President's Prerogative
Well, they say that some things change and some things stay the same. In the case of the presidency, the guy's name is still "Joe"-but after that the similarities begin to run thin. I'm honored to take over the presidency from Joe Rees, and I hope to continue to bring honor upon the office. This is a very exciting time to be a member of the Club, and I'm thrilled to be able to serve the membership as its new president. In that vein, I'd like to look back at the past year, and then look ahead toward the future.

The first thing I'd like to do is acknowledge the legacies of our past presidents. I did not have the pleasure to meet James Postma, so my first encounter with the office was via Spencer Annear. Spencer was instrumental in establishing the key aspects of the structure and operating philosophy of the Club, namely the way in which the Board represents the interests of the membership, and he also set the tone for the fiscal discipline that has served us so well in these early and vulnerable years. Following Spencer's tenure, Joe Rees led the Club with the style of a consummate diplomat. Joe met the significant challenge of shepherding the Club through the move from New Market to Front Royal, and I am pleased to have the benefit of his insights for the next year as he serves out a President Emeritus term on the Board of Directors.

The 1999 season was a banner one for the Club. As Gary Shepherd stated during his Treasurer's Report to the membership, we saw an increase of 40% in annual aircraft movements, income from dues, fees, tows, and aircraft rentals exceeded $60,000, and we now have enough in the coffers to fully repay the Charter Member loans. This is a good time to gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the Charter Members, who provided the interest-free loans which enabled the Club to purchase the Pawnee and the 2-33 and thereby get its start. The transition to FRR appears to be a resounding success, and the Club is well-positioned to embark-carefully-on an expansion of the Club aircraft fleet to accommodate the increasing size and activity level of the membership.

The spirit of the Club continues to evolve, and I think that 1999 saw a few key turning points. The first was a very strong commitment to camaraderie amongst a large number of members. While we have had social events and group dinners throughout the Club's history, 1999 was the first year that post-ops dinners were a "given" on every single operational day, and local and cross-country pilots were always assured of a retrieve or other form of assistance whenever needed. This spirit was fostered by pilots such as Richard Freytag, Jim Kellett, Dave Brunner, Bob Michael, Kevin Fleet, and Greg Ellis; it only takes a few people to sow the seeds, but the interest and enthusiasm grows quickly.

I think that 1999 also saw a serious commitment to the pursuit of soaring goals by our members, whether in the context of earning FAA ratings, achieving SSA & FAI badges, or meeting less formally recognized personal challenges. In 1999, ten Club pilots made their first solo flights and received their SSA "A" badge, three received their "B" badge, two received their "C" badge, and six received their SSA Bronze badge. I hope that our members continue to pursue SSA badges as preparation for the FAI badge series. Along those lines, we had five Silver altitude legs, four Silver/Gold duration legs, three Silver distance legs, and two pilots earned their FAI Silver badges. We had two Gold altitude legs and one Gold distance leg, and one pilot earned his FAI Gold badge. And who could forget Dave Brunner's Diamond altitude flight in 081 at Petersburg--from the low save at pattern altitude to the long, cold climb toward the Flight Levels-and the exhilaration of mastering the wave through skill and perseverance. On the licensing front, we had five pilots earn their FAA Private Pilot-Glider rating and two pilots earn their FAA Commercial Pilot-Glider rating. It was truly an amazing year of accomplishments.

It is impossible to evaluate a year-gone-past without thinking about safety. We can all be proud that we had another year-encompassing over 6000 aircraft movements--without accident or injury. While that is an admirable achievement, we also had a wake-up call from one very scary incident with our tow plane, which clearly pointed out that we are not invulnerable to hazards in our operations. We also had a couple of near-misses between our tow plane and other gliders in the tow plane let-down area, several glider landings made in close proximity to other gliders or people on the flight line, and a few outlandings that were fortunate to be executed without damage to aircraft or occupants. We must continue to approach safety as a systemic part of our operation; the first step is a daily consideration of safety and a commitment by each member to be accident-free.

