Deep in the wilderness that is Southern Germany, and a mere nine hours drive from La Bourboule, there lives a most remarkable young woman with a can-do attitude and an epic ability to pursue her dreams, called Jana Kostritza.
When she was 14 years old, she started to take flying lessons with the local sailplane club (Huelben eV), because if you want to get to places you might as well fly there.
Several years into her flying career she encountered an old Ka8 - a glider from the Schleicher company, from the same family that also includes, inter alia, the Rhoensegler and the ASK 13. Jana was immediately smitten, and having confessed her love to just about anyone who could be made to listen, struck lucky. A friend of a friend of a neighbours' talkative parakeet (I am embroidering a little here) had heard rumours of an old battered Ka8 languishing somewhere in obscurity.
Jana being Jana she followed up the lead, and managed to get her hands on the dilapidated glider.
'Dilapidated' being the operative word here. The sailplane needed a few repairs ....
And a sailplane, no matter how battered, needs a lot of space, both to park and to repair....
What was a glider fancier to do? Now Jana, I have you know, is not the only remarkable member of her family. She has equally amazing parents, who, believe this or not, made a hole in the roof of their house, rented a crane, and had the oldtimer lifted into their attic.
Once there, Jana and a growing coterie of friends and helpers, set about nurturing the old injured wind rider back to active duty. So far she has spend 600 hours in this labour of love! While other teenagers wasted their lives taking lessons in square dancing, smoking behind sheds, distributing pamphlets for disreputable extremist parties, and do whatever else it is that teenagers do these days, Jana brought her Ka8 back to life.
In case you suspect that Jana exclusively focused on her glider project and neglected all her other duties, I can inform you that she continued to go to school, did her chores around the house, and helped little old ladies across the street, because she is an exceedingly sensible young lady.
She also set up a blog, and reached out to the glider community for help with her project (which is how I got to know her). She provides updates on the blog, and if anyone would like to help, either by buying a T-shirt, or by aiding the project in a more hand-on fashion, Jana would be very happy to hear from you. I provide links below.
Unfortunately Jana's blog is in German, which is not understood by as many people as one might hope, and that is one of the reasons why I am doing this post on my own blog - I simply cannot bear the thought that anyone might be excluded from knowing about this wonderful project just because they lack the necessary linguistic skills!
The other, greater, reason for this blog post is that I am the world's most ardent Glider Groupie, and a feminist to boot, and Jana's glider project gladdens my heart immeasurably. Who says that only boys and men can be Glider-builders and Glider-flyers? This wonderful young woman is both! Before being even old enough to smoke, drink, or become a soldier. Put that in your pipe and smoke it, misogynists of the world!
Completion of the restoration is expected to be completed around Easter time, and all supporters will be invited to witness the maiden flight. On this occasion the revived Ka8 will also receive a proper name - my suggested one of 'Narrenkiste' - 'Box of Fools' - was not adopted.
So if you are anywhere near Stuttgart and even vaguely interested in gliders, you would be a fool not to become involved in this amazing adventure.
'Nuff said. Jana has generously allowed me to use several photos made of the glider project, which I post below for your delectation. Observe and be amazed!
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| Can do, will get there! |
Jana's blog donation page
Jana's blog supporters - includes Aufwind!!!
