|
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 |
