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Visit us online at http://www.takeflightaviation.com/ January 2011 If you don't wish to download the images, or your e-mail distorts the text, on this e-mail then click here to download Flightlines into your internet browser |
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Welcome to the Jan 2011 issue of Flightlines Sadly 2010 was a year when we lost two friends to heart disease. Tony Corr in January and Ross Wall in September. Tony was a commercial pilot but also had a huge interest in general aviation and Ross
had just passed his PPL with us and was an enthusiastic club member and
was enjoying his new licence. Both are missed and remembered. 2010 was a tough year for the economy, resulting in a VAT increase to start the year on January 4th 2011! Add to that price rises in fuel, insurance and maintenance along with the changes in terms to some of our aircraft leases, we have had no alternative but to increase or hire rates slightly with effect from 1st January 2011. The VAT increase also impacts on our membership income as your monthly memberships includes VAT, but no increase in membership fees are planned for existing members. Student Rates The rise in training hours has increased our expenses disproportionately to aircraft usage and therefore we have withdrawn the discounted Student membership rate to new members from 2011. (No change to membership fees for existing members). This has also led to a review of the discounted weekday rate for training flights. The weekday hire rate was set up to encourage use of the aircraft in the week by members, when they were largely unused, thus reducing the total number of aircraft required to service the membership and maintain good availability. Therefore it is not practical for us to offer what was effectively a “loss leader” rate to PPL students. The weekday self hire rate is still applicable to members self-PPL hire. Aircraft Changes
There are a number of differences between the modern wings of the Warrior and Archer in respect to the older style slab wings on BG, (especially with the heavier 180hp engine) Therefore a check ride is required for those not familiar with this type. David Donovan is looking for an upgrade for the Aerobat, so those who feel the need can continue their aerobatic antics. AVBG, BYSP and obviously FAVS (the six seater with VP prop) are excluded from ab-initio training. G-BUJN is rarely used for training and so there should be no conflict on availability between full PPL members and students. Hire Rates Fuel continues to be the major cost in our operating charges with a PA-28 depending on engine, burning anything up to 40 litres a hour and the PA-32 around 60 litres an hour; our weekday hire rates are still at or below the real operating costs of running the aircraft and I hope you feel do still represent the best value available. All the benefits of owning a fleet of aircraft but none of the hassle or surprises! Review of 2010 2010 was a busy year in many ways. Dozens of our members achieved personal goals obtaining PPL’s, IMC’s, Night Ratings and Aerobatic certificates. Our guest list could have come from a TV chat show with amazing talks from Sarah Outen who rowed solo across the Indian Ocean to
With trips to NATS, Birmingham and Brize ATC, fly-in’s to air shows at Duxford, Old Warden and fly outs to Dublin and The Channel Isles 2010 was another memorable year. Despite a few last minute drop outs due to the weather 30 intrepid revellers still made the Christmas party at Hanger One . I’m sure the photographs paint an adequate picture that a good time was had by all! There’s bags of
useful information on our members page and if the cold, snow, or fog is
keeping you grounded perhaps now is a good time to check out Winter Don’t forget to keep your eye on the our events guide on our web site for details of this years events. http://www.takeflightaviation.co.uk/events.htm Have a great 2011. Happy and Safe Mike
Membership Policy With the exception of one off trial Tech Logs - A timely reminder Due to the increased membership, number of aircraft, and increased utilisation, please pay special attention to the completion of the tech and defect logs. The tech logs have been modified to show the countdown of hours to the next maintenance check more clearly, so you can see at a glance how many hours remain, providing we all fill it in correctly. Please ensure that all sections are fully completed and a separate line is used for each away landing. Look at the example that is attached to each aircraft’s sign out book. Can you also remember to cancel your booking if you’re not using the aircraft. Even if you’re planning to depart later than you planned it’s worth amending you booking, otherwise someone may assume you’re not turning up and fly the plane away from under your nose. This is is the latest of our mailshots to keep you up to date with club events etc. If you don't wish to receive any more then click "unsubscribe" below. If you want to send in suggestions, responses, or ideas then e-mail flightlines@takeflightaviationgallery.com Best wishes and safe MIKE |
Good News for Wellesbourne members, (although we have lost one of our Cherokee 140’s from the fleet), BG my Cherokee 180 is returning from Shobdon and with new engine will now be available on the fleet for self-hire.
Our “start
the season” fly out to the Isle of Wight in April had a record 8
aircraft and 29 crew enjoying Sunday lunch at the Crab and Lobster.|
Champagne and the usual bottle of Sambuka certainly made some get into the spirit!
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To go to members page click below |
Clearly the aeroplane needs to be de-iced first.
This is especially true of the main plane but also the fuselage paying
particular care of the static vent. Any ice that partially
defrosts and then refreezes at altitude can cause you problems. 
You
then need only to crank the engine over until it fires. If it
fires up great, you can check the things you skipped while the engine
warms up and some heat comes through to defrost the windscreen. I
ve seen no end of people taxi out to the hold in self imposed IMC though
misted windows. 
I
wouldn’t normally be using cold weather operations as a theme this
early but then again I didn’t think we’d be discussing volcanic ash
earlier this year. Isn't nature a wonderful thing!
