November 02 2009: submitted by / proposé par Bob KATZ
2009 Lake Placid Wrap Up
As we approached the last weekend of the 2009 Lake Placid season Sunday looked like the honey. It was a waiting game for the Sentinel Range peaks to become clear of cloud with a margin. Wave holes over Heart Lake and the parking lot at Whiteface teased, but the solid overcast deck denied safe access and above all egress. We waited for the predicted clearing trend to roll in. Consistent winds of about 13-15 kts from 270 degrees ensured ridge flying. A short 2,000' tow dropped me and XS on the Sentinels which gave positive varios off release. Everyone followed.
Despite the wave surely working at Whiteface (huge wave hole) the overcast layer was still denying access considering a safe return. We could not delay as the Towplane driven by Pierre Gavillet was scheduled for a mid afternoon flight plan home. Ridge it was. John Firth in his brand new used PIK-20E joined me and at cloud base as we scooted into the Whiteface hole looking for rotor or some form of wave lift. We were simply too low to skyhook in. The boys managed to transition from ridge to wave a couple of weeks earlier during the Thanksgiving Fly Week but today it wasn't about to happen. Wouter Beerman had his 1st mountain soaring flight in the RVSS Twin. Yes, as you can imagine, he was a changed man absolutely not believing the ride he had. « I had no idea gliders could be flown that way! »…. Many other MSC / CVVM newcomers had the same reaction this season.
The break up did come and cloud streets set up. 90 kts under streets then off to Algonquin to polish rocks. Encountered Algonquin at about 4K' and ridged my way up to the summit, then cloud base where I pushed off to try the Heart Lake window. It was working, but again, I was too low to be in the energy zone. Momentary 2.5 kts lift but to small an area to climb. Back to the Sentinels for a little more flying before heading in a derigging for the trip back to Hawkesbury. I left the Sentinels under cloud which would not let the glider down and eventually I was at the Mackenzie range at the departure altitude. Well I had never flown the range in ridge lift before. Despite the sun approaching the horizon off I went. I could have transitioned to Whiteface and climbed it in ridge but the hour was getting late. Back down the ridge and then off to the airport where spoilers were needed to get to pattern altitude. With a 2:00 pm start and 3.5 hours flown XS turned in thermals only 6% of the flight.
Everyone was packed up ready to trailer out. All in all it was another great Lake Placid season. Despite our dismay that our 2 seaters were U/S this LKP season, we do count on having functional equipment next year to support our members fully. The site has regained its popularity of a decade ago. Many new folks have been introduced to the region and all have invariably been awestruck by the quality of flying they experienced. We look forward to 2010.
Cheers,
Bob K.
Photo by / de: Bob Katz - Date: October 25 2009 - Pilot(e) name / nom: Bob Katz
Final Glide LKP 2009
October 07 2009: submitted by / proposé par Bob KATZ
Wave Season 2009!!
The Lake Placid mountain soaring and wave camp is in full swing. The first couple of weekends have brought wave, and smiles to those taking part. We look forward to more.
Despite our clubs support of 2 seat training there, our ships have not been available. The neighbors have graciously offered to accommodate those needing a "lift".
Come out and enjoy flying that only the High Peaks Region can offer.
B
O
B
.
.
.
____________
Photo by / de: George Domaradzki (RVSS) - Date: September 26 2009 - Pilot(e) name / nom: George Domaradzki and Elliot Coltin
Lennies. No Little Green Men
September 14 2009: submitted by / proposé par Jean-Pierre GAGNON
ASK21 visit
Le MSC fut l'hôte d'un planeur d'entraînement ces derniers jours.
L'ASK21, bien qu'ayant des performances modestes fut essayé par plusieurs de nos membres et quelques invités, le tout coordonné par J-Y Bastien.
The MSC was hosting a training glider in the last few days. The ASK21, Even with its modest performances, was tried by many members and invitees, under the coordination J-Y Bastien
Photo by / de: - Date: September 05 2009 - Pilot(e) name / nom: J-Yves Bastien
July 13 2009: submitted by / proposé par Jean-Pierre GAGNON
Du nouveau / Something new au/à MSC
C-FLIB est arrivé...
Domenico pose fièrement derrière sa Libelle 200, récemment acquise.
C-FLIB has arrived...
Domenico Simonetti behind his newly acquired Libelle 200.
