Count down to 2009

Young Sam was back again today for more flying with Eddie in the Blanik. We look forward to seeing him back again next year. Great to see Tony, Wendy, Larissa and Mark who flew in from Horsham for the day. Tony spent some time with Eddie gliding, Mark with Tim tugging and the girls put their feet up! It was also terrific to see Ian who will be back on the long weekend to do some towing. Vasant (above) continued his training with Eddie. Kari, Richard and Terry enjoyed their flights this afternoon. Believe it or not the boys (below) still had time for a chat about the benefits of the EuroFox!! Enjoy your evening as the countdown to 2009 begins.

Farewell Hirotaka and Hiroko

Farewell to Hirotaka and Hiroko who head back to Japan tomorrow. Hirotaka enjoyed a flight in the LS4 this afternoon even though the weather was marginal. Bryan (above) was really happy with his scenic flight - a 70th birthday gift from wife Kaye and family. Sam (below) from Hungary was back again for more flying with Eddie in the Blanik. He even asked Dad, John could he have a third flight tomorrow pleeease!! Just after morning tea Eddie took Neil for his first flight in the EuroFox. Neil was impressed and hopes to be back in the near future for more flying. Richard was kept busy tugging in the EuroFox this afternoon as Vasant continued his training with Eddie. Tim, Laurel and Kari headed off this morning for a visit to Corrowa. They enjoyed meeting up with friends including Harry, Francesco, Gretcha and their gorgeous family.

Congratulations Hiroko!!

Congratulations to Hiroko (above) who flew 376 kms today in extremely difficult conditions. Tocumwal, Grong-Grong, Jerilderie and home. Go girl!! Stephan and David also flew. Young Sam who had two scenic flights last season was back again today for another before he heads home to Hungary. Vasant enjoyed instruction with Eddie in the Blanik and later went for a flight with Richard in the EuroFox. Great to see Neil (Dad of Bracey & Tim) who is here for a few days.

Welcome to Hirotaka, Hiroko and Stephan

A big welcome to Hirotaka and Hiroko who are here for three days flying (middle picture). Also welcome to Stephan on a short stop over. David (pictured with grandson Toby) enjoyed a scenic flight with Eddie in the Blanik this morning. Simon (above) also had a great time flying with Eddie. He would like more Christmas (and Birthday) presents of the same please Trish!! Tim, Bob, Kari, Chris, Richard and Terry made the most of the conditions with good flights. Great to see Glenda and Graham who flew in for cuppa this afternoon and hope to be back on New Years Day. Bill and Jake took the opportunity when everyone was launched to spend an hour or so soaring in the Blanik.

Great day for soaring!!

Paul (above) from Kyabram had an early start this morning with Eddie instructing in the Savannah. Paul flew over with Dad Neil. Great to see Denise and sons Bart and Will (below)who enjoyed scenic flights with Eddie in the Blanik. Denise and boys are staying with Val and Bill for a few days. Farewell to Mads and welcome to Tim & Laurel who arrived this morning. Both Tim and Richard had great flights this afternoon with cloud base of 11,500 and light winds. Jamie also took advantage of the great conditions this afternoon to take some of his friends from Cootamundra soaring.

500 kms for Mads

Congratulations to Mads who completed 500 k's yesterday flying to Grong-Grong, then Hay and home. Fantastic effort!! Bob and Kari also had good flights of over 400 km . Richard completed 365 kms and Chris enjoyed some local flying.

Merry Christmas

We have had a lovely evening with family and friends celebrating Christmas. Eddie and Cheryl would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers and friends both overseas and in Australia a very Merry Christmas.

Only 2 sleeps till Christmas!!

Hang glider pilot Phil continued his training in the Blanik with Eddie this afternoon. Bill and Simon (now an A330 pilot) headed off in the EuroFox for a few circuits. Weather marginal for gliding. Moderate wind from the south with the high pressure capping the thermals.

Richard loves the EuroFox!!

Congratulations to Richard on his EuroFox endorsement today. Bracy returned from Horsham Aviation this evening with the 100 hourly inspection complete. Chris, Mads and Kari all enjoyed flights this afternoon. Temp. at 1500hrs 35.1

Only 4 sleeps till Christmas!

