From the Committee

It has been decided that as from October 1st this year we will re-instate the instructors bonus scheme to recognise those instructors who assist us on a regular basis throughout the year.

The scheme will only be available to those instructors who commit to going on the club rota for the whole year and who always make sure that they have found somebody else to cover the days when they are unable to turn up. Failure to find cover will mean any future credits will be forfeit.

The qualification for credits will begin after the first 20 launches, thereafter any instructional launch as P1 over this figure will accumulate aerotow credit at the rate of 200 feet per launch. These will be added to your flying account on a regular basis.

These credits can be accrued at any time not necessarily on your ‘rota’ day.

From the CFI

October passed following suit from the rest of the year with intermittent gaps for flying. Despite this, the wind in the main blew westerly for a lot of the early part of the month, thus making the Aboyne trip a success, with lots of golds and one diamond being flown. Well done to those guys. I believe Berkelunn has been booked already for next year so get your name down!

The last weekend of the month was put aside for instrument training in ECZ, using the hood and blind flying instruments. Despite the bad weather on day two, a group of people tried there hands at this challenging area of flying. Thanks to Tom Moutrie and Dave Richardson for running this. If people are interested, there is a reasonable chance that I may well put the hood on ECZ again in January, and leave it on for the month. This would mean if the weather is good, people can turn up on spec or book in and practice.

DINNER AND DANCE and prize-giving

This will be taking place at the Kings Arms Hotel in Stokenchurch on the 5th Feb 2005. Dress code – smart. It was a great night last year, and is already booking up fast! Please let the office know if you are interested in coming. Price of tickets will be similar to last year (£25), including music by a professional DJ and good company!

Booker Regionals 2005

This will be taking place again next year from the 25th June - 3rd July inclusive. I am in talks at the moment with a sponsor, who is potentially looking at sponsoring the whole event. (I will have an outline and know this by Christmas). If this happens, due to the benefits that the competitors will receive, places will be given to individuals or teams that can commit to flying for the duration of the contest. It will be full. Get your name down and register now!

Aerobatics courses

Graham Saw is running his winter aerobatics courses. Spaces are limited, on a first come first served basis, and are displayed on the notice board in the club house. If you want to keep sharp over the winter, make sure your down! Last year resulted in a mini comp between all who did the course, and several people gaining the BGA aerobatics diploma.

X- country soaring course

I will be running a x-country soaring course with Dave Caunt from the dates 6 –14th August. It will be run along similar lines to the BGA courses, but with greater emphasis on practical application, and competition flying. It is aimed at people with any x-country experience, whether 50k – pundit who wish to progress by going faster and further. The course will be limited to 10 people, and an admin fee of £30 will be charged to secure your place. Please book with the office now. It will fill fast.

Events Calendar

Please find attached a calendar for the year ahead with what’s happening at the club. Get your diary in order now!

Shobdon 2005

The dates have now been set for our expedition to Shobdon next year. They are

Good Friday 25th March – Sunday 3rd April 2005 inclusive

We will be taking a tug plus probably a couple of gliders, whichever are most suitable for those members going. Anybody interested should give their name into the office together with a £20 deposit to be set against the tug costs.

If you require any further information about Shobdon please check out their website
www.shobdon.plus.com Details of accommodation together with self-briefing notes can also be found here.

DR

Club Cadet Scheme.

I have been asked by members how the Cadet Scheme is organised and what are the advantages for the club and the benefits received by the cadets,

Basically cadets are rostered for weekend duties throughout the year
and during the summer whenever the CFI considers their presence will be of benefit to the operation by relieving staff from some of the routine ground activities at the launch point. This, in turn, allows instructors to be more productive in their main role.

In return for each days duty the cadets receive a credit of one 2000ft launch. This they can only use on non-duty days unless there is a slack period when the duty instructor may offer them a flight. Cadets may also purchase extra launches at a beneficial rate on non-duty days.

Rather than cover all the details covered in the Cadet Agreement I have arranged for a copy of this document to be available in the clubhouse.

Should you have any queries having read this document then please contact either Matt or myself.

It appears that several of the cadets who were with us this year may no longer
be available for 2005 so if you know of any youngster, who is at least 16 and shows a positive interest in aviation, then why not suggest to them that they apply to become a Booker Gliding Club Cadet.

Roy Scott