Congratulations to Dennis Campbell and Alistair Nunn, winners respectively of the A and B classes of the Booker regionals. In common with all competitions this year the weather was less than kind, although the three days which resulted was a better total than others. (Results - click here)

On behalf of all the members I shall thank here G, Jed and the team for doing such a good job with not many resources. It is notable that the bulk of the work was carried out by Cadets, and equally notable that we currently have a hardworking and able team of Cadets, to whom I say well done as well as thank you. In the admin arena Pat managed a busy operation with fewer staff than usual (of which, more anon). Bob Davey again managed the launching.

As always this competition was only possible because of the selfless efforts of a few, we are all grateful. Speaking of the selfless few - the reason we had a reduced complement of admin staff was that Wendy was away for a few days donating bone marrow. I think we are all aware what an unpleasant experience this is, and I’d like to offer our respect for her deed and say welcome back to work (ever the caring employer!).

Work is about to commence demolishing the WAC hangar, it will obviously result in a little disruption in that space around the hangars will be at a premium. You may have noticed the additional row of parking spaces West of the pumps and the containers around the hangar. We do not foresee any operational problems.

To ground handle the ROBINS using the tow bar to turn the front wheel left or right, you must first compress the front leg to get the steering lock out of its détente. If the above is not unlocked the result is that the steering lock rod attached to the bottom of the front leg gets broken. In the recent competition a tug pilot complained to me that he could not steer the ROBIN as the front leg would not turn, no matter how hard he tried!!!!

When completing the tug logs please put the date and aircraft registration on the bottom of the log in the space provided, this will help both the office and me. We are not clairvoyant.

As you may be aware the next stage of the airfield building work has started, which has meant that parking space in the main car park area is at a premium for the time being, due to the fact that about 15 cars that normally park outside Wycombe Air Centre, are now using it. When parking your car please make sure that you do not park anywhere that will restrict access to the workshops or to areas where we need to manoeuvre tugs or gliders. It is imperative that these areas are kept free from vehicles.

In spite of the continuing poor weather we are still very busy out on the field with training, introductory courses and member’s launches on the good days. We are almost always just a little short handed on the busy days and this has led to some delays in launching private owners and in getting the training done. If you have an instructor rating or can fly a tug then please help us to keep the club going. I know that on a busy day the launch point seems to be teeming with professional instructors but the bottom line is that we still depend on club members’ help to get through the day! So keep your flying and skills current and lend a hand.

The Booker Regionals ran in the last week of July. We managed to get a competition again despite the truly appalling weather. My thanks go out to all those who helped with the organisation especially those who worked long hours behind the scenes to make it all work. You know who you are...thanks. Next year we will run a Nationals and as it will be the first nationals I’ve directed I am already fretting about getting enough help to make it a success (it is a lot less worrying to fly in a competition than to be directing it, I promise you). If you feel you can contribute please let me know.

From the 14th to 18th of August we will be running a sort of a task week – for those x-c pilots that want to improve their abilities and speeds. The plan is to get weather, set tasks, fly together and to debrief afterwards. If we get any good weather we should have a lot of fun. There will be a bit of Duo and lead and follow type training available, but this week is definitely set up for current x-c pilots not raw beginners.

If you want to join in the let me or the office know. We will start each day at 08:30 in the clubhouse for a weather brief.

When towing out to the crossing point for 35 please stay close to the edge of the airfield as long as possible.

Don’t wander directly across the helicopter training area as you may end up with an R22 on your head!

May we remind all club members that if you do not settle your account by the last day of each calendar month you will incur administration charges at the rate of £17.50 for accounts in debt £50-£150 and £35 for debts of more than £150. You may contact the office at any time to check on your outstanding balance as we do not send out invoices only statements of flying.