Hello everyone,
Well this weekend is not looking too great though Sunday might be OK. Friday and Saturday have very limited prospects but the models differ considerably on what Sunday will bring. Worth keeping an eye on the forecasts though as it might turn out OK. The BGA conference takes place at the Nottingham Belfry on Saturday. Might be a better bet!
CHIRP
There are some intersting articles in the February edition of CHIRP, not aimed directly at gliding but with relevance nontheless. Worth having a look by clicking here. For those who of you who haven’t the time this is an extract:
‘Several reports in this Edition of FEEDBACK concern actual or very near infringements of Controlled Airspace (CAS) and 1 report is about aircraft flying through a NOTAMed display area. The reports contain a variety of factors and lessons identified including planning and distraction. However, increasingly common is the role of electronic devices in infringements. Correctly used, these devices are a boon that aid planning and reduce the possibility of infringements; incorrectly used or when not working as expected they can sap capacity and draw attention away from lookout and accurate navigation. The lessons from these and many other reports are that:
• Notwithstanding the vital importance of reading NOTAMs before every flight, planning using correctly configured electronic apps will highlight relevant warnings and restrictions along the route and eliminate the possibility of overlooking or mis-plotting NOTAMs.
• As per the ‘Take 2 Initiative’, it is good practice to plan to avoid CAS by a minimum of 2nm and 200ft where possible to provide a margin for error/distraction.
• Sunlight can make electronic tablets difficult to read so invest in a sunlight filter and ensure the device is set to provide audio alarms; turn the volume to maximum before taking off. Paper charts are easy to read in bright sunlight.
• When an electronic device has some sort of hiccup or failure, don’t spend more than a few seconds trying to correct it. Go reversionary! Use either the paper chart or a back-up electronic device.
Infringements bring the GA community (and gliding) into disrepute. We can and we must do everything we can to minimise the number of times it happens.’
Public engagement on the criteria for assessing and accepting the Airspace Change Masterplan
As part of the CAA’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy, CAA and the Department for Transport (DfT), have commissioned NERL to establish an impartial team known as the Airspace Change Organising Group (ACOG) to lead the programme to create a coordinated implementation plan for airspace changes in Southern UK. This is being referred to as the Masterplan for short. The CAA is seeking your views on the criteria that it will use to determine whether to accept the Airspace Change Masterplan into the Airspace Modernisation Strategy. See the CAA’s public engagement exercise consultations.caa.co.uk/policy-development/airspace-change-masterplan-criteria for more information and respond online before 27 March 2020.
Winter Lecture Series 7th March 2020
The next lecture in our Winter Series is by Mike Fox – “A return to Kitty Hawk”. Don’t miss it. The one after is on 21st March by Simon Adlard giving us all an insight into being on the other end of the winch cable.
2020 Annual General Meeting
This year’s AGM is scheduled for the 4th April, in the club house, starting at 1800. Note there will be a Charity Walk using the Permissive Way all day. All committee and officer roles are up for election. If you are not yet aware, all of our events are listed on the club web site. It is worth visiting the events page every so often to keep up to date. Click here for the link.
Briefing Room
You will have noticed that there are works going on to significantly improve the quality and technical ability for presentations in the briefing room. This is part of a larger programme to improve club faclities and make us look and act more professionally. If we are to attract new members, expeditions and course members we must present a more professional face. As a result of the improvements your committee is asking that you remove all personal belongings from the briefing room and ensure that you do not leave any belongings or equipment there. If you want to use the briefing room for any purpose when it is not in use for briefings, meetings or ground school, you are expected check beforehand that it is not needed and to remove any belongings and equipment immediately after, leaving the space as found so that it can readily be used with a large group. If you fail to do so, anything left in the briefng room will be removed. If you need to use the briefing room for its intended purpose and there is stuff in the way feel free to move it out.
Your duty teams this weekend are:
Saturday: Chris Alldis (No 1), Mark Jerman (TLs), Stephen Alexander (winch),
Sunday: Mike Witton (No 1), Mark Jerman (No 2), Mark Wakem (TLs), Stephen Alexander (winch), Glyn Macarthur (LD)
Happy landings
Jon Hall
Chairman