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As this years club president, I would like to say hello from the Board of Directors, and provide some background to the club's activities during the "quiet" part of the soaring season. First of all, it is a young Board with three members having been in soaring for five years or less. But what we may lack in experience, we make up for in motivation. Second, since there is a new Board, members can officially stop haranguing Walt regarding any club related issues. (Of course you may still complain to Walt unofficially.) Seriously, I would like to thank Walt and Lynn Alley for the tremendous amount of personal work they have put into the club as evidenced by the number of years they have served on the Board, and the excellent leadership they have provided. Now, the story behind the 1-34. In January, we were all set to purchase a new Blanik L-33 single seat all metal sailplane to replace the 1-34 lost in October. This would have cost in the neighborhood of $24, 000 (no trailer). It would also require that pilots be qualified in tail draggers. For new pilots this would have required dual time in a two seat Blanik. We had the check cut for the Blanik down payment, when Walt Konecny located a 1-34 for sale in Arizona at the very last moment. We put the Blanik on hold while Lee Steorts and Fred Wright went down to Turf, Arizona to check it out. As last month’s newsletter described, it was a good ship and was purchased for a good price ($14,500 w/ trailer). The “new” 1-34 is now in Hurricane, and will come up to Heber later this month. We are going to get a new weight and balance measurement as well as the annual before it will actually be assembled in Heber. The 1-34 does a couple of things for us. First it replaces the ship we lost with the same ship. Everyone that flew the old 1-34 was very happy with it, and its flying characteristics. Second, it saves the club about $10,000 over the new Blanik, leaving us in excellent financial shape. Now, given the recent growth in club membership as well as the increase in usage of club ships over the last couple of years, I think this money is an excellent start on another single seater say in three or four years. The Board has also been reviewing several areas of club operation, specifically member participation, new membership and charter issues. We have made some changes in these areas which are discussed in greater detail on page two. The loss of the 1-34 in October was a wake-up call for several of these issues. The dates have been set for the spring ship assembly (April 18) and the summer BBQ (June 20). I hope to see everyone out there. Parke Byron Annual Flight Review A reminder to all members: If you fly Association aircraft you must take a review flight with an approved instructor before flying Association aircraft at the beginning of the season. There are no exceptions. If you do not take a review flight and fly Association aircraft you are in violation of Association Flight Rules. This year we will keep a list of those who have completed their flight review. When you’ve had your review be sure to enter your name and the date on the list posted in our cabinet in the hangar. Soaring Kiwis by Richard Smith It was summer down under and a day ahead in New Zealand, and according to the Kiwi’s, the best gliding in the world. I’m inclined to agree! I was fortunate to spend three weeks gliding on the North Island. There are 28 active clubs that service a population under three million with more than half of the people living in Auckland, and I estimate that there are nearly 3000 glider pilots. One percent of the population! Upon arrival I planned to head for the National Championships in Metamata, but it was rained out for a couple of days, so I went to the Bay of Plenty to swim with the dolphins and do some hanger flying at Tauranga Gliding Club. After the rains retreated, I was checked out to fly a Puchacz. For a heavy machine, I found it handles better than our Grob. The Polish two seater responds quickly, and I think, has better visibility. During the contest I volunteered to help, as I couldn’t fly until all the contestants were off. Metamata has excellent thermal and ridge lift almost every day. (Metamata also has a world class restaurant without the fancy prices.) Camping out was delightful with great showers and a communal kitchen. Weather was warm and humid. Piako Gliding Club has its own club house which serves all beverages including excellent Kiwi beer and Sauvignon Blanc. There were about 20 PW-5s in the contest. After talking to the pilots, I was deter- mined to fly one, so I journeyed to Lake Taupo Gliding Club, where I got about 6 hours of time. The new world class PW-5 is a delightful light craft. I was able to ascend in very weak thermals. It is very agile, small, and maneuvers easily. Built in Poland, it seems to have a weak tail and cannot take heavy landings, but is great fun to fly. Conversely, I flew Szybowcowy Zatlad Doswiabczalny (Bocian) off a pasture in cow country. I called it the Polish flying tank. This old (WWII vintage) two place trainer is of wood and fabric . It seemed to fly like a brick with wings, but was fun trying to thermal around mountains in beautiful sheep country. The Kiwi glider pilots are exceedingly friendly and helpful. Flying there is inexpensive as all instructors are volunteers as are the tug pilots. I learned a lot of tricks from several teachers. Fuel is expensive, but glider rental is very reasonable. I had to join the New Zealand Gliding Association ($25) to be covered by insurance. This allowed me to fly at all the clubs. Next February I hope to return for a cross Country course in Metameta and wave course at Omarama (site of the 1995 World Championships) in the South Island. If anyone would like to join me, please call or email me for more information. We hope to have available for test flights a Russia AC-4A (or B) in Heber this summer. According to John Roake, editor of “New Zealand Gliding Kiwi” says “With a measured performance of 33 to 1, the sailplane is not just a toy, in fact it may be a point or two better than the PW-5.” Also less expensive. For only $3,600 down and $240 per month, the Russia AC-4 that came in second in the competition for a new World Class Design a great sailplane for the money. For info contact Fred Wright at 801 -486- 6639 or email at fred.wright@art.utah.edu Richard Smith Board Activities To promote safety and encourage individual involvement the Board took action in three areas at its March meeting. These areas involve the adoption of better defined procedures for admitting new members, changes in Association flight rules specific to requirements for flying the 1-34 and an expansion of the Duty Officer Program requiring each member to provide one day per year of service to the Association in addition to glider assembly and teardown. New Members Any person desiring membership in the Utah Soaring Association must be sponsored by an Active or Associate member who will make a report to the Board of Directors as to the qualifications of the applicant. A person wanting to join the Association will need to seek out a member who will then review the applicant’s log book and discuss with the applicant the operation of the Association. It is felt that this change will avoid persons gaining Association membership without knowing any of the Active or Associate members. Upon completion and submission of a membership application and a check for $350.00 the sponsoring member will make recommendation to the Board of Directors. A prospective member must receive 100% approval by the Board to be admitted. 1-34 Flight Rule Changes The 1-34 requirements have been changed to align more closely with the requirements for the SSA Bronze Badge. To qualify for flight in the 1-34 a member: 1 .Must hold a minimum of a Private Pilot- Glider certificate. The Duty Officer Each Saturday during the soaring season a member of the club will serve as duty officer. The purpose of the duty officer is to help provide safe, enjoyable and hassle-free flying for club members. This duty will rotate through the membership so than no person will have to serve more than one Saturday per season. If the duty officer performs his responsibilities the flights of the members will be more pleasurable. By contributing to the maintenance of the club gliders the duty officer has the right to expect his flights to be as trouble free as those he provides when he is on duty. Duty Officer Airport Responsibilities 1.Duty officers should arrive at the airport by 9:00AM. Duty Officer Club Responsibilities 1. If a duty officer cannot make his appointed Saturday he must arrange for a
substitute from the membership. Duty Officer Sign-up This season select your Saturday. First come, first served. Phone Fred Wright before April 20th at 801-486-6639 to reserve your day. Leave a message if no answer. After April 20th dates will be assigned as in past years and announced in the May newsletter. Duty Officer Seminar It is recognized that not all members possess the skills to fulfill the Duty Officer responsibilities as outlined above. On Saturday, May 2, we will hold a seminar at Heber for members who need additional training in these areas. 1. Oxygen systems |