February 22nd

Time has come to say goodbye to Michiel.
We had dinner togehter last night with Sonja, Jos, Barb and Angelo.
We handed over a colorful present to show our appreciation.
Thank you very much Michiel!
We wish you all the best.

February 21st

It was time to say goodbye to Harry.

And it was the last evening this season with Erik as he will leave early in the morning.

February 20th

Containers gone, so we went to visit some kangaroos.

courtesy Erik van der Heul.

February 19th

February 18th

Containers are picked up today, always said to see them leave
but they will be going to the European summer which is good.

February 17th

Although we did not have a briefing today, everybody was there for a coffee
and some nice "boterkoek".
Last day packing, last bits and pieces.
Nice sunny day with cu's, 25Knots wind and 35°C.

February 16th

We had a lovely evening with Eveline and Hans who invited all pilots and some friends.
Perfect day for packing, grey sky so we all could focus on packing.
It takes a few people to de rigg QL. But we all had fun.

February 15th

The last briefing for this season.
The last day for MK as they are leaving today.
But celebration for Eveline! It is her birthday today.
Only one glider in the air today, packing tomorrow.
Erik made a nice.......

Thank you Ben for sharing this.

Alhtough the "Happy Birthday" choir is much smaller these days, it still gives a good performance.

February 14th

Only two flying days to go!
Still a beatiful sky at 19:00

February 13th

All pilots are flying today!
The first cu', see picture. Soon after that the sky was full of beatiful looking cu's.

February 12th

Nice cu's popping up everywhere.
No packing today.

February 11th

A nice day, not too hot, not too cold.
Even nice smooth thermals, at least whilst towing.

February 10th

Only a few gliders left.
More isolated thunderstorms in New South Wales.
The through seems to be a stationary one. Lots happening but just not flying.
Only a few drops of rain on the airfield today, big storms around Corowa but nice on the airfield.

February 8th

Packing more wings.

February 7th

Not only all gliders in the air today, also the chairs got airborne!

February 6th

Too cold, not high enough not strong enough. Just a day after the cool change.
Harry and Erik are cross country on the mountain bike.
We provide sar as usual.
But busy, as we have the Parachute Training School doing their course on the airfield.

February 5th

Happy Birthday to Grietje!
Eveline made a nice cake and Jřrgen brought some nice chocolate to share.

Also congartulations on Mr. Hotta. He did his 500 and shouted us to celebrate!
He will be back next season.
We said goodbey to Jřrgen, he did a speech as this was their last time with TT.
Birgitte already left a few weeks ago due to family circumstances.

TT flew a total of 152 launches and 73000 km's. We think that is quite impressive over 4 years only.

After the briefing we had some friends, celebrating togehter with the pilots. It was quite nice,
after lunch we cooled off in the pool.

February 4th

It looks like it is going to be a good day so all gliders headed out to rway 05.
Still high temperatures, 32°C is expected today.
Today is Shad's last day as well as for Mr Hotta.
Katinka and Berry will be leaving tomorrow early in the morning.
All gliders are flying today!

February 3rd

Packing more gliders.
Another day with cu's under high clouds.

February 1st

Only three gliders took the sky today.

January 31st

This time of the season, saying goodbye's.
The Dutch team arrived in style, they also left in style.
They were picked up by the limo who drove them to Melbourne Airport.

The whole group was invited by Pam and Steve of the Golfers Retreat Motel
for a bbq!
It was very nice, good food and good people!

Strong winds and not high thermal base so we have another rest day.

January 28th

Pam called in today to say hello to her friends.
Although she was driving from Tocumwal to Narromine, she drove back to Tocumwal.
She will compete in the Nationals and the competition management have decided to run the
competition in Tocumwal due to the weather.

Another nice day today in Corowa, but also a bit sad.
The Slovak container is on his way to Melbourne.
The trailer with Stemme is also on her way to Melbourne.
We hope to see you all back next season!

