GA-2014-10

Glide Angle
OCTOBER
2014
A publication of:
Victorian Motorless
Flight Group Inc
Inc. Assoc. A0025166A
ABN 85 247 311 275
Home Field:
Bacchus Marsh Airfield
Bacchus Marsh
Victoria
Mobile:
0400 490 920
Club House: (03) 5369 5125
Pie Cart:
0490 098 529
Postal Address:
GPO Box 1096
Melbourne
Victoria, 3001
Australia
Web Site:
http://www.vmfg.org.au
Editor: Cliff Pritchard
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
CONTENTS:
Happy Birthday to Us
1
Lecture Series
2
From your Safety Officer
2
2014 Annual General Meeting 2
Gliding in the Canadian Rockies 3
New Members
5
What’s Happening at Bacchus 5
CFI Report
7
Membership Renewals
8
Melbourne Cup Weekend
8
VSA Event Calendar
8
Committee Nomination Form 8
Next Issue Deadline
th
24 October, 2014
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US
The origins of the Victorian Motorless Flight Group (VMFG)
goes back to the early 1930’s when a small group of glider
pilots joined together and began operating at various sites
in and around Melbourne. In September 1944 a public
meeting resulted in the formal beginnings of the club.
Yes, 2014 is our 70th Anniversary.
We initially conducted operations from a paddock at
Mordialloc until a government decision to establish
Moorabbin airport made this site untenable. So, in 1947
VMFG moved to Casey Field at Berwick and Lord Casey
became our patron. Our last move was in 1962/3 to the
current airfield at Bacchus Marsh.
The three gliding clubs at Bacchus Marsh jointly acquired
land adjacent to the airfield and built the clubhouse,
workshops and hangars, meanwhile the club fleet of
gliders and tow planes continued to expand into one of
Australia’s best equipped non-commercial clubs.
In more recent years the gliding clubs, flying school and the
Shire of Bacchus Marsh have worked to achieve local
ownership of the airfield, VMFG has updated the fleet of
gliders and tow planes and recently following membership
approval we began trading as Melbourne Gliding Club.
What’s next !!
1
Well, I for one am looking forward to celebrating
our 75th Anniversary with an even stronger club,
but this will require assistance from all of us – So;
FROM YOUR SAFETY OFFICER
TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED
Your wing runner…
Go Flying
Recruit new members
Go Flying
Help out on field
Go Flying

Has he/she been trained?

Is he/she actually capable of running?

Did he/she ask you to check that your
canopy and air brakes were locked?
Assist with Maintenance
Go Flying
And did you?
Support the VMFG Management
Committee and Safety Officer and...
Oh, did I forget... GO FLYING – Yes, that’s what we
are here for, so let’s do it.

Did you notice if he/she actually checked
that the air space was clear?

Did you notice if he/she was listening for
radio calls?

Is he/she capable of judging when it is safe
to launch?
CLIFF PRITCHARD, EDITOR
LECTURE SERIES
Once again the Winter Lecture Series is being
conducted at Bacchus Marsh Clubhouse.
Ask yourself these questions next time you’re
ready to launch.
These are essential for both students and as a
refresh/update for the more experienced pilots.
Many of these factors contributed to a potentially
catastrophic incident in Queensland this year.
The lectures currently scheduled are:

MARK WHITE, SAFETY OFFICER
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Glider Performance - the flight manual
Sat 11th Oct 09:00 to 11:30
Good for students and those wanting to
better understand how to get the best out of
a glider.
Only a few weeks to go, but still time to let Steve
know if you wish to participate in the dinner..
AND...
Paul Spooner
You still have time to nominate for one of the
Management Committee positions and help
guide your clubs future directions. You will find
the nomination slip elsewhere in this newsletter.
VMFG/MGC
Annual General Meeting
Date:
Saturday 25th October, 2014
Bacchus Marsh Clubhouse
Time: 5PM
A meal will be available following the AGM at a cost of $20/person.
