(Reposted) Wisdom of the Elders

Recycling an old post - for the benefit of our newer members:

One of the perks of being state record keeper is having access to the old soaring records. I've spent some time organizing these files lately (and entering them into the database on the SSA server) and I found this observation in a faded old document:

It is interesting to note that in this part of the country the high bases, strong winds, and good visibility occur in May and early June. Unfortunately a great many pilots are not mentally ready and physically equipped at this early stage of the soaring season to take advantage of the best weather. This results in fewer really good flights being made and a reduced number of record attempts.

CFIG Joseph N. Bearden Jr. wrote those words in a record application for a flight made on 4 May 1968. It was a Senior Class absolute altitude record flight to 10341'.

Fwd: No Thursday or Friday Flying (May 1 and 2)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ZASoars
Fellow Pilots ,

I've checked a number of forecasts and unfortuanately the weather will
not be good enough for safe operations tomorrow or Friday . Basically
the winds will be too strong ( 15 -25 out of the south , and higher at
altitude ) .
Regrettably I don't believe we will be able to fly safely . Thanks
Lynn for offering to tow - maybe next time !

ZA.

Fwd: Flying this week ? (UPDATED)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ZASoars
Looking ahead it seems to me that Thursday may be a reasonable soaring
day . Any interest in putting a day together - or does anyone think
one of the other days may be a better bet ?

Let me know and I'll try get us a tow pilot if there's enough interest .

ZA.

UPDATE:

Fellow Pilots ,

There was good interest expressed for flying on Thursday . However it now looks like we will be under the influence of an approaching warm front that day and forecast conditions do not look good ( especially strong winds aloft ). If things change for the good I'll let you all know as we have a tow pilot who has volunteered .
Your comments welcome .

ZA.

Auction Action

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ZASoars

Many thanks to all the members who helped at the Airport Auction today
. Marty and crew did a first class job of traffic control and security
management at the field !
As a result of members advice and encouragement the club has acquired
many VERY useful items at extremely favorable prices. Kurt obviously
missed his calling as his uncanny abilities at knowing when to raise
'em and when to fold 'em in the bidding game proved he was the best by
far the club had to offer when it came to spending our funds well !
Thanks also to those who stayed to the bitter end to clean up and get
things ready for some flying tomorrow .
I believe most will be very appreciative of the much needed items that
the club now owns after the auction .

ZA.

Saturday Flying To Start Late (If At All)

Because of the auction at the airport, flying operations on Saturday, August 26 will be delayed. We'll get the aircraft out and fly (weather permitting) after the auction is over, but not before.

The auction will last at least until early afternoon. There may be a large crowd.

The CISS duty crew will be there at the usual time in the morning to help out with crowd control and to safeguard CISS property.

UPDATE: The weather forecast doesn't sound too promising:

Today: Showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. High near 64. West wind between 14 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

CISS In The OLC

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ZASoars

Our club is doing quite well this year in the OLC (On Line Contest )
in the world .

As of today we are :
345 th place in the World ( The Southern Hemisphere countries have had
a whole summer already )
37 th place in the United States ( ahead of some very good clubs too )
2 nd in our region ( Region 6 ) . Caesar Creek members have filed 21
flights compared to our measly 16 !

We can definitely improve our standings provided we file more flights
. If you need help doing this contact Ron or Mario or Tod or some of
the other pilots who have been filing their flights . Onward and
Upward !

Ron (ZA)..

Vacuum needed

The Club needs a vacuum cleaner for the carpet in the office. If you have an old upright you'd like to donate - we would appreciate it. Contact Kurt Ristow and bring it to the airport when you come next.

George

Fwd: Monday soaring

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ZASoars

Fellow Pilots ,

Tomorrow , Monday April 21 should be a whole lot better than either of
the weekend days just past ( I have looked at the forecasts ). Larry
Miller has kindly agreed to tow beginning at 12 noon.

Come on out to our new airport and soar with us if you can !

ZA. .

No Flying Saturday

I don't think this would be a good day to be our first day at OUR new airport. 50-70 % rain and high of 57. It's unlikely we'll be able to get the equipment out and have it out long enough to launch even for take off and landing practice. See you tomorrow for the official celebration and cook-out!Marty

The Earth Moved

Did you feel the earthquake this morning? It woke me up, and I heard things rattling around on the bookshelves.

The dog was extremely concerned, but he was determined to protect his people from the big bad earthquake trying to get into the house.