Kiwi paragliding legend and now winch and aerotow rated glider pilot.
Paragliding (or sky jellyfish as I like to call them) may be fun but welcome Louis to the world of further, faster, shinier.
LUKE McPAKE
1st solo then he took a break, came back and has just solo'd again. So 1st solo after his 1st solo.
How to cut, polish and wax your Glider
Omarama Update
From Gavin Wills
Are you thinking of buying one of Gavin's gliders? Please consult the below flow chart first.
From Omarama Airfield Ltd
The company has been working with a number of parties, including the Omarama Gliding Club, and is confident that the full range of services needed for glider operations will be in place for the coming soaring season.
Click the foldable below for the full story of what's on offer from the Omarama Gliding Club this season.
Got to be one of the best ever photos of the Taieri Pet
Photo by Geoff Beckett, 29 August 2020
New GNZ Regional Operations Officer
You can't keep a good man down and GNZ is pleased to announce the appointment of the highly respected and experienced Gavin Wills as the new Regional Operations Officer for the South Island.
GNZ Flight Training Programme
http://training.gliding.co.nz/
New System Roll Out
The roll out of the new system continues with the Brian and Martyn roadshow. Photos below from a highly successful event at the Canterbury Gliding Club.
COVID has played a wee bit of havoc with the schedule so please check first but bookings this month include:
Saturday 5th September: Piako and Tauranga (at Piako)
Sunday 6th September: Auckland and Aviation Sports (at Auckland)
Saturday 12th September: Taupo
Have you booked yet?
Supporting material is being given out (see pic below) for use by those students that are transitioning to the new programme. A great chance to learn all about the new system and get your many questions answered.
A bit of coordination is needed (the team can't be everywhere at once) but if you would like to book one of these presentations please contact Brian Sharpe via email.
As pilots spot mistakes, opportunities for improvement or areas of concern, these are either being dealt with by the Ops Team as they come in or are being held over in anticipation of the appointment of a Change Request Review Panel. The ability for constant improvement is one of the key features of the new system.
The training programme is a controlled document so any suggestions for improvement must be made in accordance with AC 2-01 (4a and b). At the moment this is just being done via email but a change request form and flow charted process is on its way. More next month.
The Great Easter Bunny Hunt Comp
Need to add one more event to your calendar.
Easter 2021, TAUPO
Fathers Day Soon
Don't want sox or a box of chocolates this year? Need to drop a hint for something useful?
This from Neil Harker
How many times have you gone to pickup someone and realised the tyres look flat on their trailer or towed your Sweet Pea down to the launch point and someone points out that your landing wheel tyre needs some air?
I bought one of these last summer, and it's awesome, its a Ryobi Tyre Pump, keep in your car boot and you will never have any worries again. Bunnings sell them for $89 (Battery & Charger extra) I use mine with a 2.5Ah battery which is more than enough to top the Trailer and 4 car tyres before needing a charge.
Also to pump up most glider tyres you will need a an extension fitting as the air nipple on the glider wheels is tucked hard into the wheel hub. You can buy these extensions from SuperCheap or Repco (oddly they come in packs of 4 when you only need one - at least they are cheap). I have one taped to the Pump Hose (Red Tape in pic) so I have everything I need when I need it.
The Pump has a Pressure Gauge built into it (on the end) so it is seriously is a total one stop solution.
Finally, did you know the Tyre Pressure for your landing wheel is always placarded in your glider ?
Springfield Soaring Champs
28th November - 5th December 2020
Hospitality, Fun, Entertainment, Mentoring
The Springfield Soaring Champs is focused on hospitality, fun, entertainment and
mentoring. Lots to do and learn. It’s the unique Enterprise style of competition, set within Canterbury’s easy access to exceptional mountain soaring. Most meals can be had on site and there is camping and bunkroom accommodation.
Enterprise is the perfect way for less experienced pilots to start
racing gliders and yet challenging for advanced pilots.
Enterprise encourages personal bests.
Enterprise is where the winner has done the most flying, not the least.
Enterprise works for a wider range
of pilot experience and glider handicaps.
Enterprise is not an FAI style with
prestart delays and enroute gaggles.
Enterprise events are competitive and also fun
to compete in.
Enterprise allows for ‘novel’ interpretation of the rules – normally
called cheating.
Enterprise events are FUN and as a general guideline, tasks will be set to make the most of the day's (safe) flying potential, taking into account the variety of pilot ability and glider performance. This may involve the use of ridge and wave lift, as well as thermal soaring. Water Ballast is not allowed.
Need to understand the meaning of the below? Then make sure you enter a competition this season.
Taranaki looking lovely
YGNZ AGM
This year Youth Glide will be hosting its annual Meeting (AGM) & Mingle in Tauranga. Just like the previous Meeting & Mingles, Youth Glide will arrange a series of aviation-related activities during this weekend which will hopefully include some gliding at the Tauranga Gliding Club.
This weekend is not just for YGNZ youth members – we encourage friends, family, and all supporters of YGNZ to attend and join in on the fun.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST BELOW - More info coming soon.
Don't be like Jim. Jim didn't tie his glider down properly. Now Jim doesn't have a glider.
Don't forget a link to the GNZ incident reporting form (OPS 10) can now be found in the very top menu bar on the GNZ homepage, just to the right of the 'Classified Adverts'. You can now fill this form out on your phone at the airfield so no excuses.
