GNZ Newsletter September 2021
From the president
Welcome to the September GNZ newsletter.
It's officially spring.
That means sometime soon the snow will start to melt, flowers bloom and thermals pop.
We may all be locked down away from our beloved airfields, separated from our trusty white winged birds of sky bound freedom (this is what happens to my writing when I've been in home detention too long) but we've all been here before and we know it will pass.
So, in the meantime please enjoy the flying happenings of the first half of last month and the technological antics of the second half that has allowed us to share knowledge and keep in touch with our flying whānau online.
Stay safe, dream big, summers coming.
Steve Wallace
GNZ President
Congratulations
BOB HENDERSON
Solo again in a glider after too many years flying a desk! Welcome back Bob!
ANDREW FLETCHER
First flight on the West Coast in the mighty Mosquito!
REBEKAH McMILLAN
Back into it again after a wee break away.
ALEX MICHAEL
For using lockdown to brush up on his gliding theory in preparation for this summers badge attempts.
CANTERBURY GLIDING CLUB
Well done the CGC team for organising the oversubscribed webinar series of educational lectures.
Recordings of these lectures can be found on the GNZ You Tube Channel.
ABBEY DELORE & NICK OAKLEY
For proving you can still have fun at the airfield even it is snowing!
It's on again!
For your club and country, glory awaits the winner.
Epic video Tim and thoughtfully dedicated to our dear flying friend Christian Derold.
Sadly the celebration of Christian's life has had to be postponed until the COVID alert levels reduce.
We will keep you all updated as to when this event will take place. In the meantime Ross Gaddes has kindly written a few words in memory of Christian.
An incredibly sad and devastating thing happened on the Monday 9th August when it was still the 8th in Europe. Our dear friend and great member of the Auckland Gliding Club died while gliding in Rieti a famous Italian gliding site.
Of course, his connection with the entire NZ gliding community had spread through most, if not all facets of our niche sport and as such Christian’s passing will be known to many.
Christian settled into NZ life about the end of 2017 - initially intending to bring his ASH31Mi, and his LS1f, from Europe. He brought the LS1 into NZ but eventually decided to purchase HG (ASH31Mi) off Simon Gault. This fitted his plan of having a beautiful glider in both hemispheres which allowed him to enjoy and get even better by utilising two summer cycles in one year. Flying the North Island initially was a great challenge but being a deep thinker, he soaked up all the information he could to enable him to progress. The quickest (and arguably most fun) way of doing this is to attend the competitions, which he did in both islands. Hilli and their kids, Emma and Maria need to take credit for allowing us to share so much of Christians company at our gliding sites. In a short time, he got to become a good friend to, not only myself, but to many involved in the competition scene. Pretty soon those friendships spread through the local club scene and Gliding NZ as well. Then Emma’s interest in soaring also encouraged Christians input as an instructor for the Auckland Gliding Club as well as the Youth Glide program, which he was very enthusiastic about. All our instructors will know the attention to detail he displayed when instructing and especially with communicating student progress between the panel members.
Being careful and thorough as an instructor was also prevalent when Christian was competing. These qualities spread into Gliding NZ work where he was active, engaging and contributed a huge amount of relevant intellectual resource. Our club utilised Christian’s knowledge many, many times and personally I benefited hugely when it came to giving me business advice, valuable initiatives, and inspiring ideas.
These qualities are not common - to fit perfectly into an instructional role, an organisational/inspirational role and yet be a very good, ambitious pilot with a disciplined and calculated approach - this is rare indeed. All that and even more importantly, he was a really good guy. I know these sentiments are shared by soaring enthusiasts all over the world, where I know he had made many solid and long-lasting friendships. He contributed way above his weight everywhere.
I cannot say enough to express our sadness and outright loss that the Auckland Club, my own business, Gliding NZ, and all those that counted Christian as such a close and valuable friend. But this is only a shadow compared to the loss that Hilli, Maria and Emma must be feeling. Our thoughts are with them – may he rest in peace.
Ross Gaddes Auckland Gliding Club
History Hustle
NZ's first gliding club?
Could these be the faces of New Zealand's first 'gliding' club members?
While strictly speaking this was an Aero Club and not a pure gliding club, in those early days, aviation enthusiasts likely considered all forms of aviation as a single entity. Excerpts below from an article about George Bolt (some may recognise the name from the main road to Auckland International Airport - George Bolt Memorial Drive).
Remember the first half?
Some awesome flying was had in August!
Mike Strathern
Flying the Dart 15 in the Nelson wave. Mike you talk too much on the radio, hence the dent in your thumb and you do too much engineering, hence the cleanliness (lack of) of your thumb!
Peter Taylor
Enjoying the winter mountains from Springfield
Tauranga Rainbow
Kaimai Rainbow
Something a bit different
Mist being pushed ahead of a front in Northland.
Vintage Kiwi Rally
Contact [email protected] for further details or keep an eye out for more information on our website (under news) too https://vintagekiwi.gliding.co.nz
OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO
by Bob Henderson on behalf of Vivienne Bryner, John Etches, Rob Lyons and Mike Marra.
The future of our sport is in their hands.
YGNZ members are starting their Soaring Journey and there are a multitude of pathways they can follow as they progress from First Lesson to Solo to Cross Country Pilot as shown in the “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” tree diagram.
We all became part of this wonderful sport to enjoy the comradeship and the joy of soaring.
What better way to hone our skills than through the attainment of badges and through flying against others in an organised environment like camps and competitions?
The New Zealand soaring scene is blessed with a multitude of competitions – backed up by training camps like the mountain flying courses and cross-country courses.
