Participation
Being a club, we very much rely on each other’s participation to function. From your first day your fellow members will literally show you the ropes. Alongside your flying training you will also pick up the skills within the ground training syllabus. Regardless of which role you are performing, you may do more than one on any given day, you will quickly become an important member of the team!
Wing Running - Probably one of the first things you will be introduced to. Keeping the wings level at the start of the launch is very important. You will also use hand signals to indicate to the person in the launch point vehicle to radio “take up slack”, “all out” or “stop” to either the tug pilot or winch driver whilst also keeping a good lookout.
Buggy Driving - Another one of the first tasks you will likely be shown. Gliders need to be moved around the airfield and a simple method is to simply have a buggy tow them.
Tractor Driving - Another important role, particularly on a busy day. Keeping the launch rates high ensures that everyone who wants a winch launch can get one without having to wait too long. Again, once you are accustomed to the airfield operation the winch drivers would be more than happy to show you this part of the daily activities.
Instructing - Unlike many forms of aviation, all of our instructors are volunteers. Trained to the highest standards there are various levels of instructor. Our “Basic” Instructors (BI) will typically do Trial Flights and One Day Courses. The next level is an “Assistant” Instructor. Finally there are the “Full” rated instructors. They can do all the above and conduct advanced post solo exercises.
Tug Pilots - In addition to already holding a PPL with a certain number of hours, they are all experienced glider pilots. They are all trained by our Chief Tug Pilot. After some time and experience towing they are also allowed to perform retrieves from other airfields or gliding clubs.
Log Keeping - An important part of the operation, as well as keeping a log of launches and landings this role also requires communication with the tugs, the winch and the occasional glider. Once you have become accustomed to the airfield environment, this would be the next role that you would be shown. This role may also be referred to as the Duty Pilot.
A significant proprtion of lauches are by winch, and operating the winch is a skilled and vital role carried out by volunteer members.
Every member participates in the ‘Rota’ in which you spend one weekend day roughly every six weeks as either a:
Duty Pilot, Instructor, Winch Driver or Tug Pilot (the latter two being depending on experience/training).
In addition to the above roles, there are members who give their time to maintain our equipment, buildings, cut the grass, as well as opening the bar after flying is done for the day.
Some members voluntarily work on other less visible tasks, such as maintaining the website, club magazine, marketing or supporting new members.
Every contribution of time, energy or advice, however small is much appreciated and helps to reinforce the community spirit of the club.