Alfonso Jurado

[Echo]

Good Morning,

I am entering my 4th year as the 3rd owner of ASW20 #20463, better known as Alfonso's 20. I grew up soaring in New Castle, VA, and saw Alfonso a few times but never really knew him. It is my understanding that he has bad dementia now. I know the former Miami gliderport was his home field, however he never logged any soaring outside contests. I've heard many things, such as him soaring to the keys, aileron rolls with water, soaring with the canopy open, and impossible landouts. In an effort to write down all the legends, myths, and stories, I'm hoping to document all the stories and keep them with the airplane documents. Thanks!

....and yes, it still looks and flies pretty well! (and still manages to get me home)

Jordan
ASW20 'E'

[Dave Nadler]

You'll want to get the story of when he landed that 20 on a river bank
during a Chester contest mid 80s, I believe in the town of Lockhart.
Frank or Jayne might remember.
Anybody else on RAS that was at that contest? Chip?

Another source of info: Charlie Spratt's Racing News.
That was the best source of contest info for years,
though I don't know if its been saved and digitized.
Had a few Alfonso stories.

Hope you can visit Alfonso - with dementia, until very late stages,
often the past is quite clear, the more distant the clearer.

Hope that helps!
Best Regards, Dave

[[email protected]]

On Friday, September 4, 2015 at 8:06:30 AM UTC-5, Echo wrote:
> Good Morning,
>
> I am entering my 4th year as the 3rd owner of ASW20 #20463, better known as Alfonso's 20. I grew up soaring in New Castle, VA, and saw Alfonso a few times but never really knew him. It is my understanding that he has bad dementia now. I know the former Miami gliderport was his home field, however he never logged any soaring outside contests. I've heard many things, such as him soaring to the keys, aileron rolls with water, soaring with the canopy open, and impossible landouts. In an effort to write down all the legends, myths, and stories, I'm hoping to document all the stories and keep them with the airplane documents. Thanks!
>
> ...and yes, it still looks and flies pretty well! (and still manages to get me home)
>
> Jordan
> ASW20 'E'

Here's an Alfonso story for you Jordan: New Castle Contest, vast overcall, most of us ended up in West Virginia. I found myself in a field that formed a hill with ultimately 4 others, Alfonso landed last. While the others and I landed uphill and came to a stop near the top, Alfonso showed us how to land parallel to the slope, keeping the wings equidistant from the ground.. When asked why he said he hadn't practiced that in a while, don't try this at home.
On the same day OH landed about a mile from us and determined that it was right on the Continental Divide between the Atlantic and the Gulf. When using the 'public bathroom' he concluded that half of the stuff was going to end up in either body of water!
Herb

[Steve Leonard[_2_]]

Sunflower Gliderport, Hutchinson, KS. 1985. Pilots were launched, day was called off due to big storms building everywhere. Alfonso was up and flying around having a good old time. After a storm came across the field, and with most everyone else back and in trailers or tied down, here came the Fonz. Fast and low (well below the top of the old control tower where I was standing), he went by, pulled up, and as the nose was going through about 30 degrees nose up, he must have hit some strong "rolling turbulence",as his 20 did a near perfect roll on the way up. The turbulence subsided just as he got to the top, back to wings level. The gear came down, and he entered the downwind leg for landing. No more turbulence was encountered.

He was also seen in the back of his van going from the tiedown to the grid, with his glider in tow, fixing a sandwich or filling a water bottle. I think he had a really low gear in the van, because it could idle along at a slow walk without him in the drivers seat.

Not about flying, but I once heard that he got frustrated with a slow driver on a two lane highway. There was too much traffic to pass in the normal manner, so he did it on the shoulder. This was passed along by another glider pilot that he passed before getting to the slow car that was holding up traffic.

Sorry to hear that The Fonz is not doing well. He didn't like to be in the spotlight, but he sure is great fun to be around. As Dave said, hope you get a chance to visit him.

Steve Leonard

[Echo]

Ha these are fantastic stories. The guy definitely was a legend. When he flew at R4S I was rubbing ropes, but he was in a Ventus then. Dirk bought the 20 from him and I got it from Dirk in 2011. Thanks!

Jordan

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

On Friday, September 4, 2015 at 3:03:29 PM UTC-4, Echo wrote:
> Ha these are fantastic stories. The guy definitely was a legend. When he flew at R4S I was rubbing ropes, but he was in a Ventus then. Dirk bought the 20 from him and I got it from Dirk in 2011. Thanks!
>
> Jordan

Ahhhh Dirk, say Hi from me if you see him.

