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Ian's Update
Hello everyone,
 
My apologies for not being up to speed with the flying reports of late. I have been preoccupied with yet more court appearances, but at least I am pleased to report that I have just been acquitted of assault, so just two more cases to go now, the first beginning tomorrow.
 
Over the last month we have had some good flying days with some interesting conditions late in the afternoon giving good soaring flights. Twice in my case when completing the hangar flight! Going upwards at past six pm can be most rewarding.
 
The best news is that the K18 is now flyable, and my first impressions are that she flies very nicely indeed. Better I think than the K18 at Halton. It is much more sensitive than types we have flown before, particularly in pitch, but is really does soar like a bird compared to the K8. There is a requirement to be Bronze C or above, so come on those of you who are stalling on taking the exam and getting the certificate completed. I am still waiting to hear from anyone about when they wish to take the exam. It could be done anytime soon.
 
Winch driving has been generally good with very few cable problems. It has been noted on occasions though that it strong crosswinds, launches have been slow, which is potentially dangerous. I am sure that most of us take a look at the windsock just before opening the throttle. It is a must to gauge the right amount of power to apply. But remember even if the sock is flailing about horizontally, if its direction is dead across the runway, then there will be no head wind component and full power will be required to get the glider into the air, even in these conditions.
 
Some of the new cable has arrived at Akrotiri, which is a relief. The twin drum winch is still in the workshop, and a deadline has been set to have it working in one month else we shall take the winch back and get another engine fitted elsewhere. Meanwhile the bus winch continues to work well.
 
We have had our AGM at which many issues were discussed. One change is that we have voted to join the Amenities Fund which will give us access to a pooled club fund. In return we shall have to donate 40% of our bar profits.
 
Work is promised on the new Land Rover and we are actively seeking replacement vehicles. The bus has been fitted with a tow ball and is now towed to the launch point. Only the Land Rover should be used to tow the bus. A new club logo is being established and a revised Flying Order Book will be with us shortly. We shall all have to remember to read it though!
 
The promise of a new tractor has sadly fallen through. UB40 is back with us minus the roll bar and the rear seat, but running well apart from the continuing alternator problem. Only one person is now allowed on the tractor at a time. It looks like training will have to be carried out using the Rover, then sending a new driver solo on the tractor.
 
There has been a good feed of visitors and it is good to see the new UN Regiment attending the club each Wednesday. All of them seemed to be keen to have a go, and some seemed to have a natural talent for flying too. It is a shame that their time here is just six months else I am sure we could pick up some keen new members.
 
On the moan front, there are still too many instances of radio's not being properly connected to their chargers at the end of the day which makes them useless for the next days flying. There was also an occasion one weekend when one of the Cobra handies was unaccounted for at the end of the day. I thought it was later found, but not so. I eventually found it in the winch tool box with a completely flat battery after being left on for the past three days. An easy way to find a lost handie radio is to take another to the MT hangar and press the call button. You will then hear the chimes coming from the missing radio.
 
Saturday Forecast
 
Scattered Clouds. High: 75° F. / 24° C. Wind WSW 11 mph. / 18 km/h. Maybe some instability then and perhaps some soaring.
 
Thought For The Day
 
Did you know that the stall speed of a K13 can be as high as as 60 knots at the top of a winch launch! A pilot pulling hard with the stick well back can get dangerously close to an accelerated stall, or worse still, flick into a spin as the angle of attack and wing loading are high. Imagine spinning at that moment with maybe the cable wrapped around the glider? It has happened! If you feel the glider beginning to 'nod' near the top of the launch, it is an indication that the glider is getting close to the stall. You must relax the back pressure till it stops.
 
Finally, whilst it is recognised that we can't always be at the airfield on time all of the time, can we please make every effort to be there at 1130 at the weekends and say 1200 on Wednesdays so that the hard work required to set up the operation can be shared equally by all, and that we are ready to take the airfield as soon as the parachutists have finished. Recently we have missed flying time due to not prioritising the tasks correctly.
 
Finally, a big thanks to Pat & Anne and the salad makers for an excellent barbecue last Saturday. A nice evening. Thank you.
 
See you up there.
 
Ian

15 05 08


15-01-08

You are all reminded to ensure that your medicals are up to date. The requirements are laid down in the B.G.A. Laws and Rules page 32, it is your responsibility to have a medical when it is required. If you are out of date then any insurance will be invalid, you are also reminded that some personal insurances regard Gliding as a dangerous sport and may require additional premiums to cover your participation.


Saturday again saw a good turn out of members and an early start(!!), long may the parachutists rest. With the weather remaining amazingly stable we had some good soaring with Blue gaining Hog status, both in time and height ( climbing to 6XXX ft). We had some winching problems with snatched launches culminating in a rather dramatic one for Paris. Sterling work by Nicos fixed the winch which worked well on the Sunday. A smaller turnout on the Sunday enabled us to go through the flying list twice and fly two visitors( one a keen potential member), there was soaring to be had and we could have flown three aircraft for most of the day but sadly were limited to one. Pavel who flew first on both days managed to stay up long enough to claim the Hog prize having had no soaring on the Saturday. Sveta soloed again, thank you Eddy, and disappeared into Icarus country for 20 minutes, well done again Sveta. Flying this week:


Wednesday 16th, I will be there from 1130.
Saturday   morning time to be confirmed.
Sunday to be confirmed as I may be away.
 
Exped 08.Any ideas from you lot?
Halton is available again and unbelievably we would be welcome back, they say that almost any week would be ok with them so the choice is yours, Please let me know what you think, preferably by e-mail. The earlier we bid the better.
 
Glenn


Cpl Kev Vickers of Dehekalia

kevsolo.jpg (34627 bytes) johnsolo.jpg (30105 bytes)

Cpl John Vincent of RAF Akrotiri

Cpl Kev Vickers of Dehekalia and Cpl John Vincent of RAF Akrotiri both received their wings after being sent solo by Club Manager Mr Avo Mangoian in December 2007. Both students achieved solo standard in a very short time thanks to the Crusaders Gliding Club instructors and the fellow members help.

Kev and John both took advantage of one of the CJSATS training courses which are held frequently at Kingsfield Dekekalia, using aircraft and equipment of the Crusaders Club. The courses offer a one week intensive training schedule to military personnel, after which they automatically receive membership of the Crusaders as part of the course, with just a  few extra flights as a club members they went off on their own. Now they can enjoy the freedom of flight and partake in competitions and expeditions all over the world as full members of the RAFGSA'

Sveta is now the new Baby Pilot, Avo sent her to learn to fly on Saturday the 5th of January.
Well done Sveta.