new Windsock

July 2018 windsock@buckminstergc.co.uk p.1

Buckminster Gliding Club, Saltby 009

Work on the Runway with last Winter’s unpublished poem from the Secretary

T he runways had called, "Please mend us", they cried,

"In winters we freeze and in summers we're fried.

We've lain here since 'fore '43;

Our cracks are wide and deep as you see.

You come all the time, don't take us for granted;

save for weed killing man, with growth we'd be planted.

Show us again how important we are

to your sport, and more, we're important we are."

T was a bracing day, too windy to fly.

On t’runway that day, ten men standing high.

With resin and powder, and wind howling past,

were blasted and filled some wounds from the past.

There's lots more to do but 'till Spring we will wait.

When t’weather warms, we'll inform you of date.

So move over Shakespeare, and this may even be the first poem

ever written about a runway. In fact the weather never did improve enough in what passed for Spring, and work actually started again on June 9th. It was a non-flying Monday and rather less than 10 people turned up.

So step forward Brian Barnes with Bill Veitch, John Elkington, Bard Chris Prideaux and Robbie Taplow on Day Release from Darlton. John Hayter

joined for the follow-on 2 days later. On Day 2 it was very hot and sunny and they were at it for 5 hours, mixing a fairly nasty Polyester Resin Manhole Bedding Mortar.

More days will follow and more help is needed to get the job done. Here are some more pictures of Day 2.

ThankU all

On 12 June John Elkington posted as follows:

Yesterday myself, Chris Prideaux, John Hayter and Bob from Darlton carried out much needed runway repairs. We managed to use 41 of the 25kg tubs, that equates to just over a tonne of material. Take into account that we

handled it 3 times, onto the truck, off the truck and then when mixed carried to the point of use, means over 3 tonnes were handled by just four of us!! No mean feat!

This morning my back is reminding me I am not as young as I thought I was!!! Nevertheless we’re pleased with our achievement, but there is still a lot more to go yet!

Still quite a lot of barrels left

new Windsock

July 2018 windsock@buckminstergc.co.uk p.2

In this issue of new Windsock, we have given due publicity to the massive effort being made to repair our runway. It’s not a nice job and it’s certainly time to acknowledge the work that’s been done to date. I hesitated to include a poem at all, let alone an ode to a runway, but it’s done.

This month we feature two interviews, between myself and Carol on this page and another with Les Merritt on Page 5. A number of readers have asked for features on other members and petty well everyone has a great story to tell. We’ll try to do more in future.

Danny has reported on the Tuesday Tailspinners finally getting airborne and Emma has signed off for the LSUGC until term starts again in September. I’m sure that we all wish the very best to a great group of students who are now moving on.

Unreported is the visit from the Bowland Forest GC despite promises of copy. They were as ever a delightful group and they had the weather they deserved. Pictures of their aircraft follow.

Editorial

Bowland Forest GC

And lastly, look what’s happening behind the clubhouse.

Now that really is exciting. I hope we can do a feature shortly. ALM

nWS: Carol, welcome again to Saltby. You seem totally at home already. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

CF: I have lived locally for around 20 years and moved to Saltby Village in 2015. I am married with two sons and also have a grandson who is 2 1/2 years of age.

nWS: Tell us a little about your background and what tempted you to come to Saltby?

CF: My original career was with Barclays Bank until having my children, after which I worked in many different roles to fit around them. More recently at AR Signs Ltd at South Luffenham where I met you Alan, as we manufactured some signs for the club. I saw your job application by accident. It looked interesting, was close to home with hours to suit, so I decided to apply.

nWS: So you live close by. Did you already know Angie? Have you walked in yet? Biked? Run? Is she a hard act to follow?

CF: I met Angie when she first came up here to visit Buckminster School for Alice and Jack, as I was then the school Bursar/Secretary. We have walked to work a couple of times and I am intending to get my bike out of retirement this weekend! Obviously, I have a big pair of shoes to fill!

nWS: Have you done anything that is flying related? Is that a problem? Do you think you’ll get to like it?

CF: I have not done anything flying related but have had my first glider flight, so I am on the way! I am not fazed at all about being the face/voice of the gliding club. I have been in customer service related jobs most of my working career. No problems so far, apart from being interviewed and having my photograph taken [Sorree—Ed]!

nWS: Any problems so far? Anything you just really don’t like, apart from being interviewed?

CF: Things are starting to fall into place but been a bit of a learning curve. However everyone has been very friendly and helpful. A big thank you for all for your help.

nWS: Are you going to gave a go gliding? Will you fly when you can, do you think?

