CAPE GLIDING CLUB

Weekend News

17th – 18th March 2012

Saturday 17th.

Duty Pilot: Dylan Evans/Clio v Petersdorff, Winchie: Hans Masche, Instructors William Whittaker, Martin Gruenert, Ari Cotton, A Exp Pilot: Hansie Masche

Visitors:- Young Falcons from Ysterplaats.

>The days flying: Preparations for the Young Falcons visit started already at 6.00 am with Johnny and Alison and also Chris taking the K13 gliders and the Start Wagon and Tractor out. In fact, by 7.30 all was ready for the visitors winching day. At 9.00 am the bus arrived and the team prepared for the first launch.

The Young Falcons flying was sponsored by CGC members. Thanks to the thirty members who each willingly sponsored one visitor flight at R100/ flight.

The launch-point was at the runway intersection on Rwy. 15W and this speeded up the operation considerably in that gliders, on landing, rolled up to the launch point without any retrieving being involved! In all a record 44 launches were accomplished. Careful driving by Hans Masche resulted in no cable breaks and both Hans and Jimmy (tractor driver) are to be thanked for making the event a success. Others members to be thanked are Ari and Alison for arranging and co-coordinating the event, Chris Hughes for lunch, Andre for fuel collection, Marisa for her enthusiasm at the launch point, Clio for keeping the timesheet, Rudi for making his Ka2 available, Hansie for volunteering to be an AE Pilot and many others in one way or another.

And from Bob Corbett:-

YOUNG FALCONS AIR EXPERIENCE DAY – Worcester Gliding Club

Saturday 17^th March 2012

Firstly it is important to thank the Worcester Gliding Club for their generosity, hospitality and enthusiasm displayed on Saturday. We, Cape Virtual have done this type of things a few times and have no doubts about what a wonderful thing it is. It is very heartening indeed to come across like minded people. Many thanks guys, you are heroes.

A bit of background is maybe in order; the Young Falcons are part the SAAF’s Siyandiza (we are flying) Program which is the spreading of the culture of flying to school-going children. Siyandiza concentrates on all learners of all ages; Young Falcons involves only Grade 10’s and 11’s. Each year, we at the Ysterplaat Young Falcons, recruit 30 new Grade 10’s to the program and they stay with us for two years. Thus we will have up to 60 Young Falcons on course at any one time.

The course closely follows the SPL route, both theory and flying plus the SAAF have thrown in some formative subjects like first-aid, HIV education, conflict resolution, marching and such. There are also a couple of fun “subjects” like fire fighting, dingy drill and paper plane design. Almost half of the course is flying on simulators. We use Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2004 and follow the course to Solo and in the second year a Virtual PPL test as laid down by the Association of Virtual Aviation in SA (Chapter 13 of the Aero Club), of which Cape Virtual is the Cape Chapter.

And that is why some of your pilots picked up that the kids actually knew what was going on and had a nice light touch on the controls. The Advanced Young Falcons (Grade 11’s) are presently busy practicing for their first VPPL circuit test late next month.

It was a blast having a go myself – thank you for that. Can’t believe it is 39 years since I was last in a glider. Special thanks to Hans, loved it and I think I will have to introduce more people to your passion.

Again, thanks very much Worcester Gliding Club, Alison and Ari for their dedication to the task at hand and for the eats. I am sure all would agree that it was a good day, well worth repeating next year, same time, same place. Fly safe,

Bob Corbett

The Young Falcons - Pictures taken by Werner Hoppe

For more pictures see the CGC website Photo Gallery)

Sunday 18th.

Duty Pilot was Bruce Condon and Tug Pilot Paul Bailey. Instructor. Sven Olivier

Visitors:

• Gerald Simmendinger from the Whangarei Gliding Club in North Island - New Zealand. Gerald had sailed his yacht from New Zealand to SA and it is presently moored in Hout Bay. He may leave it there for a while and fly to Germany where he will fly from his old club. He had a flight with Mike P.
• Anton Williams, who lived in Cape Town and now lives in France where he is a member of the Fayence G. C. near Niece. He flies and ASW 20 and a Discuss.

The Days Flying: Alison went for an early flight in flew her Grob and the only pupil was Marisa Naude. Others to fly were Alison in her Ka6 and Etienne Naude, Mike Pascoe Jonathan Cross, Stephan v d Berg, who is from M.G.C, and will be joining CGC soon and Kevin Mitchell. Kevin reports that he contacted wave and went to 8000 feet.

Jonathan reports:- “Blue skies, wind on the ground down the valley from the north and forecast to be westerly higher up. Towed to Victoria Peak, was working to 4600ft ASL at the time. Could not locate any wave. Transitioned to Apiesklip area. Turbulent but good lift. Moved round Waaihoek and towards Mostertshoek. Strong lift on this section. Conditions may have been good further north but had to leave the club at 5pm so returned to Victoria Peak and then the airfield. Very enjoyable Sunday afternoon”.

Some Pics taken by Jonon his flight:- See Table Mountain in the right hand picture.

STATE OF THE TUGS

MIV: New propeller will have to purchased as the damaged one is beyond repair.

GZF: Battery problems which should be fixed by the weekend.

DUTY ROSTER - MARCH

Date Duty Pilots Tug Pilots Instructors Winch Drivers

21^st Chris Hughes/ J Brutus Bailey Whittaker Human Rights Day

24th Ruan Joubert/ Marisa Frans Du Toit Nico le Roux

25th Werner Hoppe Rico Suter Clemence , Snyman, Mitchell BOY SCOUTS

News Letter compiled by Andre with contributions by Jon C. and Bob Corbett ( Young Falcons)

Refueling Hours

This Cell number should be available in the Start Wagon and the Duty Pilot should contact Ed. timeously to alert him of a pending re-fueling requirement.

Weekend Flying