Inter-Club League 2010
11 March 2010
Well it's that time of year again and the Inter Club League's are being
planned. For those of you who don't know, the Inter-Club League
is intended to encourage competitive cross-country flying on a much
less formal basis than National and Regional competitions, involving
pilots at all levels of cross-country competence. Special emphasis is
placed on the performance of Novice pilots in an effort to encourage
Cross County Competition and often the spirit of a rule is applied more
than the letter. Full details of the pilot classes and this
year's fixtures are detailed here.
So this is the annual begging letter for competitors. Pilots of all
levels of X-Country experience are required. As a Novice, flying
in the ICL is a fun way to start your competition flying career, whilst
being surrounded by more experienced club members who can help out with
advice, tips and hints. In addition, with only 6 clubs taking part,
giving a total of 18 competition gliders, the sky does not get
overcrowded with aircraft. To fly in the ICL you should be cleared for
X-Country and be able to provide your own crew. Fly one day and crew
the other is a very common arrangement for a weekend as you need only
commit to a single day if you want. If you wish to use a club
glider then you will need to approach the club committee.
If you are interested in participating in any of the rounds, which are detailed here, please
contact me.
01954 268043
Julian Bane
Single Seater Scheme - open for applications
01 February 2010
We are finalising the allocation of shares for the
Single Seater Scheme. The Scheme Rules for last year can be found on
the website (Click
Here) and it will operate largely unchanged in 2010/11. We have a
number of weekday and weekend shares available and if you wish to be considered
for an allocation please email Neil Goudie (Click Here)
before the 28th February 2010. If you are interested and what to
find out more please send an email to
Neil. The prices for 2010/11 are still to be confirmed.
Neil Goudie
Refresher Courses
08 January 2010
This year we will be running "refresher courses" again as Gransdens
answer to the annual check. These are for solo pilots who don't have a
BGA instructors rating, instructors get checked as part of the BGA
instructor renewal system. Refresher courses combine flying and
briefing/discussion sessions and are an opportunity to spend time with
an instructor to ensure your flying is safe after a winter layoff. They
shouldn't be viewed as a pass/fail check, but more a coaching session
at the beginning of the season. I'd like any pilots without a BGA
instructors rating to successfully complete a refresher course before
flying solo after 1st April 2010. If you cannot attend a course then
you should have some check flights with an instructor.
The courses will have, as in the past, one instructor to two pilots per
glider and up to four course members and two instructors each day. The
flying will consist of a minimum of one aerotow and two winch launches.
Some "self briefing" pilots are exempt from annual checks but are
required to do Bi-Annual checks. If you are in this category
please drop me an email letting me know if you had a check last year or
intend to do one this year. If you are in this category but hold a
passenger carrying rating then I'd like you to do an annual check
before carrying a passenger.
The course dates are listed in the diary opposite - please book through the office (9:30 to 15:00 weekdays).
Richard Maskell
Basic Aerobatics
06 January 2010
Gliding offers many challenges that allow pilots to develop their
flying skills. The majority of our training is aimed at helping you
become safe soaring and cross country pilots. Aerobatic flying offers a
different set of challenges and requires a different skill set. There
are various levels of aerobatic manoeuvres ranging from the basic
"loops and chandelles" through to inverted flying and rolling
manoeuvres. Teaching the more advanced manoeuvres requires an
additional instructors rating, however learning to do the basic
maneuvers doesn't and can provide a good reason to keep yourself flying
over the winter though I acknowledge it might not be every one's cup of
tea.
Julian Bane has been doing some flying with Buckminster GC at Saltby
where they have dedicated facilities including having the Fox - a fully
aerobatic two seater, based there. Julian is now very interested in
helping others start basic aerobatics. Initially training will be in
the K-21s but will probably progress to include the Puchaz as people
get more proficient.
We have scheduled some "Basic Aerobatic" training days over the next
few months, the idea being to make a fun day with several pilots
learning at the same time, sharing briefings etc. Anyone interested in
having a go should initially contact Julian (julianbane@compuserve.com)
and then book a training slot with him in the normal way through the
website. He hopes to be able to take some volunteer slots over the
winter too and will continue to do regular instruction during his
rostered duties. To make best use of the booked time he will run
briefings beforehand but check with him for details. This is primarily
aimed at solo students who want to expand their horizons. Also be aware
that virtually all training flights will be by high aerotow.
Richard Maskell
Gransden Regionals 2010
11 October 2009
The Gransden Regionals 2010 will be run from the 21 August - 29 August 2010. The entry fee is £205.00 (inclusive of BGA fee).
This is arguably the most fun, and challenging, Regional's competition
the UK can offer. The 2009 Regional's produced some of the best
competition days in the country and with no significant changes planned
to the set-up for 2010 this is likely to be a very popular competition.
We have decided to make some improvements to the entry system this year.
All entries can be done on-line here and you can
apply from the 1 October 2009 to provisionally book your place.
There is no need to pay a deposit until 31 January 2010.
Your entry will be secured when you pay your the first installment (the £75.00 deposit) in January 2010.
An email will be sent to you at the beginning of 2010 explaining the payment options.
The 2nd installment of the remaining amount (£130.00) must be paid by the 15 June 2010.
The Regionals team will be largely unchanged and we hope to have as much fun in 2010 as we did in 2009.
Competition Director 2010
Neil Goudie
Single Seater Scheme 2010 pt I
11 October 2009
Those of you who read the previous article in the Gransden Times about
the single seater scheme will know most of the background on how it
works. For 2010 I plan to introduce some slight improvements to make it
easier to understand and encourage 'new blood' into the scheme.
The main change for 2010 is that I will opening up the waiting list for
new entrants on the 1 October 2009. There is no commitment, until
February 2010, on your part to take up the share allocation that you
wish to have; but please no time wasters.
The waiting list will rollover from year to year so if you miss out one
year then you have first refusal in the following year. Those who
missed out in 2009/10 will be therefore be top of the waiting list for
2010/11.
Formal application, including share allocations, will be requested from
the 1st February 2010. This will be the financial commitment to join
and existing members of the scheme will not be able to re-join if the
applications are not received by the 1 March 2010. I am aware that a
number of the scheme members are already moving onto private syndicates
so I will be able to tell you informally about the chances of joining
the scheme in January/February 2010.
Payments to join the scheme will be debited from your accounts on the 1 April 2010.
Neil Goudie
Single Seater Scheme 2010 pt II
11 October 2009
The current rules/charges are on the single seater booking page of the
website. There is no intention of changing these significantly but I will
produce FAQs on the scheme for publication in the next GT. This will
ensure that all members' expectations for the scheme are clear.
Please fire questions, by email, to me and I will collate them for this FAQ sheet. My email is nfgoudie@hotmail.com.
One last thing, I intend to stand down from this role on the 1 April
2010 so I am looking for a volunteer to run it from then (the majority
of the work isn't until following winter).
Neil Goudie