9th June 2010 Committee meeting minutes

Present: Colin Baines, Steve Barber, Chris Bessent, Richard Greenaway, James Hunneman, Phil Morgan, Alan Saunders(to give guidance about website),Pete Smith, James Walters
Apologies:Nigel Burt, Richard Greenaway

Correspondence

None received

Outstanding actions from previous Minutes

• Chris B still to copy flight manuals and put new copies into caravan.
• Notice boards and white boards still need to be put back up in the clubhouse. James W offered to move the socket/light switch that is currently in the way of where one of the boards is to go.
• Previous meeting's minutes accepted.

Matters Arising

• The Me7 has been sold. It is being shipped to Australia. Thanks to everyone who has made this happen.
• The possibility of

Officers’ Reports

Aircraft Officer - James Walters

• Nothing new to report.
• James W to obtain an dimensioned enngineering drawing of the Puchacz'w wheel brake assembly to allow a thorough condition check to be done.
• Colin mentioned that we should check the club glider fleet's compasses for accuracy. James H to liase with Andy Brind to organise a day to check them. James W thought it best to replace all compasses with new.

Treasurer - Steve Barber

• The income so far this year seems to be similar to last year. There were 10% fewer launches in May 2010 compared to May 2009, but the total flight time was similar.
• Some flyable days have had to be scrubbed due to a lack of members turning up.

Equipment Officer (James Hunneman)

Report previously submitted via email:

• Skybrid Winch
  • Thanks to Steve Barber for fitting a replacement seat to the winch cab.
  • A new roller has had to be fitted. Can all winch drivers please take care not to pull the end of the cable through the rollers:- I recommend taking the gearbox out of drive with the parachute being 50-100 metres away from the winch. The drum's momentum will often be enough to get the cable end the right distance from the winch.
  • The right hand (when viewed from the cab) half shaft sheared its keyways and taper. A re-engineered shaft and new drive flange has been obtained from Skylaunch and fitted (thanks to all who helped). These have been re-engineered such that the taper is of a larger diameter, and with a shallower taper. The damaged shaft had been replaced in early 2009 - this new shaft should solve this weakpoint.
  • The LHS cable was removed from this winch and fitted to the RHS of the bus winch. A new cable was installed. Thanks to all those who helped with this.
  • The RHS cable needs replacing with new cable too.
• Bus Winch
  • The cable shields on both sides of the winch have been replaced or fixed.
  • The drum and cable were re-installed on the LHS
  • The RHS cable was replaced with a used cable from the Skybrid. However, this cable is almost worn out.
  • The winch was used for two weeks whilst the Skybrid winch was being repaired - generally it worked well, however:
  • The cable roller boxes on both sides of the winch are quite worn. The one on the RHS has enough play in it that the cable can slip to the side and cut through the side plate. The cable joining ferrules seem to be catching on the pulleys
  • Skylaunch can supply 2nd hand roller boxes with custom made brackets to outfit the winch with standard Skylaunch rollers. The price would be £1000. Roller parts only (would need a fair amount of metal fabrication) would be £600.
• Pajero
  • The front dampers have been replaced.
  • The front driveshafts have been rebuilt. Both outer CV joints have been replaced. The inner CV joints were in good condition, so just the rubber gaiters were replaced.
  • New lower wishbone ball joints, a track rod end, and anti-roll bar bushes have also been replaced.
• Blue Land Rover
  • The starting problem has not yet been cured (although the warmer weather has eased the issue) The diesel pump timing needs to be checked and adjusted, This could be causing the starting problem.
  • The rear silencer box still needs replacing - parts are at the club.

• • Generator
  • Thanks to Colin for fixing the exhaust manifold gasket.
  • Current plan is to dismantle the wooden enclosure around the generator to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Enclosure can be reinstated later.

• Launch Equipment
  • Two 1500m reels of cable obtained.
  • Six more quicklinks (aka Maillon Rapides) have been bought. Ideally these should be done up with a spanner before use. A small adjustable spanner has been donated (thanks Alan S) and is tied to the winch.
  • Thanks to Paul B for maintaining strops, parachutes, etc.

• Workshop / Container:
  • Thanks to Andy Brind for acquiring a smart new bench for the workshop. This kickstarted the tidying of the workshop. Almost all equipment spares and tools are now in the container by the Hangar.
  • The old workbench was put into the container (by the hangar) and the rest of the container tidied. The spares and tools bought over from the workshop have been sorted, labelled and stored on the shelving.

• Glider trailers:
  • Replacement tyres obtained for the K8 trailer. Steve B cleaned the trailer. No structural problems. Could do with a coat of paint. Ideally, we would de-rig DHA and try it on the trailer and improve things, such as tailplane fixing method, etc.
  • K13 trailer. Brake Bowden cables were found to be corroded solid and brakes locked on. No direct replacements available, but similar types were obtained and modified to fit. (Suspension and brake manufacturer no longer offer spares for this model of axle) Brakes rebuilt and hubs greased and adjusted. New brake equaliser fitted. Brakes could do with further adjustment, but trailer is serviceable. Ideally the mounts for the wing spar and the tailplane holder would be re-lined with rubber. Rubber sheet already at club, and JH has contact adhesive to stick this on. Electrics could be improved too.

