Age and acquiring Diamonds

Some friends have asked me this question and I thought I might relay it
here. Do you know of glider pilots who completed the diamond badge after
they have passed their 80th birthday?

On Mar 16, 8:03*pm, Nyal Williams wrote:
Some friends have asked me this question and I thought I might relay it
here. *Do you know of glider pilots who completed the diamond badge after
they have passed their 80th birthday?

You? Nyal, I think it's absolutely wonderful that you have both the
gumption and gusto to pursue your diamond legs. I notice it was 40
years between your Silver and your Gold, but a mere five to finish
your Diamond. Well done.

From a Star Press article about Nyal:

Nyal Williams teaches a subject that's as big as the sky. As a matter
of fact, it is the sky. "I love it," said the retired Ball State
University music librarian, who serves as a flight instructor for the
Central Indiana Soaring Society. "It's just a challenge to take
somebody who knows nothing about aviation and teach them how to fly."

Frank Whiteley

On Mar 16, 10:03*pm, Nyal Williams wrote:
Some friends have asked me this question and I thought I might relay it
here. *Do you know of glider pilots who completed the diamond badge after
they have passed their 80th birthday?

Yes, Ray Kleber finished his diamond badge two years ago with a
successfully
documented 5000m altitude gain. He's in his mid-80's.

-- Matt

Good!

I didn't want to be certified as the slowest learner in the whole crowd.


At 14:29 17 March 2011, mattm wrote:
On Mar 16, 10:03=A0pm, Nyal Williams wrote:
Some friends have asked me this question and I thought I might relay
it
here. =A0Do you know of glider pilots who completed the diamond badge
aft=
er
they have passed their 80th birthday?

Yes, Ray Kleber finished his diamond badge two years ago with a
successfully
documented 5000m altitude gain. He's in his mid-80's.

-- Matt

On Mar 17, 8:34*am, Nyal Williams wrote:
Good!

I didn't want to be certified as the slowest learner in the whole crowd.

You don't get much Diamond wave in Indiana;^)

Good on Ray also.

Frank

Maybe Kleber and I should start us a club; we could call ourselves The
Crustaceans." (Disclaimer: my flight at Cal City has not yet been
homologated.)

At 16:11 17 March 2011, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Mar 17, 8:34=A0am, Nyal Williams wrote:
Good!

I didn't want to be certified as the slowest learner in the whole
crowd.

You don't get much Diamond wave in Indiana;^)

Good on Ray also.

Frank