Time to hang it up?

On Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 10:02:20 AM UTC-7, Evan K wrote:
On Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 8:26:32 PM UTC-4, 2G wrote:
On Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 2:42:29 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 1:06:13 PM UTC-4, Eric Greenwell wrote:
On 4/21/2021 4:55 PM, John Sinclair wrote:
It’s been 50 years now since I soloed in gliders at Black Forest, Co in 1971. I have logged over 5000 hours, mostly racing. Only flew one time last year due to Covid-19, but this year I found myself dreading the work involved with hooking up the trailer, driving an hour and a half, assembling, cleaning and taping the bird then flying for maybe 3 hours, followed by disassembly, then driving another hour and a half back home! The energy to do all this was needed just to flying that day!
Last year there were 4 pilots in our club that were over 85, two have quit and another died on his third flight in a new electric sailplane..............that leaves me? I have decided it’s time to hang it up!
Thanks for all the good memories over the years, mostly racing sailplanes.
Pat & JJ Sinclair

I completely understand, and I'm younger and don't to drive nearly so far. A
smaller, lighter, simpler glider sounds very attractive to me right now. Jan and
I are happy we knew you and Pat during the years we went to contests. May good
fortune continue to find you two.

--
Eric Greenwell - USA
- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
SIR ,

Just back from the race at Perry and I read this ..

I say well done , I say you did it right, I say you were my friend, you got what "we " got to do in the past.............!!!!!! , I say it is .........almighty !

You helped me when we asked, you helped lots and lots of folks.

Perfect JJ !

HW
If I had to travel 3 hours, plus assembly and derigging time, to fly I would probably quit too. That is why I own a motorglider that I keep tied down at my local airport. Pulling the covers off only takes 10 min and the airport is 15 min from my house. This week I played 18 holes of golf, drove to the airport, and had a 6 hour flight.

Tom
Congratulations Tom, your medal is in the mail.
As is your sarcasm metal. Now, maybe you have something meaningful to say (but probably not)...

JJ:
Although you are not going to fly anymore, you are still a walking library of gliding knowledge. I hope that you can find a way to preserve that and share with the younger pilots all that you have learned in a lifetime of gliding. It would be wonderful if one of the younger "Podcast" pilots could interview you about your memories, flying techniques and repair knowledge. What you possess in your mind is invaluable to the sport, as was your friendship to the community.
All the best,
ROY

What you possess in your mind is invaluable to the sport, as was your friendship to the community.
All the best,
ROY


Wellllll!!!! some of us have been the victim of what is in his mind, I don't think we have to go there.

(for those with no sens of humor, just joking)

gkemp "NK"

On Friday, April 30, 2021 at 4:42:54 PM UTC-7, gkemp wrote:
What you possess in your mind is invaluable to the sport, as was your friendship to the community.
All the best,
ROY
Wellllll!!!! some of us have been the victim of what is in his mind, I don't think we have to go there.

(for those with no sens of humor, just joking)

gkemp "NK"

Now, now Dr. Kemp,
Just because I flew 1000K before you did, is no reason to be vindictive!
�JJ

On Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 3:11:05 AM UTC+10, wrote:
On Friday, April 30, 2021 at 4:42:54 PM UTC-7, gkemp wrote:
What you possess in your mind is invaluable to the sport, as was your friendship to the community.
All the best,
ROY
Wellllll!!!! some of us have been the victim of what is in his mind, I don't think we have to go there.

(for those with no sens of humor, just joking)

gkemp "NK"
Now, now Dr. Kemp,
Just because I flew 1000K before you did, is no reason to be vindictive!
�JJ

https://scontent-den4-1.xx.fbcdn.net...&oe=60B5C8 58

Photo needs some explanation..........
The ship is a Zanonia replica that I just finished up fo the South West Soaring Museum. Johnny Robinson flew it to 3 US National Championships, World Altitude Record (Bishop, Ca) and Worlds first Diamond Badge! No wheel, it took off on a 2 wheel dolly that was then dropped off.........
Johnny installed a Venturi and a needle & ball, then taught himself To fly in clouds! Car tow at Torrey Pines into slope lift, then thermal when a Cu drifted inland. John would enter the cloud and taught himself to fly blind! In competition He would often win the day with 1000 points and the guy in second place would maybe get 200 points!
After winning the Nationals 3 times in a row, cloud flying was forbidden in the US rules.
JJ