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And... They're Off!
Heber’s 2000 soaring season has begun! All three gliders are operational and many members have enjoyed spring thermals. I want to personally thank all those who committed their Saturday to this years glider assembly day.
New members
Perhaps a first order of business might be to mention our five new club members, all of whom are licensed glider pilots, several of whom fly those crazy contraptions with engines. The new folks are Richard Bean, Bruce Boyes, Gary Petersen, Dale Taylor and Mark Williams.
If you see a new face please make sure to lend a hand and introduce yourself. Remember that the very best aspects of our club are about helping others fly and handle gliders safely. Your guidance and good examples make the difference!
Duty Officers
My next task should probably be a discussion of the Duty Officer obligation.
| May 6 - Parke Byron May 13 - Tracy Livingston May 20 - Matt Zimmer May 27 - Jerry Hartshorn June 3 - Fred Wright June 10 - Dale Taylor June 17 -Stan Misiewicz June 24 - Paul Eastman July 1 - Mark Williams July 8 - Ned Dolan July 15 - Jim Krog July 22 - John Mildon July 29 - Frank Davis August 5 - Kory Branham |
August 12 - Carl Redlin August 19 - Gary Petersen August 26 - Rich Goodloe September 2 - Ron Bridge September 9 - Paul Cushman September 16 - Chris Haerter September 23 - William Hill September 30 - Pete Kintner October 7 - Matt McNamara October 14 - Jack Corneveaux October 21 - Bob Briggs October 28 - Chris Steinman |
Here is your opportunity to contribute something to the association other than your dues. No, your dues alone are not enough. Remember that if you are unable to serve on your scheduled day you must arrange for a replacement. If you fail to show up and do not arrange for a replacement you lose your flying privileges for a period of three weeks!
It is the function of the duty officer to aid and facilitate members flying on Saturdays when scheduled flying is limited to two hours on busy days. In no way is a member relieved of the pre-flight responsibilities of pilot-in-command in ascertaining the airworthiness of a glider or judging weather or airport conditions. The pilot-in-command alone has full responsibility for the safety of his/her flight.
Your day as duty officer is your day to serve. Please do not fly on this day. Here’s a short list of things to do or ways to help:
Tie downs
- Show up at or before 9am
- Check the batteries in all of the gliders and replace those which do not have a sufficient charge
- Clean the canopies with water (not Windex or the like)
- Check the air pressure in the tires
- Fill the oxygen tanks in the Grob and 1-34
- Assist at the flight line
- Help landing pilots clear the runway
- Stay until at least 4pm
Blasted by storms, baked by the sun and frosted at night, our gliders spend the majority of their summer lives tied to the tarmac. If they’re not tied well, the gliders suffer. This is serious stuff. Please make sure that all three lines (both wings and the tail) are taunt. Use a knot which begins by wrapping the glider attachment point at least twice. And then complete the knot with at least four hitches. Do not rely on “tension-based” knots.
Staging
An unfortunate accident forces us to reconsider the practice of leaving gliders with their wings parallel to the long line of hangers and their tails a few feet from the doors. The combination of wind and slope allowed our heavy Grob to dance with Dave’s 2-33.
That area should probably only be used if you can keep an eye on your glider.
Summer BBQ
This summer’s BBQ is scheduled for June 10. Along with food, drink and hanger stories we will have a demo of how to fill oxygen tanks and a X-C slide show.
Peace.
David Lane
Soar Minden
...and other notes
There I was, in the double-wide club house of Soar Minden, watching two men get saddled up in cold weather suits, pressure oxygen masks, barographs and big boots. There was an excitement in the air. I really didn’t get the drift until I heard the magic words “ WAVE” come out of Tony Sabini’s mouth.
It happened in early May of this year when I was visiting Soar Minden in Minden, Nevada. All that I had heard and read about Minden was that this was the Mecca of soaring sights. Thermals in the summer and year round mountain wave. The wave is where it is at in Minden. Both the gentlemen mentioned above were preparing for a high altitude flight. The record is above 40,000 ft and one thing that is covered in the preflight training is the affects of the “Bends” in reverse. Yes, if you are exposed to very low pressure on the body (high altitude flight with a quick descent), it can cause the same conditions that scuba diving presents when you dive to a very deep level and rise to quickly.
Soar Minden is owned and operated by Tony Sabini along with his wife Katherine and son Tony. He has owned it for over 10 years and has 4 G103’s, a G102, an LS-4 and a few other high performance gliders to rent. His instructors (5 total) all have thousands of flights and many hours of instruction given. I was able to schedule and receive a G103 check out and also attempted to get into the Wave. We did a high tow to 9000’ and searched for lift. The day I flew they referred to as a “clear blue wave” day. There were no visible lenticular clouds that indicate the wave, but the wave was happening and some airmen got up to 20,000’ that day.
During the off season in UT, I would highly recommend a trip to Reno and a short drive to Minden to experience Soar Minden and the wave. I plan to go back next winter. Visit them on the Web for more info.
On other notes, one of the long time members of Soar Utah brought up a good point concerning our aircraft. The point being: THESE SAILPLANES BELONG TO US. Please keep this in mind when operating the clubs ships. They are not rental birds and they need to be maintained and handled as if you owned them yourselves (and we do). Below are some items to keep in mind.
Battery Place it on the charger at the end of the day or if no one else has scheduled the aircraft after you that day.
Canopy Clean before each flight, we have a spray bottle in the cabinet.
Leading Edges If you smash bugs, please clean the leading edges of the wing and stabilizers .
Oxygen Check the level of the tanks and if they need filling, please do.
Tie Downs Make them tight.
Thanks to all that give so much to make this club operate.
Think lift!!!!!
Paul Schneider
2000
Calendar
June 10 - Summer Picnic
July 8 - 15 - Nephi Week
September 16 - Fall Picnic
Parting Shot
Dale Taylor took some fine all-digital shots during a flight
on May 28th from the back seat of the Grob.