• Data/Spares availability
  • I have been busy updating the Club's Wiki with data regarding winches, vehicles and other equipment:- things like names, serial numbers, suppliers, work done, etc.nThis information needs to be stored somewhere and this is the best way to do it.
  • I've obtained a book with lots of data about the V8 engines the winches use. With this, I have identified the engines we have, their specifications and the date they were made. The book will also allow easy identification of replacement engines in the future.
  • Spares are readily available for both engines, of the shelves of UK stockists.
  • I have obtained a Haynes manual for the engines we have.
  • I have checked with the UK stockists for the Impco propane fuel supply systems we have on the winches. All parts are available still, there might be a slight delay for some of the lesser used parts. However, the price of a carburettor overhaul kit (£100) was so large compared to a new carb (£250 - and they keep them in stock) that its not worth bothering keeping the spares in house. Apparently all the parts tend to be very reliable anyway.

CFI - Phil Morgan

• Congratulations to Jim Clarke for becoming a Half-Cat instructor
• Congratulations to Richard Dann for becoming a Full-Cat instructor

Safety Officer - Pete Smith

Report previously submitted via email: Safety items

• Require expenditure
  • Puchacz: Seat cushions are not energy absorbent foam - need to order and have covers made. £22.95 each + covers.
  • Need A-frame c/w non manned brake for cable replacement before next change.
  • First Aid kit audit - TBC but likely needs replacing.

• Don't require expenditure
  • Windsock - to be flown during all flying - i.e. until last glider lands.
  • Instructor supervision: Duty instructor has a duty of care to recover all pilots successfully - to that end must remain on the airfield until all gliders are landed and l/o crews have met with pilot.
  • Immediate actions to be updated including contacts.
  • Launching equipment noddy guide required.

• Non safety AOB
  • Advertising board to be displayed on southern perimeter under approach?? Frequent parking spot.
  • Hangar doors require re-tensioning. - (Colin confirmed this has been done)

Publicity Officer - Chris Bessent

• Advertising for the Open Day will go into local papers in time for the Open Day.
• Posters have been displayed in public spaces for open day.

Airfield Officer - Richard Greenaway

Not present at meeting, report submitted via email:

• Grass cutting: middle section being cut this week, both ends to be cut next week, prior to the Open Day.
• Strimmed around wind sock, "H" chair, club house etc.

Discussion

• The Southern rigging area was discussed. The area needs mowing, and there is a ridge that has formed towards the road side of the area (likely caused by a heavy machinery driving over this ground when wet) Colin has discussed this with Ringo.
• The glider trailer parking area between the Hangar and the clubhouse was discussed. The ground is uneven and the rubber mats don't appear to have solved the problem. There is a lot of space in the parking area south of the hangar, some trailers could be moved there. The position of the Keith Winch was mentioned, and the possibility of siting a generator enclosure (possibly a Luton van body) in the triangular section of land adjacent to the winch shelter. Subject to be returned to at next committee meeting.

Any other business

Replacement glider

• The returns from the questionnaire had been circulated to the Board Members. All members were of the opinion that the majority of respondents were in favour of a club class glider. The two instructors also felt that it would have the further advantage of being available to more members . A higher-performance machine would have a better XC capability, but most XC-qualified and motivated pilots already have access to a syndicate aircraft; whereas significant proportion of those expected to fly the new glider would not take advantage of the XC ability. It did not seem justifiable to spend extra money, even if finances could be raised.
• Geoff Grayer had reported that money seems to be available from the Awards for All (A4A) fund, and with the Board’s agreement, made a start on the application process. However, it was felt that even if successful at the maximum level of £10k, it would still be a strain to raise the funds required for the high-performance glider.

Other possible purchases from a grant were briefly discussed, but it was quickly agreed that the rules of the A4A fund needed to be better understood. It was agreed to progress discussions regarding the offer of an ASW15 by a club member. Action Steve Barber.

Course/Task/Open weeks

There is considerable doubt about the uptake for a course week, but it was felt a course could run in parallel with an Open week: agreed to open for week 26-30 July, followed by Task week 2-6 Aug.

Open Day

Sat 19 June, to coincide with Longest Day, with evening BBQ

Sale of Me7

No contacts from the previous advertisement seemed to be leading towards a sale. Agreed that it should be re-advertised at a much lower price. Action Chris Bessent

Flight Manuals

To meet EASA regulations it is essential that the Flight Manuals held at the club are identical copies of those held in the main file. The easiest way to ensure this is to produce new copies. Action Chris Bessent.

Winch cable mod

The BGA winching adviser had responded to our enquiry about inserting a black link below the chute (to break in the event of pulling the cable in too far). The adviser did not consider it to have sufficient advantage - there would still be a shock load of 1000N on the rollers; it is better to improve drum brakes and winch driver awareness.

Next Meeting

tba