From the Committee A successful Aboyne expedition ended on October 13th. Commiserations to those on week 1, which suffered dire weather, because weeks 2 & 3 were some of the best we have had. Diamond heights were claimed by Ashley Birkbeck, Paul Clarke and David Richardson (solo, for once), and a Gold height by Jeremy Harris. Particular congratulations to John Hutchinson who claimed Silver and Gold on his first solo flight at Aboyne, which was also his first flight in a Pegase. Expeditions of varying levels of adventurousness are in planning for next Spring, further details will be issued as plans firm up. Now for the boring stuff: it is the time of year when we review the past season and plan for the coming one. If there are any aspects of our operation you feel should be considered for change then contact us, either direct to a committee member or via the office ‑ in writing please. We have identified a potential purchaser for one of our supercubs ‑ if an acceptable offer is made we shall sell it with the intention of replacing it with a more powerful aircraft. From the Workshop Robin Tow Bar Will the members who insist on using the Robin tow bar for things other than moving the Robins PLEASE DESIST IN THIS PRACTICE as the Robin tow bar is severely bent yet again. This is 1 Dangerous for people moving aircraft as it may slip out 2 It makes the Robins harder to move around 3 It is only there for moving the Robin aircraft and not your own pleasures If the members will put their names forward we can arrange the cost of the repair to be put to their account. This is only fair as the cost currently is borne by all the membership. Prop Tape I have noticed people are trimming prop tape by using a knife blade pressed against the propeller and it is therefore scoring the prop; this is the easiest way to lose the tip off the propeller. The resulting vibration has been known to cause the engine to come out of its mount and the obvious problems that this brings with it. Dave Sarney |