The Palm Ceremony

It has been a tradition at Bitterwasser that pilots who complete significant flights plant a palm tree which will carry a plaque with their name,  date and nature of the flight as a lasting memory. In the beginning palms were planted for diamond achievements. Now the definition of "significant" is a flight that qualifies for a 1000k FAI Diploma or better. Furthermore, it has to be the first time for the pilot to achieve this flight, so repeats don't count. The only time a pilot is entitled to plant a second Palm is for a world record.

Our 1000k FAI triangle would have qualified for a Palm, except that it was not a single pilot performance since Tom and I flew together in the Arcus.











Palm planting ceremonies are typically scheduled for 15 minutes before sunset and every pilot on the ground is expected to attend. Pilots still flying will acknowledge the ceremony with a low pass. Of course, a lot of beer gets consumed during the ceremony.







The candidate will plant the palm himself under the watchful eye of the assembled crowd and the MC on a spot that has been determined with German precision.
The onlookers will give helpful hints like: "the green stuff needs to be up".
  
The work is being judged on the points of efficiency, cleanliness and elegance. The MC will offer verbal assistance if the candidate lacks gardening skills. Pretty much the worst is if the root ball falls apart while trying to place the little palm tree in the hole.

When the work is completed, the MC asks everyone to stand close and starts a chant in a mixture of German and Africaans:

Nach alter Fliegersitte

die Glaser in die Mitte,

Bremsklotze weg,

Start frei,

Laat waai - laat waai - laat waai

STUOPA!

With that, everyone pours the rest of his beer (at least half a bottle) over the freshly planted palm tree, so it may grow and kick off many thermals.


7 Palms were planted in total while we were there.

We also celebrated 100 flights over 1000 km (OLC) for the season in early December.