Ian Lingham It is with regret that we have to inform you of the recent death of Ian Lingham. He was a long time member and will be sorely missed. His family have asked that anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory should do so to the club and an appropriate memorial will be organised.

From the committee
We are pleased to advise members that subscriptions and soaring fees have been maintained at the same level as last year. The budget for 2003/4 has been based on 9000 launches (2002/3 – 8749 launches) and a similar level of income from non-member flying as last year. Costs have been carefully reviewed. The resultant budget is tight. It relies on reasonable weather and an increased level of help and support from Club Members. It is vitally important to retain and attract new members and we hope that our pricing policies will go some of the way towards achieving this.
We have, however raised the launch fee to 2000 ft by £1 to £23. We now have two Pawnee tugs which has increased our expected fuel usage over last year. In addition fuel prices have been increasing. We may need to increase tow fees depending on fuel prices.

From the CFI
Medical Standards You will have received information via the newsletter on the new BGA medical standards. There have been a few small “changes to the changes” since then. Confusing? Yes, but bear with me.

1. The basic medical standards required to fly gliders remain unchanged. As before. See below.

2. You now will have to get your GP to endorse your declaration of medical fitness, as opposed to a simple self declaration. This again is as previously notified.

3. After some representation by various members it has been agreed that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring compliance with the standards falls to the individual pilot rather than the gliding club. That’s the change.

4. This means, simply, that you may continue to fly without having yet handed in a medical declaration form.

Hurrah for common sense!

The medical standards are as follows:

i) All solo glider pilots DVLA class one (private driver)

ii) All instructors DVLA class two (professional driver)

The new system comes into effect from 1st March 2003. Declarations are valid until 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65 and then need to be renewed each year.

You will be affected by this new system when you reach any of the dates above – ie when you reach 45, 50, 55, 60, immediately if 65 or over. At this point you must make a medical declaration countersigned by your GP.

Confused yet? I hope not. Full details are available in the office.

Aboyne 2003
The list for this years expedition to Aboyne will be open from Saturday, 15th March, from which time you can give your name to the office. The dates this year are from Saturday, 28th September to Saturday, 17th October.

If you have any queries or questions about this annual expedition please speak to Dave Richardson.

Keith Ford/Ian Lingham

Does anybody have any spare photographs of either Ian Lingham or Keith Ford? If you do then please hand them either to me, or into the office, so that we can then pass them on to their respective families.

DR

Winching Day

The weather behaved itself for the winching day held at Bicester on the 14th February. A good day was had by all 13 pilots who turned up each getting three flights each. I am hoping to run another similar day later in the year. Dates to follow.

Many thanks to Andrew Betteley without whom the day could not happen.

Matt

From the Office
You will notice from your statement that you have a membership sale on your account. This refers, as in previous years, to the fact that your membership is due from 1st April 2003.

Please notify the office by Monday, 17th March 2003 should you wish to change your level of membership or method of payment. If no change is notified we will assume that payment will be made as last year. Please also remember that we do not assume we can take monies from your debit/credit card and that you must contact us to give us the permission to do so.

CFI’s final turn
I have noticed that there have been several incidents caused by improper launching procedures. Two main points need to be re-iterated.

1. The wing tip holder makes the decision whether it is clear behind to launch. He is the only one in the chain who can see after all. Therefore he must either be experienced or directly supervised – no exceptions.

2. If the stop signal is given (an anyone can shout stop!) the glider pilot must immediately release the cable. Again no exceptions.

Please be more careful, it’s a dangerous world out there.

HELP REQUIRED PLEASE FOR BOTH THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

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ENTER THE REGIONALS!!!!