Lubor left being on number one with 6534 points on the OLC

January 28th

It is realy almost the end of the season!
Willem and Frank are packing the Stemme.
The Slovak conatiner is being packed!

January 27th

Lubor did it again! 1070km only!

The Slovak container is going to be packed today!
Pick up tomorrow, leaving Australia Monday to be back in time
for the Competition in Priviedza.

January 26th

Happy Australia Day!

But also Happy Birthday Julien!
We said goodbye to Wendy and Harry!

January 25th

Only a few days before packing the Slovak container.
They need to be back in time for the competition in Nitra.
Welcome to Willemijn and Vincent!
Lovely day today, cu's and a nice 37 degrees.

January 24th

Welcome to Shad!
Some quiet days, cu's starting late so better do something else with the day.
But not for Shad, he is using this as a practice day flying the DG808s.

January 23rd

Happy Birthday Bjarne! Francesco's third grand son.
Megan and Nils second son, Lasse's brother!
Julien's nephew.

January 22nd

Happy Birthday Anders!
Birgitte conducted the choir this morning.
Another day with cu's, we are getting used to clouds.
There is a chance for TCU again but as ususal, we know by tonight.

January 21th

It was a great succes. Good people good food!
I think we reached the 38 which was a little bit too hot but that was all!
We said goodby to Casper, we hope to see you back next season!

We packed two glider, and said goodby to Bernd and Peter.

January 20th

The last Indonesian Evening this season!

January 19th

Michiel completed his Silver badge today in the DG!
Well done, congratualtions. Casper tasted the long flights, he did another long flight, so did Gabriela
in LM!
Casper
Gabriela

January 18th

Not easy in the beginning but later on, when the cu's started to pop it got better.
A few pilots went home to take a restday after an early start but some kept going like Ivo.
Ivo's flight

January 17th

And another good day yesterday.
3 x >1000km
This time, Casper (his first)Lubor, and Harry

January 16th

Yes, it was a good day yesterday.
7 x >1000km
5 x >900
5 x >800

January 15th

Happy Birthday to Hans!

January 14th

Happy Birthday to Manfred!

Milan flying the LS4 from Tocumwal landed here, just to catch up with Casper.

January 12th

January 11th

The wind was too strong today, gusting up to 40 knots!
But it was a good day to go on a bike and tour the mountains.
Peter, Hayly and Ben called in to say hi and catch up with friends.
Also Ales, Zitta and their two kids joined us for a few days to do some flying.

January 10th

January 9th

Happy Birthdday to Peter!

January 8th

We said goodbye to Ids.
A rest day for some, getting some jobs done for others.

January 7th

Welcome to Roger, he flew in this morning. Go will come as well to fly with Roger.

January 6th

Welcome to: Casper, Gabriella, Jozef, Lubik, Marek, Radim

Harry and Erik did have antother task for today, beercan Bright on two weels.

Michiel made a time laps clip last night. And today CT is flying with "candid" camera.

January 5th

Happy Birthday Mother!!!
and Happy Birthday Richard!

January 4th

We got 40.9°C so towing was a challenge with 4000ft pressure height. The >1000km pilots today:
N, 2H, CT, LK, TT

Although it is raining this morning, we expect to be flying this afternoon.
Happy Birthday to Lasse! Francesco's grandson. Soon Lasse will have a brother, exciting time!

January 3rd

They did it again! Another two pilots flew >1000km.
Today is going to be hot, forecast is 40°C.

January 2nd

The first two >1000km of the Season! CT and ILH

January 1st

Happy Birthday Masayuki!

December 31st

Michiel celebrated the Old, New year at the Bridge.

Happy New Year!

Decmeber 30th

Happy Birthday to Max!
Welcome Bron and John!
As we don't expect to have time on new years day, Erik, Ton, Wil, Michiel, Franceso and the kids
did they "new years jump" into the water today!
Accompanied by two pinquins and ice rocks, they all jumped into the hot water.

December 29th

It is nice to see Wendy and Harry back!
These days, you come in style when you fly from Corowa.
Welcome to Ton, Willem, Arend, Frank, Wil and Ben!
Take Off ILH.

