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.

Windy weekend

Ingo and Eddie had a busy weekend even though conditions were very blustery with gusts up to 35 knots. Marko and Alex both enjoyed passenger flights with Miro today while Zak, Kolga and Davor continued instruction. Neil, Jen, Bracy, Tim, Laurel, Simon and Jess headed home after a special birthday dinner at Margs' last evening. Welcome to Frank from Baccus Marsh who is here for a few days flying. Jari is still busy preparing his glider. Great to see Tony and gang who called in this afternoon on their way home to Melbourne.

Simon back in Toc

Arts, Zak, Kolja and Davor all braved difficult conditions this morning. Arts did some local gliding while the boys from Melbourne continued instruction with Ingo. Great to see Simon and Jess. Simon completed his check flights with Eddie in preparation for tomorrow. Simon hasn't been in a glider for ??? years but nothing had changed - just like a duck to water!! Once the rain came down Arts entertained everyone with a few tunes on the piano.

Arts completes Silver C

Congratulations to Arts who completed his Silver C today with a flight of over five hours. Great effort!!
Jari and Neil took to the skies in the early afternoon while Ingo continued instruction with Zak, Davor and Kolja.

Farewell to Grong-Grong boys

After a final few flights under difficult conditions Hiro, TJ and Takeshi headed back home yesterday. We look forward to seeing them all again next year. 45ml of rain has fallen in the past 24hours. Great for the garden -not so good for gliding. Arts however, did some local flying today as the wet weather moved to the East. Harry and a few of the Corrowa staff called in today to say hello. A warm welcome to Jari who is busy preparing his glider for tomorrow.

Hiro soars to Grong-Grong

Congratulations to Hiro who flew to Grong-Grong and back yesterday. TJ also had a very good flight of nearly six hours. Arts experienced his first outlanding with excellent choice of paddock at Lockhart and with a lovely farmer's wife who looked after him until Eddie and Bill arrived in the Maule. Takeshi and Geoff also chose good paddocks to outland. Michael continued instruction with Ingo. So a mixed bag yesterday. Dave has arrived early today and is being launched at present. Conditions not so good mmm... maybe golf today for our guests from Japan.

Birthday boys!!

It was toasts all round last night to birthday boys Bracey, Tim and Tony. Thanks Marg and Laurel for the delicious pav and rhubarb cake!! Today saw Jake head off in the Sonerai with Terry and later on go gliding with Eddie in the Blanik. Mmm power...gliding... I'd say definitely both for young Jake!! Congratulations to Tony who achieved his RAA and CASA glider towing approval/endorsement today. Takashi, Arts and the Grong-Grong boys all had a trying afternoon gliding in difficult conditions. Budding pilots Larissa and Lincoln can't wait to try out the new tail-dragger EuroFox glider tug. Thanks Tony and Wendy for a great weekend!

EuroFox flies into Toc

Tony, Wendy and Larissa flew in this morning from Horsham. Tony did some training for his glider towing endorsement with Eddie in the EuroFox. Hiro, Takeshi, TJ & Arts all enjoyed today practicing for their 500. Jake had a good time with Eddie in the Blanik - not only a great field runner but also a great glider pilot in the making! For the first time, Dave actually saw his glider in the air from the ground as Tim took to the skies in HDK. Laurel spent a busy afternoon being her usual wonderful self helping out wherever needed. Bracey was chief photographer for the afternoon in between painting (at Margs'). Bill liked the EuroFox so much he reckons it's definitely time to update.

Guests from Japan

A big welcome to TJ, Hiro and Takeshi who arrived in Tocumwal late yesterday afternoon.

Everyone made the most of today with Eddie, Ingo and Bill kept busy with check flights, sight checks and endorsements. Arts continued his flying in the Ls4.

Michiko soars with Ingo

Great to see the boys from Melbourne who gave away the golf this morning to see the sights of Tocumwal from the air . Also Michiko (Aunt of Arts) was thrilled to go soaring with Ingo.

Silver C distance for Arts

Congratulations to Arts who achieved his Silver C distance and height with a climb to 9,800 feet today.Terry did 470kms heading South West to St. Arnaud. The two Neils enjoyed soaring in the Nimbus 3D. Top temp. 33.9.

Welcome to Tocumwal Arts

A big welcome to Japanese glider pilot Arts and his Aunt Michiko who arrived late last night in Tocumwal. After a check flight with Eddie Arts headed off on a 120 km cross country with Ingo. Bill enjoyed a test flight soaring in the Ls4. Top temp. today was a pleasant 29.8 degrees. Good to see Neil and Glenda who arrived yesterday.

Trip Highlight

Tom, a former Airforce pilot from Washington State couldn't wipe the smile off his face after a scenic flight with Eddie today in the Blanik. Bill towed in the Maule. Tom and his wife have been visiting various places along the East Coast however, Tom said this was definitely the highlight of his trip to Australia! Ingo has just returned from a 300km flight -Deni/Wanganella/Yarrawonga and home. Grant enjoyed soaring to Deni and back while Terry stayed local. Phil's dad called in today with news that Phil hopes to be up in Toc soon to hone his ultralight skills.

From the Nullabor to Toc

Finally we have had some much needed rain -22ml over 24 hours Friday/Saturday. Don headed off to Deni early yesterday in the J160 for instruction with students. When he arrived back mid afternoon Chris took the opportunity to go flying. Great to see Ken Boland, Vic RTO Officer. Ken has just spent a week on the Nullabor Plains. Also good to see Lothar who has been very busy with work committments. Lothar and Ken enjoyed a flight together.Tonight we welcome Arts from Japan who will be in Tocumwal for a few weeks flying.

Cup day

Great to see Andrew who called in today. Mum & Dad (Glenda & Ross) are going well. Andrew hopes to get back into gliding soon. Pete had a day off from his busy schedule to fit some flight time in XOH. Ingo and Phil were off again in the Dimona while Bernie went soaring with a friend. Laurel & Tim headed back to Melbourne in the Mooney after Tim did some towing in the Maule. Al from Lake Keepit Soaring Club called in for a cuppa on his way through Tocumwal.

Windy conditions

A big thanks to Laurel who held the fort today while Eddie and Tim headed off to Horsham in the Mooney. Juerg flew 425kms and Grant 302kms in windy conditions with climb of 6500 feet. Don was busy in the J160 with instruction in the morning and scenic flights in the afternoon.

Juerg flies 290km

Juerg from Sweden flew 290kms today in XCH. Laurel continued her training in the Maule with Eddie while Jake (learning to be a field runner) showed us his talent with kite flying in between launches. Last night's BBQ was a success with great food and Dave entertaining everyone with his fantastic piano playing.

Aerobatics - amazing!

Tim & Laurel arrived this morning in the Mooney for the Melbourne Cup weekend. Both Dave and Chris spent a pleasant afternoon soaring. Top temp. 26 degrees. Great to see Dieter who enjoyed a flight with Ingo. Ingo also went flying with Phil in the Dimona. It's been terrific watching the aerobatics over the airport today - just amazing what these pilots can do! Now for the BBQ!!