The Club's fleet is in its best condition ever. For this, we are grateful to our maintenance officers, Bill Vickland and Jim McCulley, and those who have assisted with restoration and maintenance operations throughout the year. We also benefited greatly from the various "Weenies" of the Club, including Chief Operations Weenie Bob Michael, Chief Duty Officer Weenie Ralph Vawter, Chief Instructor Weenie Jim Kellett, and Chief Tow Pilot Weenies Serg Kohudic and Bill Bentley (aka "The Big Tow"). Our Rosterführer Tony Bigbee is sore from all of the arm-twisting he had to do to keep the roster filled; our Membership Weenie John Lewis is swamped with new member prospects; our Secretary Jim Kellett is still trying to find a pen that has ink in it; and our newsletter editor Phil Jordan isn't even close to running out of those incredibly clever and witty graphics that adorn the margins of Skylines. Our Treasurers Stacy Barber and Gary Shepherd deserve special thanks for their diligence and determination in deciphering those cryptic log sheets. Finally, I want to acknowledge several members who were seemingly always around and available when needed, and acted as "doers" independently from the auspices of any particular service position; they are (in no particular order): Jim Kellett, Bob Michael, Bob Downin, Dave Brunner, Glen Baumgartner, Serg Kohudic, Greg Ellis, Fred Winter, George, Geoff, and George Hazelrigg, and Bill Bentley.

In the near term, we await the completion of the remaining maintenance items on the towplane, after which informal operations may commence. All you need are a tow pilot and a DO. The Petersburg Wave Camp runs March 3-12, and the SSA Convention runs March 15-18 in Albuquerque, NM. Our season formally begins at FRR on March 18. Please don't forget that spring checkouts are required if you have not flown at the current field of operation in the past 90 days. (And are a good idea even if you have.)

Over a somewhat longer term, I am looking forward to moving out smartly on the execution of the Strategic Plan. Now that the Plan has been communicated to the members, the Board of Directors will be seeking inputs on the best way to achieve the broad goals of Club fleet expansion, airfield ownership, and other social aspects. This will, again, be a group effort undertaken by the entire membership, and I think that one of the most interesting facets of our Club is the diversity and broad mix of skills brought forward by its members. Our members truly have the ability to make the Club anything they want it to be.

One last point. While we are in very good shape in so many ways, we are facing a crisis in the staffing levels of tow pilots and-particularly- instructors. We presently have nine qualified and active towpilots, and just four qualified and active instructors. It is certainly possible for a dedicated pilot to become qualified for either of these positions within one year of reaching their Private rating, so I feel that the large majority of the rated pilots in the Club should be challenging themselves to fill one or both of these positions in the near future. Dedicated student pilots are, likewise, less than one year away from their Private rating, so no one is more than two years away from being able to fill these positions. In the meantime, those of you who are "sitting on the fence" may be feeling a push from those who are directly impacted.

I invite your ideas, thoughts, and concerns. I am almost always accessible at one of the following: (703) 834-3328 [home], (301) 403-4470 [work], (703) 801-3300 [mobile], or joe@parrish.net.

Thanks again for your support, and I'll look forward to seeing you at the field.
-Joe Parrish

Excerpts from the Annual Meeting and the Board Meeting

1. Fred Mueller has been appointed by the Board to fill the remainder of Ralph Vawter's term, which will expire 12/31/2000
2. The members elected Mike Cordova and Malcolm Gardner to three year terms, replacing Joe Rees and Jim Kellett on the Board (other members are, in addition to Fred Mueller, Dave Brunner, Joe Parrish, and Kevin Fleet.) Consistent with the Club's By-Laws, outgoing President Joe Rees will serve as Board Member Emeritus for the year 2000.
3. The Board elected the following officers for 2000:
   • President, Joe Parrish
   • Treasurer, Gary Shepherd
   • Secretary, Jim Kellett
4. Treasurer Shepherd reported on the Club's financial health, which is good. The Year 2000 budget projects a surplus of ca. $22,000. The Board agreed to repay the Start Up loans and the Treasurer will do so sometime after March 1, 2000.
5. The Club will participate in the Petersburg Wave Camp (March 3-12,. 2000) by moving the K-21 and Sprite to Petersburg for the week. Shane Neitzey is Club coordinator for the event, and will be on-site for the entire camp. (Shane is now also the Club's official Chief Wave Weenie.) Shane will also conduct a pre-camp seminar (time/date/place to be announced) for those who plan to attend. Club members will buy tows from the FBO in Petersburg at current rates, and pay the Club a Wave Camp Fee of $20 to help defray costs of ferrying equipment.
6. The Annual meeting was attended by 33 Club members.
7. Joe Parrish briefed the membership on a very thorough and detailed Strategic Plan recently completed by his Committee (Parrish, Freytag, Shepherd, Garrison). The Plan includes the Club's Utopian Vision, an analysis of past experience, a SWOT analysis, a financial analysis, and a case study of one other Club. The several conclusions and recommendations lay out a program for helping the Club achieve the goals defined by the membership over the next ten years. (Joe has placed PDF versions of the Strategic Plan and the 1/30 presentation to the membership on the Club's website:

   <suppressed>

   He asks that you respect these documents as Club-proprietary. We may decide to make parts of them publicly available sometime in the future.

