Congrats to Ben on now being a 1-26 pilot. Couple of nice flights last weekend. Rock solid on take-off and climb out with zero hint of any of the typical first time 1-26 pilot PIO twitch. Nice job Ben.

Congrats to Colby who made his first solo flight today earning his A-Badge.

Colby’s instructors were Mark Farley, Alasdair Crawford and Bill Batesole.

Colby with Bill Batesole (L), Alasdair Crawford (R) and his dad (and wing-runner for the day) (C). Nice job Colby.

Yup – The new 2020 Elbow-bump solo celebration. Nice job Ben – great 1st solo, even did a little Soaring. ‘A’ badge earned.

Lots of activity today. Q2, B9, VOL, WQ, the club 1-34 and the yellow 2-33 all did plenty of flying.

A nice Monday to get things back on track after a wash-out/blow-out weekend.

We are planning on operations Friday through Monday this weekend. Come out and fly.

The scheduling system has been updated to allow sign-up’s for all 4 days. Staff and students are asked to sign up early to help us plan.

A decent Friday turnout for a day that started overcast. Q2, WQ, IC and the club 1-34 (both Greg and Andy had 1-34 flights). Everyone attempted to connect with wave, everyone had a relight, everyone had a decent 2nd flight.

We have re-started introductory flights for existing flight certificate holders. Flights are subject to all Vermont COVID visitor and recreation regulations, and screenings and must be scheduled in advance. All certificate holders have been contacted and provided contact information for scheduling purposes.

We cautiously began to restart weekend student member instruction today.

The on-line student sign up sheet has been modified to allow for two students per day. There will be one AM slot and one PM slot with aircraft cleaned morning, switchover and evening.

Two junior members – Colby and Ben were signed up today. Weather did not cooperate for the afternoon, but Colby did get 3 flights in this morning before Wx moved in.

Mark Farley instructed, Alasdair towed and Larry covered ground. Everyone wore masks and were screened by the duty health officer.

All instruction must be signed up for ahead of tine on-line to facilitate advance discussion between the duty instructor and students both for lesson plan and COVID risk assessment.

It’s a start. Thanks to all whi are helping with this phase of reopening.

Greetings NESA members,

Sunday, Andy Kozak, Greg Hunter, Mark Farley, Alasdair Crawford and Larry Perry, with an assist from Christa Kozak and Susan Morgan-Perry, assembled the 2-33 and got the ship on its tiedown for the summer.   

Yesterday, the club advanced to Phase 2 Reopening, as Greg and Andy received their annual checkout by club member CFI-G Charlie Freeman. 

The morning began sunny with light winds out of the south that picked up as the day progressed. The checkouts were completed by early afternoon, and as you can see in the attached picture, the windsock was sticking pretty much straight out. In the picture, left to right, are Brian Xander, Charlie Freeman, Andy Kozak and Greg Hunter…all practicing appropriate social distancing protocols.

Charlie has offered to provide checkouts and instruction on a case-by-case basis as outlined in the club’s Phased Reopening Plan:

For all Dual operations (other than by two immediate family members), where permitted by the current opening phase, both participants must discuss and agree risk and mitigation procedures prior to flight and must consent to the flight. There shall be no expectation of general availability of instruction or safety pilots. Gloves and masks shall be worn by both participants as a minimum.  

Summer is here…or will officially be here in 11 days. Make arrangements to come out and FLY! Right now it’s imperative you contact an instructor and tow pilot in advance.

Larry.