From the Committee

It would appear that we have finally come to an agreement with AAA vis à vis our rent review.  The process has been underway for 15 months and, while we have not yet actually signed the final documents, we have agreed a rent increase at the bottom end of what we had been planning for.

We have also agreed with AAA a maintenance plan for the airfield which will bring improvements in the surface conditions of the areas we use.

The date for the coming AGM has been set for Saturday, March 16th.  Formal notification will follow in due course, but if you have any items you wish discussed at the AGM, contact the committee via the office.

Happy New Year, and let us trust it is less trying than the last.

From the Workshop

Cold weather operations with the tugs

This time of year the tugs must be warmed up before flight, not just the first tow of the day, but every tow.  Sometimes in the week there can be up to 20 minutes between tows.  If the tow rate is low then run the engine at about 1200-1500 rpm until the CHT is about 150 and the oil temperature is in the green.

On first start up out of the hangar in the morning, do not run the engine above about 1200 rpm until you see the oil temperature gauge move off the bottom stop, then run as above.  If you run the engines at too high an rpm when just out of the hangar, then all you are doing is cooling the engine with all the cold air moving through the cowlings.

If you have a long tow to 4000ft then keep the engine warm on the way down.

From the CFI

Expedition to Jaca – 20th April – 6th May 2002 – the list is now open for this expedition and we expect to be taking the Duo Discus and maybe a couple of club single seaters over to Spain for the duration and of course as many private gliders as wish to come.  Please put your name down on the list in the clubhouse, or alternatively contact the office to register your interest.

Thursday Evening Group – Under new management

After many years of hard work running the Thursday evening group, Gerry “Bloodsucker” Leech is standing down.  I have agreed to take on its running and would like to build up a team for its continued success.  If you are an instructor (full/half or basic), tug pilot, pupil or would just like to help, then please contact me.

Alan Smith  (alan.smith@virgin.net)

Instruments Wanted

I’m looking to purchase any of the following instruments

·                Airspeed Indicator or Knots conversion kit for metric Winter unit

·                Altimeter

·                Mechanical Vario

·                Cambridge L Nav or GPS

·                Artificial Horizon

If you have any of the above available, please contact Ryan Priest on 07957 146380 – anytime.

Bronze C Lectures –  The dates have now been set for these and are listed below:

                  Principles of Flight                            Saturday 12th January

                  Meteorology                                       Saturday 19th January

                  Navigation                                          Sunday 27th January

                  Instruments & their limitations          Saturday 2nd February

All are welcome, whether pre-bronze or just swatting up on your knowledge. 

Obituary: Harry Cook Click Here