March, 2006	Volume 5, Issue 2
NEXT MEETING: 9:00 AM MARCH 18 AT ALEXANDRIA AIRPORT

www.centralindianasoaringsociety.org

Spring Safety Meeting - March 18 - 9:00 AM

Featuring Richard Carlson –

Chairman of the Soaring Safety Foundation

The soaring season approaches and we must prepare for a safe and active year of flying. The Spring Safety Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 18, at Alexandria Airport. We will have a guest speaker, Richard Carlson, of the Soaring Safety Foundation. As in past years, the Spring Safety Meeting is mandatory for all CISS active pilots. It will be considered by our flight instructors as credit for the one (1) hour of ground training required for your Flight Review (BFR) if you complete your review within 60 days of the Spring Safety Meeting. For those who cannot attend the meeting, there will be a “Safety Read File” exercise and documentation for the “make-up.”

Schedule of the March 18 Safety Meeting:

Ø 08:00 AM Continental Breakfast and Registration (Bring your blue Ops Manual)

Ø 09:00 AM Pattern and Landing Operations, Richard Carlson, SSF

Ø 11:00AM Safety Committee Presentations (New procedures, safety emphasis)

Ø 12:15 PM Sandwiches and Beverages – Social Time

From The President “Good – Better – Best!” Remember Sears’ long-running marketing strategy heralded as Good – Better – Best? You could select precisely the quality product you wanted! So it is with groups, particularly the Central Indiana Soaring Society. CISS is composed of GOOD people. Everyone wants BETTER flying. Wouldn’t it follow that CISS members would want to belong to the BEST Club?

No doubt members of your Long Range Planning Committee had BEST in mind when they proposed “WHAT, WHEN, WHERE” action to the CISS Board of Directors.

The Long Range Planning Committee suggested:

Ø more instructors for better and faster training,

Ø improved Club promotion to both attract new members and renew the interest of present members,

Ø not-to-miss Membership meetings: fewer but more lively programs presented at new sites,

Ø upgraded communication: a regular newsletter for members and a website aimed at attracting inquiries.

The Board liked these proposals and approved their implementation. The Committee’s long range objective is to develop such an attractive and active Club that operation of a Club-owned facility can be realized sooner rather than later. Your Long Range Planning Committee members are Ron Clarke, Kurt Ristow, Don Taylor, George Saunders, Nyal Williams, and Jim White. Dave Newill is the LRPC member-consultant.

Jim White

President, CISS Board of Directors

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Annual Banquet - Another January and another successful CISS banquet! Thanks to Ken Harry for organizing the banquet. Thanks to Don Taylor for organizing, scoring and reporting the results of the 2005 Club contest and for making the awards presentation. Thanks to Nyal Williams who found our terrific keynote speaker, Cole Frantz. Thanks to Cole Frantz who kindly shared with us an account and photographs of her experiences soaring in New Zealand. Great job everyone! (Thanks to John Morrical for this great photo of Nyal Williams and Cole Frantz.)

CISS CALENDAR 2006

March

25-26

Agenda items for the Board meeting to Jim White

Board Meeting - 7 PM at Jim White’s home

Safety Meeting - 9 AM - Alexandria Airport

BFR and Safety Check flights – First crew day

April

1-2

First weekend of regular flying

May

20-21

Membership Meeting - 7 pm

Away Weekend at Lee Bottom

Report From The Board The Board approved another visit to Lee Bottom airport this year, for the weekend of May 20 and 21. We'll take a tow plane and possibly one or more Club sailplanes. We will also encourage the soaring club from Bardstown, Kentucky to join us there for the weekend.

The Board voted to find and purchase another single-place sailplane comparable in price, performance and user-friendliness to a Grob 102. We will see if people fly the PW-5 enough to justify keeping it in the Club fleet.

CISS will start having regular membership meetings every other month, instead of every month. We will have our next regular Club meeting in March. (Note from the editor: the membership meeting has been combined with the March 18 Spring Safety Meeting.)

The Spring Safety Meeting will be on March 18. Weather permitting, we will fly that day and Sunday the 19^th, as well. We ask anyone who will need a BFR this year to try to get it done that weekend or the next. We encourage everyone to take their first flight of the season with a CFIG.