For catering purposes if you intend to partake of the meal,
please RSVP to Steve Coulton by October 10th
[email protected]
2
by Philip Volk
me how to manage the challenge of cross country
flying in the mountains safely and to enjoy
mountain flying, so much so, that I began to
coach others on this year’s mountain soaring
course.
My first experience gliding was from Porepunkah
near Bright when I had a 1 hour flight as a
passenger in Geelong’s OWL over Buffalo. Since
then I have been in love with soaring in the
mountains and have taken many opportunities to
fly in the Australian Alps, mostly from Mt Beauty.
Sallie and I planned a trip to Canada this year and
I managed to get 5 days of soaring in Invermere
on the agenda. I contacted Trevor Florence who
runs a commercial operation “Soar the Rockies”
which sits alongside a club operation - Canadian
Rockies Soaring Club. Trevor is very much the
local expert and he runs a great operation with
passenger flights in his Duo Discus and also has a
couple of singles for hire - a PW5 and an Astir CS.
All of his gliders are immaculately maintained and
a real credit to him and his team.
Flying in the mountains provides both additional
challenges and also for me, a real sense of the
essence of soaring. You can be at significant
altitude above sea level, but still quite close to
the ground both vertically and horizontally! It is
the most “bird like” experience I have had of
soaring.
Ben, our son has lived in Canada for most of the
last five years and when we visited him four years
ago, I took the opportunity to fly at Hope, a
gliding site relatively close to Vancouver. Hope is
a pretty and mountainous gliding site, but is
relatively constrained. They suggested that
Invermere was the premier mountain site in
Canada and so a dream was born, and with that a
plan began to be hatched.
To fly solo in Canada you have to get your
Australian gliding qualifications validated to
obtain a FLVC (Foreign License Validation
Certificate) which although a bit cumbersome,
was achieved. Essentially it involves a one page
form with copies of your GPC - Glider Pilot
Certificate, medical and passport and $45 to be
sent. The tricky part is having the original
documents validated when you get to Canada all doable but required a little planning and
follow up.
Ian Grant, along with the Mt Beauty club has run
the mountain soaring coaching week for each of
the past three years at Mt Beauty. I have
attended this coaching week each year, gaining
more experience in the mountains. I have learnt
to manage the Mt Beauty to Kosciusko flight and
have done flights to all of the major ski fields in
Victoria. Mostly though, these flights have taught
We arrived in Invermere on a Thursday and I flew
briefly with Trevor on Friday - the weather was
not really soarable. I had a 1 hr flight with him on
Saturday to introduce me to the area, and give
Philip Volk with Astir CS 77 - GVST
3
…and South
Columbian Range looking North
him comfort that I was up to speed to fly in his
backyard. Trevor has trained a lot of young
people to fly and some fabulous young men
continue to work with him in his operation instructing, pushing gliders around, maintaining
and all the while improving their flying. In fact
one of them went solo whilst we were there.
Invermere is also a mecca for visiting pilots and
there were many from all over the world
including from both sides of Canada.
I was allocated the Astir 77 CS, GVST for the rest
of my time at Invermere and had a series of
increasingly longer flights from Saturday until
Tuesday. In my first 2 flights, I was a little rusty as
the weather in Australia had really curtailed my
flying since the end of summer. I soon regained
currency and had a 5hr, 400km flight on Monday
and managed over 500km at 95kph on Tuesday.
The scenery was spectacular! Although heading
towards the end of summer, there was still ice
and snow on some of the higher peaks and also
glaciers. High altitude lakes with a beautiful
green colour were also a feature. Invermere is at
2800’ and the higher peaks around 10,000’ in the
Columbians, where we were flying, which is
Trevor Florence
about 120km long. There were airfields in the
same valley as Invermere but nowhere else to
land! Longer flights require very high days, local
knowledge and lots of planning.
Keys to my experience in Invermere, were the
friendliness of the people and the culture of the
club and the visiting pilots. Knowledge was
generously shared and it was standard practice
for someone to cook dinner after the days flying
– a different person each night. There was live
music – ranging from the “house band” (local
pilots with some ring-ins) to, on one night, an
Alpenhorn player and of course, a few beers to
be shared.
