After our ridge-flying adventure, we stayed home, licked our wounds, and watched the days grow shorter. We waited for a particular sequence of weather events that would allow us to operate our equipment on the airfield without freezing our buns off.
The week before Christmas we got our break. First, there was a mild spell which included some rain. That cleared the airfield of snow. Second, there was short period of minus 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. That made the field firm enough to operate our equipment on. This was important to those of us who had experienced the mud- hole at the ridge.
December 18, 1993 was a bright, clear, sunny day. The temperature was a balmy -1 degree Celsius, and the winds were light and variable. A most perfect day for being outdoors.
But, it was a flying day that almost wasn't. Being so close to Christmas, it was a difficult chore springing our aviating buddies loose from their seasonal domestic duties. Eventually, we did find 5 members who had their Christmas shopping done, so off we went to the airfield.
When we arrived, we found our next 2 snags. The winch truck wouldn't start, and there was a frozen snowdrift in front of the garage door.
The garage door was no problem, really. We had two doors, one at each end of the garage. The problem was moving trailers and vehicles outside, so we could tow the winch out the other door.
After what seemed like an eternity of towing, pushing, pulling, and jump-starting, we got the winch and retrieve vehicle out onto the field.
So, after a frustrating, cool, morning's work, we were ready for a bit of play. My 11 year-old daughter, Janis, and I took the first launch at 12:15 PM. Right off the launch we turned left into a thermal, and were soon joined by a red-tailed hawk. As we turned together, we stayed close enough for Janis to count its tail feathers. The hawk kept its beady little eye on us, as we jockeyed for position to get the best climb.
While we were thus engaged, Dick Vine was launched in his Open Cirrus. A moment later, looking to the right, I saw Dick's Cirrus pass us in a wide sweeping turn outside our thermalling party. As he looked back over his shoulder at us, we exchanged waves.
It was too much for the hawk. After a couple more turns, he left the thermal to Dick, Janis, and I. And so we continued our climb together in the bright winter sky, over a winter landscape full of greys and browns.
Too soon, it was time to go back. Reluctantly, Janis and I left Dick and returned to the field, ending a very pleasant half-hour flight. Dick finished his climb, left the area, and didn't come back until sometime after 2 PM.
Our flying day continued in Dick's absence, and by the end it, we had a total of 11 flights. We were having so much fun, the end of the day sneaked right up on us. The sun was dipping below the horizon as we started putting things away. Our Ka7 was put to bed in the hanger under the head-lights of the retrieve vehicle.
And, so ended 1993.
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