Hello gliding enthusiasts, as you have probably guessed, writing and keeping an updated web page is not my strong point. I am once again in New Zealand for the southern winter. The weather has been quite typical, warm, little rain with a mix of thermal and wave conditions. I haven't done as much flying as i would like but have been enjoying the relaxing time before our northern summer season ahead.
I anticipate a very busy year with many students that have soloed last season, or nearly ready to solo. With the addition of the S-126 to the club fleet, I suspect a rapid increase in student activity.
There will be some new faces, including Joe Gegenbaurer who, last fall, bought a very nice property next to the Windermere golf course. His wife Judy and he will fit in nicely to the crowd at Invermere. If we talk nicely to him, maybe he will help us out with instructing while not flying his ASW 20. Joe is a retired 767 captain, long time (since 15, I think) glider pilot, and tow-pilot as well.
Ernst will be back to Invermere regularly. He has given up on the rat race of Ontario, and re-embraced the mountains that he left behind. Ernst will have some tremendous new toys to play with this year, such as his Apis motor glider. Two have been sold to Canadian pilots, Mike Stoussel, one of our club members, being one. Ernst will also take deliverey of his new Discus 2ct in the spring...can't wait to get my hands on that machine!
I have been promoting our area to the countless visiting pilots I have met here in NZ, with many promising visits in the near future. The secret is out, but with our remote location and limited facility, I don't fear that we will be overrun by guests, but will be able to look forward to meeting pilots from all over the world.
I am looking forward as well to meeting everyone who plans a visit here, past members, new members, students, and partners of, let's have a great year! Trevor
Up and Running for 2005
After a long break in New Zealand, mostly enjoying the hospitality and the soaring at Omarama, I am back! Many challenges were to face me in the upcoming weeks. I would have to kick to life the tow-plane, which was pickled last fall, rig and prepare all the gl;iders for the season, and plan and execute all the improvements for the 2005 season.
One of these improvements was an upgrade on the power supply. In previous years we all relied on a single 50 amp circuit. This being quite inadequate, last fall I had my own power line buried. All that was needed now was to connect the office and clubhouse to those mains. With the help of Ray Perino we looked after that chore in good fashion.
The next planned improvement was a new toilet facility. It had always been a tense issue if someone tied up the washroom with a long shower; causing a line of cross-legged pilots to line up outside. Mike, tow-pilot from New Zealand, worked very hard on this project, taking much pride in making this a first class facility. Sanding and painting like a pro, he had the washroom finished in time for the May long week-end....what a relief!
On the flying side of things; April produced some fine weather, very convective and very cold up high. Unfortunately the middle two weeks of May have had some traditional spring wet weather; The grass is growing well. We hope that the early conditions are over now and it is time to get to some proper mountain cross-country soaring.
Many visitors have planned to spend time here this year; among them, Justin, who makes an anual pilgrimage here will compete in the Canadian Nationals. He will make a breif stop to pick up Mel's Discus 2 which Mel very generously supplied for Justin to fly then he is off to Claresholm. Karl Stiedeck will arrive late June with John Good and a group of US pilots with them. Brad Edwards, Austrailian 15 meter champion will also come and sample the mountains here late June. Again there will be a host of musicians which Bryan Deans has encouraged to come and play for everyone. This has become a very popular tradition, listening to these young talented players is truly awesome.
I have to get flying now, and will try to up-date my site a little more regular than I have...If I don't it only means the flying has been so good there is no more time left in the day. Good luck with all your goals this season, hope you can make it to Invermere, cheers, Trevor
springtime in the rockies
year In Review
We were blessed with an unusually good April in which many flights were done; training flights, currency and some cross-country flights as well. Some of last year’s students came out of hibernation to get checked and stretch their wings. Keith who received his license last fall, re-established his link with the PW5, Martin Izod re-soloed, Matt stuck his wings on his “19”, Ray and Evelyne flew their PW5’s and I had the Duo in the air by the 17th of April. Blaine Moore, who, over the winter purchased the only (I think) Dart in Canada, installed his new canopy and flew it, for the first time. I then flew it, as did Matt and we all found it to be quite a nice glider
way to go Diana
first new solo of the year
May brought some mixed weather, the “weatherman”, Brad, who was back this year for an extended period, and also a lot of memories. Devin, Diana, and Grant. started training at this time. Diana later went solo on the 9th of July during her next visit here.
Uwe visits
Uwe, former owner of the gliding center in Golden, visited us from California. He flew the PW5 and Golden was calling as he landed there a couple hours later and called for the tow-plane for retrieve.
