IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A GLASS SHIP TO BE HAPPY!

Saturday July, 29th, was expected to be a cold day and I dressed warm being the tow pilot on duty. well, that was the plan. It turned out to be completely different - besides the temperature.

We started as usual not before 10 am. the wind picked up to 10 Kt from West. Initially, it was sky clear and only a few flights. Around lunch time the first CU's came alive, still with increasing winds from the West. After lunch I towed 6 ships, three of them private gliders and also Marlon, who just got his license a month ago. The the thermals all of the sudden got very strong and the ceiling increased to 6000 ft MSL.

The Grob was taken, so the last plane left was 809S - well, I got the high score - i thought I pulled it out to the east end and even got a student, Jim Robertson, who didn't fly this year and was crew. But there was not much traffic and he asked if he could get a flight. No problem. Chris Murawski, who took over tow pilot duty in the afternoon, towed us up straight into the wind.

Well, we started slow with 1-2 knots. Then, we moved West and while doing that we hit a big one and got up to 8000 ft MSL! the visibility was about 80+ NM and it was perfect.

Meanwhile Marlon got the message to land after 1:45 h flight with BOB, the 1-34. Capt. Miller waited for him to take him home in Mark and his new Pitts to the Anderson Airport.

Meanwhile I landed safely and Jim experienced his first flight to 8000 ft MSL in a glider in Alexandria. The private ships were still out enjoying the 7 Kt updraft.

For October 29th 2011, this was a total unexpected day and provided great pleasure to Marlon, myself - and hopefully Jim Robertson.

Just a quick note to everybody who thinks end of October is not worthwhile to come out and enjoy soaring.

Thanks again Larry for giving Marlon the "ride of the year". Truly 809S was my high score since I got a perfect soaring experience!

Sincerely,

Olaf Tessarzyk