December 28th

We welcome Hans Herbert and Rene. But also Lubik and Ivo!
Photos by Michiel.
Kids are cleaning the briefing room, than again they do use it as well.

December 27th

We welcome Akemi and Mac. Also to Swain, Rochelle and little Callan.
Michiel was lucky to go with Marek in LM!
Francesco refueling the bowser.

December 26th

Welcome to Marek.
Only a few flying today as it was a late start. But it is a competition, as Ids does not want to
loose te daily Trophee (a competition between pilots staying in the Arcadia Inn).
Jeroen, Esther and Roderick were here to celebrate Christmas with us so they left again today

December 25th

Welcome to Masayuki and Kei.
Everybody had a great dinner!
I am not sure if Kei was enertaining Frank and Alissa or the other way around.
Either way, they had great fun!

December 24th

Our thoughts are today with Sisko and her family.

Another beatiful day. Pilots were all ready to go when the first cu's popped.

FA from LGT

December 23rd

Pepe came back from Narromine. He was really happy to be back as the weather was so much better around here!

December 22nd

It is starting to get normal, having cu's. Although the cu's are develloping a bit fast today.
Still some nice flying, going more to the west as we expect the thunderstorms to develop in the north a
bit faster than the west. We will see, we know by tonight.

TT on final

December 21st

Today started a with a greay sky but cu's under it. first we thought it would be really good to
the north but soon enough, the pilots turned to the south. A movie clip during taxiing but more interesting ILH taking off.
Some maintenance on the apron today.
Some foto's made by Michiel, and the 360degrees as well.

December 20th

Welcome to Rolf.
Another beatiful day, lovely cu's, nice temperature.

December 19th

Happy birthday Vader

We did some site checks today. Beatiful cu's, 20 knots from the west.

December 18th

Happy birthday Elise
We welcome Claus.

December 17th

We welcome Chris. He is flying for one week this time.

December 16th

December 15th

The new out door table arrived today! Ordering it in October we did not believe it would still come this year but this morning it did!

It was time to say goodbye to Sebastian, he was not her for flying but spending time with his family ILH!

December 14th

We welcomed Peter and Joke and Reinhard. Peter and Reinhard will be flying their own glider.
Task for today was only flown by RA. Others setted their own task. It was a good day with
CT as winner. MD brought cookies for morning tea as he was the winner in 18m class (well that was his
excuse anyway to bring cookies).
While pilots are busy preparing their gliders, the ladies are busy with other sports.

December 13th

Peter and Joke Gerretse arrived today. They found their glider (it was in the trailer of FA). With a strong wind, not everybody hit the sky. There is plenty other stuff to do in Corowa.

December 12th

Harry and Erik made their decision, and when it is made, it is made even when cu's are popping everywhere.
Ids made his first solo flight from Corowa, in the 808! He'll be here for 4 weeks flying the DG808 and
the Discus.

December 11th

Only Ivan and Miro flew today, just to get familiar again and be ready for the serious stuff!
Eveline and Katinka helped Frank and Alissa putting up the Christmas decoration.

December 10th

We have had some wonderful days! The Danish "team" HC, Stener, Noppies and Thomas had
a wonderful time. they onle had one rest day out of 12!
After winning from a virus and Harry was number 1 of the OLC Corowa.
We welcomed Ids, Ole, Ivan and Suzanna who will be flying not only the Extra 300 but also the DUO.

December 9th

The first birthday song of this season was for Jan Hrabovsky.
Normally only he would receive a present but he gave us one, a shirt, pen, and a cap.

December 4th

We were lucky with the weather today. Not too hot, a cool wind from the south east and
it too strong sothe choice to have a rest day was easy made.
Most pilots wanted to have a rest day anyway as previous days were good and yesterday
was really good.

November 30th

We had some rain this morning but that won't keep The Danish Team on the ground.

