Thursday

More cold damp weather, low cloud and showers. Ian Downes and Tim Girot working on new workshop earthworks and holes for foundations.

Geoff Sim managed finally to fly back to Wollongong, in cloud (IFR) most of the way.  Said there is lots of water lying on the ground there, and rivers and creeks raging.

Simon Brown came out to install new TE multi-probe in IUO Discus 2c but it didn't fit - Schempp-Hirth sent the wrong one. Also explained instrument plumbing for when winter vario comes back.

Phil Anderton came out to fly me to Armidale to get the tug back - we took off and had a look, but too many showers, and cloud and scud down on top of the hills so we turned back. At least I got to have a fly in Phil's plane RV7 XPA. It is very fast and really light and manoeuvrable to fly. I must say I liked it! Not keen to repeat scud running excitement even without a glider in tow!!

Arrangements now modified. Weather permitting, I will fly Neely to Armidale in my plane to fetch the tug. The forecast does not look good at this stage, but may be an opportunity in the morning. MRP is ready to go when we can get there.

Ian has departed for Temora with Discus NSO to have the wheels up landing damage professionally repaired, a few nicks and chips touched up and a form 2. Not sure when it will be back yet. I have to say it has a great trailer, so easy to de-rig. If only they were all like that.

Allan Buttenshaw and a glider purchasing friend came to look at John McLeod's cirrus. Quite surprising how much coming and going there is on a wet day at Keepit.