Time to hang it up?

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

On Monday, May 3, 2021 at 8:08:10 AM UTC-6, wrote:
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


That is a beautiful sailplane design and I bet the workmanship is as impressive as the Super Albatross replica you also donated to the SWS museum. Looking forward to seeing it there.

Mike

Backseat available in Italy, if you wish to visit the Alps or the Appennines.

all the best for your future life,

Aldo Cernezzi

Thanks for the use of the sleeping bag, JJ.
May not seem like much, to loan the bag to a kid who flies in without a crew. But it was heart-warming for me… And a lot more comfortable than my canopy cover.
I flew back to Cal City the next day; May 19, 1979.
Mike Koerner

On Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 12:43:36 AM UTC-7, Mike Koerner wrote:
Thanks for the use of the sleeping bag, JJ.
May not seem like much, to loan the bag to a kid who flies in without a crew. But it was heart-warming for me… And a lot more comfortable than my canopy cover.
I flew back to Cal City the next day; May 19, 1979.
Mike Koerner

Hi Mike,
We remember well........kid flies without a crew and not even a toothbrush. Tows out of Cal City, lands at Minden, spends the night, then takes another tow and flies back to Cal City! You got to be packin’ a large pair of Cohunas!
Well done,
JJ

JJ,
I know you’re just having fun, but I’m worried someone reading your comments might walk away with a misimpression of cross-country soaring.
I know where some alternate landing sites are and keep one within glide all the time. And I keep my airspeed in the green, stay away from thunderstorms and avoid hitting mountains. So, except for the tooth decay issue, my cross-country flights are no more dangerous than local soaring.
Now, flying around in the back of an F-4 or B-52 like you used to do, that’s a whole different story.
Mike Koerner

On Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 4:55:53 PM UTC-7, 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

JJ, respectfully, are you confusing the ground work with the flying? I'm also getting older, and find the ground work an increasing burden, but still feel ok to fly. I'm going back to power flying a rental (turn up, fly, go home) and am looking to join a 2-seat glider partnership... with younger pilots who appreciate someone to share the financial burden.

On Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 11:43:28 AM UTC-7, Mike Koerner wrote:
JJ,
I know you’re just having fun, but I’m worried someone reading your comments might walk away with a misimpression of cross-country soaring.
I know where some alternate landing sites are and keep one within glide all the time. And I keep my airspeed in the green, stay away from thunderstorms and avoid hitting mountains. So, except for the tooth decay issue, my cross-country flights are no more dangerous than local soaring.
Now, flying around in the back of an F-4 or B-52 like you used to do, that’s a whole different story.
Mike Koerner

I salute your spirit, Mike. The spirit of youth..........Actually one could say, “the spirit of soaring�, Hitchhiking on the wind!
All the best,
Pat & JJ