by Paul Barber, Chairman Instructors Panel

New instructors

I wish to advise that both Kah Chong and Robin Rose have successfully completed their Air Experience Instructors course, and both have been placed onto the instructor roster.
Many thanks to Ron Olson and Tony Vost for conducting the course.

Duty pilot roster

As a result of the above and previous courses, we are now faced with a major shortfall of duty pilots. Roger Harrop is endeavouring to replace those duty pilots who have left the roster. Therefore you may expect that over winter, some weekends will be without duty pilots.

Accidents and incidents

In this Airflow and future editions, I shall give details of reported accidents/incidents for your perusal, and hopefully Club members will learn from these reports.

Circuit area

A club pilot reported an incident where, on returning to the circuit area from the north, having given all necessary radio calls, encountered a club glider at right angles to his flight path. The other pilot gave no indication of having seen him, so no avoiding action was taken. After landing, the other pilot was approached and stated that he was not expecting anyone from the north because everyone had flown into the hills. He concentrated on his circuit and any possible traffic from the east and south.

Lesson to be learned: never assume anything. The other pilot must have heard the radio call and should have responded with his position in the circuit.

On final

Recently a club two-seater was on short final when a car towing a glider crossed the runway directly in front of the glider that was landing, the car owner was approached and apoligized.

Lesson to be learned: before taking your car and glider across the runway, check the ENTIRE circuit area before proceeding.

For those who think they are current/not current, please read carefully

Chart courtesy of the British Gliding Association