Compared to our own back yard….the scenery is
definitely more spectacular. I would however say
that My Beauty allows greater opportunity to go
places and learn to manage cross country flights
in the mountains because of the outlanding
options. Will I go back to Inveremere to fly absolutely!
Once again I thank all of those at the VMFG
(Melbourne Gliding Club) who over the years
have given me the instruction, encouragement
and gliders to “Live the Dream!”
Alpenhorn Player (his Dad makes them!)
4
Zac De Castella had earlier progressed to being
close to solo, and so on the Monday he flew his
first solo, which is such an important milestone.
This helped later in the week when it was very
useful to have a solo pilot take launches early in
the afternoon and give the instructors a break.
Zac managed one flight of over an hour towards
his C certificate. A second long flight was just
short of the needed hour.
A warm welcome to the Club to all our new
members who have already been active on the
airfield.
Emir Zahovic
Greg Hammond
Jackson Keogh, AAFC
Isiths Subasinghe, AAFC
Tyler Cox, AAFC
Rod Stone and Tony Carling made good progress.
Rod may be envious of the youngsters who pick
up things easily. When you are older, learning
may be slower but then when you fly solo, you
seriously appreciate it because you know it took a
lot of application to get there.
Tony Boyce
Tony Carling
Happy flying to all.
Achievements
Wednesday saw the adverse weather staying
away all the day such that we were able to
operate happily on runway 01 taking off to the
north. Then around 1630 a weak storm
materialised to the south. NDG with Ben Loxton
and Zac launched for a further training exercise
taking a high launch. However the exercise was
set aside due to lift and as they remained
airborne the lift improved. In light north wind
conditions I launched VMF with John Fawcett and
Tony Carling a few minutes before five. Being the
last launch of the day, I walked straight to the
bus, collected the flight sheets, went to my car
and drove on the perimeter road towards the
runway intersection. As I neared the intersection
the windsock surprised me by showing a
southerly wind. A strong southerly change had
arrived. Meanwhile Zac & Ben were carried up
on the frontal lift at serious rates such that it was
necessary to fly at nearly 100 knots, with
airbrakes out, to stay below 4,500 feet! Tony and
John were also caught up in serious lift. The
change came through vigorously and some rain
ensued bringing the skysurfing to an end. We
didn't mind putting the two sailplanes away in
the light rain as the adventure was dominant in
people’s minds.
Zac De Castella - first solo on 25 September
during the mid-week training week.
Don Haslam - solo conversion to Discus CS.
Training week
The Air Force Cadets prompted a training week to
be run by the two clubs in the first week of the
September school holidays just past.
In our case the cadet trainees are on scholarships
which enable them to join us as full flying
members of Melbourne Gliding Club. So from the
Cadet group we had members Zac De Castella &
Isitha Subasinghe for the week, and Sarah
Bamford (already solo) & Dylan for a few days.
By using both our DG training gliders and two
instructors each day we could provide enough
training capacity that we happily encompassed
members Rod Stone for five days and Tony
Carling for two days. It always helps if the
weather co-operates and this week it did. Only
Thursday gave some difficulties with low cloud
and some occasional mild rain which limited the
start of flying to 2 pm and five flights only that
day. On the other four days we averaged twenty
training flights each day and on many days we
happily had some trainees such as Isistha
comfortably absorbing 5 to 6 flights a day each.
We achieved good results because everyone
pitched in to make it all work. Thanks to John
Fawcett, Bob Hickman, Ben Loxton, Caleb White,
Mark Hunt and Richard Traill for instructing.
Thanks to Gary Crowley, Ben and Cliff Pritchard
for towing, and Don Haslam for ground
assistance.
We need to run mid week training like this more
often.
ROGER DRUCE
5
the front and rear pilots according to the pilot
weight, but in each case in the data table two
different arms are given according to whether it
is a forward Centre of Gravity issue or an aft CofG
issue being considered. Then the LS8 single
seater has variable limits for the weight of nonlifting parts, that is to say it is no longer a single
figure. It is becoming more complicated.