   Again, your feedback is most welcome. Thanks again to the other members of the strategic planning committee for their efforts, and to the membership for their positive reception of the plan.)

8. Greg Ellis outlined his proposal for a "Share the Dream" project through which members could find a way to help two 14-18 year olds each year get an in-depth introduction to soaring. Members are invited to join Greg in forming a group to brainstorm and plan a more concrete program to propose to the Club's Board (Jim Garrison and Steve Rouse have indicated their interest in participating.) See Greg's proposal elsewhere in this issue.
9. Bob Collier has been named the Club's news Rosterführer. Bob will be assisted by Richard Freytag, who will develop and help implement various software tools to help improve the process and reduce the workload.
10. Maintenance Officer Bill Vickland reported on the completion of the installation of the Tost reel in the Club's Pawnee, and the discovery during the annual inspection of a large number of deficiencies, some serious and expensive. The towplane will be delayed from entering service for at least two more weeks. He also reported on the need to complete a Special Airworthiness Bulletin on the Club's 2-33 before it returns to service; that inspection will be conducted by Muia Aviation.

The Annual Meeting was preceded at 9:00 AM by a seminar, arranged by member Steve Rouse and led by skydiver and rigger Glen Bangs, head of the U.S. Parachute Association, on the care and use of reserve parachutes. Mr. Bangs also repacked several members' chutes after the seminar, and has agreed to return to FRR on a 120 day interval basis to repack all chutes.

Message from the New Duty Officer Weenie
I have been asked to volunteer as the new DO Weenie and have agreed to do so, many thanks to Ralph for all his sterling service.

For those of you who are DO's and ADOs the board has decided to implement some record keeping changes for the new season, many of these are designed to simplify the recording of flight details and to make the treasurer's job easier and less frustrating. In brief the changes are as follows:

CHANGES IN TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP PROCEDURES

For walk-on visitors (temporary members) we will charge a flat $60 fee for the first dual flight (maximum of 30 minutes duration) and a flat $40 for each subsequent flight within a 10 day period. A logbook will not normally be provided as part of this package, but can be sold separately should the visitor wish to have the time officially logged as flight instruction. This should make it easier to deal with the casual or "walk-on" visitor who is not a high priority candidate for membership, without curtailing any of the privileges or experiences for those who ARE candidates for membership.

Note that all such dual flights must be conducted by a Club instructor. (This does NOT preclude any appropriately rated and current member from flying, at normal rates, with any personal guest.) Also, note that Club policy regarding priority for use of Club equipment has NOT changed--all active members have clear priority for use of Club equipment over any visiting Temporary Member!

The Board may approve exceptions to this pricing schedule in unusual circumstances (e.g., a glider pilot visiting from a distant Club or commercial operation who is already licensed and qualified, as determined by the Club CFI on duty.)

LOGSHEETS
These are a continual source of frustration to the treasurer, and the following procedures have been proposed:

No 'split flight payments'-in other words if two people share the cost of a flight the 'payee' pays the full amount to Skyline, the second person then settles up with the first, however they choose.

No more A/R entries please, if you forget your cash or checkbook then ask someone to pay for your flight and settle up with them or stay on the ground.

Please encourage people to use checks (not always easy, I know). When they do pay cash, will you (as DO) please write a separate check for each flight paid for in cash. Identify the real payee in the comment line.

I have an Excel Spreadsheet to automate the DO record-keeping progress, this will be updated to reflect the changes and a new DO log-sheet designed. The club may have a laptop capable of running Excel, and we see if it can be done at the DO point on the field, at the very least I expect you to be able to run the software at home and produce an accurate DO log for Gary.

On a personal note, as you are aware, the club has a 100% safety record, one that we are justifiably proud of and one that we will make every effort to keep. The club works because we take our duties seriously and because the DO's ADO's and everyone on the field is committed to one thing, safe operations on the day: the safety of people, equipment and reputation. I have one thought when its my day as duty officer-NOTHING will go wrong on my day in the barrel, I know that if anyone screws up, I'm responsible. I'll be saying more about this to DO's as the season approaches.

