Newsletter December 2007

Introduction

I’d like to start by thanking all our members and customers for their continuous support thoughout the year.

Clubhouse

After decorating the main part of the clubhouse many of you may have thought that it would end here – oh no!

In July / August the briefing rooms were removed to make way for a new open plan flight briefing area. The area was re-carpeted and new furniture added. It has really transformed the clubhouse and people have nothing but good things to say about the new look clubhouse.

The simulator has been moved from the back room to within the main flight planning area: the room where the simulator used to live has been converted into an exam room / briefing room.

This time of year the weather is not always what it should be, so refresh your IMC with the use of the Simulator. £30.00 an hour PPL Hire. £42.00 an hour with an instructor.

We now even have a new television, which over the next few months will have the Met office weather showing on it.

Instructors

We have 2 instructors per weekday, 4-5 on a Saturday and 3-4 on a Sunday.

John Pickering - Mon, Tues, Sat
Bradley Rickards - Mon - Fri
Eric Hedges - Sat, Sun
Robin Rudderham - Alt Wed, Sat
Digby Dogherty - Fri, Sun
James Stock - Sat
Robert Devereux - Sun.

Many thanks to Eric Hedges for his continuous hard work in organising his ground school classes. Look out for notices. Thanks Arwyn Jones for his Radio courses, IR renewals.

Upkeep of Airfield

Visitors to the airfield always continue to comment on how well kept the airfield is and all the staff endeavour to maintain the upkeep to high standards. This was recognised on our CAA inspection, not only did we have a clean bill of health, but the inspectors praised us on how well kept the airfield is. Upkeep of the airfield have included new tie downs on the apron, repainting of the runway numbers, repairs to the taxiway and runway, regular grass cutting thanks to Bill. The signal square has been removed, as it is not a requirement as we have two windsocks. We are also in the process of adding additional cats’ eyes on the taxiway, and having some patches of tarmac replaced before the weather gets bad.

Aircraft News

G-BENK C172 has joined the fleet and is available for PPL hire. We are also very lucky to have a twin G- AZIK for twin rating and hire.

We are still waiting for the arrival of the robins. Please see this letter.

We are pleased to announce that we have placed an order for a new Cessna 162 Skycatcher. Watch this space for more details.

Night flying

The end of October saw our night flying season start. Our night flying instructor’s are as follows.

John P - Mon, Tue, Sat
Robin R - Alternate Wed, Sat
Eric H - Sat, Sun
Robert D - Sun
James S - Sat

Fire Crew

Quiet year - thankfully!! That’s the way we like it. Victoria would like to thank all her ground staff and fire crew for their continuous support.

In October Victoria held a 2-day fire course, thanks to Peter Rose for his help. You will be pleased to learn that everyone passed with flying colours. We are still recruiting for new ground staff, without them the airfield wouldn’t be licensed. Please speak to Victoria if interested.

Ground school

Ad-hoc 1-1 lectures are available from your own Instructor and can cover any subject from PPL Ground school and IMC Syllabus. The cost of these lectures is £20 per hour and are available any time, talk to your instructor and staff at the desk for information. (Please note that we do not charge for pre and post flight briefings as we consider these an essential part of the PPL Training process).

Formal group course’s specific to a subject are provided on a regular frequency throughout the year. Currently Air Law and RT Theory / Practical and IMC Rating are scheduled.

The RT course is for 1 day and the Air Law / IMC and other subjects are schedule for 3 hours for 1 evening per week.

Subject specific 1-1 courses are available at EGSR and cost £20 per instructional hour. The availability of these coursed will be posted on the website and the club notice board.

Social side

Since September Victoria has been busy researching peoples interest in a Christmas do. There has been a good response, so the event will take place on Saturday 12th January 2008 at the Essex golf and country club. Places are still available contact Victoria for more information.

Once again this year we supported the Macmillan Biggest Coffee morning in October, raising £110, even though again the weather was miserable.

Earls Colne Celebrities

Many of you may have flown with our resident celebrity “ Pudsey Bear” raising money for Children in Need. To date Pudsey and the gang have raised £530. Well done to them.

Yak52 Experience

Nigel and Debs have bought the Yak52 to Earls Colne on a couple of occasions this year to allow cost share flights to be carried out. More than a dozen of you have taken up the offer of an experience of a lifetime – and lived to tell the tale. Many had a taste for the first time of inverted flight, as well as the more usual loops, rolls and stall turns. The more adventurous held on to their straps more tightly for some slow rolls, outside rolling circles, and yes, even a lomcevak. No doubt the yak will be back and when it is – make sure you don’t miss the opportunity.

Other News

On Saturday 22nd December there will be a few Christmas drinks and nibbles taking place in the clubhouse. Watch out for the posters.

Our website has been revamped thanks to Nigel Willson, so please keep checking for the latest news on what’s happening. Also to Phil Ryder for his continuous work on our front desk computer system.

Finally

Finally, I give a big thank you to all my ground staff and instructors, full and part time, for their dedication and professionalism and thanks to all members for their support throughout the year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

 

Happy and safe flying!

 

Mick Manders

 

P.S. Remember keep an eye on the website! www.anglianflightcentres.co.uk for updates and more news as the year progresses…

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