November 27th

Welcome to H.C. Hoeck, Stener Nilsen and last but not least Noppies with Thomas.
Unfortunately Elise had to work so she could not come. Frank and Alissa were a bit
dissapointed but were happy to see Noppies.

Strong wind to start with but soon it eased off.
Peter was the tow pilot for today and Grietje towed William in WD up north as
he had to go to Narromine.

While Grietje was towing after doing some site checks, Francesco briefing new pilots on the engines as well as test fly
the 31, Michiel taking care of everything else on the ground, Sonja was taking care of the kids!
All a bit hectic but thanks to Sonje everyhing was running smooth!

November 22nd

Full overcast all day.
After the briefing we looked at the pictues Jorgen made at the Temora air show.
For the staff it was a day for a lot of small jobs.

In the afternoon when it cleared a little bit.
Grietje took FOO for T and Go's and after a while she came back with a big smile.

FA had to be test flown and with Francesco in FA and Grietje in FOO she made her first aero tow.
A perfect aero tow with and air speed between 128km/h and 130 km/h made Francesco smile as well.
Unfortunately the kitchen and the kids were waiting , so Francesco had to leave te good 1 ,5 m/s thermals.

November 21st

A bit busy last week with airworthiness matters and regio's, which left us with not too much
time left for the news update.

Although Hans did not fly today, he did on the 18th! with a perfect flight.
1,028.27 points for 975.76 km's! Well done Hansi!
Hansi on the OLC

Today we had not a brillant forecast, but enough for Manfred MK to do a 275 km triangle.

In the mean time Peter "PZ" and Birgitte arrived and today Max "MD" and family.

But the most important news of today is that Grietje is back in business!
She did her bi-annual today and passed. Now some familiarisation hours and T & G on the Pawnee and then after 2 seasons
beside the operation, full back in!

Grietje back tracking and taking off again from rway 23
with instructor J. Jarden from Yarrawonga.

November 16th

This is how it looks like when you're doing 6 inspections on motor gliders.

Tom Gilbert in his "office".

November 11th

The first briefing of the season 2011/2012. Flowers for Grietje from Birgitte (TT)!

November 10th

The 10th of every month is the day of the draw of the Dutch National Lotery.
We did not win, but Grietje feels like she won.
After 2 years she is back into flying and allowed to be tow pilot no 1 again.
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!!!!!

November 9th

Although we did not rig any gliders due to the rain, we were all busy.
Fiddling with gliders, getting spot on the net again, turning points, and what not
to start the season down under.

Francesco picked up the Stemme from Melbourne.

Tomorrow some pictures!

November 8th

4 Containers arrived today! 2 Inspectors from Quarantine and hot but dry weather!.
Collin and Frank were the Quarantine inspector's and checked the gliders plus belongings.

As always it is a huge job but it is so good when you open the container doors and everything
looks the same as when you packed it on the other side of the world.
We took out the data loggers so we will know tonight what the gliders have been through.

We already rigged a few gliders so we are getting back in flying mode. We expect rain tomorrow
which will give us another day of rigging, organizing stuff in on and around the gliders.

Tomorrow off to Melbourne to unpack the last container which has been released today.

Day before yesterday Eveline and Hansi called in, yesterday we welcomed Maria and Bernd.
Today we welcomed Pepe and his son. Jos and Sonja have been spotted. Soon the hangar will be
full again.

November 5th

The 4 containers are cleared and in Melbourne and are expected in Corowa tomorrow or Monday.
The 5th container with the Stemme will be cleared early Monday and Francesco will drive to MEL to
pick it up.
AQIS is scheduled for Tuesday 10 am.
Some rain is forecasted for Tuesday, so fingers crossed.

In the mean time a few of the pilots are here.
Team TT Jorgen and Birgitte
CT Harry Wondergem, back after an absence of 2 seasons due to health issues. Welcome back Harry!
2H Erik van der Heul, back after an absence of 2 seasons due to health issues. Welcome back Erik!
Team ILHHansi and Eveline have not called in yet, but have been seen down town.

Anders QL has been working 2 days on his glider and had the honor to make the first aero tow today.