Let's have a safe, fun Y2000 everyone, "Hey, and let's be careful out there..."
-Dave Brunner brunnedj@jmu.edu

Sharing the Dream
Please think back to your first time in a glider. Go back to your first experience soaring. Take a moment to actually recreate the experience.

Who invited you?

Suppose you never had that first opportunity-what would your life be like? Where would you be right now?

The name of this project is Sharing the Dream, because for us soaring is a dream, a passion. That is why we are here right now, committing our time and our money.

Sharing the Dream provides us the possibility to give something back to the communities in which we live.

Sharing the Dream is a way for us to share the activity we love with our neighbors. It is a way for us to pass the gift of soaring along to a generation that is, for the most part, younger than us.

This young generation needs what we have to offer, needs soaring. And we need that younger generation to ensure the continuity of what we find so remarkably unique, so fulfilling and so self expressive in our lives.

The possibility this project offers is to provide access to soaring; for two 14 to 18 year olds each year. Youth who can only dream about it, but who right now have no possibility of realizing that desire. Who currently have no soaring in their future. We can change that future.

Through this project the club would provide two scholarships each year to motivated and interested youth who day dream about flying, and who live in our area.

We would give each one written material, ground instruction, and flight instruction to reach solo. The club would need to create a special membership status, good for the duration of their scholarship.

If you find this project exciting, meaningful, or important to you and would like to be a part of it, I invite you to join a project group to plan out the specifics.

The group could become a committee if the Board officially sanctions it.

We all soar. We have each chosen a life that extends the boundaries; that establishes new playing fields and new worlds of possibilities; that allows us to dance at the edge of the envelope; that continually invites us in further, over our heads; that vetoes business as usual and demands creation.

Let's add a new possibility, a new playing field by extending out hand out to the community and sharing our dream.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this proposal.

If you see the tremendous potential of this proposal then we welcome you to join with us and participate in the project. So far Jim Garrison, Steve Rouse and I are the group.

Most of what we do to structure a proposal/plan can be done via e-mail, so we don't anticipate a lot of meetings. In the development phase, we will:

1. Request "official" committee status from the Board
2. Hash out the specifics of how this project can be put in place
3. Develop a concrete proposal
4. Make a presentation to the Board

If the project is supported by the Board, then we will move into the implementation phase, in accordance with what ever structure we designed into the proposal as accepted by the Board.

Please let me know if you are willing to participate in the development phase of this project. To extend our hand out to the community in which we live. To share our dream with a few youth for whom it is just a daydream and who currently have no access to it.
-Greg Ellis

From the Official Wave Weenie:
The 2000 Petersburg, WV wave camp is hosted by Fred Bane, airport manager for the Grant County Airport. Fred is an avid soaring pilot who doubles as a tow pilot. There is a current "certificate of waiver" which allows us to climb to 23,000msl (FL230) without meeting Class A airspace pilot certificate and equipment requirements.

I will host a seminar on this event at the Front Royal Airport FBO, 10 am Saturday February 19. Such topics as use of club O2 system, barogragh, finding that wave, airport familiarization and FAI badge application requirements will be covered. This class is a must for anyone who has not participated in this event before. I plan to be there the entire time for field checks in the ASK, being an Official Observer or wherever needed. The K and Sprite will be there.

Lodging in Petersburg; Fort Hill 304-257-4717, Homestead 304-257-1049, Hermitage 304-257-1711 and The Park 304-257-4656

Come and stay the whole time or just a day or two. Be there or be square.
-Shane Neitzey

New Rosterführer
Greetings-sounds like a salutation from your local draft board, doesn't it. Our Board of Directors, in their infinite wisdom, installed Collier as this year's ops staffing "Rosterführer." Our formal season opens on Saturday, March 18th and closes on December 10th. with everyone's help I'd like to have an assignments list for the first half of the season in the March newsletter.