The regular crew schedule for 2006 will start the weekend of March 25 and 26 and end the weekend of October 28 and 29, so that every crew gets the same number of days.

Since we changed from Schweizer 2-33's to Blanik L-23's a few years ago, Club practice has been not to retract the landing gear during instructional flights. There was some confusion over whether there was a formal Club policy against the use of the retractable gear at all. In fact, there is no such policy; pilots can decide for themselves whether to retract the gear - as long as they remember to extend it for landing! Chief Instructor Nyal Williams recommended that we instruct all of our members, including student pilots, in the routine use of the retractable gear in the future. The Board didn't take any formal action because we leave flight instruction to the instructors and flying to the pilots.

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I.R.S. Good News - You probably thought that title was an oxymoron didn’t you? If so, you would have been absolutely wrong! On February 9 the “Infernal” Revenue Service granted CISS tax exempt status under section 501C3 of the tax code. “What does that mean?” you ask. Well, it means that CISS can now accept charitable contributions from donors and that those contributions will be treated as deductions on the donor’s tax return, just like when you make contributions to other organizations such as Boy Scouts, American Heart Assn. or your church. If you know of someone who wants to include CISS in his or her will, it will be treated as a charity. In fact, legally CISS is now classified as a “charity” under the IRS interpretation.

Basically, if the Club needs equipment, instruments or anything else it normally buys, and you’re feeling generous and want to purchase that and GIVE it to the Club, you are encouraged to do so. Then you may deduct the cost on your year-end taxes. Nice incentive to help the Club and yourself, huh? Keep the receipts for the item though and give copies to the treasurer. We will provide you with an acknowledgment for your records.

CISS could also host fundraisers. How ‘bout $100 a plate weenie roasts? No? Then how about topless plane washes? (better start shaping up guys). Anyway, you get the picture. The mind boggles.

We have all known that CISS is the only place for miles around where a person can fly gliders. And the volunteerism of our members to tow, teach and crew makes our sport affordable compared to any commercial operation. We promote the sport to the general public in various ways, from manning booths at air shows to displaying gliders in church parking lots. And we give special financial incentives to youth. Organizing all this information in a way that conforms to the IRS requirements was not a trivial exercise. We used a competent attorney who specializes in not-for-profit applications and voila! After nearly two years and lots of input from many of you, CISS was granted this special status. Thanks to all of you who pitched in on this. Don Taylor

Who’s On First? The following people constitute our Board of Directors.

CISS Needs You! Have a good idea? Recent surveys by Communications Chair George Saunders turned up some good ideas. If you have a good idea, share it with the person named above who heads up the appropriate area. It’s likely you will discover an opportunity to contribute your skill and experience.

Here’s to a GOOD- BETTER- BEST, Jim White

Soaring Tips

Ø On aerotow, ask to be towed upwind. You’ll have more time to look for thermals and, if you find something, you will be drifting closer to the airport while testing it.

Ø On aerotow, if there are clouds or other gliders circling, ask your tow pilot to take you nearby. Where you get off tow just may determine whether you get your hour flight or not. (See next bullet for corollary.)

Ø On aerotow, if there is lift around, don’t get off until you’re in some! Watch that vario to see how your climb rate varies. Watch that vario to see what its range is. Try to release near the top of the range. If the tow plane climbs at roughly 700 fpm in calm air, then if your vario shows 900 fpm you’re in lift. If it shows 400 fpm, you’re in sink. Don’t get off there! Even if it means paying a little more for a higher tow, it’s better than winding up back in the landing pattern. Whatever you do, don’t release in strong sink.

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ZA Method So, you've been thinking about going cross country but aren't quite sure if you are ready to do it successfully? Maybe you're better prepared than you think. After all, you have just made a good landing back at Alex after 45 minutes in the Grob. Let's assume you were flying at above stall speed most of the time. That means you actually flew around 33 miles through the air (45 minutes at 45mph) during the flight. You could just as easily have flown in one direction for 45 minutes and landed at Marion or Newcastle or Sheridan or Kokomo. They're all less than 33 miles away!

I feel like cross country flying is no different than flying around the local area, if you pick a good day and fly by the rules. It is, of course, a lot more FUN than local flying and I'm convinced you will discover that it provides the challenge that keeps lots of soaring pilots interested in the sport . If you pick a good weather day, stay reasonably high, know of a few good landing areas (airfields or open farmland) up ahead and are current in the equipment, you are ready to ENJOY cross country flying.