"Fonz stories", should be some good reading here.

Yes, I've heard of him, "ridge soaring the hotels on Miami beach" ("Always keeping at least 500' above beachgoers...."), trips across the Everglades, etc.

Best story I remember (subject to others clarification) is....

I believe in the SE US at a contest.
Weather went to poop, so an off field landing was needed.
Fonz found a baseball field, he set up a pattern with final from outfield to home plate.
Coming in over trees, he was "high & hot" and was not sure he would stop before the HUGE fence behind homeplate..... so..... he pulled up & over the fence.
ARRRGGGHHHHHH..... what now?
Over trees, the next field was WORSE!!!!
It was low compared to surrounding ground, and had been "sorta cleared" of LOT'S of trees...... "sorta cleared as in, they had trunks ~2' high still anchored to the ground!
OMG......

But, there was a dirt road (a couple feet above the "field elevation") along the right side of the "field", what to do???

He dragged the right tip along the road with the fuselage over the trunk stumps and "ground looped" the mainwheel onto the road and stopped.

When the retrieve crew showed up, he calmly stated, "I had the perfect airspeed on final and great Schleicher brakes so I could stop in the road width".

Go figure.

[Paul Remde]

Hi,

I didn't know Alfonso well, but I met him a few times.

When I was new to soaring I met him and his ASW 20 at a soaring contest in
Albert Lea, MN. I was the scorer for the contest. We were all waiting for
the weather on the launch grid in the early afternoon. I mentioned to him
that I was curious as to whether or not I would fit into an ASW 20 (being
about 6' 3" tall). He said I should try his ASW 20 on for size. He was
very friendly. It fit like a glove. I was surprised that I fit into it.

A few years later a soaring friend said he saw the Fonz do a high-speed, low
altitude pass in his Ventus at his home airport in Florida. Oh yeah, he was
inverted. That must have been something to see... I guess that the
flat-bottomed Ventus wings work fine for inverted flight if your airspeed is
high enough.

Good Soaring,

Paul Remde
___________________________________

"Echo" wrote in message
...

Good Morning,

I am entering my 4th year as the 3rd owner of ASW20 #20463, better known as
Alfonso's 20. I grew up soaring in New Castle, VA, and saw Alfonso a few
times but never really knew him. It is my understanding that he has bad
dementia now. I know the former Miami gliderport was his home field,
however he never logged any soaring outside contests. I've heard many
things, such as him soaring to the keys, aileron rolls with water, soaring
with the canopy open, and impossible landouts. In an effort to write down
all the legends, myths, and stories, I'm hoping to document all the stories
and keep them with the airplane documents. Thanks!

....and yes, it still looks and flies pretty well! (and still manages to get
me home)

Jordan
ASW20 'E'

[Gary Ittner[_2_]]

For those who have never met Alphonso Jurado, I should mention that he was originally from Ecuador; tall, dark, and definitely foreign-looking.

At the 2001 Sports Nats in Montague, the Fonz had just gridded his Ventus when he realized he had left his glider batteries at his motel room... in Yreka, 15 miles away. He pushed his glider off the grid, hopped into his van, and raced off to fetch them.

When he arrived at the motel, there were police cars everywhere, lights a' flashing. The chambermaid had walked into his room, seen the batteries on charge, and called the bomb squad.

Fonz managed to talk his way out of there in time to fly the task that day.


Gary Ittner P7
"Have glider, will race"

[Echo]

ha, love it. Think the rumors are true about why he left for the US?

Jordan

[[email protected]]

On Friday, September 4, 2015 at 9:06:30 AM UTC-4, Echo wrote:
> Good Morning,
>
> I am entering my 4th year as the 3rd owner of ASW20 #20463, better known as Alfonso's 20. I grew up soaring in New Castle, VA, and saw Alfonso a few times but never really knew him. It is my understanding that he has bad dementia now. I know the former Miami gliderport was his home field, however he never logged any soaring outside contests. I've heard many things, such as him soaring to the keys, aileron rolls with water, soaring with the canopy open, and impossible landouts. In an effort to write down all the legends, myths, and stories, I'm hoping to document all the stories and keep them with the airplane documents. Thanks!
>
> ...and yes, it still looks and flies pretty well! (and still manages to get me home)
>
> Jordan
> ASW20 'E'