Later in the afternoon Michiel our staff for the season arrived after a short Australian holiday.

"" LET THE SHOW BEGIN ""

October 26th

Happy birthday Frank. Today he is celebrating his 5th birthday !!
A perfect soaring day with nice cu's and good visibility.
But no flying as we could not get the glider out of the hangar.
The Shire started yesterday with the repair of the apron and the taxy way to rwy 23.
For sure that is more important than just 1 nice flight.
The containers are still on schedule and with a little bit of luck we can unpack on Monday Nov 7th.

October 23rd

A beautifull day with a max temp at Corowa airfield of 32 gRC.
And a cloudbase over 3000 meter agl.

But it was also a day of great service by Alexander Schleicher.
They did send an engineer to Corowa to perform the " conformity changes"
on our ASH 31. Today and tomorrow will be 2 full days work to bring the glider up to
EASA certification standard.
One if the items was the replacement of a part for which er had to get the engine out.
Outside the temperature was 32 grC, so you can imagine how it was in the hangar.

October 20th

The last day before the change, so that could be a good day. Blib maps and XC skies gave both the same forecast. " Not that good "
The temp told me different. Good and high climbs , but most likely blue.
I waited until 28 grC enough for 1000m.
The result was a nice afternoon with good climbs and 2500 m above ground level. And the first km for the OLC 2012.
Compared with 2 weeks ago the scene was less green and less water.

October 15th

The weather is good at the moment.
The last 10 days no rain and on most days nice cumulus in the sky.
The forecast for the next week is sunny, good conditions and temperatures up to 28 grC.

This week we picked up FOO from Yarrawonga where it had its 100 hrly inspection.

The containers are sailing on schedule. A few days ago they were 2,5 hours ahead of schedule!!

October 5th

The first news from Corowa.
We had a good trip home and the kids behaved very well in the plane.

The containers are well on the way and we expect them on November 3rd in Melbourne.
So we might have them in Corowa on Saturday/Sunday and AQIS on Monday.

At the airfield we found everything ok.
LGT was back in the hangar and FOO is in Yarrawonga for the annual inspection.

The weather has been perfect in September until the last week when we got quite some rain.
But after that we had some nice days with cu's.
We prepared "3W" and Francesco did a short flight yesterday. Amazing, early October and lift over 2,5 m/s avg.
Of course NSW is GREEN, but a lot of the water we saw in Febraury is gone, however some new "lakes" make the scene a bit different.
And for the cattle? all the dams are full. ( Good thermal trickers !)

September 21st

Back home after container packing.
Monday was used to clean the outside of the containers and do the final check inside .
We did a good packing job as I found hardley any items to be improved. Nils, Michiel thanks you were top.
On Tueday morning early the trucks were waiting at the airfield and by 9 am they left.
In the time they went to Rotterdam I said hello to Theo Heldens of "Kurstjens loonbedrijf" who did host us for a long time.
But as usual we got a call from customs about the ATA carnets. Not their fault this time, but I signed one of the (10) carnets on the wrong page.
Erik went to customs and did sign the lot.
After that the last and interesting packing job.
Frank and Willem were already waiting and took the mudguards of the trailer.
But the trailer did fit in a 40" high cube container.
Space left in front 40 cm, left 1 cm, right 1 cm and in front 10 cm. Taylor made !
After that hot job, we said good bye and thanks to Erik van Geffen and Willem Frank and Francesco went for a sandwich in the Rotterdam Wharf.
JOB DONE
The Bruinsma family will leave for Corowa on Sunday.

September 18th

Thursday Francesco and Michiel (he will join us for the season) started preparations and packing of the containers.
Friday there was also a nice distraction for some of the pilots. I believe it was about cars and girls or girls and cars.
The airfield is big enough for flying, truck display, drag races with porsches, container packing AND....flying.

