BOOKER GLIDING CLUB

WYCOMBE AIR PARK, MARLOW, BUCKS SL7 3DP

INFORMATION SHEET February 2001

 

From the Committee

Owing to the state of the field, and the weather, not much has happened on the flying front, despite Jed’s best efforts.

We have, however, taken delivery of the ‘new’ K21 and this will be ready for service after some minor preparation.

The AGM is the next significant event on the calendar. Last year the turnout was approximately 20% of the members, while that keeps proceedings brief it does reduce the effectiveness of this forum as a means of communication. It would be nice to see more faces there this year. More details later in the information sheet.

Finally, we have been sent a copy of the Lasham calendar of forthcoming social events – specifically with reference to a go-karting event on March 23rd and a challenge to send a Booker team: contact Alan Smith if you’re interested

From the Workshops

May we remind members NOT to park in front of the hangars adjacent to the clubhouse, or on the double yellow lines in front of the clubhouse. Access is required at all times – weekdays and weekends. Please make use of the main car park facilities on the airfield.

From the CFI

As soon as the clocks go forward again we will be into the season proper and you will see one or two changes.

Glider allocation

New members and new solo pilots will probably not be very familiar with the allocation scheme for club single seaters, so this is how it works

  1. If you wish to fly a single seater, turn up in the clubhouse at 08:30 sharp.

2 The instructor in charge – normally Jed or myself – will see who wants to fly what and allocate gliders according to need. Our priority is to ensure the best use of the kit and to help solo pilots coming up through the fleet to make the best progress.

3 Sometimes you will not get a glider. Don’t despair – there is always the possibility of getting some further training in the Duo Discus.

Course instructing, trial lessons and introductory courses

We have changed slightly the way that we are dealing with the training flying. The changes and rationale behind them are too involved to go into in this information sheet but all the instructors need to know, so they will be receiving a letter shortly. In the interests of good communication, if anyone else at all wants to know what is happening and why, then the usual applies – come and ask me. Preferably over a beer…..

That brings me on to flying the Duo. I know that there are pilots out there who would like to fly the glider but do not know what qualifications they need to be able to do so. The answer is that it depends largely on what people want to do with it. If you want to fly it locally from the front seat – it’s not a difficult glider. If you want to instruct x-c flying from the back then it’s a different beast altogether. And if you get an early launch failure on a hot day at max gross weight it’s going to be a complete pig! Therefore I can’t make a ‘rule’ about who can fly it and who cannot – circumstances and pilots vary so much.

If you want to use the glider and have not been formally cleared to do so then please talk to me about your requirements and I will discuss any check flying / further training with you.

Please note – the glider is there for the members to use. I am keen for people to come forward to fly it. Don’t be shy!

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FOR SALE

Half share in under utilised MINI-NIMBUS

(whole outfit may be available if offer price is right)

This flapped 15m glider, with water ballast and retracting undercarriage, has exceptional instrumentation and good cross country performance.

    • Large comfortable cockpit
    • One man tow out gear
    • Low maintenance metal trailer
    • Parachute and all the usual bits and pieces
    • Enough oxygen for a week at Aboyne (3 cylinders)
    • Diluter demand system

All mandatory mods are fitted. As far as is known no other mods are pending.

A ‘P’ tube has recently been fitted by Zulu Glasstek who also do the annual checks

Offers around £6,000 to

Terry Mitchell (for the half share)

40 Oakwood Road

Windlesham

Surrey

GU20 6JD

Alternatively, see Terry or Simon Waddell on the airfield at weekends.

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½ SHARE FOR SALE

LS6C ‘949’

Excellent condition, 18m tips

Cobra trailer, LX5000

Contact G Ivey Click here for more details

E-mail: gerardif@hotmail.com

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