Fonz stole a national championship from me. Last day of Sports nationals in Elmira and I went into it with a "comfortable" lead over Fonz.
At start time we were getting to 1700 above Harris Hill with storms in 3 quadrants. None of that comfortable fair and safe stuff back then. When the task opened, the only "reasonable" way to go was north east to avoid the storms, knowing we likely would not be returning. I went that way,of course, and ultimately landed out, along with most everyone else.
Fonz, knowing he had to do something different, went off to the west into one of the storms. It did not work well and he ended up quite low. I recall mention of his climbing away off a tree line. Only the Fonz could do that stuff.
Anyway, he got back and stole my championship from me.
Someday I may forgive him.
I'll always love the Fonz.
UH

[Papa3[_2_]]

Maybe someone else can fill in the details, but I recall a story around a camp fire at Harris Hill in the early 1990s with Charlie Spratt. The gist of it was a competition between the Fonz and someone else to see who could perform the lowest recovery from a spin in a tandem two seater (cub or citabria or the like). There was more to it, but I don't want to give out any incorrect stuff.

P3

[Echo]

That 29 flies like it knows what to do, that's for sure. He definitely put some kind of enchantment on it. Any truth to the Florida keys thing?

Jordan

[Echo]

That 20 definitely seems to know what to do, whatever magic he put on it! Any truth to the florida keys Soaring?

Jordan

[Dave Nadler]

After flying, Fonso and I went out to a greasy spoon on the road leading North out of New Castle. The waitress spoke thick Southern. Fonso spoke English with a heavy Spanish accent. Fonso trying to order dinner went very, very badly. After I while I volunteered to translate, but that would have been admitting defeat, so I was not permitted. Fonso ordered steak. His dinner arrived: liver and onions. You shoulda seen his face! But he ate it...

Sure miss him, we had a lot of adventures!

See ya, Dave

[Tom Kelley #711]

On Friday, September 4, 2015 at 7:06:30 AM UTC-6, Echo wrote:
> Good Morning,
>
> I am entering my 4th year as the 3rd owner of ASW20 #20463, better known as Alfonso's 20. I grew up soaring in New Castle, VA, and saw Alfonso a few times but never really knew him. It is my understanding that he has bad dementia now. I know the former Miami gliderport was his home field, however he never logged any soaring outside contests. I've heard many things, such as him soaring to the keys, aileron rolls with water, soaring with the canopy open, and impossible landouts. In an effort to write down all the legends, myths, and stories, I'm hoping to document all the stories and keep them with the airplane documents. Thanks!
>
> ...and yes, it still looks and flies pretty well! (and still manages to get me home)
>
> Jordan
> ASW20 'E'

Lubbock, years ago. Weather went from bad to worst. Fonz was searching for a place to land. He noticed coming down the highway a car pulling a glider trailer headed back to the airport. He called them and asked if they could give him a ride. They radioed back "sure, where are you?". He radioed back, "touching down right along side of you."

Cordele, years ago. He landed out. I went to get him and drove his van. He was in a soft, fresh cut hay field. We got setup for the derig and I was out on the right wing tip. As we started to pull the right wing out, he said loudly, "drop the wing", I said "what?" He again said urgently "drop the wing". Well, maybe 6 inches above the ground(I was careful), I dropped the wing. He said "why did you do that?", I said cause you told me to. His come back was priceless....as he said "you know better than to listen to me."

Many see my motorcycle pulling my glider out to the grid. What many don't realize is he use to put a motorcycle into the back of his van!

New Castle, Fonz and I, along with KS are cruising and simply getting lower.. Fonz hits a bump, I stopped and circled with him. Maybe we get 1/2 kt up. Of course KS keeps on going down this ridge with no where to land. Of course KS wins the day. That night, over dinner chat, we talk about this. See, Fonz wondered why KS kept going down this ridge with no place to land. Then KS came up and asked why we had stopped to thermal and didn't we see that red tail climbing at the end of the ridge? It marked a 4 kter...which was about 4 miles from where we stopped. After KS leaves, Fonzs looks at me and again answers with a priceless comment "I thought my glasses had a dirty spot on them".

He flew West and North out of MIA gliderport. I don't recall if anyone ever flew to Key West. To Key Largo, maybe, when during the winter months, we did have rare 10,000 ft. days on a north wind.

Going to dinner, Cody, their miniature Collie, would be carried in Anita's hand bag. That dog was smart, as whenever the waitress would approach, he would duck back in the bag. Once, Fonz drove out to Northern California because the dog was ill. I was in Ely and he stopped by on their way home. I offered him a flight in my 27, he declined and then explained they really had a long drive back to Florida............

