Now that the foot & mouth crisis is behind us, the glider
guiders are back where they belong, on far distant slopes. Hopefully
this year will be much better for them and they can make up some
of the flying time lost this year. I feel that a vote of thanks
is due to them for their perseverance in not encroaching on restricted
land during this very difficult time.
Our new committee has had its first meeting after the AGM. There
was a touch of déjà-vu as the committee was unchanged
again. We have decided to give priority this year to finding a
new flying site. With this in mind I asked each committee member
to give me a list of what he considered the requirements for a
site should include. Talk about kicking a willing horse! The intention
is to set up a sub-committee to oversee this task. If any of you
out there feel you could help with this, please contact a committee
member. We also decided to purchase two new training aircraft;
a Synergy slope trainer and an electric glider for initial flat
field training. Hall bookings for the winter have also been confirmed.
All in all, a good first meeting.
The indoor flying meetings are now well established and we have
gained quite a few new members from them. We would really like
a larger venue for this activity so if any of you know of one
in the Bournemouth area please let us know.
Trevor, Neil and I recently attended the BEFA technical workshop
at Leamington Spa. This consisted of three lectures during the
day on the use of Depron foam, Electric free flight models and
Electric scale model building. The lecture on the use of Depron
foam was particularly relevant in the light of our expanding indoor
flying. Several models were demonstrated including an Und-Nu with
floats. The way things are going we could be hiring Christchurch
swimming baths next! The other lecture on electric scale model
structures centred on laminating details using thin ply and balsa
to produce curved parts such as fin and rudder outlines and the
use of thin ply rolled to form fuselage parts.
Congratulations are in order to one of our junior members. Christopher
Morris has recently passed the BMFA 'A' certificate. Many of us
have watched Christopher's progress over the years and have admired
his quiet and modest manner. He is a credit to his parents and
to our club. Christopher's success also poses a question to many
of us aspiring flyers: Should we all make a more concerted effort
to achieve this standard or better? Perhaps we should as a club,
ask some of our BMFA 'B' certificate holders if they would consider
undertaking the task of becoming BMFA examiners. This would negate
the need for our members to travel to other clubs to take these
tests. (Meanwhile, if anyone wishes to practice for the A or
B test, the necessary information is readily available, and the
test can easily be arranged when you feel ready - Ed)
Well, that's enough of my mutterings for now, so if we don't cross
paths before the festive season, have a very good Christmas and
I hope you all receive the goodies that you undoubtedly deserve.