Tuesday 31 March 2015

At the club, 31 March

I leave for the contest in Tennessee tomorrow morning; then, two weeks flying at Ridge Soaring in PA, so I needed my glider. I took a couple of pictures - you can see if spring is here.  I drive a Jetta.

I replaced the glass jar for the matches I broke last time I was out.


Obviously, the gate and road - still below zero, road was getting soft













Stopped on road looking down 26. 
























Still significant melting to go...  there is some minor drifting.

Bonus picture - you can fit a 15m glider trailer in the driveway of a semi-detached in a high population density area of Kanata - just.
Hooking up is going to be interesting at rush hour on the street
























Follow the contest on http://sailplaneracing.com/pagc/ ; I'm blogging there and crewing for JS.

Saturday 28 March 2015

Today March 28, 2015 at Pendleton

My two daughters and I paid a visit to Pendleton today Saturday March 28, 2015.  We all are looking forward to starting a new season at GGC with lot of gliding and family time there. There is still a lot of snow on the ground.
We had a great time indoors and outdoors, Martin had started both fireplaces in the Clubhouse and we enjoyed our warm time around the main fireplace. Also, Gary allowed me to drive his snow mobile -- what I have never done -- and after bring my daughters for a ride. Awesome!!
Martin was also super busy snow blowing part of the runways with the tractor.
Cheers
Roberto
















Monday 9 March 2015

Club - March 9

I was at the club pulling JCZ's PowerFLARM for the mandatory update to the software and calibration of its IGC flight recorder.  The road is in good shape right now but it will probably get sloppy over the next few days; no problem getting in with the Jetta.

I took some pictures - here they are.  Looks like we're going to need another banner for the front of the Lacasse Hangar - maybe "GGC - 1942-2017 - 75 years".

Road in


















Banner looking rough


















No mosquitos in front of the Boudreault Hangar





Wednesday 4 March 2015

Annual General Meeting - Feb 27, 2015


I guess you know why I called you all here....
Fine looking crowd.  I wonder what they look like from the left?
The meeting kicks off with the President's address



























We had 30 sustaining members, and 2 family members, in attendance, and 14 other sustaining members give proxies, which easily satisfied the 35% of sustaining members for a quorum.  Talking to a few folks, it appears to be a fairly cold winter.

The Board recommended that we hold the line with fees, since we have some big expenses coming up shortly (Pawnee engine, Citabria being recovered, 3 new chutes, 2 new PowerFLARMs), and it is unclear how long fuel will be a relative bargain.  SAC plans to lower fees, so it will be a slightly smaller cheque than last year.  By the time you read this, the fee schedule, renewal form, and excel fee sheet are available through the "join GGC" link on the webpage.  This is a reminder that we face large costs to start up in the spring - $22,000 worth of glider, premises liability, and towplane insurance, and property insurance of just under $10,000, so please consider doing your renewal early.  As in previous years, those who get their renewals in before April 1st get their first 2,000' tow of the year free.

MayFly is coming up 15-18 May - sign up online at gatineauglidingclub.ca/Mayfly.  We have booked excellent soaring weather for the first 3 of the 4 days; the last will be spectacular!

The Junior has arrived, and it looks like it is new (1989 model refinished at the factory).  Importation inspections, C of A, C of R, weight and balance, instrument fix, etc are ongoing, thanks to the great work by Jarek.  Amazingly, the trailer importation seems to have been a trivial event (lots of heads shaking in wonder by owners who have not been so lucky).

There will be an airspace change to Ottawa TCA in April; details are not available yet.   

The Board election had seven candidates for six Director positions.  The membership seems to have been happy with the current Board, who were re-elected for another year.

Two of our members have been examined against the criteria and found deserving of becoming Sustaining Members of GGC. Congratulations to  Pascal Lepage and Claude Poulin!

Finally, we caught up with Don Henry, our new Billing Officer, who earned two FAI badges last year, and we got a picture of the presentation.  Let's all get a badge next year! We still have two people who have earned badges but the intersection of them, a presenter, and a camera have not yet been fulfilled.  This spring for sure!
         
CFI Wolfgang W presents Don Henry's A and B Badges (you can run but not hide)















Hangar unpack date is available under the "Events" tab of the gatineauglidingclub.ca webpage, and there will be updates through the GGC Members Yahoo! Group.  We hope for an early spring, and a great soaring season.