BOOKER GLIDING CLUB

From the Committee

Many thanks go to the 70 members who paid their subscriptions in advance. We have settled all our outstanding accounts and still have some money left in the bank. For those members who have not yet paid their subscriptions, please pay these as early as possible before 31st March to, as far as possible, minimise potential interest charges. Please note that, with the exception of members making quarterly payments all subscriptions should have been paid by 1^st April. During the season the Committee will be looking to sell the remainder of the assets earmarked at the EGM (without affecting the Club’s operations). The Committee is confident that by Autumn 2006 the Club will have accumulated enough cash to recover the unexpected costs of 2005/6 and to have sufficient cash reserves to see the Club through the winter of 2006/7 and beyond.

Thanks to some very hard work by several individuals, we are optimistic that we will be able to arrange the Club’s gliding insurance renewals at a premium that will be within the forecasts presented at the EGM. We have also obtained quotations for our tugs at a lower premium than we are currently paying which would also allow some relaxation on the tug pilot age restrictions. We hope to be in a position to finalise our insurance package during the first week of March.

Because of the delays from our underwriters and the necessary time taken to properly conclude our internal restructure, we have not been in a position to finalise our budget for the 2006 season. We have, therefore, set a date of 1st April for the AGM. This is later than usual, but we are confident that the action plan agreed at the EGM will have been substantially completed by then and that the Club can look forward with confidence to the new season

It was good to see so many members at the Dinner and Dance and thanks again go to Matt Cook for making the presentations.

We look forward to seeing you all at the AGM

Jack Luxton

STOP PRESS - We have just agreed terms with Nympsfield for FYV - JL

From the CFI

New Season

The first land out of the season occurred on Saturday 28^th Jan. Unfortunately it was not planned. Well done anyway to Steve Williams who chose a good field to put the K21 into. I expect the hassle of getting out of a locked field, removing ECZ from the trailer, De-rigging KCZ, getting it back to Booker, Re rigging KCZ, and putting ECZ back in the trailer will deter any future repeats of this (not to mention the bar bill!).

Currency

The season is starting to get under way, the weather is improving and the day’s are getting longer. It’s not a bad idea for those who haven’t stayed current to have a flight with an instructor. Alternatively book yourself some time in the motor glider.

Dinner Dance

The 2006 Dinner Dance was once again a great success. There were a large number of late tickets sold so another successful event for Booker.

Booker Regionals

The regionals dates are 10/06/06 – 18/06/06. Places are starting to go so get yours now to avoid disappointment!

Aerobatics Course

Graham Saw’s aerobatics course is under way with the help of Alun Jenkins and continues through to March 2006 on the 1^st Saturday of every month. The list of dates is on the notice board. Book your slot as only four people per course can be accommodated.

Members help

It’s been good to find that some of the members have responded to requests for help in the workshop and on the field. We could still do with a few more helping out though!

Particular mention must go to Richard Gerrard who has not only kept us all warm and fed at weekends with his excellent soup but has also spent many days helping in the workshop. Ollie Pugh has been invaluable to me on the field by just being there to help get gliders out, launch them and put them away again.

Andy

Shobdon / Long Mynd visit 2006

A group of us will be visiting Shobdon again in April at Easter. The dates are from Easter Friday 14th April until Sunday 23rd April inclusive. We will be going to Long Mynd the weekend before (8th & 9th April) for some winch launching and possible bungee launching.

Book your places now.