SATURDAY September 9, 2017. New solo by Ken Talovich

WEATHER
Visibility: Unlimited with beautiful cloud markers along the mountains.
Wind: Light and variable from the NW/SE
Altitudes: 5000 msl. Jan Zanutto
Time Aloft: Two hours +.  Jan Zanutto
Max Lift: 400 fpm
Temperature: Somewhat cool aloft but warm on the ground.
Comment: Ken Talovich first solo in a glider.
Tow pilot: Jim Rickey and Morgan Hall

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It was a busy day for Ken Talovich, Jan Zanutto, and Alex Caldwell, and a lot of other club members. Read the picture captions for additional information.

Harold,

Here's a picture of Wyll Soll's mother,  Joy Soll,  I took during a demo ride I was able to give her on Saturday Sept. 9 at Avenal. We had some thermals,  and were able to stay up long enough for her to get an idea what it's all about. I also got to fly with Wyll, who has been flying up at the Alvord Desert in Oregon,  and has been doing auto tows up there with Don Flynn. He recently checked out and soloed  in an SZD-51 Junior up there. The junior is roughly comparable to the CCSC's DG100. 

Alex Caldwell

Alex and Joy. Photo by Joy.

Harold

Cal Poly Masters student Kajetan Fricke went soaring with me today. He arrived in the US from Munich only one week ago. He already has a private power rating in Germany and wants to get a sailplane rating. We got a good 2 hours before he had to come back to get his ride home. We were able to push up north a short distance while listening to the radio chatter of the Hollister guys coming south and GD making his run.

Jan Zanutto

Kajetan and the Grob. Photo by Jan Zanutto.

Karl Kunz assembling his ASW-20 for an expected long flight.

Ken Talovich on short final in his unique RV-8, flying in from Pine Mountain airport.

Richard Walker moving his Schweizer 1-35 to the launch area.

Jan Zanutto, Kajetan Fricke, and Sergio Grajeda gathered around the Grob in the background.

It's flight time for Kajetan and Jan as they get ready to move the Grob to the launch area.

It's wash time for both the Schweizer 1-35 and the 1-26.

The Headless Horseman, Ken Talovich, preflighting Big Bird before his big solo day.

Another headless pilot, Jim Rickey, encouraging Ken Talovich as he finishes his preflight.

With the big cloud markers over the San Benito's it promises to be a good soaring day.

A big gathering over at Julie Butler's glider trailer.

Jan and Kajetan in and ready to launch with help from Wyll Soll and Julie Butler.

On the roll, Jan guiding the Grob along the recently smoothed runway 31R.

Julie Butler awaiting her turn to launch, astride her sleek sailplane.

Karl Kunz nearly ready to launch and head for the markers already formed over the Temblor Range.

Markers looking good and Karl is anxious to get there as they continue to develop.

Julie Butler and Neiman Walker assist at the cockpit while Ken Talovich is ready to run the wing for Karl Kunz.

Looks like another glider is inbound so they will wait until that operation is finished.

Julie Butler waiting, Neiman Walker will run her wing, and Morgan Hall is the hookup guy.

Ethan Ronat is another of the high performance glider pilots who went aloft today.

Richard Walker likes what the skies over Black Mountain are showing as good lift markers.

Ken Talovich ready for a phase check with Alex Caldwell prior to his solo today.

Ken's a pretty confident guy after preparing for this day with all the necessary presolo maneuvers.

Ken and Alex about to depart for the phase check flight.

Wyll Soll running the wing for Ken and Alex.

Ken's in good position with just a slight crab angle to counter the crosswind.

Joy Soll and Wyll Soll basking in the cool shade near the launch area.

A glider not aloft on this beautiful day at Avenal, is like a Macaw sitting on the ground, beautiful but inert.

Richard Walker just turned final in his Schweizer 1-35.

Richard on very shot final over the fence enroute to landing on runway 31L.

Neiman Walker in the 1-26 turning final for runway 31L.

Over the fence for the left runway and a nice finish to a long flight.

Ethan Ronat ready to launch in his Discus CS talking to Ken Talovich about buying a glider.

Finally it's Ken's turn to solo. He's ready and looking forward to flying solo in yet another model of aircraft.

With Neiman Walker running his wing, Ken Talovich prepares for his first solo flight in a glider.

Jan Zanutto and Kajetan Fricke turning final in the big Grob two-place sailplane.

On short final and in good position for a nice landing.

Ken Talovich aloft in Big Bird flying downwind just prior to turning base, on his first solo glider flight.

Short final for Ken and Big Bird as he finishes his first solo glider flight. He'll do two more in rapid succession.

Richard Walker launching again in the Schweizer 1-35 while the 1-26 waits for another pilot.

Ken's not sure why this is necessary but he is a good sport.

He didn't want his hairy back to be shown but here it is anyway.

Nice going Ken, you did three excellent solo flights. CONGRATULATIONS!!!