From Doug LL:
GGC Members:
It was beautiful sunny day at Pendleton, with myriads of cumuli floating overhead, and this halcyon picture only slightly spoiled by the seasonal Autumnal winds. Nevertheless a few stalwart pilots ventured aloft, with instruction by Karl B and later Paul G. I ventured forth to aviate with newly qualified Glider Pilot, Roberto F to watch over his erstwhile instructor. The wind was breaking up what thermals remained and the first flight to 3,000 ft., just succeeded in maintaining that altitude for about 30 minutes before landing. A second flight to 2,000 ft., struck a lucky thermal which took us up to about 3,000 ft., when we intercepted a radio call that Tango Romeo had landed out just east a couple of kms from the village of Pendleton, and so we landed in order to rally together the small number of troops to retrieve an embarrassed John C.
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| Norm towing TR to trailer; nice field choice… |
The hitch on the L-33 trailer wouldn’t lock and so we took the ASK-13 traiIer behind my Subaru together with a load of cushions, etc. Norm F was able to tow TR out of the ploughed field gently with his SUV. Then, Norm, Jim McC, Roberto, John and myself de-rigged “TR’ and took the fuselage back to the Carpenter Shop first, and then returned for the wings and tail.
Well done John in executing a safe landing (his first off-site), and especially Norm F whose experience and expertise always enables a successful de-rig and retrieve exercise.
Regards,
Douglas
