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A CHALLENGE FOR ALL AT OUR NEW FIELD
I have a hunch that if we make a good early start at Alexandria this April ( weather permitting) that the 2004 Soaring Season will be better than average for most . There will be new areas to fly over , a much less busy airfield to fly off and I suspect we'll have a number of new members join and stengthen our club from the surrounding communities. It's almost like we have a clean slate to work off ( you now suspect I suppose from a comment like that, that I went to school in the days before paper ).
Once we learn how to operate efficiently at Alexandria I really believe that a more "club " like atmosphere will be possible than at Terry where as times changed we had less and less control over our operations, and seldom did anyone have enough time to slow up and enjoy the whole "soaring experience".
So to get the ball rolling early at our new home I propose to offer a reward to pilots who can demonstrate the "good air" that abounds over East Central Indiana.
I will arrange to credit the account of the pilots who set the standards this year in April/May with 2 standard tows ( 2000agl ) each for achieving any or all of the following :
1) The Best Altitude achieved in a flight from Alexandria in April/May .
2) The longest flighttime from a launch at Alexandria in April/May.
3) The first Pilot to submit for a State Record flying off Alexandria field this year .
All are invited to participate and all you have to do is write your achievement up on the white boards on the hangar walls ( honor system) . Have a GREAT Soaring Season in 2004 ,
Ron Clarke (ZA).
THUMBS UP
Last Thursday, our monthly meeting dealt with a great opportunity:
a suitable site for the permanent relocation of CISS has been found!
This piece of property will sell at auction Thursday March 4th and we will be there.
This land is 10 miles W of US 31 and 1/2 mile S of SR 28 on Clinton County Rd 1000 E.
It is 40 acres, 660' x 2640' and oriented E - W.
It will provide a nice, long, grass runway, and plenty of possibilities for improvements.
The relocation committe did a good job of explaining the situation/opportunity to all those present and asked the board to consider purchase of this property.
We heard details about cost, workload, prospects at Alexandria, and other issues.
A "show of hands" at the end of the meeting demonstrated unanimous support for the idea.
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GLIDER GROUND SCHOOL
Excellent attendance, interesting topics, talented lecturers and respectful and studious kids have made this
glider ground school a success.
Mike Rielage has kept the rythm going.
Ron Clarke talked to us about weather patterns, cold and warm fronts, and how the wind goes around the big L and H.
Darren Bedwell talked about navigation, latitude and longitude.
Jeff Melin talked about the effects of oxygen deprivation at high altitudes and effects of disorientation, dehydration and alcohol and medications.
And to make it extra fun, we got together for lunch after each class.
2004 MANDATORY SAFETY MEETING
It's takes place at our hangar (Alexandria Airport) on March 20.
Coffee and donuts will be ready at 8:30 am.
Crew chiefs, instructors and tow pilots should be there NLT 9:00 am.
All other active members should show up by 10:00 am.
The safety meeting will last approximately 2 hours.
We would like to update our membership records at this time.
You may fill in a form, much like a membership application, or provide a photocopy of your pilot certificate and photo ID.
This info is primarily for use in the management of the club ops, it is not given out to anyone outside the club.
I plan to talk about keeping enough altitude between the glider and the ground over the road 200E for safe operations. I will also talk about the potential for surprising low alt turbulence at the west end of the field. If time permits, I would also like to lead a discussion in review of some of last years fatal soaring accidents.
Thanks
Pete Detore
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