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Written by Steve Lunney
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Wednesday, 12 May 2010 |
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Despite the unintentional collision with Mother’s Day, (I really must
consult calendars other than the MAAA / Gliding calendars when choosing
dates!!) The aerotow day at the GMAA Dog Rocks field turned out to be
great.
Nine die hard scalies were able to persuade their womenfolk that they were superfluous to the home front and rolled up at the beautifully presented field at Dog Rocks road. GMAA president Colin brought along an interesting semi-scale Nimbus which used wing twisting for roll control. Colin had a great first flight (well the first for 16 years apparently!!), but unfortunately the second flight did not go so well. All pieces were retrieved and Colin suggests it will be ready to fly again in short order.
For some of us it was a weekend away as Neil, Henryk, Joel and myself decided to see if we could find some slope flying sites on the Saturday. We found a nice coastal site that just had enough in it for the light NW winds. It was a potentially challenging slope as the downhill landing area was very wet - as in the waters of Corio bay. Joel didn’t get too much flying in as he had a slight technical problem, needless to say we reminded him of it mercilessly. Anyway great fun was had and Joel went back home for the evening while we stayed at Portarlington and made great use of a local restaurant.
 Sunday dawned with light cloud and not a breath of wind. Great start for the aero towing we thinks. After getting some coffee in us we pack up and head for breakfast. Simple breakfast of a bacon and egg roll with more coffee fire us up and before you know it we are in the cars and on our way to Dog Rocks field. On arrival we find many of the local members there but only Anthony and Joel from the scalies group. Fortunately the locals have the fire going in the clubhouse, so we leisurely make our introductions and put the new Pugnee (DA 100L powered semi scale Pawnee) tug and some gliders together.
We received the obligatory local field rules briefing and then it was out to the runway with my Salto behind the Pugnee. Despite the blustery wind before you know it we have a line of models qued up and the serious towing begins. Whilst there were few good thermals initially some decent flights with achieved in the buoyant air.
 The GMAA club put on a well catered BBQ lunch so time to stop for a bit and let the locals have the airspace whilst the glider guys filled their bellies. The great facilities & welcomeness of the club members need to be experienced to be believed. If you get an invite to either of the GMAA fields do yourself a favour and go visit!
 Anyways, after a great feed and gasbag we get back out to fly again, I’m lucky enough to be at the front of the que again and what a great time to be there. In a short space of time we are all up there and Henryk (Tug duties) has shut down and is chatting back over at the clubhouse. How good is this lift! The early afternoon maintains the great conditions and 20+ minute flights becoming common.
 Highlights: Theo’s circuits, normally at about 4 inches AGL and seemingly happening much sooner than most other pilots. Neil and Henryk’s Pugnee taking off on its flight of the day without a huge torque rollout, me getting my canopy and cockpit insert back after a high speed inverted attempt at spastabatics. Joel spending the best part of three or 4 minuites looping his DG300
while still gaining altitude. Most pilots finishing their flights with the highly scale downwind beat-up with aerobatic manoeuvre of choice as part of the landing circuit. Tows up to at great height with just a short straight climb out (these tugs are getting strong now).
 Summary: Great club, great site, great weather, great people and great fun. Thanks to GMAA for allowing us use of their site, thanks to Neil, Henryk and Mark for bringing their tugs, and special thanks to Henryk who decided to tune up his flying of the new Pugnee rather than get out a glider which allowed the rest of us to have many flights.
Editors Note:
Thanks to Steve for organising the day (and the weekend).
Roll of honour
Pilot Model
Andy Smith Ka-6
Anthony Peate Lunak
Colin (GMAA President) Nimbus with wing twist!!
Henryk Kobylanski Pawnee (Pugnee) tug
Joel Pedder DG-300 (have you got that retract yet?)
Mark Hunt Yak Tug
Neil Spencer Ash-26
Steve Lunney Salto
Theo Arvanitakis Pilatus B4
Wayne Jones LS-4
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 May 2010 )
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