The key thing was to get the candidates to
understand that it is really challenging to
measure and record all the required information
when the sailplane is up on the weighing scales,
and then more challenging when one is back
home doing the calculations.
ROGER DRUCE
Weight & Balance Training
Tailwheel tubes
Due to Alan Patching being unavailable, I ran a
training course at Bacchus Marsh on Sailplane
Weight and Balance checking and calculation
over one weekend in September. This attracted
seven glider inspectors from clubs within the
Victorian Soaring Association. Graham Cassidy
and John Spilsbury came from Tasmania (yes ..
Tasmanian clubs are in the VSA!), Reg Gardner
and Brendan English came from Benalla, Trevor
Hancock came from Grampians, plus locals Peter
Buskens and Tom Van Blaricum.
The tailwheels on our sailplanes work hard and
need to be kept at good inflation pressure to help
them survive. We have had some issues with
tailwheels recently and fortunately our policy of
having complete spare tailwheels in the
workshop ready to fit has helped.
In looking into the standard 20x50 size tailwheels
with our two DG two-seaters, the Duo Discus and
the Discus CS, I found that there was an
improvement that could be made to the way the
tube fits to the hub. This has been done; namely
to put small rubber washers around the valve
stem.
Because of our excellent workshop facilities, we
were able to set up two separate weighing
stations. This enabled us to weigh four
sailplanes, including our LS3a CQP which had a
special interest for me given the installation of a
tailwheel (in replacement of the tailskid) and the
oxygen system.
New 200X50 tubes have been obtained from Ian
McPhee in order to have spare stock on hand.
The brilliant thing is that Ian has found a source
of 200x50 tubes (with valves at 90 degrees) which
feature a thickened wall around the tube
perimeter. These tubes are less vulnerable to
puncture by thorns, or bindies such as one finds
on Tocumwal Aerodrome. Sometimes people
attempt a fix by taking a damaged tube and
making this into a doubler to wrap around and
protect the primary tube. However, here we
have a good product achieving the same result
more simply. Well done Ian for sourcing such a
useful improved product. This item should be of
interest to anyone with a 200x50 tailwheel.
With weighing results in hand the students have
the calculation side to complete. Calculations
such as - the sailplane weight and balance status
empty, minimum pilot weight and maximum pilot
weight. These calculation exercises are currently
ongoing as their homework.
The students have demonstrated that they are
absorbing the weight and balance control task
capably. Final homework has yet to be received
so that their performance assesssment can be
completed. Have we learnt much new? Well,
speaking for myself as course presenter, I found
that the newer generation sailplanes are coming
up with some interesting and challenging
variations on weight and balance considerations,
when you read their flight and maintenance
manuals in regard to weight and balance. As an
example, and for the technically inclined, the
DG1001 has not only variable moment arms for
ROGER DRUCE
Annual Inspections
The annual inspection on the LS3a will be
completed on Saturday the 4th October with the
evaluation flight. Thanks to Tom, Alan Pederson
and Steve Coulton this windy-as-all-hell Sunday
just past for getting the ballast bags sorted out
and then assembling the sailplane for final
6
checks. This means that Tom has succeeded in
getting us through the annual inspection program
about 6 to 8 weeks ahead of the usual finish date.
Holiday Flying
Quite a number of people put their hands up to
help run the holiday flying. The weather cooperated in the main, and we racked up quite a
bit of time in the air.
Nevertheless there are still a number of small
tasks to get all of our sailplanes up to full speed
for summer. Then the trailers need some
attention. Usually there is some adverse weather
on a few weekend days in October. We need to
use those adverse weather days to finish these
residual tasks, so that we are in 100% good shape
by 1 November.
Congratulations to Zachary De Castella on his first
and seventh solo. Many thanks to Gary Crowley,
Tom Van Blaricum, Cliff Pritchard, Bob Hickman,
Murray Stimson, Caleb White, Ben Loxton, Mark
Hunt, Richard Traill, Roger Druce and Don Haslam
and to the students themselves for participating.
