Members' News and Diary

News

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