ” Today I received the very sad news of the passing of my good friend Herbert Frehner – 1931 – 2013 – Herb was a very important guy in my life – he invited me to Bitterwasser the first time which had an incredible positive effect and influence on my life – we flew together in GT at Bitterwasser for several years and became the best of friends – we shared incredible experiences in the air and on the ground – Herb was a very tough guy and took me on my first 1000 km flight -”
May he rest in peace!
Back to the present;more news for pilots who are going to fly the 17th EGC in Poland,Ostrow!
Please read through the news on the licence validation:
For those however who do not have their medical certificates according to EASA requirements, some additional exercises are needed.
As shared by the organisers.
On Mai 2 the new new TMA EHEH above the airport of Eindhoven here in Holland, will be active bringing a lot of changes , also for the glider pilots. On Thursday April 18 there will be an information evening organised by the Royal Air Force to inform everybody about the new rules, to make the change as smooth and safe as possible.[ from the newsletter KNVvL] The Dutch Nationals have been informed by the CD as well.
Yesterday the totally renovated RIJKSMUSEUM in Amsterdam [ www.rijksmuseum.nl ] has been opened for the public. It took TEN years , instead of the planned 4.5 year and a huge amount of money, [125 million MORE than planned!!!]but according to all who have seen it already it was worth every penny. A guruh-art-journalist from the USA , mentioned that this museum belongs now to the TOP 5 in the world. So when you visit Holland, you know where to go when you like ART.
The Belgium Junior Gliding Team is known; 3 pilots in the 2013 JWGC club class and 2 in standard class. The Dutch have 6 , 3 in each class and the German team has a few very experienced pilots; 4 of the 6 have flown the JWGC before .Young Matthew Scutter represents together with the brothers Mike and Nick Maddocks, Australia.
More news on the very typically -great- Katja -site; www.jwgc2013.eu
At this stage 85 young pilots from 22 countries, amongst them a few who have made name already in the senior WGC. Something to look ahead to between 28-07 and 10-8- 2013. AND,…11-08-2013 will be a reserve day if necessary.
By the way, the practical info about this competition is very clear and extensive.
The Preparations for the 9th JWGC in Narromine 2015 are in progress as well and you can enter now for JOEY glide to practise in the end of this year, the first 2 Aussies have entered the list.
http://www.joeyglide.com.au/index.php/contest-info/comp-entry
Also news about the juniors in my CAFE BLOG today!
Busy day today full of sport on TV, the Formula 1 in China, the Marathon from Rotterdam, the clash between the 2 soccer toppers Ajax and PSV and the one and only BIG race on the bike IN Holland , the Amstel Gold Race in the south of Holland. As the dry nice weather should arrive from the S. they should be OK.
And …….as I heard readers like the pictures I put a few on the top and below from one of my favourite soaring-photographers Kai Monkkonen. I know I have published them before but for the new readers it is nice to show them again.
Cheers Ritz
ritzdeluy@hotmail.com www.soaringcafe.com www.glidinginternational.com