Tow out equipment for the two DG training
sailplanes
Weekend Flying Intentions
There will be an effort made midweek during the
second and/or third weeks of October to make
tow out equipment for these two sailplanes. This
will enable the gliders to be car towed out to the
launch point. Some of this work is already
complete. There is a need for further fibreglass
shells to be
made. If we have enough help then we can also
make a shell for a wing rigging assistant and
perhaps shells for the outer wing trolleys needed
to carry the wings in the trailer. Please let Roger
Druce know if you can help.
[email protected] 03 9439 8947
The club web site has been revamped and I am
impressed with the improvements. Deidre and co
have done some great work.
The demand for our aircraft has been up and
down a little over the past few months. We have
a number of new members who are progressing
through the training syllabus, and will soon be
solo. At times it has been difficult for the duty
team to cope with the number of pilots, and the
panel is discussing ways of organising flying to
best take advantage of each day.
Using our web site it
is now possible to
indicate in advance
that you will attend
Bacchus on any
given day. If you do
indicate in advance
that you will be on
site, then the duty
team can better
organise the allocation of gliders and instructors.
You can also indicate what sort of flying you wish
to do, eg. practice spins or get ready for a
conversion to a different glider.
7. Air Force Cadets - members of our club
Members need to understand that the Air Force
Cadet members we currently have are full flying
members of our club equal with any other flying
member. There has perhaps been some
confusion because over the years we have had
cadets come for single days on an 'introduction to
gliding' event where they are day members. And
then the cadets of course have always come in
uniform. However these current cadets are on
scholarships from the AAFC and are full members
of our club and full members of the GFA. The
purpose of the scholarships is to enable them to
train to solo pilot standard. In some cases you
may find that they continue beyond the
scholarship as self funded members. There is one
of them currently taking on part time work to
enable that to happen.
Obviously there will be some teething issues
while people get used to the new system.
However, if all goes well, then in the near future,
preference will be given to those individuals who
indicate their attendance. This is because the
duty team will be ready for them.
One of the consequences of the Government
raising the security situation nationally is that
cadets and their adult supervisors will now not
appear at the aerodrome in uniform. This will
remove any visual appearance that they are
separate, which they are not. We are all in this
together.
Car Parking near Southern Hanger.
There was an incident on Sunday where a glider
was being returned to the hanger and ran down
the slope almost into a car. There are no standing
signs in front of the Beaufort Hanger, although
many people are ignoring them. Perhaps the
signs could be larger, but can you make sure that
ROGER DRUCE
7
none of our members, or anyone else for that
matter, parks their cars where gliders may strike
them.
VSA EVENT CALENDAR
Nov 1-8, 2014
Bendigo Regatta - at Raywoood airfield.
Contact: Frank Van der Hoeven
John Fawcett, CFI
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0438 355 047
Nov 17 - 22, 2014
Benalla - Cross country coaching with G
Dale
Contact: Tim Shirley
Contact: Graham Garlick
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Some members have not yet notified the
treasurer whether they are re-newing
membership for this year.
Nov 29 - Dec 6, 2014
VSA State Championships - Bendigo Gliding Club
Contact: Frank Van der Hoeven
If you are one of these please notify your
intentions Immediately to the Treasurer via email
to the email address below, or to the PO Box
address at the front of this newsletter.
Dec 5 - 8, 2014
Geelong Gliding Club (Bacchus Marsh) -Cross
Country & coaching weekend #1
Contact: Mike Durrant
[email protected]
Failure to notify your intentions will result in you
being unable to fly.
VMFG COMMITTEE
MELBOURNE CUP WEEKEND CAMP
Due to lack of interest the club has decided that we
will not be holding a camp over the Melbourne Cup
Weekend – Normal operations will take place at
Bacchus Marsh over this weekend and public holiday.
Dec 12 - 15, 2014
Geelong Gliding Club (Bacchus Marsh) -Cross
Country & coaching weekend #2
Contact: Mike Durrant
DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE
4 FRIDAY IN OCTOBER (24TH)
TH
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