Top temp. at 1500hrs 28.9. Busy day. Lovely to see Lyn, James and Isabeau this morning. Lew and Roger both did their Level one instructor ratings with Eddie late morning. Phil did a bit more training in the Blanik this afternoon. Bracey headed off in the Maule to Horsham for its' 100 hourly inspection. Mat from Lilydale had a good flight in IIE. Bob, Richard, Donald, Chris and Kari also flew this afternoon. Mads picked a good spot to outland near the Rock with Eddie doing the retrieve in the EuroFox. When Eddie returned he and Chris quickly got to work washing all the grasshoppers off while Richard supervised!! Thanks to Jake and Bill for their great help today.

Weather improving!!

Kari did well today with a flight of around 350kms heading to the Rock and then Grong Grong and home. Welcome to Mads from Baccus Mash who has joined us for a few days flying and great to see Nicole and Richard. Bob, Mads and David all enjoyed the improved weather this afternoon with good flights.

Joe and Ingo go cross country

Joe and Ingo headed off early this afternoon in the Blanik but the pressing weather forced them to land near Berrigan. Not long after making it back to Toc via retrieve the rain came down (again!!). Joe enjoyed the flight nevertheless. Ingo said that even the best outland!

Mr Wang flies solo

Congratulations to Mr Wang who flew solo in the Blanik today. Fantastic effort!! A short break in the weather this afternoon produced ideal conditions for Mr Wang's solo. Mr Wang and photographer/film maker Hong Hai leave this evening for Melbourne then back home to China tomorrow. They both hope to be back in January 2009. A big welcome to Kari who has been busy preparing for the next six weeks of flying JJ.

Juerg flies 473kms

This morning Juerg flew to Corrowa, then Ardlethan, Narrandera and Jerilderie landing back home in Toc at 19:08hrs. Fantastic effort in sub-optimal conditions! Eddie and Hong Hai spent some time in the EuroFox in preparation for tomorrow's photographic shoot. Mr Wang continued instruction with Ingo in the Blanik while Neil and Michael enjoyed short flights this afternoon.

Making the most of every opportunity

On Thursday evening we said goodbye to Andrew who now hopes to be coming back later this season. Friday saw the rain come down. The rough and windy weather continued until the middle of this afternoon when a small window opened for flying. Mr Wang and Ingo made the most of this opportunity with four quick flights.

Farewell Andrew

This evening we are all having a farewell dinner with Andrew as he heads back to China tomorrow. We look forward to his return next year. Conditions improving with Jari, David, Neil, Keith Jeurg and Andrew all having good flights. Mr Wang and Ingo were practising spins with the camera on the tail of the Blanik. Should be interesting to see the results! Top temp at 1500hrs 30.1.

David tries out EuroFox

Bill had a very busy time in the Maule today.Ingo and Mr Wang continued training in XA. Jari, Bob, Neil and Andrew took to the skies with conditions marginal . Blue day - thermals to 5000'. Great to see Neil and David call in. Bill took David flying in the new EuroFox late this afternoon. David absolutely loved it!!

500 kms for Jari

Welcome to Mr Wang and Hong Hai who arrived today. Hong Hai is the official photographer for Mr Wang. He is hoping to get some good shots of Mr Wang and Andrew flying in the next few days. Congratulations to Jari who headed to West Wylong completing a 500km task. Frank has returned hoping for better weather. Terry and Bob made the most of a less than ordinary day. Pam and Brendan enjoyed scenic flights late this morning with Ingo in the Blanik.

Farewell Ralph

Bill and Jake were kept very busy with launches today. Neil had his first flight for the season in Uniform Echo while Lothar continued his instructor training with Eddie in the Blanik. Farewell to Ralph who enjoyed his last flight at Tocumwal before heading back home tomorrow morning. Grant took advantage of being home alone and also headed skyward. Good to see Neil, Glenda and Dieter who dropped in for a cuppa this afternoon. Also, Michael Summers who called in for a chat with Eddie to see how things were going.

