Vintage Times excerpts - Issue 106 April 2007

Long Trip - (the farthest attendees award) by Emilis Prelgauskas

Rachel & I took VH-GHN from Monarto (South Australia) to the Kookaburra Konvention at Lockhart (New South Wales). Direct trip (according to the GPS) of 695km. Actual road distance 805km each way. All along the same latitude in general. Pinnaroo, Ouyen, Moulamein, Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Lockhart. Chris, Mary and Wraith joined in with their campervan. 
We all chose to do the road trip in a single day; Friday over, Monday back; to give the Konvention its full weekend. But it all began with the decision that 'maybe' we would go. If the weather for the whole period proved benign. I am not a fan of open trailer towing in rain or strong wind.
So all preparation proceeded against 'maybe' it would all be called off at the end.
This Kookaburra had gone into the Monarto museum after being flown down from the last Stonefield vintage meet. It took seven of us to derig it inside and move bits to hangars and workshop. Three weeks later we had an airframe suitable for flight. And the trailer needed resurrecting, notably wing support slides and light electrics. And the station wagon which is usually our paddock rust bucket made fit for the road.
The Thursday saw us loading (4 people putting the wing over the top of the fuselage already in place). Hmmm. Friday an early start, meeting at the Monarto freeway ramp. The campervan was held up at roadworks, and we got separated for the trip beyond Ouyen. After a conservative start we got confidence in how the rig tows even at speed, and were able to ramp up the travel rate. The Kookaburra arrived at the meet near dark, the campervan shortly after.
The enthusiastic welcome at Lockhart airfield by prior early arrivals, hangarage for the trailer by the host club, dinner in town; were much appreciated after 11 hours on the road. I was whacked.
Also appreciated throughout were the cameraderie, thoughtfulness and unreserved mutual help by everyone over the weekend.
Sunday night the rig was parked at the motel ready for an early start. Monday we left at piccinniny dawn to arrive home before dark, delayed only to buy a trailer spare tyre in Deniliquin after replacing one on the roadside. By Wednesday evening the Kookaburra was back rigged in the hangar at home. Same four sets of hands. 
The whole trip saw the trailer and car behave (unusual for such a a combination), with the aircraft getting minor scrapes. A reality of the open trailer.
My tradition is to try to achieve as much flying hours as travel hours. An achievable goal when going to ridge or wave camp.
The Konvention was not about that, and we were happy with the six modest flights we did. As the rest of the time was spent in company, particularly seeing the Schneiders enveloped by the atmosphere. In effect 48 hours of good stuff for the 23 driving hours.

VGA President wins Lilienthal Award: Alan Patching has won the prestigious Federation Aeronautique Internationale award “The Lilienthal Medal”. The FAI is the world air sports federation, founded in 1905. It is a non-governmental and non-profit making international organisation with the basic aim of furthering aeronautical and astronautical activities worldwide.FAI medals and diplomas aim at giving public recognition to those who have made outstanding contribution to aeronautics and astronautics, especially in the field of sporting aviation. They are awarded each year at the Opening Ceremony of the annual FAI general Conference. Many of the recipients honoured have had their name closely associated with the history and developments of aeronautics and astronautics.

To reward a particularly remarkable performance in gliding, or eminent services to the sport of gliding over a long period of time, the FAI created this medal in 1938. It may be awarded annually to a glider pilot who has : - established an international record during the past year ; or made a pioneer flight (defined as a flight which has opened new possibilities for gliding and/or gliding techniques) ; or rendered eminent service to the sport of gliding over a significant period of time, and is still an active glider pilot.

The GFA Recommendation:

FAI LILIENTHAL AWARD
The Gliding Federation of Australia respectfully submits the following recommendation for consideration by the International Gliding Commission.In recognition of his extensive and substantial contribution to glider airworthiness and sailplane fatigue life in particular, the Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) recommends Alan Patching (OAM) as a very deserving candidate for the FAI LILIENTHAL AWARD.
Achievements
Alan Patching has been active in gliding for over sixty years and was involved in glider construction and airworthiness matters from the very beginning. Official positions held by Alan include:
1964 – 1969 GFA Chief Technical Officer – Airworthiness
1965 – 1996   Australian representative to OSTIV
1974      Technical Services Team, World Gliding Competitions, Waikere
1976 - 1996          Member of OSTIV Sailplane Development Panel (SDP)
1985 - 1999          Board member of OSTIV
1987                       Technical Services Director,     World Gliding Competitions,            Benalla
1985– 1992 Program Manager, Janus fatigue testing at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).
Alan Patching has authored (and co-authored) some fourteen papers on gliding, with an emphasis on fatigue matters.  A listing of these papers is attached including details of the forums where Alan has presented them.
Alan was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in 1992 in recognition of his services to gliding in Australia.
Outcomes for the Gliding Community.
Alan Patching has maintained an intensive study of, and interest in, glider airworthiness over sixty years and made a significant contribution to the knowledge of glider structures.  Particular highlights and outcomes from this research include:
Lecturer in the GFA National Gliding School. Director for 16 years.
Early recognition of the potential for fatigue failure in Blanik gliders
Extended fatigue testing of a Janus glider wing at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology which required significant technical expertise and provided an important contribution to the extension of the operational life of GRP gliders.  This work has been of lasting value to the gliding community throughout the world.
Development of fatigue design requirements as part of OSTIV standards
Chairman of Crashworthiness sub-committee, OSTIV SDP
Since 1992 Alan has been involved in the formation of the Australian Gliding Museum and supervising the restoration of a number of airframes to either static or flying condition, including:
Seminars on the fatigue of structures and timber repairs,
Providing an advisory role to the GFA in regard to the airworthiness of the older fleet of aircraft.
Referees
We refer you to the letters of support for Alan from Gerhard Waibel and Richard H Johnson.
At the age of 82 years Alan recently completed his 9,000^th flight in a glider and continues to be an active glider instructor and is authorized to train and endorse tug pilots.
The GFA recommends Alan Patching as a most worthy recipient of the FAI Lilienthal Award
Yours sincerely,      Ian Grant,
President, Victorian Soaring Association
Board Member, Gliding Federation of Australia

