CCSC Frequent Flier Newsletter Editor: Steve Statkus March 2013 [email protected] 513-576-9080 in Southwestern Ohio
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CCSC Frequent Flier Newsletter Editor: Steve Statkus March 2013 [email protected] 513-576-9080 in Southwestern Ohio. Apparently, the moist NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW: gulf air passing through the Ohio valley gets dried out on the way to Pennsylvania such that Flight Operations: Due to the recent prop the cloud bases are regularly two or three strike on 48L and a couple of other incidents thousand feet higher than they are here. We can involving runway lights and long glider wings, get above 5000 feet there on a bad day. the CCSC board has decided to suspend further operations at Clinton County County airport. In addition to high cloud bases, there is very The board is assessing other more suitable good ridge lift all up and down the Appalachians options but until further notice it’s back to our when the wind is blowing strong enough from glider port. Bring your waders until after the the right direction. Trips of 1000 kilometers spring thaw and if you’re looking to fly check have been made in high performance ships at with the crew chief (see the last page of this almost 1000 mph. These winds also produce newsletter for the schedule) because operations waves frequently. I personally have been more may be taking place somewhere other than than 4000 feet above the cloud base, and on that CCSC, like Cubbys. day other pilots reported altitudes of around 15000 feet. When the wind is not favorable for CALENDER OF EVENTS: ridge life, the slopes of the ridges facing the sun produce fantastic thermas, 500 FPM on a mild March 23 & 24 CFI requalification day, with 1000 FPM spikes on a good day. April 13 & 14 CCSC Spring Cleaning April 21st-27th- Pennsylvania Ridge trip CCSC BOARD MINUTES MARCH 2013: May 24-27 Wright Memorial Day Event May 25 Get together to celebrate the flights made Call to order – Frank Paynter: Members from CCSC to Blairstown, NJ this spring. present; Frank Paynter (remote), Jim Dudley, June 10-15 Regional Sport Class Contest John Dudley Mike Hutchison, Mark Miller July 8-12 Youth Camp (remote), Rolf Hegele, Steve Statkus. Absent; Aug 12-16 Adult camp Dan Reagan, Aug 20-30 1-26 Championships Moriarty N.M. Reading of the Minutes – Steve Statkus: Feb Aug 31-Sept 1, 2013 – Labor Day Fun Fly, camp & board minutes approved as previously cook out. distributed. ANOTHER RIDGE TEASER; This one from Jim Reports and Statements of Officers and Hurst and dates back to 2004. Committees: So far there are about seven CCSC members Secretary – Steve Statkus; New Members: committed to go to the Ridge Soaring Gliderport Richard Otto and David Meyer were approved. near State College, Pennsylvania the week of April 19, 2004. This will be my 16th consecutive Treasurer – Rolf Hegele: Cash on hand: $42.5 trip. For Pat DeNaples and Bob Root , it will be K. Expenses for Feb. 2012 $12.4 K. Total more like their 30th trip. Why do we do this income year to date: $16.9 K against a budgeted every year? Because this area has soaring conditions that are so much better than we have $20.2 K. No change in gas price means no 54909: No squawks. Annual due 4/30/2013. change to tow rates. Operations/Ground Tow Vehicle Facilities/Grounds Equipment Maintenance – Maintenance-Director of Operations-Mark Mike Hutchison: Club house roof needs Miller: Due to the recent prop strike a replacement due to age and wind damage. Mike discussion took place dealing with the contacted the insurance company and a risk/reward aspect of Clinton County contractor for quotes and coverage. A new roof operations. Eventually a motion was made to will be covered by insurance less 1K deductable. define CCSC as the primary site for operations It’s a capable expense to be paid for by SSD. and Clinton County as a secondary (back up) if Motion to proceed with roof repair passed. Mike cross winds are not a factor. Motion passed. also reported that both restrooms have had lights replaced and the counter tops and Glider Maintenance - John Dudley: Grob 103 is cabinets will go in this weekend. Finally a back together and annual complete. The 2-33’s motion was made to contract removal of will start in for annuals. It was mentioned that Honeysuckle at the west end of the field for the 15H’s speed brake handle is slightly bent cost of $800. Motion passed. making deployment harder than desired. It was noted for the annual. Public Relations – Jim Dudley: Frank Paynter and Tim Christman presented our club activity, Tow Plane Maintenance – Tim Christman/Paul Condor Soaring, and single person glider