Hi everyone, this is the regular Thursday posting to let you know what is coming up in the near future.
This week.
Airspace
The BGA have asked me to propagate their message re Airspace Change Proposals (ACPs). Please read below;-
For a number of reasons, the number of Airspace Change Proposals (ACP’s) out for consultation at any one time is at an all time high. The CAA webpage describing the current status of each ACP is at https://www.caa.co.uk/…/Permanent-airspace-change-proposals/
The BGA’s approach to representation and consultations is described at https://members.gliding.co.uk/representation-and-consultations/
The BGA view is that the default categorisation for airspace is class G. We recognise that commercial air transport may need the level of protection that is currently provided through controlled airspace. You’ll be aware that the BGA does not oppose proposed airspace changes that in its view are reasonable and proportionate.
Unfortunately, UK airspace policy and the airspace change process is heavily tilted in favour of commercial operators. Within that process, responses from organisations such as BGA, LAA and others are usually considered as a single responses, which frequently leads to misrepresentation of the level of opposition when airspace sponsors submit their proposals to the regulator. It is really helpful if individual pilots carefully consider airspace change proposals that affect them and respond individually. This greatly supports centrally organised response efforts, which continue apace and which greatly benefit from significant effort and expertise from a number of individuals at clubs.
Please may I request that as club chairman you encourage your club’s involvement with relevant ACP’s and in particular please encourage your individual club members to respond to those ACP’s. This is a slight change from the past where we only encouraged mass involvement with specific ACP’s. We know its yet another burden, but these are challenging times.
Marketing news
HELP! Calling all graphic designers. We are seeking someone who has a flair for design and would be interested in working with us to help with designing artwork for marketing materials (leaflets, logos, posters etc). This might suit you for example:
- if you are currently studying design, or know someone who is,
- you may be one of our members who does this for a job,
- Or it may also suit someone who is interested in learning the art of design (training will be given).
All reasonable out of pocket expenses will of course be refunded.
If you are interested in finding out more or have any questions, please email me (chairman@midlandgliding.club) or Sarah (marketing@midlandgliding.club or 07754070357).
Taster Day a roaring success!
This year’s Taster Day in June was a real success story, thanks in no small part to everyone involved who made it happen. We achieved everything we set out to do and you can find out more about what we achieved by clicking here. Bear in mind too, that we hope to see even more benefits in terms of positive PR, new members and new returnees feeding through, as the attendees’ first 3-month memberships start coming to an end over the upcoming weeks and months.
New “First Principles” Marketing approach
You may be aware that we have begun to take a new approach to marketing the club. There is a move away from only having trial lessons to offer people, towards having more products available for people who really want to learn to fly and perhaps become members too.
This is a massive project, and the first steps have been to go back to first principles and design products that we hope potential members will be interested in.
As part of this we want to be seeing more people face to face and having conversations with them, so we are attending a range of shows and events locally, the first being OktoberFest in Shrewsbury this weekend. If you’re there, do pop in and say hello. If you’re one of the team helping on the stand, a massive thanks in advance. We will learn from this and use what works to make the next event even better.
If you have any questions on any of this, or indeed you may be able to offer your expertise in this area, then please contact Sarah (marketing@midlandgliding.club).
Your team this weekend is:
Saturday: Mark Sanders, Matthew Cook, David Brown, Laurent Couval
Sunday: Mike Witton, Denise Hughes, David Brown, Dave Cole
Forthcoming events
Classic car tour
On the 7th of October we will once again welcome the classic car rally. They will arrive, have a cup of tea, relax and then head off again. They are a stunning sight and we welcome them every year. Iin return they take our leaflets and distribute them far and wide for us to aid recruitment. They expect to arrive between 10 and 11.
Winter talks
Denise has worked out a superb schedule for this winter’s lectures. :-
Air traffic control are coming
The first one will be the 21st of October and the deputy watch manager from Birmingham’s Air traffic will be coming along to fly, talk and have a meal with us. I cannot over emphasise the importance of us understanding Air traffic’s needs and using every opportunity to communicate ours to them. As an extremely generous gesture he has offered to reciprocate. So turn up to the talk and put your name down for a visit to Birmingham ATC. I have been before, twice, and I can thoroughly recommend it, they really do make you feel welcome and at last you can see what the Balls on the Clee do!
November 25 will be the members evening when the committee will present our strategy for the next 5 years and invite your input and approval.
January 13 – National Trust. All of your questions answered (who does own the horses?) and the trust’s plans for the future development of the Mynd.
February 24 – Julian has very kindly offered to talk about Euro Glide with us. More details closer to the time but I can assure you it is absolutely brilliant and will inspire you.
March 10 – Hugh Browning the BGA safety wizard.
Christmas dinner
This will be on the 9th of December. I do urge you to get your name down early, there were several very disappointed people last year as the numbers have to be limited.