CF: I really enjoyed my first flights - unbelievable - a totally different world up there and so quiet. Obviously, I would like to see the club go from strength to strength and would love to help with that.

nWS: Is there anything you’d like to say? Any suggestions? How do you see your role developing?

CF: I don't intend to be going very far yet - however I haven't reached the end of my probation yet so you may want to get rid of me first!!

nWS: Many thanks Carol. Personally, I hope that your stay here will be long and satisfying, and I am sure that all members agree.

Meet Carol Freer

FLEET NEWS

K21 KNL Serviceable

Perkoz S8Y Serviceable

Astir FSH Serviceable

K8 JNN Serviceable

Winch Serviceable

Puchacz FTH Serviceable

G-BUFR Serviceable

G-TTUG Serviceable

As far as we know all tractors and club vehicles are serviceable as at 18 July 2018

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Open Aerobatic Competition: 20th - 22nd July (all club caravans fully booked)

Millfield: annual visit to Saltby 6th - 11th August

National aerobatic competition: 23rd - 26th August (all club caravans fully booked)

GROUP EVENINGS

Melton Round Table: Thurs 19/07 17.00-19.00

107 Derby Scouts: Fri 20/07 17.00-19.00

John Davies group: Tue 24/07 17.00-20.00

Much support will be needed

RUNWAY REPAIR

No date so far but as ever much help will be needed.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Welcome Roger Wells, who has re-solo’d

Student achievements are covered on p.4

Between 07 and 15 July Les Merritt completed 2 x 300 km and 2 x 500 km (with Berian and Jim Airey), Andrew Clusky 500 km and George Rizk 300 km.

Bill Veitch made his 7h 20’ marathon in GB2, including the Club 100 km and a climb to 6500 ft!

And Chris Davison’s flew 100km at an amazing 99.2 km/hr.

Manager’s Update from Angie and Carol

new Windsock

July 2018 windsock@buckminstergc.co.uk p.3

W hat a lovely aircraft this early model SLMG is, thought to be the only one of

its type flying in the UK at the moment. This was essentially a Dave Unwin production with photographer Keith Wilson and myself in the tug once again to take the pictures, for a subsequent report in PILOT magazine.

Peter Andrews, the glider’s 86 year old owner, flew in from Husbos, briefed Dave and stood back. Dave, Keith and I then briefed the sequence with Dave airborne first to evaluate the glider, engine on and off. Setting these photo flights up is quite tricky, involving slow speed formation on the wrong side of the drag curve with the EuroFox door open (opening below 50 kts

and cleared up to 70), with Keith working his two massive cameras.

So after a rendez-vous over Belvoir Castle, and some manoeuvring for the castle shot, Dave then positioned for the best-angled pictures. He then moved out and feathered the engine and the difficult bit started. Dave slid into formation on the EuroFox, engine off, while Keith took every shot of opportunity, all the way into the circuit.

After that there were some shots on approach and, after landing, then ground close ups. When it was all over the glider had had enough and refused to start. We got her going with a jump start from the safety car, and Peter flew off back to HusBos.

We can’t show you the air to air shots just yet until Dave’s article and Keith’s pictures have appeared in PILOT. I can assure you though that the 14 looked lovely in the air and you’ll like them. ALM

Wow June already. Let’s see what it holds for the TT flyers.

5th June – Weather report spot on for the day; low cloud and grey up till about 2pm then it all breaks up for a nice late afternoon and evening.

We had a very unusual NOTAM – we were completely grounded for 2 hours or so because the Queen’s Birthday fly past needed practice. We could not see them because of the cloud but heard them. The no fly zone was a 72mile circle centred on Sandringham surface to 10000ft. Even the Coast Guard needed special permission to fly. However we spent the morning going through the Daily Inspection, presentation and discussing aspects of the DI, all the TT’s logbooks were stamped and whilst we were setting up the field Danny checked out the DI’s that were completed and signed them off in logbooks.

As the clouds broke up it became pretty thermic for a while and some nice quick soaring flights were completed with Cathy staying up for 39 mins from a 4.20 pm take off, not bad off a winch launch. We had a few members coming and going as there was an evening flying group arriving at 6pm.

The Derby Scouts duly arrived and once the paperwork was completed we got them into the air. Lots of excited smiling faces ensued including the two Scout leaders. We even managed to get Carol into the Perkoz for a flight with George, another smiling face.

Many thanks to the evening helpers. It all helps the club.

So the day comprised 19 winch launches and lots of fun. A good start to the month.

12th June – Like last week’s weather a clearance was forecast for late afternoon so we had a grey start.

