By Paul Barber

I would like to take this opportunity to make you aware on what’s been happening at the Instructors meetings over the past few months.

1. Safety culture

In the past the rostered Instructors have been under great pressure to try and accommodate the increase in passenger flights and also trying to attend the needs of our club members (whose numbers are also increasing).

Over the past 18 months, the Instructor roster has been strengthened in order to cater for this extra workload. As a result a Level 2 Instructor (during weekends) will take on the role of a Safety Officer/Field Director, which is a non-flying role. His job will be to ensure that safety on the field is maintained to a high standard, this role also includes observing circuits/landings and take-offs.

2. Landing on power runways

Last season we had two gliders land on the power runway "wheels up” this effectively closed the runway until the Gliders were removed. Had there been power traffic in the circuit area at that time, would have created a dangerous situation. Therefore power runways for landing are not to be used, unless a declared safety situation exists.

3. Towing gliders

One of our experienced club members recently observed the junior being towed back along the taxi way instead of the dirt track. He felt there was a large overlap of the junior’s wing and the hanger post (the one with the sign that says "if you hit this with a club glider you pay a $1000”). The moral of this story, always tow back to the hangers using the dirt track.

4. Flarm

Most of the Club fleet has been equipped with Flarms to assist with “see and avoid” situations. The Instructors panel is aware that many private gliders are not equipped with Flarms, therefore we strongly encourage private owners as a matter of safety to consider equipping their glider with a Flarm unit.

5. Landings

It has been brought to the panel's attention that some gliders after landing on the centre of the runway have been taxing off to the gable markers. This is a very dangerous practice especially if a glider is landing beside you. If your glider lands on the centre of the runway, come to a stop, then push off to the side of the runway when safe to do so otherwise the Safety Officer may have a word with you.

That’s all for the time being.
On behalf of the Instructors panel I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Regards and safe flying.