VT Editor's comment
All members of Vintage Gliders Australia congratulate Alan for this wonderful and well-deserved achievement. We are all aware of the tireless efforts made by our President to ensure that the pleasure of safe and enjoyable soaring is shared by many, and the lessons learned of the past are not forgotten. Alan, as your age has increased, so has your passion – and in your own words – “gliding keeps me young!” You are an inspiration for us all – and shall remain so for many years to come.
Alan’s award coming hot on the heels of Martin Simons’ award of the “PIRAT GEHRIGER DIPLOMA 2005”. How fortunate we are to have the benefit of Alan and Martin’s great expertise and experience, freely shared. To both, congratulations, and we say a sincere “thank you” for your wonderful contribution to the Vintage Gliding world!

Alan Patching and Jim Barton with the Avalon Airshow  award presented to the Australian Gliding Museum Inc for the best glider presentation, won by the  Grunau Baby III.

This year Old Mate’s Week was planned to be a bit more low-key than normal. Several of our regular participants were missing due to all sorts of reason – holidays, illness, prior commitments and the like. The Gliding Club of Victoria fleet was supplemented by the Slingsby Dart 17R belonging to John King, and the ES 52 II VM (the Vanstan modified Kookaburra) was also put into service carrying visitors.
Wednesday night’s dinner, catered by the North Eastern Restaurant, with almost a full house of 90 attending, was a great success again, everyone having a wonderful time and the whole evening running with minimum effort. The Avalon Air Show trophy for the best glider presentation, won by the Australian Gliding Museum’s Grunau Baby III, was passed with acclamation to the Museum President Alan Patching by the Avalon Airshow Gliding Co-ordinator, Ian Patching. The Thursday bus tour conducted by John King and navigated by Barry Hatton, was rated an outstanding success and is to be included in next year’s program.
The inner man was well nourished by Louise Preiss, who provided lunch and dinner throughout the week, and set the scene for pleasant evenings after flying. Thank you Louise!
Passenger flights were the order of the day for the first three days with the lovely (dry) autumn weather, and the field reminisced of days past. Thursday was also a good soaring day for those not on the bus tour, while Friday was rather overcast and little flying was done.
Several clubs were represented at the gathering and it was great to see people like Bill Simpson, Chas Lambeth, Rob and Leo Dowling, Alan Patching, Pat McKeogh, and many others involved in gliding stretching from the 1940s at the gathering.
Next year I expect that a couple of Australian Gliding Museum aircraft may be available for demonstration for the modern glider pilot who hasn’t experienced the pleasures of being subjected to genuine slipstream effect. See you in late March, 2008!

Hello to ALL - Vintage Gliders Australia members
How / where do I start?
I bought the BG12B  VH-GYG from Mike Burns about a year ago, expecting to quickly have the trailer fully operational, and have the BG12B rigged and ready to fly; well, it was a thought. I was aiming to take it and fly it at the 2007 Vintage Glider rally at Bordertown. So planning for that trip started in April?? Hangaring proved more difficult than anticipated; so I intended to have my first fly in it at Bordertown (2007). I would help out at the Grand Prix at Gawler, then head out to Bordertown.
My wife was unwell at Christmas; went into hospital about the 3rd of January; nothing serious?? Since I had planned for several months before, she said to "GO!" (to Bordertown). At Bordertown the aircraft was rigged; all checked and ready to fly. The next day used, to get the lie of the land. The following morning I received a phone call from my daughter to, "Come home quick, mum needs an operation; it's serious". (This was before the specialist saw the CAT scan.) I was on my way back home within half an hour; the Ford Coutier moved faster that it had ever done before; Bordertown to Gawler in under three hours; hills and all.
Three weeks in hospitals. (Yes cancer; and then dehydration.) The day I brought her home from the hospital I received a phone call to say Kevin Sedgman went to sleep at the wheel, and landed in Angaston hospital.
Many many thanks to all the 'fellas' who helped to derig the glider and camping gear and to bring it back to Gawler for me. Thanks to Ian P for organizing that exercise; and to Keith Willis for bringing it back.
I trust everyone had a good time at the Vintage rally. By the look of the Vintage Times, it was a success.It was 'great' to catch up with the Vintage crowd; but not long enough. Maybe next year?? Thanks again, fellas.
Kindest regards, John Ingram.
(Ed) John, thanks for your letter, and we hope and trust that your dear wife makes a speedy recovery.

Hi David and Jenne
I had potentially organised Leigh Bunting to take the Bordertown G.C, Trophy over to one of your activities, but now his wife is ill and he has had to pull out.   I then tried Kevin Sedgman, but he won't be going until Jan 07.   Next time you do a VGA magazine can you ask whether there is anyone going from SA who could take it to Victoria for us please, essentially a car job, not by air - it is too heavy and bulky.         
Regards,    Fred Foord

A Flight that was Never Repeated - Ralph 'Feathers' Crompton
The following flight occurred in late January, 1986. I was watching the weather forecast on the A.B.C. TV Friday night and became very interested in what they were promising for the next day, so decided that it looked good enough to have a crack at my first 500km.
Turning up at my club, the Barossa Valley Gliding Club’s airfield at Stonefield, I gave my Skylark 4 a complete check-over including map, barley sugar and plenty of liquid.