Whilst some of the normal TT’ers were on holiday it did not mean that we had a quiet day. There was a “D” module running for 3 new instructors so they were up and down like the proverbial fiddlers !!!

There was another evening group this time from Melton Scouts with some Leaders and parents as well. We flew all the Scouts twice and the adults once. There was some amazing soaring from 6 until 8pm which was enjoyable for the pilots and instructors.

The day completed 25 flights so pretty good for the old revenue bucket.

19th June – With another high pressure dominating it was pretty grey all day. Phil was in charge and Danny arrived mid-afternoon for the late shift. Winch and aerotow launches were carried out with all the TT’ers able to fly. There was not any real soaring done, which meant that there were 19 flights completed. The Derby Scouts arrived on time with another 8 winch launches. A good fun day with no incidents but little soaring.

26th June – High pressure was still with us. However, it did not stop us having a very good day. Our visitors from Bowland forest G.C. flew their brightly painted K8’s and Oly 2’s with some 1 hour plus soaring flights. The LSUGC pilots were in abundance with Lawrence checking out ok for the Astir and flying it quite a few times. Duncan managed

his first landing with a few prompts and was very pleased judging by the celebration dance on landing.

Richard B. Richard D. and John S. all completed their flying tests for their Mutual Flying Rating then went off in pairs for some soaring, best flight an hour or so up to 2700ft. Phil S. finished his annual checks with a sortie to the wild blue yonder to do the spinning.

Berian completed his BI rating with a member of the public (Angie – tee-hee) and stayed to fly some of the scouts later on.

We hosted another flying evening – MANY THANKS – to those who helped out. The scouts and their leaders had a great time especially as the LUSUGC team put on an excellent BBQ which was unfortunate for one of the scouts as they were setting off to go home one of the leaders asked for a sick bag !!!! – too much BBQ.

An ASK 14 flew in from HusBos for Dave U. to fly and write an article about, and culminated in photographic formation filming with the EuroFox piloted by Alan M. They looked pretty close in the air but it was all completed safely. The ASK 14 developed a flat battery for some reason but was restarted eventually and flew back home.

All in all it was a busy day with 61 safe flights being completed. Well done to all the pilots attending on the day----------dare I say this, 4 flying Tuesdays on the trot -----WOW!

Well June was pretty good with 134 launches made and quite a bit of soaring done. We still have not experienced great soaring but I am sure that it will come.

ASK 14 Photo Shoot

from Danny Lamb

The ASK 14 and Peter Andrews are both older than Dave. Just.

The TT Report—No.7

new Windsock

July 2018 windsock@buckminstergc.co.uk p.4

F or most of you, this gliding season is just starting. Unfortunately for us, as exams

finish and University closes these re our last weeks of gliding for a few months at Buckminster. But this is not without one final hurrah! Our summer training week this year was held at Buckminster was also with the Bowland Forest Expedition. This training was an odd one with more solo pilots than pre-solo in attendance. This meant the focus of the week shifted from sending people solo to planning cross-country, duration tasks and mutual flying.

Notable achievements from our training week are, Jack Vincent going aerotow solo, Harry Entwistle becoming a winch driver, Simon Fredholm and Lawrence Broad converting to the Astir and Ben Jenner milking the week and achieving his two-hour solo duration, Standard Aerobatics badge, completing his cross-country endorsement and finally becoming a winch instructor! Well done to all!

If that wasn’t enough excitement for you, on the Monday of our training week Alumnus Guy Westgate came to fly with us in his Fox to recreate the ‘H2O Project’. This involved trying to pour water into a cup whilst flying aerobatics in the Fox. A video will follow shortly, so you can see what we got up to!

In other news, away at her home club, Shenington, Lucy Wootton, our chair, has completed her BI course. A big well done from the entire club Lucy! This will allow her to fly with our freshers during our induction weekend in October, showing them what gliding is all about.

On behalf of LSUGC I would like to thank Buckminster for everything you have done for our club over the last year and we all look forward to flying with you when University starts again in late September.

LSUGC Summer Training Week from Emma Burns

Ben Jenner, our new winch instructor

Flying till dusk with Guy Westgate

Jack Vincent after his first solo aerotow

Lucy Wootton with her BI certificate

I t is my intention, whether or not achievable, to write a monthly column in

the Club newsletter on topics of interest or concern to our members. The first is the on-going matter of mutual flying, so:

FLYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE:

This is a complex area beyond the straight-forward matter of ‘who do we trust’, involving Duty of Care, Insurance and not least BGA policy, in which we must demonstrate that we have reduced any risk to ALARP - ‘As Low As Reasonably Possible’. I believe that the CSO intends to explain Risk Management in a subsequent issue of the newsletter.

