July 2009

Newsletter and Roster
July 2009

                         Date             Tow pilot            Instructor                   Duty Pilot
                     July 4/5          Drummond          Hdw-Smith                 Skene
                         11/12         Richmond            Williams                      Barham
                         18/19         Sharp                  Tullett                         Arden
                         25/26        Drummond          Hdw-Smith                  Hopkirk
                August 1/2                                     Williams                       Walker
                            8/9                                     Tullett                          Jackson


The month that was:

No redeeming features really and no flying either. Good to report that the QGP evenings have gone well and the CFI is pleased, with everyone applying themselves and achieving a 100% pass rate. Thanks to Raewyn and Richard Arden for their hospitality. A separate evening was given over to thermals and how to use them. Very good value and I think that it needs to be repeated during the season.
Recent News:
11.07.2009


Hooray,Hooray, we flew today. It’s been a long time it seems and the weather relented enough to permit some circuits. A cold and beak day at Stratford with a thickening high overcast and, though calm on the ground, there was an inversion at about 1000ft above which, evidenced by a smoke plume near Hawera, a strong SE wind was blowing.

A working bee in the morning addressed the installation of a new radio for the Blanik. Since I arrived a bit late for that, I don’t know how much progress was made. It was noted that we’ve had the new radio for a year now. We move with commendable alacrity..... compared to glaciers.

Five flights in the afternoon using the Twin Astir and the PW5. Andrew Skene did two circuits and I had a check flight. A circuit for Richard Arden in the PW5, with an exultant whoop of joy from him after an impeccable landing. Steve Barham tried his luck with the power station thermal, which seemed to be working better as we were leaving and the rest of NZ were switching on their heaters. Just before we began flying we received helpful advice from Stratford Sports Fliers members about switching on cabin heaters in the gliders. Thanks chaps.

Wayne Richmond was towing and Peter Williams instructing. Tania arrived to see how Andrew was going and was straightaway impressed into running the wing for three flights. Performed the task with aplomb. We will keep her on!

                          Stats:               Aircraft                Time               Flights
                                                   WZ                       58m               3
                                                   TE                        30m               2
                                                   RWS                    41m               5

Subscriptions:

The subscriptions for the New Year are now due.

                                               Flying member $300

                                               Tow pilot $150

                                               Associate $ 35

                                               Insurance excess fee $ 25

                                               Bulk flying $600

Students are not liable since their instructor covers them until solo. The bulk fee is not transferable and may be paid in two amounts.

If you are not a financial flying member, you can’t fly TGC aircraft.

Our Sympathy:

To Jim McKay on the recent death of Coreen, who had been ill for some time.

Website:

The new website is nearing completion and should be launched during this week. It is a good quality one, easy to use and will, I’m sure, add value to the club. It will contain material from the old site plus new entries and is easy to use. A rolling banner of four or five photos on the front page is a distinguishing feature.

A blast from the past:

I was delighted to receive, last night an e-mail from Chris Griffin. Chris was president during 1988/1989 and also an instructor. He had some memorable flights from German Hill. One was a wave flight to 28000ft in the Astir. Another was a flight with Rangi de Abaffy in one of the Blaniks, which involved climbing up in wave, then dropping down behind the mountain and ridge soaring the SW slope then coming back to German Hill.
Chris and family were farming at Kaponga then left mid 1992 to farm near Mt Gambier, Sth. Australia.

RWS:

This aircraft is due for its annuals soon. But in addition, Paul Muller is to attend to rust areas on the fuselage where paint adhesion was compromised by powder residue.
The powder is bicarbonate of soda remnants not cleaned off after the airframe was powder blasted prior to repainting. All parties – TGC, Taranaki Flight Tech and Paul Muller will meet to discuss how to get the job done, effectively and to a complete and high standard.

Last, but not least, the RWS batteries are now being trickle-charged by a second solar cell system installed by Peter Williams. Prior to this, the original unit was confined to glider batteries. The aircraft now starts promptly, so hopefully no need to jump start it at the beginning of the day. Well done Peter!

25 years back:

Pilots advised to remember to cycle the Astir undercarriage after release and prior to landing, having not had to think about that aspect with other gliders.

The club had $12000 in the bank but was faced with a possible $10000 bill for a C of A on the Auster.

Bob Struthers, Mike Gibson, Les Smith and Les Sharp among others converting to the Astir.

Only two flying days in June, 100% better than the previous year.

Les Sharp got 40min in the Astir on one of those days.

The winch advertised for sale.

Annual meeting:

Likely to be held in early September.


That’s all from me.

Papa Mike