So, please let me know of any weekend dates that you can NOT work. Also for the retired types let me know if you can work on Thursdays. I feel your pain.
-Bob Collier

OK, here comes the Chief Weekday Weenie back again . . . . Bob Collier and I are trying to bring some order into the chaos here. I've been reading "over his shoulder" everyone's comments about Friday vs. Thursday vs. everyday else, and here's an oversimplified status report:

• It seems that we may have more towpilots available on Fridays than Thursdays.
• There are a few very active members who simply CANNOT fly on Friday-Sunday, and in fact it was the Thursday operation that made Club membership attractive. Others can fly Fridays but not Thursdays.
• I'd LIKE to have at least one firmly scheduled weekday so we could continue making the "intense instruction" option available.
• It's always possible to arrange for "ad hoc" soaring (I usually coordinate those days, not the Rosterführer) if a towpilot can be available on ANY day of the week.

There is a VERY good chance we will be able to get Reggie to tow on SOME weekdays, but that would be just a few tows-e.g., if an owner needed a launch of his/her ship on a good day). Reggie could not be expected to spend the day doing 15-20 tows we sometimes do on a firmly scheduled weekday. There's a lot of ways to skin this cat, so we need to find the best solutions(s) for the most members and make sure we've accommodated everyone. I know a lot of people have spoken their piece here, but could I ask all of you to raise you hands ONE MORE TIME regards:

• "I want to be sure I can fly Thursday/Friday/other day"
• "I want to be sure I can get instruction on Thursday/Friday/other day.
• "I can tow Thursdays but not Fridays"
• "I can tow Fridays but not Thursdays"
• "I can tow any weekday"

Phew. That's about as close to a vote as we're gonna get, guys. Talk to me.
-Jim Kellett

Things won't be the same down by the Ol' Mill
I am going into the Heart Business-working with a new breed of Scanners that present an extremely fast imaging process opening up some exciting new opportunities in heart disease diagnosis.

Unfortunately this will involve a relocation to Chicago-and yes, I have located a place to fly... I will, however, miss "the ridge"... most of all I will miss the Skyline Soaring crowd.

I was at the Stanford University Bookstore (San Francisco area) when you were having your annual meeting... never ending search for resources on Meteorology. I was surprised to find that nothing was available, beyond what we already have. I will be checking in with the "soaring community" in the Chicago area. I will also be establishing a Weather Page for this new area... expecting to see a different profile, and I will certainly miss "the ridge." I am tutoring Kolie in the process of developing forecasts. It's actually very simple and the heart of the process still centers on the NOAA Computer Model resources.

I am somewhat glad it worked out this way as I have a hard time with saying good by to friends-especially in this kind of a situation. I have learned much in these last couple of years and owe a great debt to those who provided the environment for my further maturing. I guess, then, I can't really think of anything to say to the club except just keep stretching and growing, with a continued commitment to excellence in achievement. Skyline Soaring truly is a very unique organization. For those who will take advantage of the opportunities great achievements and personal satisfaction can be realized. I will certainly continue to build on the foundation established in these last two years, and will stay in touch in effort to maintain continuity in my own personal development.

I do leave with some fear and intimidation as I seek to establish new relationships. I am encouraged by a strong corporate identity with Imatron... something I have not had for many years. The company Web Site is at:

http://www.imatron.com

My new Email address is:

rmike9@earthlink.net

I am getting involved in the "heart" business in a new way... the technology is interesting and challenging.

I will be returning from SFO this weekend to make the move to Chicago. I doubt if their will be time to be social, but certainly will be thinking of you all-and I certainly wish you all the best... !!!
-Bob Michael

Sorry you weren't at the Annual Meeting, Bob, as I wanted to thank you for all the hats you wore...all the good tows, helpful instruction and the many hours you gave to us all with your operations work-and of course, the immensely helpful weather forecasts...virtually always right on the money. You will be sorely missed by us all. Please accept our many thanks for all you've done for us individually and for the Club. Goodwishes on your new position-Green Air and Godspeed.
-Phil Jordan

It is with a heavy heart that I read that Bob will be leaving us; he has provided service way beyond what could have been expected of any one man; as a tow pilot, instructor, weather watcher, member of Skyline Soaring and as a friend.

Bob, we have all had our lives enriched by your towing, instruction, hard work and personality-I am sure that all the members of Skyline Soaring owe you a great deal-I know I do. I for one, will miss you and wish you well in your new position in Chicago. The Mill will be a quieter place without you.

Good luck and congratulations-David Brunner.

Time to Plan
The first SSA Convention of the twenty-first century will be held in Albuquerque, NM March 16-18! Check it out at http://www.ssa2000convention.com/

This is absolutely the best place in the world to snoop over new machines and accessories-often there are "deals" that you won't find elsewhere. Plus, it is "the" place to gather information, not only about machines but on everything else about flying gliders.