There are nine competitions annually in the GNZ calendar – ranging from the Multi- Class Nationals to the Regionals, local competitions and the Grand Prix. With the handicap system in place in New Zealand basically any Task Pilot can fly any competition and enjoy themselves, and some will stand on the winner’s dais. And you don’t have to be a “top gun” to enjoy the camaraderie and learning opportunities that come from being part of the team by attending competitions. This is the future for our YGNZ pilots of today.
Which brings me to the point of this message - Competitions do not create or manage themselves.
Each event requires someone to do the Organisation and someone to be the Contest Director.
Being a Contest Organiser or Director may sound onerous – it isn’t - but it does require some knowledge and some interpersonal skills. So, we, the current group of Contest Directors (and I add myself to this list) are offering to mentor anyone who is interested in stepping up to the challenge of running a safe, successful and enjoyable competition. At the same time, we are working on understanding what makes a good Contest Director, so that, if you want to have a go at this important role, you can also look in the mirror and see how you match up.
If you are interested in talking about the chance to contribute as a Contest Organiser or Contest Director, then drop me a note at [email protected] and we can have a chat. Our sport needs you and this is your chance to be mentored by the very best in the business!
Not sure if this event is going ahead but just in case...
First contest of the season.
Free Entry!
More online entertainment
Live race coverage will start at 13.30 each race day and a highlights video each evening at 19.30
Follow the contest at: Sailplane Grand Prix Finals 2021 (sgp.aero)
On Facebook: FAI Saliplane Grand Prix | Facebook
On Twitter: FAI SGP Series (@faisgp) / Twitter
Virtual FAI/SGP races live from 20.00 CET each race day.
More information on the virtual event can be found at esport SGP
Follow on facebook at 1st Virtual Sailplane Grand Prix - World Final 2021
ADS-B
Some information from Trig
The risk of collision between gliders or aircraft is a genuine threat. There have been avoidable fatal accidents where a common Electronic Conspicuity system could have prevented a collision and saved lives. ADS-B Out (1090ES) provides that common standard. Used internationally by commercial aviation ADS-B is well established. This technology will be required by general aviation, and of course soaring pilots too. The good news is that fitting ADS-B Out equipment may be more practical than you imagined. ADS-B Out uses a Mode S transponder, linked to a suitable GPS, to provide highly accurate positional data.
One of the most popular Mode S transponder brands for sailplanes is Trig Avionics. Trig TT21 and TT22 compact transponders take up minimal room in the panel and are easy to install. The TT21 is a Class 2 device - 130 Watts. The TT22 is a Class 1 device - 250 Watts. For flight above 15,000 feet a Class 1 transponder must be used. These compact units are ideal in gliders, being highly energy efficient and using minimal battery power.
Flying with a Mode S transponder allows access to Controlled Airspace and Transponder Mandatory Zones. Trig transponders support the latest ADS-B Out performance standard, FAA FAR 91.227.
This is achieved by adding a TN72 GPS Position Source. This certified solution provides 'Quality Indicators' (SIL 3 / SDA2) which reflects the NZ CAA's drive to implement Mode S and ADS-B technology to improve flight safety.
Numerous gliders are equipped with FLARM. So, what role does ADS-B have and why is this a necessary addition to FLARM? Whilst FLARM is accomplished at short range detection and alerting of glider-to-glider conflictions, it is not seen by ATC, commercial or most conventional ADS-B traffic systems used in GA. On a cross country flight, a glider is usually invisible to most GA aircraft, unless it is fitted with a certified ADS-B Out solution.
As genuine conspicuity requires ADS-B Out (1090ES) glider pilots are choosing to install Trig technology, alongside FLARM. The table below shows the benefits of ADS-B Out.
Fitting a Trig Mode S transponder and TN72 (TABS) GPS Position Source is the single most effective way to significantly enhance both pilot and passenger safety.
Contact your local Approved Trig Dealer who can provide you with a complete solution, or a TN72 GPS upgrade to your existing Trig transponder. The TN72 is highly affordable and Trig can also provide a dedicated TA50 Compact antenna for the TN72 in addition to a wiring harness for a TT21 & TT22 transponder, with a TN72 GPS making it even easier to complete installation (check local regulations).
Finally, if you need a transponder software upgrade this can be easily accessed from your dealer. All Trig products come with a two-year warranty. To find your local Approved Trig Dealer search. www.trig-avionics.com/how-to-buy/
Note: GNZ is still tirelessly working with the CAA to get the above system fully approved. Currently the sticking point is the TA50 compact antenna. The TA50 (while approved for use in other special category aircraft operating in NZ airspace), is a non-TSO component which makes it harder to approve for certified gliders. Unfortunately the TSO approved antenna is large, external and totally unworkable as a solution for gliders.
Bailing Out
This month's safety video
Bail out advice from one of glidings greatest educators, G. Dale. Somebody that has been there and done that! Thanks to the BGA for the video.
COVID RELATED MOAP AMENDMENT
Just awaiting approval from the CAA (which is expected) are amendments to the MOAP that will allow extensions to you BFR and ICR should they expire while we are locked down. Wording will look as below if approved.
Incident Reports
As it is a six week cycle nothing new from the desk of the NOO this month and apart from Condor incidents lockdown may make this section a bit light again next month.
You can access all back copies of the Ops Team Talking newsletter. These have been placed on the Gliding NZ web site under News > Safety Bulletins A link to the GNZ incident reporting form (OPS 10) can 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.
OPS 10 link: http://gliding.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/OPS10v7f.pdf
In the case of an accident, asap please phone: 0508 ACCIDENT (0508 222 433)
Thanks for reading
All contributions, pics, videos and opinions welcome
EMAIL: [email protected]