Since as well as members flying together, Friends and Family and the newish IFP qualification (Initial Flight Pilot) are all involved, I will shortly issue guidance in Section 2 of the Operations Manual, which supports the Flying Order Book. At the same time I have removed the FOB paragraph on Mutual Flying.

In the mean time some members have formally qualified at different events and some grandfather rights may be agreed. If you are in any doubt about what you can or can not do then please don’t hesitate to ask me.

There will be no change for microlights, and pilots will continue to fly within the privileges of their licence and with the Operator’s approval (usually Paddy).

The second current topic is of course:

AIRSPACE:

Without question, despite some support from the CAA this time, general aviation airspace in the UK is under siege. At best the Class D air traffic zones around Norwich, Southend and Doncaster are questionable, and I think we are all aware what is going on around Farnborough.

Every time Class D airspace is infringed there is a clamour for tighter control and every airprox makes GA seem that bit more of a threat to the public. At a lower level we see ATZs flexing their muscles, which the following incident describes.

Last week I received a note from Pete Stratten , the BGA’s CEO, as follows:

The BGA received a call from the CAA’s legal dept today (Fri 13/06). They wanted to advise that Cranfield ATC has complained to CAA about ‘numerous’ glider infringements on 20th June 18. Interestingly, a registration that was passed to me is in fact a [motor

glider] that resulted in an interesting conversation about cross country soaring!

Anyway, they don’t have a case and they are not taking any action. I was left feeling they would take action if they had evidence. I was asked if the BGA would do what it can to educate pilots. We regularly do that, and will continue to do so.

Meanwhile, please would you remind pilots operating from your site about ATZs and the need to get permission BEFORE entering. Unfortunately, the CAA are increasingly using legal action these days, particularly where an infringement results in a dangerous situation.

Hope that’s useful.

Pete Stratten Chief Executive Officer

I am well aware that this is a two way street, that gliding sites are often penetrated by commercial GA, and that some steps are being taken to make them more aware of what we do.

As we know, our nearest Class D zones are EMA and Doncaster. Experienced pilots may feel happy to call them for a VFR clearance, but this is increasingly unlikely without a transponder. MATZ penetration at Wittering and the Waddington complex is equally problematic and it is up to all of us to study maps, check NOTAMS and fly accurately to avoid a major row and an expensive fine.

So that said, lets really enjoy what’s left of the summer.

CFI’s Corner

from John Sentance

new Windsock

July 2018 windsock@buckminstergc.co.uk p.5

C

C

C C

AERIAL SHOT FROM 1500 FT

Les Merritt is no ordinary person. Since 1970 he has been soaring over

British skies at heights in excess of 3000 feet, in planes that have no engines.

Les pilots gliders, accomplishing a vast amount in a spectacular flying career. First attaining his solo qualification in 1971 to gaining awards from His Royal Highness The Duke Of Kent Les demonstrates that gliding can be a rewarding pastime.

I was therefore delighted to have the opportunity to interview him and learn more about the life of a man who soars the skies without an engine.

Although not a common sport, I was intrigued to learn how Les came into the gliding world. He explained “I had my first flight in a glider in 1970. It lasted 3 minutes, but I was hooked straight away”.

“I would go down with my brother to Southdown Gliding Club at times and fit in a flight if possible. Speaking of my brother, it was he that introduced me to gliding.”

After a few years Les had achieved success. He attained his solo licence, a British Gliding Association (BGA) bronze, silver and gold badge and a full instructor rating qualification. Just to name a few of his triumphs!

I was interested to learn about specific awards Les had attained. One particular award stood out.

“In 2008 I was awarded the Royal Aero Club Ann Welch Memorial Award presented by HRH Duke of Kent.” This award is given to those who make major contributions to flying instruction, benefitting the BGA, BMAA and BHPA. This is a truly outstanding award of great prestige in any flying club.”

Les sums up his love for gliding perfectly. “Simple. It is a challenge keeping the glider in the air and flying as far or staying up as long as possible. Just about every time you fly the conditions are different and you are always learning something new or just enjoying soaring with the birds or the scenery. You also get to meet many interesting people and get the satisfaction of seeing pupils progress.”

“At the start my first flight lasted 3 minutes. Now my longest flight is around 10 hours and I have flown over 7500 hours. But I’m still hooked and just have to go and fly when the weather is good. You should try it!”

Les has proved that gliding is a sport that, if truly invested in, can be incredibly rewarding. His career is beyond inspiring and something for anyone to marvel in.