So far the program includes several sessions by the venerable Derek Piggott,sharing his half-century's experience as an instructor. Several sessions on instrumentation-including one on installing transponders. How to fly the world's biggest motorglider (the U-2). And many more. Everybody who's anybody will be there to talk to!

Many Skyliners attended the Knoxville convention, several for the first time. And a few of us (e.g., me, Fred Winter) have been to most of them for a decade or more.
-Jim Kellett

A Place to Stay
A guy behind me in the checkout line in Costo the other day turned out to be Bob Kaye, the owner/proprietor of a B&B in Front Royal. I stopped by his place yesterday to see what it looked like (actually, trying to find a nice, quiet place to hold Board meetings) and was struck by the potential the place had for folk who wanted a place to spend a relatively comfortable day or two to mitigate a long commute (or just take a holiday) when coming down to fly.

Check it out at http://www.acountryhome.com/default.asp
-Jim Kellett

Rach and I stayed there mid-last-year. She loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. If Bob Kaye is the compact Santa Clause figure that is perpetually kind and smiling then its the same bunch and you'll like them. His wife is a terrific hostess too boot and they always have home-cooked goods around to nibble on. There is a small bar there that Bob minds every Saturday evening-very pleasant, good tales all round.
-Richard Freytag

Log this...

• Jim Garrison received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Club for his outstanding work in developing and delivering a Cross Country Soaring class. Jim plans to conduct another class for the Shenandoah Valley Soaring Club in 2000, and may offer another class for Skyline if the response justifies it.
• President Rees presented a crystal vase to Stacy Barber in appreciation for her contributions as Treasurer.
• Dave Brunner presented $50 Gift Certificates from Sporty's to each of the Club's towpilots in recognition of their contribution to the Club's continuing success.
• John Lewis moved (seconded by Rob Mordhorst) to extend the same token of appreciation to those Club CFIs that are not also towpilots. Motion passed.
• Please note that our new e-mail address is jsekcarter@cleanweb.net Look forward to hearing from you!.-Jimmy, Susan, Erich & Kristen Carter
• Visit Dave Brunner's excellent web page and his latest story on Hypobaric Training at Andrews AFB as well as some revealing pictures of our members! http://falcon.jmu.edu/~brunnedj/CS348/soaring.htm
• Glider Transponder- Thanks for your interest. I am not actually sure what prompted the huge response from the USA, but perhaps that is how small the world has become with the internet. Our web page is at http://www.aeropages.co.za/composite.html

  There is some detailed info on this site at present, but I may modify this soon. If you can't catch it in time, please email me, and I will put something together. I have a DG800 and a DG400 for sale if anyone is interested.
  -Peter How Composite Technologies (South Africa)

• Effective January 24, 2000, the Club phone at the airport has been deactivated. It's level of utilization did not justify the continuing expense to the Club.
• Thought I would pass along a change in address for the BRSS and Va State Records home pages..
  BRSS: http://www.brss.net
  Records: http://www.brss.net/state_records.htm -Dirk Elber

• Bob Downin & John Lewis are pleased to announce the arrival of 1-26 number 038 into the Skyline glider family. Weighs in at about 375 lbs and is just shy of 21 feet long. She's an A model, originally built around 1955. And boy is she beautiful (at least to the new owners-you know how that goes).

038 needs some work before taking to the air, but she should be ready for flying season in a few weeks.

The "delivery" from Indiana was relatively painless. The worst part was yanking her away from her previous owner of 9 years, one Howard Bishop of Columbus, Indiana. As we pulled out of his driveway, he walked around the house, continuing to wave goodbye. The poor guy looked like we were taking away his best lifelong friend. Perhaps we were.

After waving goodbye from Howard, we turned onto the main road out of Columbus. There before us were the most beautiful series of cloud streets either of us have ever seen. A good omen-the gods were smiling.
-John Lewis

• Indulge the Editor Time: I urge all members to jump in on the discussions now thriving on Sharing the Dream and Selling rides. I came to soaring as a teen-aged 40 year old with gift demo rides in 1979. My first demo pilot was Linda Meacher (the second was Jim Kellett) and my first CFI was a baby bear named Shane. It's been a great ride. I thank all who have flown with me, flown me and/or shared your experience.
  -Phil Jordan

• A final word of thanks to Tony Bigbee for his past Rosterführer duties-well done and thanks!

The End!