Photo by / de: JPG - Date: July 12 2009 - Pilot(e) name / nom: Domenico Simonetti
C-FLIB
May 08 2009: submitted by / proposé par Jean-Pierre GAGNON
Retraite / Retirement
Évangéliste St-Georges, après avoir été un fervent vélivoleur au MSC de 2000 à 2008, celui -ci a décidé qu'il était temps d'accrocher ses ailes et de se retirer dans ses terres de St-Jacques.. Souvent surnommé M.INTRO ou M.Le MAIRE il a partagé des centaines de fois la passion du ciel avec les nouveaux venus dans le KROSNO. On se rappellera sa grande implication et bénévolat à la bonne marche du Club. Avant de naviguer le ciel et de vélivoler Évangéliste avait navigué les mers, traversant en voilier l'Atlantique , le Pacifique jusqu'à l'Ile de Pâques et de PITCAIRN ou les descendants de la mutinerie du BOUNTY et du Capitaine Fletcher vivent toujours. Sa détermination dans tous les éléments nous marquera . Bonne escale méritée Capitaine Évangéliste.
Évangéliste St-Georges a Soaring enthousiat at MSC from 2000 to 2008 has decided it was time to hang his wings on the wall and to retire in St-Jacques ,his homeland. At times nicknamed Mr. INTRO or M. MAYER, he shared his passion of Soaring with hundreds of newcomers in the KROSNO. His volunteer work and dedication to the club was outstanding. Before he started sailing the sky, he had sailed the world in his sailboat across the Atlantic ,the Pacific all the way to Easter Island and PITCAIRN where the relatives of Captain Fletcher from the mutiny on the BOUNTY are still living.His determination and tenacity in all the fields has touched us. In your port of call Captain Évangéliste ,have a good time.
Jean Lortie
Photo by / de: Martin Detering - Date: October 29 2005 - Pilot(e) name / nom: Évangéliste St-Georges
Dans mon Krosno
July 20 2008: submitted by / proposé par Jacques Bournival
PIKFest Party/Soirée
Photo by / de: Martin Detering - Date: July 12 2008
July 20 2008: submitted by / proposé par Jacques Bournival
PIKFest Party/Soirée
For obvious reasons, the PIK-20, a Finnish glider seems to be one of the most popular sailplanes flown in Canada. What better way to pay homage to such a venerable ship than to throw a party and celebrate the glider I and many others at MSC fly.
Nine (9) PIK-20's all amassed on our flying field to celebrate their love of the type, and their particular model ranging from a straight 20, B model or D model. At the time of its conception and even today, the PIK-20 has demonstrated many innovations in glider design and production methods. It does everything well. The straight 20's and B model land with 90 degree landing flaps (easier to master than most imagine), with the D model landing with spoilers and 18 degree landing flaps. Carbon abounds on the B and D models, and all ships were cured in an autoclave, so no post production curing producing spar bumps, etc. Urethane paint tops it off. Many years after the the ships were factory new they still exhibit a beautiful finish. After all, they are Finnish.
After flying, Hampa zee chef produced another epicurean delight, enjoyed by all. The party continued with the "SEXIEST GLIDER" contest, judged by our CFI Marcello Mills, Marc Lussier, a man always in control - especially at work, and Evangeliste St. Georges a man who had to sail around the world in order to find his way to MSC. 3rd place went to Marc Arseneault and his ship 74, 2nd went to Pierre Morreau in 1Q, and going to excess was yours truly for 1st in XS. I never imagined such a small investment of only 3 beers would be enough to buy off the judges.
Thanks to all who attended especially those who trailered in their ships from afar.
Cheers,
Bob Katz
XS (the "Sexiest" PIK around)
Photo by / de: Tim Smith - Date: July 12 2008
PikFest participants
July 15 2008: submitted by / proposé par Jacques Bournival
THE EARLY DAYS
In honor of Bennet Price, Hillar sent me this nice short story. Cheers Hillar, that's the spirit!
J.B.
****
It was the last two weeks of July in 1956 and most companies closed their doors for the summer vacation.
That is how the three of us, Ben, Dave Webb and I found ourselves sharing one tent at the old Three Rivers airport in La Belle Province.
We were going to finally attempt to fly cross country and attempt to get the distance leg for the Silver C badge. None of us had ever flown cross country before and we were a little tense to say the least. It was decided to draw lots to determine who would be the first to fly. I must admit that I was somewhat relieved when Ben drew the "winning" lot.
After some quick preparations, the MSC 1-26 glider was towed up behind the club Tiger Moth. Ben seemed to catch a good thermal and was rapidly climbing to cloud base.