A suprise day

The day started with rain showers at 6am and overcast. At 7am the trough cleared to the East with cumulus starting to form at about 10:30am. Ingo and Jari made the most of the day with an early start. The cloud base slowly climbed all day eventually settling at 10,000 feet in the late afternoon. Ralph and Andrew enjoyed flying out towards Lockhart. Bob and Terry also had good flights. Jari went to Hay, Rankin Springs, Urana and home. Ingo has just landed at 2000hrs. It was a pleasant suprise to see the Danish contingent from Corrowa driving to visit us in such good flying conditions! Farewell to Jing who now heads back to Beijing after her first gliding experience. Temp. at 1500hrs 31.2.

Andrew flies Silver C Distance

This morning we farewelled Mr Jim Taylor at a graveside service at the Tocumwal cemetry. It was a fitting tribute to Jim as the eulogy was being read to see Juliet Juliet gently circling above. Thank you Jari. Jari continued on to have another great flight of over 700kms heading to Hopetown then Swanhill, Balranald and home. Ralph and Bob enjoyed flying locally. Ingo had a late start this afternoon and is still out at present. Congratulations to Andrew who flew his Silver C Distance today. Unfortunately he didn't quite make it back to Tocumwal. Excellent choice for outlanding with Bill and Eddie doing the retrieval from Berrigan Airport. Good to see David who called in today to check out the new EuroFox. Top temp. 24.6

Excellent conditions!

Nice conditions - thermals up to 7500'. Wind 270/5 knots with 2/8 of Cu. Jari flew approximately 700km to Hopetown then to Corrowa and back. Andrew and Ralph spent the day flying locally. Top temp. 24.2 at 1500hrs.

Jari flies 400kms

Jari had a great 400km flight today with conditions better than expected. Tomorrow maybe an earlier start. Ralph also enjoyed local flying. A big welcome to Jing from Beijing who had her first flight today with Ingo in the Blanik. Andrew continued with post solo training. Top temp. 22.3 degrees

Another 300kms for Arts and farewell

Arts completed another 300kms flying to Belfrayden and back today. Great effort! This evening Eddie and Arts enjoyed observing the local Koalas. Tomorrow we say goodbye to Arts as he heads back to Japan. Hopefully next visit the soaring conditions will be better. Andrew continued instruction with Ingo this morning then went solo in the afternoon- Terrific!! Ralph, Jari, Bob, Peter, Hana and Rolf all enjoyed flights this afternoon. Top temp. 23.2 degrees.

EUROFOX Glider Tug for SportAviation

Yesterday Eddie and Cheryl drove to Horsham to take delivery of a new Eurofox K2 Light Sport Aircraft to add to the expanding fleet. Eddie then had the pleasure of flying it back home to Tocumwal.

On arrival back the queue was getting longer as everyone wanted to try it out.

The EuroFox is equipped with a full glass panel.

It will be great to have the Eurofox as a back up tow plane to the Maule!

Tony & Jo call in

Great to see Tony and Jo who joined us last evening for dinner. They are on their way to the Narromine Cup. Jari, Ralph, Terry and Arts all headed out this afternoon for good flights. A big welcome to Andrew from China who has just arrived. Sadly we have just heard the news that long time friend Jim Taylor passed away this morning. Jim was well known at Sportavia. Jim will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by many. Sincere condolences to his family.

Enjoyable day

Another good day with Ralph and Arts both enjoying long flights. Jari is still out. Tonight we are all celebrating Art's gliding achievements with dinner at the Golf Club.

Congratulations Atsushi Sanada!!!

A big congratulations to Atsushi who completed his Gold Distance and Diamond Goal today. Atsushi flew 440 km with height of 10,131 feet. Atsushi completed the task in 4 hours 41 minutes and then spent another 3 hours local flying. Fantastic effort!! Bob, Ralph and Jari all enjoyed the great conditions with long flights. Ingo is still out making the most of the day. Top temp. 27.5

Ralph's back

After a check flight with Ingo this morning Frank hit the skies this afternoon in marginal conditions. Great to see Ralph who is here for a fortnight. Ralph, Arts , Jari and Ingo also enjoyed flights this afternoon. Top temp. today 21.9.