[Les, as most of us know, is married to Jane, also a keen glider pilot and instructor. When he’s not involved in gliding his hobby is steam trains. He has an N gauge model railway and has driven the actual Battle of Britain class ‘92 Squadron’, now to be found at the Nene Valley Railway - Ed]

Meet Les Merritt by Alice Cunningham

A lice is of course Angie’s daughter. She has just finished an

undergraduate degree in International Relations at Loughborough University and is moving to Sheffield Uni in September to study for a Masters Degree in Journalism. She graduated this month.

As an undergraduate project she was required to write up an interview, and Les agreed to be the victim (with a bit of persuasion form Angie). She has edited out some of his more colourful answers, and this is the result.

This is actually the first time Alice’s By-line

has appeared in print anywhere outside university, so we wish her many more of them as well as a great career in journalism.

Yorkshire Gliding Club, Sutton Bank

Les adds:

Apart from instructing and towing during my time at Southdown I had a number of important roles, including, aircraft inspector, committee member, safety officer, deputy CFI, and then CFI (chief flying instructor)

I perhaps should mention that I was only doing the above on a part time basis as I had a fulltime job working as a research scientist with British Gas.

In terms of my qualifications, I have a reasonable number but probably no more than some other pilots that I know. I have already mentioned some, but have added a few more below:

Fully Rated instructor, Regional Examiner, BGA Instructor/ Examiner Motor Gliding, CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) Motor Glider Instructor/ Examiner, CAA CRI (class rated instructor) Aeroplanes, TMG, PPL, SLMG, SPL, maybe a few more.

In the early 2000's my company decided to re-locate to the Midlands (Loughborough) which is why we are now In this area. I joined Buckminster Gliding Club and flew at Saltby at weekends and sometimes during the week also. After a number of years, I had the chance to get a reasonable redundancy package and decided to leave BG. I looked for work and in fact got offered 3 jobs. Accepting 2!

One other job that I got offered was for a 6 months’ course instructor (gliding) at The Wolds Gliding Club at Pocklington. This I accepted and had a great time teaching people, many straight off the streets as it were, and seeing if I could get them to a solo standard in a week. One very pleasing thing to note is that a number of people on my courses are still gliding, one went on to become the Chairman at the Wolds GC and another is Deputy CFI.

At the end of the season I was approached by Buckminster Gliding Club to be the CFI for the following year which I accepted. I originally only intended doing the job for around 3 years but found there was much to do to get the club moving in the right direction and ended up doing it for over 10 years.

Something else that I have done is fly at many gliding sites, too many to list in the UK and have also flown abroad, Canada in the Rocky Mountains, New Zealand, soaring across the highest mountain, Poland, Germany and Northern Ireland.

Les and Berian fly their Duo to

celebrate his 10,000th flight in 2014

July 2018 windsock@buckminstergc.co.uk p.6

new Windsock

Who does what? - The Board

Chairman / IT James Walker

Secretary Chris Prideaux

CFI John Sentance

Treasurer Kevin Williams

CTO Julie Matysik

Director / Site Maintenance Brian Barnes

Director / Hangar Plans John Elkington

Board Member / DCSO Luke Walker

Board Member / LSUGC /

Child Protection Officer

Emma Burns

Others you may want to contact:

DCFI Vacant

ACFI - Aerobatics Mark Erlund

ACFI - Powered Flying Martin Hands

ACFI - Ground instruction & record keeping / AME

Paddy Yeoman

Mentor to solo / Vintage Group David-John Gibbs

Mentor to solo Mike Sheehan

Mentor X-Country Chris Davison

Mentor post-solo / Vacant

CSO / new Windsock Alan Munro

Tugmaster Gareth Bustin

Winchmaster / BMFA liaison Trevor Henson

Instrument Maintenance John Margrave

Avionics Malcolm Huddart

Club Website Guy Roberts

Social Media Liam Green

Office Manager Carol Freer

What does it all cost?

Full membership £345.00 pa or £31 pm (DD)

Country membership £245.00 pa or £22 pm (DD)

Self Launching £400.00 pa or £35 pm (DD)

Social membership £75.00 pa

NPPL membership £150.00 pa

Juniors 18 - 25 £75.00 pa (Juniors < 18 Free)

BGA capitation fee £31 pa

EuroFox aerotow to 1200 ft £10.00 then £1.00/100 ft

Winch launch £8.25

Flight time single seater £0.20/min (Juniors Free)

Flight time two seater £0.40/min (Juniors Free)

T61 Venture £60.00/hr

Simulator £10/hr (honesty box)

Hangarage, trailers, caravans etc Call for prices & spaces

Airspace

Maize in July

crops

CROSS-COUNTRY

NOTAMS