Minner Joy

[Larry Pardue]

Contest pilots in the US know Charlie Minner but they know him as the
enforcer, the face of authority.

I was with Charlie today at Hobbs and saw another side. For many years
Charlie has been traveling the contest circuit as the authoritarian or the
enforcer. He is the contest manager or the weigher or other things like
that.

Today, he was at Hobbs and had the rare opportunity to fly. Dennis Wright
was in the back seat but Charlie was doing the flying. Physical problems
limit Charlie, but today he flew, he soared. The weather was not great and
thunderstorms shut it off early, but for a while Charlie was flying and you
could see the joy.

What a sport!

Larry Pardue 2I

[Brian Glick]

Larry

Those of us that work with Charlie at contests, know the real "lite" He has
always been friendly, personable and a downright nice guy. Unfortunately,
sometimes in the job he has, it is impossible to show that side to all. It
is like the high school principle, that goes back to teaching because he
never smiled anymore. Always remember, the pressure put on people at
contests is large, and for all kinds of reasons. That does not mean that the
particular official is not downright jovial. Give them all a chance, you may
be surprised many times.

Brian Glick

"Larry Pardue" > wrote in message
...
> Contest pilots in the US know Charlie Minner but they know him as the
> enforcer, the face of authority.
>
> I was with Charlie today at Hobbs and saw another side. For many years
> Charlie has been traveling the contest circuit as the authoritarian or the
> enforcer. He is the contest manager or the weigher or other things like
> that.
>
> Today, he was at Hobbs and had the rare opportunity to fly. Dennis Wright
> was in the back seat but Charlie was doing the flying. Physical problems
> limit Charlie, but today he flew, he soared. The weather was not great
> and thunderstorms shut it off early, but for a while Charlie was flying
> and you could see the joy.
>
> What a sport!
>
> Larry Pardue 2I
>