Saturday Nils and Grietje helped as well. All gliders went in very smoothly. So was Sunday.
Only two more gliders as the 4 other gliders were already packed. One isolated shower which was
only big enough to put some drops on stuff. We feel we have been very lucky weather wise as there were a
lot of storms passing on the radar.
A big thanks to Nils, who helped us out on Saturday and of course Michiel who helped from the very start to
the very end of the packing.

Tomorrow the 4th container with the Stemme, Tuesday pick up and hopefully sailing by the end of the week if not before.

To all who helped and or brought their glider, if you made pictures we would love to have them.

September 4th

Our wel known agent in Rotterdam, Erik van Geffen was invited by the ASCC at Soesterberg to make his first flight in a glider. Today he, his wife Linda and son Merlijn all went in the air .
AFter landing only big smiles.
It was quite an exprience for them to sit in a glider, while transporting them for the last 14 years to Corowa Australia.
A well deserved present after all the good service.
And Erik, thank you for the excellent wine(s).

August 14th

The European summer (summer?) is almost over and we are full on with the preparations for the upcoming season and most of all
the container transport. 5 containers to be packed in Prievidza, Venlo and 1 in Rotterdam warf.
New in the containers will be a data logger (in every container), which will log pressure, temperature, humidity and
most important acceleration (3 axes).
The correct sailing schedule is on the website and we will publish the packing date per glider this week.

June 26th

Ilmari Rintasalo 26-06-1946 -- 24-12-2010

Our thoughts are with Ilmari and his family.

June 1st

We are pleased to announce that the shire has opened runway 14/32 (as of 30th of June) after resealing the runway.
Peter Presneill did the inspection of LGT and flew it back to Corowa. It is now back in our hangar
ready for coming season.
Thanks to Angelo and Peter for organizing and pictures!

May 12th

Today we received the sad news that our friend Tohru Ikeda, one of the three owners of "QL", passed away yesterday evening.
Ikeda san has been struggling with cancer for the last several years, then taken final glide in his life.

We will miss his always happy and positive attitude and good airmanship.

April 18th

An exciting week. The containers arrived in time but then people at the warf
were on strike. Lucky our container was already unloaded off the ship.
Then the next day when our containers were scheduled for pick up, the wharf
was full with trucks wanting their containers. It was a mess. Many containers
needed scanning for radiation so it was a close shave. They arrived in time
in Venlo. Francesco was already there to receive them. The weather was just
perfect although it is difficult sometimes to see all those nice cumulus and
not be able to fly.

It was nice to catch up with all the people who have been in Corowa last season.

A big thank you to Elise and Noppies. Things are so much easier when you have the
people helping who now about things.
It was great to meet Michiel, he will be in our team coming season. He was a huge help
too and we are looking forward working with him.
Thank you Elise, Noppies and Michiel!

Just a reminder, unlike previous years bookings for a container spot are confirmed
after the deposit.
See the Booking overview for an up to date container situation.

April 11th

The containers arrived in Rotterdam late in the afternoon.
No strikes or other hazards, so it all should be ok.
Truck are booked for arrival Venlo on Friday afternoon, so unpack as scheduled on Saturday morning

April 5th

The containers are on schedule. Only 1 day too late, but in time to unpack on Saturday 16th.

In the meantime we are back in The Netherlands busy preparing the container arrival and 2011 2012 preps.

A lot of new pilots made the decision to fly in Corowa next season.
So we are looking foreward to it.

March 13th

First off all we hope all our japanese pilots are well and we are thinking off all the Japenese people.

All containers are on the way.
We expect the Prievidza container next week in R'dam.

We are happy we did not get on the earlier East Bound vessel which is in the middle of the tsunami waves now.
We don't have an idea of the impact. So a week later but.............

The weather in Corowa is perfect with so now and then rain, but not the amounts we had in Jan and Feb.
We were able to do a little bit of flying with the ASH31 (18m)

March 2nd

Staff Season 2011 2012

This season is over but we are already working on the next season.
Do you want to spend an Australian summer on one of the best soaring centers in the World?
Working at the airfield, towing, looking after Frank and Alissa?
If you are interested just write an email to the ASCC.