Why not accompany me on a flight I made from Alex last Spring, April 10^th? Do I have a "method" that I used for that flight? Yes, I do, and it's not very complicated.

I checked the weather forecast that morning. It predicted some cumulus clouds and light winds. A quick look at the Dr. Jack forecast confirmed thermals of 400 ft/min and he's seldom wrong!

I planned a route and decided to fly upwind first, as I usually do (that would be to the south). It always makes it easier to get home from upwind.

I left Alex at good altitude (around 4500msl) and soon hit good lift to 6000msl. That's a real confidence builder, and it allowed me to keep going with a smile on my face. My sights were set on Shelbyville over plenty of open farm fields (a big plus in the spring) and I never dropped below 4500msl for the next 3 hours.

NO TRICKS! I just stayed high and kept going toward my goal. If you find the thermal tops are good and high, then fly a little faster. I was going 70 -80 mph in the Ventus. Maybe 60 -70 in the Grob or PW 5 would have been just right.

After turning at Shelbyville, I turned east toward Richmond and the thermals got even better (7000msl) under beautiful little Cu's. This is the time to ENJOY the flight.

Are there mistakes folks make in cross country flying? Sure, but most are avoidable.

Ø Be prepared by reviewing a chart of your planned course before taking off.

Ø Arrange a ground crew (just in case). It makes for real peace of mind.

Ø Be current. At least 5 hours of recent flight time in the equipment you plan to fly is essential.

Ø Stay high. No need to stretch your glides unless you are record flying.

I did keep an eye open for any parachutists over Connersville and Richmond airfields (remember checking the charts before flying?)

I turned for home after Richmond. That's always a thrill, and especially so as I topped out a thermal at 7300msl near Newcastle which allowed me to final glide the remaining 33 miles (remember the tailwind I'd arranged !). Soon my goal (151 miles after the start) was in sight. Alex at last!

The key to successful cross country flying: LOTS of flying. You can't get good at cross country by sitting on the ground (or even by reading about it). What helps the most is practice and preparation. (For more information see Ron's articles in Wingtips, June and July, 2004. Back issues of Wingtips are available at our web site www.centralindianasoaringsociety.org). Happy landings ahead, Ron Clarke

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Final Glide Longtime CISS member John McCarthy passed away Feb 13. John became an instructor during the last two or three years of his membership, before he had to withdraw for health reasons. Donations may be made to your favorite charity (like CISS) in memory of John McCarthy. Anyone making a donation should request an acknowledgment be sent to Karen Fisher (his daughter), 4209 W. Garver, Muncie, IN 47304.

Saftey Minded A dozen CISS members made the trip to Elgin, Illinois for the Chicagoland Glider Council Spring Soaring & Safety Seminar on February 18. Attending were Darren Bedwell, Don Taylor, Kurt Ristow, Dan Dewitt, Gerry Whitson, Nyal Williams, Terry Wools, Pete Detore, George Saunders, Craig Bixby, Ron Clarke, and Ken Harry. For the twelve of us it was just a warm-up (in sub-zero weather) for our own safety meeting coming up next month, featuring Richard Carlson of the Soaring Safety Foundation. It was great seeing former CISS member Brad Hays there, too.

L to R: Richard Carlson of the SSF, RonClarke, former CISS member Brad Hays

CISS Jobs – We need your help! If you can help out with any of the following items, please contact Pete Detore, our Operations Director: We need people to:

Ø Maintain Club paperwork supplies and forms

Ø Maintain book supplies and brochures

Ø Maintain Club archives

Ø Ensure hangars are maintained clean and pest free

Ø Maintain removable runway lights

Ø Maintain non-flying equipment (Trailers / Golf Carts / Tent / Scales )

Ø Organize Away Weekends

Survey Suggestions Here are some great suggestions from our recent Club survey:

Ø In Wingtips, highlight a member every month and give their personal history and story.

Ø Have Club meetings less often, but with more interesting topics.

Ø Become visible in the aviation community. Send representatives to EAA, AOPA, and CAP meetings.

Ø Advertise at airports.

Ø Sponsor a regional contest.