The prevailing wind was from the N-W and since the airport was close to the Saint Laurence river on the North shore, Ben was drifting towards the center of the river. We estimated his altitude as 5000', so it was almost certain he was going to land somewhere South of the river. Since we had no radios in those days (the transistor had just been invented) Ben was supposed to phone us as soon as he landed.
This was no simple matter in those days. First, only a few farms had phones and even fewer farmers spoke English and we spoke practically no French. Secondly, anyone flying without a motor was regarded with great suspicion.
Finally, at half past five the phone rang and Dave spoke to Ben. Long distance calls were considered expensive so Dave only had time to take down the landing location which was close to the town of Asbestos.
Ben was the only one 'wealthy' enough to own a car and I was trusted to drive it. We hooked up the long trailer and then proceeded to the harbor to wait for the ferry, the only way to cross the river. There was a dispute about the rate for the trailer since it was 'as long as a truck' but we finally got it settled.
The drive to Asbestos was slow and required more instructions to find the right location. By the time we found Ben, surrounded by a crowd of locals, it was dark. Ben was very happy having more than adequately completed the Silver Badge distance.
After a quick meal we started back. Ben was rather exhausted after a full day and was soon asleep in the back seat. Soon Dave was also asleep and I myself had a hard time trying to stay awake. At one point my eyes must have closed and when I opened them we were still on the road, moving very slowly. This really woke me up in a hurry and the rest of the trip to the ferry was uneventful. We did get a good sleep waiting for the first ferry at 5 AM. Ben, still very happy in the morning drove us back to the airport.
Simple adventures with good friend are the stuff that memories are made of.
Hillar Kurlents
July 08 2008: submitted by / proposé par Jacques Bournival
BENNETT PRICE
We were very saddened to learn of the death of Ben Price on June 27th, 2008, at the age of 82. Ben died in hospital in Southampton, England where he was being treated for cardiovascular problems.
During the 1950’s and 60’s, Ben was very active in the Montreal Soaring Council as a Director, Maintenance Supervisor, and as a tow pilot and instructor. He was basically a quiet reserved type of person with a quick wit and was a dynamic force in completion of any project that he took on Among these projects he was one of the group of club members who built MSC’s 1-26 (CF-ZCR) in the Canadair Soaring Club’s workshop in 1955. Ben and Dave Webb then purchased a crashed Schweizer TG-2 two-seater, which they repaired and which was the first privately owned aircraft at MSC. Ben and Dave were subsequently partners in several other gliders which included a Slingsby Skylark 2b (CF-ZDL) and a Skylark 4 (CF-OUO) which was delivered to Junin, Argentina, for participation in the 1963 World Championships, flown by Dave. While at the contest, they were both impressed with Dick Schreder’s HP11 sailplane and they bought an HP11A kit upon their return to Canada. They finished the HP in 1965 (CF-RNN) with modifications to change and couple the ailerons and flaps, which proved successful. This HP11A was featured in the National Film Board’s film “Flight”.
Ben’s dedicated relationship with the MSC and Canadian gliding was curtailed when, in the late 60’s, he was sent by Canadair to work in Los Angeles and later to the Boeing Aircraft plant in Seattle. With the downsizing of the aircraft industry in the early 70’s, Ben and his family returned to England where he worked on the Concorde and spent time as a tow-pilot at the well-known British gliding site at Lasham. Also during this period, Ben was involved in building a replica of one of the De Havilland Aircraft Company’s early aircraft – the DH71 Tiger Moth Racer and this aircraft (incomplete) was featured in the ground display at one of the Woburn airshows.
On visiting Dave in Canada and traveling to the Oshkosh fly-in in July of 1997, Ben became interested in the fibreglass Europa aircraft. On his return to England he purchased a kit and almost single-handedly (with help from his wife Audrey) completed a beautiful Europa aircraft in four years. (In passing, Audrey was secretary of the Soaring Association of Canada for several years in the 60‘s, as well as being a licensed glider pilot).
Ben will be remembered by his many friends in Canada, the United States and England for his integrity, dry sense of humour, aeronautical abilities and the quality of his friendship. His passing will leave a void in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Audrey and daughters Jacqueline and Joanne.
David Webb wrote this obituary for “Free Flight” so I have made some minor changes for MSC’s web site.
Terry Beasley.
June 18 2008: submitted by / proposé par Jean-Pierre GAGNON
Shall we dance / Devrions-nous danser, (suite)
The motorglider
Photo by / de: Ginette Gagnon - Date: June 15 2008
Lambada