Sailplane & Gliding 1966 - Lakes Gliding Club

A gaggle, assembly, dope, or produclion line of famous sailplane designers. Back
row (/. to r.): Irv Prue, Ray Parker, Vem Oldershaw. Front row: How,;t! Burr,
Vic Saudek, Fred Slillgsby and Jack Laisler.
He was a successful chicken-farmer in
the early days, then sold out (excepting
his hat and overalls, which he wears for
flying) toO take a chance with a full-time
soaring school. I asked him how he was
making out. "Fine. fine," he repliedhe
had Yorkshire grandparents; when he
said he was doing '"fine", I knew he was
really doing wdl.
That morning Jerry Morris showed us
a new Dart which had just arrived from
England. It looked magnificent in its
bright and shiny paint. and a long way
from home.
That afternoon we set off for Truckee.
caHing at Sacramenro, the capital of
California-a beautiful city where every
sort of plant seemed to be in full bloom
at the same time. Here we met John
Baird, the Californian member of the
S.S.A. Governing Board of Directors.
John and his wife joined up for lunch
at a very smart restaurant just outside
the city.
When we arrived at Truckee, a very
small township high up in the hills,
accommodation appeared to be scarce,
so we pushed on to Reno, Nevada, and
found numerous motels to choose from.
Incidenta:1ly, these motels are a boon to
the motoring tourist in America. They
are cheap. very comfortable and well
appointed. Good-class motels for two
people cost about 10 dollars, but one
must eat out.
That night we went into town. and
soon were involved in the main attractions
of Reno, the gambling halls. Here
Fluff won a "thousand to one chance"
and caused some excitement amongst the
less favoured fanatics in her vicinity. She
was paid out 50 dollars. Next morning
after breakfast at another restaurant, and
while waiting for Dick to get the car,
Fluff got yet another jackpot, and I was
glad when Dick arrived to drag us away.
Fluff still has her little packet of folding
money she took Irom Reno!
From Reno we travelled north for a
few miles to see the site for the -1966
American Nationals, the Stead Air Force
Base. Near by was a dry lake glimmering
white in the sun. This is also used
as a soaring site, but I imagine it would
be very hot indeed in summer time.
That afternoon and evening we went
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