Best. #711.

[Dave Nadler]

On Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 6:43:01 PM UTC-4, Tom Kelley #711 wrote:
> Going to dinner, Cody, their miniature Collie, would be carried
> in Anita's hand bag...

We go out to eat at the unfortunate 15m nationals in Livingston, MT.
I arrive late, there's no empty chair, but a chair with a pile of coats
and bags. I grab the coats and bags and toss them onto an adjacent bench
to make some room.

Huge commotion! Yelling, yipping, yelping!
So it came to pass that I met Anita and Cody.
Cody was Anita's Chihuahua (not collie),
and was in one of the bags that I tossed.
Definite Faux Paw, yup, big time.
I was eventually forgiven (by both of them)...

See ya, Dave

[John Seaborn (A8)]

One morning while filling the Ventus with water at Hobbs, Alfonso rolls up with his Ventus and we start talking about the day's weather. I look over just as his tire goes flat. The Fonz is looking a bit concerned since he does not have a spare. I go get my spare and help him change the flat on the ramp. As we get the flat off I notice you can see right through the tire to the tube underneath in places. After we get the new tire on I go to toss the threadbare tire in the dumpster but no, Fonz says, "Wait, what are you doing? That tire still has a lot of life still in it!"

The other one was in Montague when Alfonso was called back from the field to his Hotel as it seems his battery with the various wires, tape and fuses had been mistaken for a bomb by the cleaning lady.

Long live Alfonso!

[Tom Kelley #711]

On Wing tape.

We started a used wing tape ball in MIA. After it got rather large, we signed it then presented it to him. He just couldn't believe we wasted that much tape. He kept that ball of used wing tape just in case. Yet, he had one draw full of new wing tape rolls that we had given him over the years and considered that his private stash.

See, he reused the wing tape, time after time, by simply not stretching it when putting it on. When removing it, he was careful not to stretch it and kept it lightly pressed on each wing. See, this way he had pre cut right wing tape and left wing tape (stabilizer also). Also, his reasoning for this was brilliant, as it was already initialed for the assemble check, he explained to me it was something he needn't do!

Best. #711.

[Echo]

Great stories! Thanks guys. Not sure how his old 20 still flies after all that!

Jordan

[[email protected]]

Hi Jordan,
This is Sergio Jurado, Alfonso's son, please email me when you get a moment.....

Thanks,

[[email protected]]

I had the privilege of flying with Fonz for many years at Thermal Research in Miami. I have photos of that very 20 flying in formation over the Florida coast .
Yes Alfonso was one of the very best and he could get the very best out of that ole bird. For a few years it was usually Bennie Flowers, Alfonso, Jon Fox and myself flying almost daily. Paul Crowell,"Pablo", was our tow pilot and was there to get us off the ground.
Yes, there are many tall tales about the Fonz, some would have you laughing and shaking your heads. He always could find that last thermal of the day to get home from those places like Shark River Valley, or the lower area of the Everglades Park. Those days of flying sailplanes In Miami were the best, and it was guys like Bennie, Jon, and Fonz that make those memories so special.
My wife and I attended the memorial fly-in at Homestead, I carried my old scrapbook that contained may pictures of Alfonso in that very 20. Pictures of many glider pilots and tow pilots were a welcome sight by many, Alfonso Jr. really enjoyed seeing his dad flying that 20. Alfonso was a unique person, kind, helpful, and a true friend. Thanks for the memories. Bob and Eileen

[[email protected]]

On Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 4:52:18 PM UTC-4, Echo wrote:
> That 20 definitely seems to know what to do, whatever magic he put on it! Any truth to the florida keys Soaring?
>
> Jordan

Jordan,

My dad was a partner in an Open Cirrus at Kendall Gliderport and mostly flew there (or Richard's Field), back in the early to mid 1980's (Bill Harris was his flight instructor I believe). Eventually, he joined Thermal Research but by the 90's his business in the Upper Keys and our kids' weekend sports activities left him with little time for himself to fly gliders. I am aware of a first person account told by Frank Manson (of Marathon), where he and a handful of the regulars (so I would have to assume that would have included your dad), flew a sea breeze front that extended down the Keys down to Marathon but they chickened out before going any further to Key West. My understanding of it was that as the convergence built up there was lift that allowed them to climb up the side of the clouds so they were able to get up to 10-12k'+ maybe higher. I was just a kid at the time and didn't totally understand what all they were talking about but I've known that story for a long long time. In any case, if you ask around you might get the rest of the story.

