I love it when a plan comes together

We made it to Florida.

This morning we drove the last few miles to Pierson to meet the very helpful Franklin Burbank at Citrus Soaring. Citrus is a small but cool commercial operation with a laid back vibe and a beautiful location. The small clubhouse has a big decking area and several hammocks - perfect for a soaring partner whose patience is being stretched thin!

Wrestling with Administration

The mighty Schweizer 2-33

An hour of wading through FAA website forms, a ground briefing/check and then 3 flights to complete the Flight Review. Et voila - at last I have a valid FAA Glider Pilot licence, I can legally fly Andrew's ASG29, and enter the SGP at Seminole Lake Glider Port (SLGP). The check rides were good fun too - a new type for the logbook: a Schweizer 2-33. Aluminium wings, rag and tube fuselage and the performance of a K13/T21. One tow to 2000', a simulated rope break and a circuit met the criteria and by midday we were done. Apparently the towplane is well known in the SE States as Sylvester - thanks to the Perspex shielded soft toy.

Sylvester

Sylvester's mount

Thank you Citrus! Well worth a visit for anyone with the opportunity.

Another hour and a half of driving, interrupted by lunch in a diner, and we rolled up at SLGP with time to wrestle with the Clearnav to load TP's and airspace, load new firmware for the Power Flarm and check the glider out - it all looks beautiful and ready to go.

Now we're off for a couple of days crew respite in Sarasota and planning to be back for scrutineering/practice on Friday....