Ø Have a web cam at Alexandria that shows weather conditions and soaring activities.

Ø Publish Club meeting minutes for those who are unable to attend.

Ø Apply for a Lilly grant to teach area youngsters and oldsters to soar.

Ø Get a new two-place glider, like a DG 505.

Ø Add a light sport airplane to the fleet, preferably a tail dragger so we can train tow pilots.

Ø Get Internet at the hangar so we can check the weather.

Ø Buy our own field. Build our own Club house.

Ø Add a winch launching operation to make training more affordable.

Ø Make a video of our Club. Show it at local service clubs and schools.

Ø Local media could highlight new solos, badges, and state records.

Ø Make bill paying easier with an auto draft option.

Ø Have a “Wings” weekend and promote soaring to power pilots.

Ø Work with a local airport to incorporate glider training into their power program.

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Pictures Needed – Dan Dewitt is putting together a new brochure to promote our club to power pilots in central Indiana. He needs pictures of our fleet and operations. If you have a photo that would look great in our new brochure, send it to Dan Dewitt by email.

Web Page Have you noticed our new web page? Fantastic! One of the goals of the Long Range Planning Committee was to tweak our already great Web page to make it even more appealing to people looking for our club. Well done, Mario!

SSA Convention Notes by Dave Newill The SSA Convention and Board meeting were held in February at Arlington, TX. Here are some highlights. The class on using See-You, Win-Pilot and other software for flight analysis was popular. I can’t speak to which program is best, but I continued to hear the standard refrain, “You just have to use it to make it work for you!” Flight software is more capable and more challenging than ever. One company had a $32 training DVD for its software. This would be a good investment if the club glider is equipped with one of these displays and software. The other comment I regularly heard was, “Ask around your club before you buy. Find someone who is using the system, likes it, and is willing to help you learn to use it.”

On to airplanes! The two exhibit halls were filled with 22 great ways to spend money on gliders! Most of these were motor gliders, a continuing trend in this sport. The German display had information on winch launching and samples of the new Dynatec Hoistline “cable.” They claim that no one has yet had a cable break with it. It is 20% the weight of steel. You can launch to a height of 50% to 60% of the length of runway every time!

Catching my attention was the new side-by-side two-place version of the APIS glider – the Tarus-503 self launch. There is no immediate plan to import this slick 41:1 machine into the USA, as all 2006 and 2007 positions are sold out in Europe. The cost was $85,000. The super-light LightHawk is now for sale. It has almost reached a sink rate of 60 fpm so you can stay up all day with hardly a thermal. Expect to pay over $85 K for the privilege. Lots of people crowded around a silver SparrowHawk which had a great use of carbon fiber and a very nice finish.

One new trick that caught my attention was an AoA or Angle of Attack indicator on one two-place machine. AoA tells you what the wing is really doing in terms of producing lift. It is sort of a speed-to-fly when in a thermal. I wonder if the cockpit side-mounted vane reads differently when thermaling to the left vs. right!

Don Gurnett gave a great presentation on the Structure of Thermals. Don’s photos and models of thermals opened my eyes to why these invisible elevators work.

What a great convention! With three days of presentations by the manufacturers every hour, there was way too much to see!

The Clubs lunch was NEAT! Learning about the German club system from one of their own left me with lots of ideas to pass on to our clubs. German clubs depend on winch launches to get up and to make money! A winch launch is about $3 –$6 to 2,000 ft, while a tow costs about $6 per minute! They make about 50% profit on winch launches! Winches address their environmental concerns, as well.

Dick Holzworth of Caesar Creek helped me out in the club track. He reviewed the Dayton / Caesar Creek two-company model of running a large club. Look for the notes on this to be in next month’s Soaring.

We hope to have all the presentations up on the club’s web site soon. I will send an e-mail notice to all of you when that it ready!

Plan to attend the next SSA convention next February in Memphis. As SSA’s 75^th anniversary, it ought to be a great show. It will be the closest convention to our region for many years!

David Newill - SSA Region 6 Director 317–873–2262 dbnsoaring@ameritech.net

Newsletter Available In Print If you would prefer to receive a printed copy of Wingtips by mail rather than by email, please contact George Saunders.

Send your newsletter articles to George Saunders or Mario Lazaga. Deadline for our next newsletter is March 15^th.

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