On another note, Tom is right. I rented Miami Glider's Std. Cirrus once at Homestead General and when I got to 8,000+MSL right on the edge of Florida Bay I was really tempted to final glide to Tavernaero Airport (Plantation Key), where my family has a lot on the airport. If it hadn't been a rental ship I surely would have done it just to be the first to saor the Keys. Ironically, my dad's dream was to buy a Lark motorglider and routinely soar up and down the Keys. I still have a copy of a Purchase Order for a Lark that cost about $48k back in the early 80's. He must have backed out because he never bought it.

Best regards,

Chris Schrader

[Papa3[_2_]]

I took our family to vacation in the Keys for a number of years (Tavernier/Key Largo in the north for a couple of years and Duck Key near Marathon for a couple). I swung by the FBO at Marathon one morning to just shoot the breeze and ran into a guy with a PA-18 Supercub who claimed to soar the seabreeze front all the time. He said he could maintain altitude and cruise at 70kts at idle. Can't recall his name, but he would've been in his late 60's about 5-6 years ago. Sat on a boat fishing lookng at some very obvious convergence lines on a number of days...


On Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 12:49:03 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> On Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 4:52:18 PM UTC-4, Echo wrote:
> > That 20 definitely seems to know what to do, whatever magic he put on it! Any truth to the florida keys Soaring?
> >
> > Jordan
>
> Jordan,
>
> My dad was a partner in an Open Cirrus at Kendall Gliderport and mostly flew there (or Richard's Field), back in the early to mid 1980's (Bill Harris was his flight instructor I believe). Eventually, he joined Thermal Research but by the 90's his business in the Upper Keys and our kids' weekend sports activities left him with little time for himself to fly gliders. I am aware of a first person account told by Frank Manson (of Marathon), where he and a handful of the regulars (so I would have to assume that would have included your dad), flew a sea breeze front that extended down the Keys down to Marathon but they chickened out before going any further to Key West. My understanding of it was that as the convergence built up there was lift that allowed them to climb up the side of the clouds so they were able to get up to 10-12k'+ maybe higher. I was just a kid at the time and didn't totally understand what all they were talking about but I've known that story for a long long time. In any case, if you ask around you might get the rest of the story.
>
> On another note, Tom is right. I rented Miami Glider's Std. Cirrus once at Homestead General and when I got to 8,000+MSL right on the edge of Florida Bay I was really tempted to final glide to Tavernaero Airport (Plantation Key), where my family has a lot on the airport. If it hadn't been a rental ship I surely would have done it just to be the first to saor the Keys. Ironically, my dad's dream was to buy a Lark motorglider and routinely soar up and down the Keys. I still have a copy of a Purchase Order for a Lark that cost about $48k back in the early 80's. He must have backed out because he never bought it.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Chris Schrader

[Echo]

On Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 10:39:27 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Hi Jordan,
> This is Sergio Jurado, Alfonso's son, please email me when you get a moment.....
>
> Thanks,
>


Sergio, sent you an email. Thanks.

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 2:53:08 PM UTC-4, Papa3 wrote:
> I took our family to vacation in the Keys for a number of years (Tavernier/Key Largo in the north for a couple of years and Duck Key near Marathon for a couple). I swung by the FBO at Marathon one morning to just shoot the breeze and ran into a guy with a PA-18 Supercub who claimed to soar the seabreeze front all the time. He said he could maintain altitude and cruise at 70kts at idle. Can't recall his name, but he would've been in his late 60's about 5-6 years ago. Sat on a boat fishing lookng at some very obvious convergence lines on a number of days...
>
>
> On Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 12:49:03 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> > On Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 4:52:18 PM UTC-4, Echo wrote:
> > > That 20 definitely seems to know what to do, whatever magic he put on it! Any truth to the florida keys Soaring?
> > >
> > > Jordan
> >
> > Jordan,
> >
> > My dad was a partner in an Open Cirrus at Kendall Gliderport and mostly flew there (or Richard's Field), back in the early to mid 1980's (Bill Harris was his flight instructor I believe). Eventually, he joined Thermal Research but by the 90's his business in the Upper Keys and our kids' weekend sports activities left him with little time for himself to fly gliders. I am aware of a first person account told by Frank Manson (of Marathon), where he and a handful of the regulars (so I would have to assume that would have included your dad), flew a sea breeze front that extended down the Keys down to Marathon but they chickened out before going any further to Key West.. My understanding of it was that as the convergence built up there was lift that allowed them to climb up the side of the clouds so they were able to get up to 10-12k'+ maybe higher. I was just a kid at the time and didn't totally understand what all they were talking about but I've known that story for a long long time. In any case, if you ask around you might get the rest of the story.
> >
> > On another note, Tom is right. I rented Miami Glider's Std. Cirrus once at Homestead General and when I got to 8,000+MSL right on the edge of Florida Bay I was really tempted to final glide to Tavernaero Airport (Plantation Key), where my family has a lot on the airport. If it hadn't been a rental ship I surely would have done it just to be the first to saor the Keys. Ironically, my dad's dream was to buy a Lark motorglider and routinely soar up and down the Keys. I still have a copy of a Purchase Order for a Lark that cost about $48k back in the early 80's. He must have backed out because he never bought it.
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Chris Schrader

