On Sunday 5th June the club held a by invitation open day for those people who had notified us of their interest at the Warnervale Air Show and a few others who had been in contact with us.
Visitors were given a tour of our gliders followed by an operations and club information briefing. Fortunately our airstrip had dried out enough for winch launch operations provided we kept vehicles off the strip as much as possible. - so a decision was made to fly.
All visitors who wished to fly were treated to a free demonstration winch launch flight, enjoyed by all. A barbecue lunch was also provided to all who attended.
The wind was a fresh and progrssively strong North Westerly requiring care in launching and circuits - thus providing the visitors with how we can operate even in somewhat adverse conditions - as well as demonstrating the capability, challenge and fun of winch launching in a glider together with how precisely they can be controlled. They also were able to see the club member effort required to conduct a winch launch operation.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. A special thanks to those who safely and efficientlly ran the day, including duty pilot, winch drivers, cable retrieve drivers, pilots and the visitors themselves who provided manpower to push the glider down the airstrip as and when required.
Four of the visitors joined up on the day with a few more seriously considering joining.
Welcome to the sport of gliding to our new members.
Graeme Martin
CFI Central Coast Soaring Club