McClaskey: assembly briefing to the Dayton Engineers Club Tuesday 2/26. The presentation was well N8848L: Paul briefed the board on the options received. available for repair of 48L. There are 3 options to deal with this high time engine (1950 hrs.) Social Activities – Jim Dudley: No report. Option 1 is to perform the AD required after a prop strike, fix the prop and return to service (3- Unfinished Business 4 weeks) without an insurance claim. Little cost incurred. Option 2 is an overhaul shop Facilities: Carried forward from last meeting. teardown, insurance claim and replacement of No action taken this meeting. Camper grey internal parts not meeting serviceable specs and water drain connections and drain caps was the return to service in 7-8 weeks. This would topic of discussion. Since we’re still on double result in a repaired high time engine still secret probation by the Warren County Camp needing overhaul and cost about 5-6 K. Option 3 Ground cops something has to be done and Mike is a complete overhaul and insurance claim found a possible solution that he’ll run by taking 8-9 weeks at a cost of about 10.6 K. An Warren County. It’s a portable container on insurance claim will result is loss of our wheels into which is directed camper sewage. insurance discount for 2014 and partial loss for Cost for this 35 gal. container is $275 or so. 2015. More info coming. The board discussed the options and selected option 3 since SSD had budgeted funds for the SSA Dues: Pending further review, no action overhaul in late 2013. Motion was approved. needed until after Sports Regional contest: John Lubon and Dieter did mention this action Discussion of billing member $64 SSA dues in would result in pushing back some capital September- Rolf: The board proposed and improvements. approved this action in 2012 which provided $12K additional revenue but did not approve N7333Z: Should be out of annual and engine this action for 2013 at this time. The decision overhaul early April. was made to postpone any action until after the sports contest to see how the fly rate is moving this year. SSA dues are due in Sept so we have The following report from Dan speaks to me the time to see how the soaring season will about goal setting, preparation and execution. progress. This guy is a joy to watch grow. You’ll probably see this article in the Soaring Magazine. I’m New Business: pleased to beat them to the punch. 48L Prop Strike: Tim Christman briefed the board on the details of the event. Aircraft THE CAROLINA WAVE PROJECT landed normally in a 7-10 kt cross wind and Thoughts of a Beginner Wave Pilot exited the runway at Clinton County running By Dan Reagan into soft ground at which point the aircraft nosed over as the right tire dropped into really In February, Chilhowee Soaring soft mud. Both tips showed evidence of contact. Association, Inc. in coordination with Jay Aircraft was removed and red tagged. Campbell once again hosted the Carolina Wave The subsequent discussion concerning Project in the lee side of Mt. Mitchell. The launch operations at Clinton County eventually lead to a point was the Shiflet Airport which is close to motion to stop further operations at Clinton Marion, NC and about ten miles downwind of Mt. County for 2013. This motion passed 5 -3. This Mitchell, at 6684 feet, the highest point east of motion supersedes the previous motion that the Mississippi River. declared CCSC the primary field and Clinton Sarah Arnold, from Chilhowee, went to County as the alternate field. Tim agreed to great lengths in working with the FAA to get the research cross wind limits (which are not largest special use airspace for the wave window included in the POH or Tow Pilots Manual) and while avoiding power traffic airways. The wave look into hard surface operations by tow pilots. window ended up being about 10 miles by 10 Also the issue of alternate field operations like miles with altitudes to 26,000 feet. Wilmington, Wright Bros., of Cubby’s was The Shiflet Airport with its location, sod brought up. Point of contact for this action was runway, and practically no power traffic, made not identified. an ideal location for the wave camp. Sarah flew a Pawnee tow plane from Examiners: The question was raised Chilhowee to provide tows for the 15 wave concerning bringing in a non-club examiner to camp attendees. Jay Campbell did an conduct flight exams in club aircraft when Dick outstanding job of getting information to Eckels is not in town. The issue boils down to participants and managing the camp. “who is PIC?” A non club member cannot act as I heard about the wave camp from the PIC. After clarification it was the opinion of the SSA calendar.