What you are referring to is a flight that Bennie Flowers and I had back in the day where we encountered a strange cloud formation and rode a Florida Wave to over 10K. There was an article written about this flight in Soaring magazine titled, Catching A Florida Wave. Bennie and I actually did it twice, it was one of the best rides ever, we could have made Bimini. Bob

[Echo]

On Monday, August 8, 2016 at 7:28:51 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> I had the privilege of flying with Fonz for many years at Thermal Research in Miami. I have photos of that very 20 flying in formation over the Florida coast .
> Yes Alfonso was one of the very best and he could get the very best out of that ole bird. For a few years it was usually Bennie Flowers, Alfonso, Jon Fox and myself flying almost daily. Paul Crowell,"Pablo", was our tow pilot and was there to get us off the ground.
> Yes, there are many tall tales about the Fonz, some would have you laughing and shaking your heads. He always could find that last thermal of the day to get home from those places like Shark River Valley, or the lower area of the Everglades Park. Those days of flying sailplanes In Miami were the best, and it was guys like Bennie, Jon, and Fonz that make those memories so special.
> My wife and I attended the memorial fly-in at Homestead, I carried my old scrapbook that contained may pictures of Alfonso in that very 20. Pictures of many glider pilots and tow pilots were a welcome sight by many, Alfonso Jr. really enjoyed seeing his dad flying that 20. Alfonso was a unique person, kind, helpful, and a true friend. Thanks for the memories. Bob and Eileen

Would love to see those pictures!

Jordan

[[email protected]]

On Friday, September 4, 2015 at 7:06:30 AM UTC-6, Echo wrote:
> Good Morning,
>
> I am entering my 4th year as the 3rd owner of ASW20 #20463, better known as Alfonso's 20. I grew up soaring in New Castle, VA, and saw Alfonso a few times but never really knew him. It is my understanding that he has bad dementia now. I know the former Miami gliderport was his home field, however he never logged any soaring outside contests. I've heard many things, such as him soaring to the keys, aileron rolls with water, soaring with the canopy open, and impossible landouts. In an effort to write down all the legends, myths, and stories, I'm hoping to document all the stories and keep them with the airplane documents. Thanks!
>
> ...and yes, it still looks and flies pretty well! (and still manages to get me home)
>
> Jordan
> ASW20 'E'

The contest site was Littlefield, TX. Charlie called a triangle to Portales and Levelland. After turning Portales, the Fonz was 2 turns higher in a great thermal when he headed east southeast. I stayed in the thermal for 2 more turns and headed out following him. He started down, fast and I moved south into better air and watched him do the lawn dart thing - descending lower and lower and then dumping water. I lost sight of him as we went under a shelf and I went searching for lift. After finally making Levelland I headed back to Littlefield. Tuning in gate frequency at 10 minutes out served only to ruin my day as I was rewarded with hearing Alfonzo call 2 minutes out. A lesson in humility??

[[email protected]]

The contest site was Littlefield, TX. Charlie called a triangle to Portales and Levelland. After turning Portales, the Fonz was 2 turns higher in a great thermal when he headed east southeast. I stayed in the thermal for 2 more turns and headed out following him. He started down, fast and I moved south into better air and watched him do the lawn dart thing - descending lower and lower and then dumping water. I lost sight of him as we went under a shelf and I went searching for lift. After finally making Levelland I headed back to Littlefield. Tuning in gate frequency about 10 minutes served only to ruin my day as I was rewarded with hearing Alfonzo call 2 minutes out. A lesson in humility??