From 1980 #3 "Free Flight" BLUENOSE SOARlNG CLUB As of the end of September we have put over 1,200 flights into the sky. Poor weather in July slowed us down a bit but the ther- mals have improved since then. Never-the- less, rarely has this writer been in a thermal that provided steady lift throughout the cir- cle, regardless of bank angle or speed. Typ- ically the vario would vary abowt 6 knots in one turn. If you're like me and find it difficult to accept this nonsense; then you find your- self centering in sink in no time. WlNCH & CABLE Our launching system has been working smoothly. With the new fairlead pulleys and the music spring steel cable we are rarely delayed due to snags. The cable will last us the season, but due to the learning process we expect even better performance next year We had increased our retrieve speed to 20 mph only to find that our transmission would get hot. If anyone has any sugges- tions on a fix, please drop us a line. The crude Schweizer hook has given us trouble and we are now attempting to get MOT ap- proval to installing a Tost hook on our 2-22. Our "permanent fix" splice detailed in the last issue did not work out due to the cable fatiguing at the end of the splice bullet. So we have used our battlefield fix, which works well but has to be replaced every 100 launches or so. But with the experience we now have with the cable, we expect few, if any, breaks next year. With a profit margin of over 100% per flight, our treasurer has been known to give the winch a pat on the back at the end of a good day. CLUB FLYlNG None of our new solo pilots got their 5-hr. flights during our flying week in August. This was due to either lack of proper weather when someone was ready, or the Ka-7 being returned to normal duty when the allotted attemptee could not come fo fly Dick Vine came the closest, being shot down by a fast moving warm front after 3:40 in the air. Norm Stacey kept the 2-22 aloft for over 2-1/2 hours, and then came down to let someone else have a go. Robbie Francis and Ralph Keeping were our new solo pilots since last report; Robbie in the 2-22 and Ralph in the Ka-7. Both have tasted the joys of soaring; Robbie has become the master of soaring the 2-22. Since the 2-22's panel has been graced with a Winter mechanical vario, it has become a common sight in a gaggle; more than one hot-shot pilot after returning from afar at low altitude, has been saved from landing by humbly tucking in under the 2-22. CROSS-COUNTRY The mean and stingy nature of post mid- summer thermals have kept the single sea- ters closer to home. Ralph Olive in the Cir- rus went off visiting local farmers. Jack Dodds committed a 60 km stretch of a Gold O&R to memory by beating back and forth three times. Chris Purcell proved the most adventuresome by running off to New Glas- gow (130 km) and then decided to have din- ner and enjoy the view rather than run for home. The fact that one of his partners (this writer {George Graham}) lived there and could facilitate the retrieve did possibly enter the decision process. Chris then attempted a Diamond Goal O&R but had to land within sight of the turnpoint when a solid overcast cut him off. His landing was witnessed by a farmer and his 17 children who were picking apples in the family orchard. Chris reports that the disassembly was done with surprising ease. The most exciting news is the appearance of a new single-seater on the field. Doug Girard purchased a Skylark 4, GFXDN, and it certainly adds grace and charm to both the take-off grid and the skies around Stan- ley. Doug has averaged 3-1/2 hours per flight whilst getting acquainted with his new glider and come next year us x-country flyers are looking forward to having the Skylark with us when we run off to discover new soaring skies. CLUB PLANS Jack Dodds is taking the Austria to Mt. Washington for the October Wave Camp. Some of our members are looking for wave in more local environs by scouting out the Cape Breton Highlands. We are planning our Year End-Halloween Party for Nov. 1st. We would like to expand our launch capac- ity and are looking at the Davis winch de- tailed in the Aug. issue of Soaring with in- terest, especially the arrangement to allow double-drum launching. The Club is still looking for a third 2-place glider, of Ka-7 performance or better.