YOUTH SOARING Development Camp 2016 BY KIM AND ROGER READ
2016 finished on a real high with another very successful YSDC at Omarama. Despite some challenging weather conditions, similar to those which had wiped out a number of competition days at the South Island Regionals, we managed some great soaring along with the usual basic training.
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e had thirty ‘students’ attend; more than ever. This stretched our resources, so a huge WELL DONE and thank you to all who contributed so generously to making it the fun-filled success it will be remembered for. There was an increased international component with a young Canadian, a German and two young French pilots flying alongside the YGNZ members; their presence added to the development of the camaraderie amongst all involved and we look forward to having these guests return for more flying here. 341 flights were flown during the nine flyable days of the camp. We did 285 hours gliding of which 84 hours were flown solo. Congratulations go to the five who made their First Solos and to those who re-soloed and consolidated and extended their skills. Six A Certificates were completed; two achieved their FAI Silver Duration 5 hour, bladder endurance challenge... and a few others got very close but discovered you can’t fly co-ordinated turns with your legs crossed! One FAI Silver Height Gain and one FAI Gold Height Gain were made and others were to be denied similar awards when they discovered their loggers had failed. The elation of doing the flights still kept them smiling and strengthened their resolve to try again at the earliest opportunity. Congratulations to Fraser McDougall and Tim Austen who successfully completed their C Cat Instructor Rating checks and were immediately pressed into back seat service. They join a growing number of young instructors who will help ensure the long-term future of our sport. They say an Army marches on its stomach...well, Kim
February–April 2017
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