2008 Edition - GGC Lobster Party

Once again we hosted our annual lobster party. As you can see, the kids were getting right into the festivities while the "grown-ups" looked after the cooking and spraying the cooking fires to keep the pots from boiling over.

Well, and the "grown-ups" also found that spraying each other would also help keep themselves cool...even though glider pilots don't need water to be cool...

Cheers,

Roger

New Solo & Back to Basics

Saturday 14 June didn't look like a promising day with overcast leaden skies and haze and mist around the horizon but Denis, a Boeing 747 Flight Engineer, and owner of a Cessna 172, was 'put through the wringer' by Doug and set free for 25 minute solo flight.

Not content with one major event for the day, Doug then had the pleasure of a couple of flights, as ballast and safety pilot, with our former GGC President, statesman, and general club maestro, Ray, who after his recent year's experience flying his Ultralight, hasn't forgotten a thing about flying without a motor.

Special thanks to Mark for the tows.

Cheers,

Doug L-L

GGC at Vintage Wings

Early on June 7th, an intrepid group of GGC pilots launched from Pendleton to participate in the 2008 edition of the Vintage Wings fun day at Gatineau airport. Andrew, Doug and Martin gave visitors the grand tour of the Puchacz and explained the virtues of our “environmentally friendly” sport.

After a long day in the sun (and +30 degree C temperatures), QIH (our trusty Citabria) pulled our aviators back to Pendleton for a well deserved refreshment (or two!). Thanks to everyone who helped make our display such a success!

Cheers,

Roger
(Photos J.M Gagnon)

Clubhouse Exterior TBO - 17 Years

The exterior of our clubhouse has been the focus of some intense TLC over the last few weeks as it was time to sand and re-stain the exterior wood after 17 years of Eastern Ontario winters. The first wave of sanding lead by Greg and Brenda got things ready two weeks ago.

After looking at a less than pleasant weekend weather forecast, Dan put the staining bug in everyone’s ear and by Saturday Martin had gathered the work materials and volunteers started showing up. By the end of the day Sunday, work was well underway with most of the front and back of the clubhouse being completed.

We are still a few weekends away from completing so stay tuned for pictures later this season of the finished product.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in.

Cheers,

Roger

(Photos: Dan Duclos)

There is no Shame in Landing Out - MayFly 2008

This was the phrase chanted by all pilots at every daily briefing of the GGC MayFly contest. 11 pilots from three local gliding clubs (and of course GGC) flew in the 10th anniversary edition of MayFly.

Three flying days out of a 4 day contest! Listening to the weather forecast on the Thursday before the May long weekend contest you would have thought that we would have been rained out. However, glider pilot enthusiasm and careful launch timing allowed us to fly for three days.

The top three pilots:
#1 Tim Forbes (RVSS)
#2 Team Jantar (GGC Remi & Karl)
#3 Udo Rumpf

Flights were reviewed every night and a do it yourself grill was the order of the day for Saturday evening.

The pictures say it all...

Mid-Week Flying Underway for 2008

Mid-week flying at GGC is back in full form for 2008.
Today saw three more GGC pilots receiving their annual check flights. By early afternoon, thermals were producing average climb rates of 6 kts.







Doug, Remi and Karl each managed 3 hour flights topping out at over 7000 ft. Smiles were the order of the day (pictures don’t lie). Spring flying at it’s best! We even managed to get the Jantar rigged and ready to go.

Quite an impressive flying day…and it’s only April!

Cheers,
Roger

2008 Flying Season is Underway!

The Boudrealt hangar was emptied on Saturday and tow pilot checkouts were started by Wolfgang. Both the Pawnee and Citabria ready to go.
The Puchacz and both L33s were also rigged and they are ready to go. Only the Jantar is left to rig as the ASK-13 stayed rigged during the winter.

Annual glider pilot checkouts started on Sunday using both the ASK-13 and Puchacz.

As you can see the weather was great (+25C) but it was a study of contrasts as much of the campground and steps to the clubhouse were still under a foot of snow. As you can see, the snow did not keep Doug from arriving at the hangar dressed for the summer.

Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday for the unpacking and rigging.