Glider Assembly & Duty Officer/Safety Seminar
    Saturday, April 24, 9:30am
    Heber Airport    Be There!!!

Kamas and Samak from the 1-34 in the Uintah foothills

    President’s Message

    The winter is just about over, and the thought of flying is becoming more of a reality for the majority of the club. I have not yet joined the few members who fly year round, but hopefully one of these years I will make it down to Hurricane or to Minden or perhaps an even more distant location.

    While this is the sleepy part of the year for the soaring club, there has been a lot of club activity, primarily focused on improving the state of our sailplanes. Doug Spencer has completed the 1-34 cockpit work. I have not yet seen it, but I have been impressed with Doug’s previous work on the old 1-34, and I am looking forward to seeing how the new one turned out. Walt Konecny is currently fashioning a new instrument panel for the 1- 34. This will include a new electric variometer, and a panel mounted radio.

    The work on the 2-33 is also progressing well. John Mildon has completed the work on the fiberglass nose bowl. This required a lot of work, which John did almost single- handed. Most of the components previously removed from the frame have been reassembled. A crew turned out on a Saturday and sanded the wings. I’d like to thank Frank Davis, Stan Misiewicz, Karl Wernick, Dave Lane and Matt McNamara who made quick work of it on a very pleasant day. Special thanks goes to Lee Steorts who arranged for us to work in the storage lot of his condo association in addition to supervising the work. And my apologies (again) to Walt Konecny who was not informed quickly enough that the work site was changed from Morgan to Holladay (my oops). I am proud to say that the canopy frames have been stripped (of no less than four coats of paint) and are ready to be painted as well. As I write this, the wings and fuselage are scheduled to go to Morgan on March 8 for the application of new fabric and painting.

At work on 88S over the winter months.

    The project should be finished well in time for the new season. I think everyone in the club owes John Mildon a thank you for the tremendous amount of work he has put into this project, as well as the generous use of his workshop space, tools and supplies. I would also like to thank his wife Helen for her gracious hosting of our work crews. The restored ship will be very pleasing and I look forward to taking non-members flying this summer in our 2-33.

    The club web page, www.utahsoaring.org, is developing very nicely thanks to the efforts of Dave Lane. If you haven’t seen it I suggest you give it a look. Among other things, it includes the club charter, current and old newsletters, and several picture series, including the restoration of the 2-33. If you have something to add to the site, please contact Dave (dlane@cyberwires.com or call 561-0954).

    It has been a while since a USA member list has been issued. I would like to have all members update their information, specifically address, phone number and email address and send the information in with their next dues payment. A new membership list will then be sent out to all members.

    Again, sponsors will be needed for people wishing to join the club. Responsibilities of a sponsor include taking a flight with the applicant, reviewing the applicant’s flight history and presenting the applicant’s application and credentials to the board. If you would like to help introduce new people to the club, please let one of the board members know, and thank you for your participation in this important activity.

    Lastly, as we are about to start soaring again in Heber, I would like to ask every member what are the goals have you have set in regards to your soaring activities this year. Is there a distance, duration or altitude leg you can achieve that you have not done yet? Can you make a landing within the Bronze badge requirements? Did you fly on a regular basis last year? There are five seats in the club ships to fly from, are you qualified to fly all of the seats appropriate for you? From personal experience, I have improved my skills every time I have had to push to qualify for a badge or another seat in the club ship. From the most experienced member in the club to the newest to flying I think it benefits all of us to push and to improve. So what are your goals this year?

    As usual lately, I am completing this column late. As a matter of fact I am sending it in to Fred Wright for the newsletter from just outside of Stockholm, Sweden, where it was a nice blustery 32° F today. With luck, I may fly with a soaring club a little north of Uppsala later this “spring”. If so I will report on that next month. Otherwise, it will be May before I will see any of you at Heber. So, have fun assembling the gliders on Saturday, April 24. Be sure to express your appreciation of the fine work done on the gliders, particularly to John Mildon, Lee Steorts and Doug Spencer. And please, take good care of our ships!

    See you all up in Heber!

   Parke Byron

    This year the board members are:

    Parke Byron, President 582-7802
    Matt Zimmer, Vice-President 943-7441
    David Lane, Secretary 561-0954
    Karl Wernick, Treasurer 524-3222
    Stan Misiewicz, Maint. Officer 261-8786
    Fred Wright, Ops & Safety Officer 486-6639

    Duty Officer/Safety Seminar

    It is recognized that not all members posses the skills to fulfill the Duty Officer responsibilities .  On Saturday, April 24, we will hold a seminar at Heber in conjunction with our glider assembly for members who need additional training in these areas.

    1. Oxygen systems.
    2. General care and maintenance.
    3. Accepted tie-down procedures.
    4. Radios and batteries.
    5. Movement of gliders.
    6. Flight-line operations.

    For info contact Fred Wright at 801-486-6639 or email at fred.wright@art.utah.edu.

    Duty Officer Sign-up

    Again 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.

    The Duty Officer

    Based on the success of the duty officer program last year it is being continued. There were only two members who failed to meet their responsibilities. 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.
    2. Wipe down club gliders.
    3. Remove canopy covers and clean canopies.
    4. perform inspection on each glider.
    5. Check electrical systems.
        a. Batteries
        b. Radios
        c. Electric varios.
    6. Check oxygen systems and fill if below 700 lb.
    7. Assist in movement and launch of gliders.
    8. Assist in recovery and tie-down of gliders.
    9. Place batteries on charger at end of day.

    Duty Officer Club Responsibilities

    1. If a duty officer cannot make his appointment Saturday he must arrange for a substitute from the membership.
    2. Failure to show up or arrange a replacement results in a suspension of flying privileges for a period of three weeks.

    1-34 Flight Rules (same as last year)

    To qualify for flight in the 1-34 a member:

    1. Must hold a minimum of a Private Pilot-Glider certificate.
    2. Must have logged 15 hours and 30 flights and landings as pilot-in-command in gliders.
    3. Must have two flights of at least 2.0 hours duration solo or as pilot-in-command.
    4. Must have dual time with Instructor in USDA Grob, including landings, of preparation for transition to different handling aircraft.
    5. Must demonstrate ability to make accuracy landings by stopping at Heber taxi way.
    6. Must have a 1-34 Check Out from an Instructor.
    7. Must pass SSA written closed-book cross-country exam.

    Utah Soaring Association Website

    David Lane has put together a website. Take a look at www.utahsoaring.org. Email Dave at dlane@cyberwires.com with your suggestions or ideas.