Dominic dedicated his weekend as my driver, and as a treat got to soar Woodside for almost an hour. Although he has reshaped my truck bumper, and tried to kill me a few times – he is my pilot of the week.

Although my newest driver/student Dominic had a bad start: bent my truck bumper (more), forgot how to get to Woodside launch, and had a “short” landing; he has stuck with it and is now doing quite well.
That’s the way to hang in there!

John’s been working hard this year and it finally paid off – he just finished our novice course.

Andrei has been in the back ground of many adventures these days: first flight of the Chief, as well as organizing many other adventure including a recent Cheam flight. Some times he just comes along as a driver and other times he’s the last man to launch – in all cases it’s always good to have Andrei around.

Cliff was quite helpful this week, offering to drive when I was full with tandems and students, and has been flying very well all week. He just needs some more soaring flights to add to his Intermediate rating.

Cliff managed his longest flight to date 4+ hours, and then was most helpful by offering to drive down.

Great progress from JC this week.
In just one flight, although more than an 1.5 hours long, we worked on coring thermals with another pilot close by, front collapses, asymmetricals and baby spirals. Probably the most “baby” acro I’ve ever seen in just one flight, with just 30 flights, and flying an Emotion, size large – nice work JC!

Some great flying from JC these days (longest flight), John (first spiral) and today from Alex (longest flight and in and out of the clouds including two great launches in strongish conditions); but I think the biggest personal challenge was made by Paddy. He stepped up to the plate and took on the task to help land some of my low hour students (with mixed results).  My students are launching so well these days, perhaps I should hang out more often in the LZ?

Andrew was the easy pick: at the 5th Annual Lumby Air Races, he finished top in his class and even out flew his instructor!

Some great performances this week: Will's first solo flight, Cliff was top pilot for hours, JC’s extra long forward launch, Andrew simply flying high and far and helping as much as possible; but I think one pilot (Peter) continues to stands out - at almost every chance he will top land to help out with the driving, use his vehicle for retrieval, watches over and helps coach all the students (even while flying), he’ll launch first or last (most dangerous job) as needed, and will often use good judgment and cancel his XC flight when things get too dangerous.

Some of the usual:  Jeremy going to cloud base, Peter stuck in the sky for two hours, and John completing his first frontal and surviving his first cravat; but Wally sacrificing his only day to fly for a week to cut the Bridal LZ grass (correctly – no trimming left) - outstanding!

I’m most impressed with Jeremy W these days – his approach to flying is exemplary and without influence to peer pressure. Little steps are the key. On my recent trip to Hicks (XC across the valley), I asked him to join me, he complied for a short while then  turned around due to bumpy air and strong conditions – a smart call when you are not quite ready.

Congrat to Elena K for completing her novice rating.

Lots of firsts this week so very hard to pick a top pilot:
Wally’s first landing at his house; Peter’s and Louise first valley crossing; Clif’s highest flight, Gerry’s low saves and great landings; John ‘s biggest collapse (50%); Andrew's welcome back flight – but I think the most significant achievement was Lawrence completing our Novice course and getting his rating (lawrence has been working hard on his spirals, wing overs and spot landings). Congrats to all!

Honourable mention to Wally for removing the ten bags of garbage left on the Bridal road.

Clif had his “best flight(s) ever” at Woodside this week, plus a number of nice launches and landings– not to mention finished his novice course after about 1.5 years. Already, Clif has a great understanding of the weather patterns of the Fraser Valley – if you need some “student” weather advice, try asking Clif.

Jeremy – yes both of them!

JC’s flying has been quite solid lately: with his best landing ever at Blanchard and longest flight to date (at Bridal).

JW has been ripping it up with more than 9+ hours air time in just a few days, followed by a much needed top landing at Bridal – if he could only fly tandems…

Our first 2010 Pilot of the Week is Wally. He was great help at the WCSC work party, loaning out his truck and gear, and later hauled up almost every pilot to launch. At the end of the day he offered to drive down, saving us another trip up to launch. I believe he had the second longest flight of the day (not sure if he had the best landing however).