Brian Xander towed, Jerry Smith instructed, and Ben Berg, Jim Malecha and Eric Nelson flew, Eric staying aloft for three hours, topping out at 5,800′ MSL. Tow plane battery issues cut the day short, but we should be up and running by end of the week.
Happy Tuesday
Good soaring today and two more instructors now current in gliders.
We are in good shape to begin Member Spring Check-flights beginning this weekend (April 9th/10th). Please use the Scheduling system to sign-up for your check-flights and/or instruction.
Scheduling Link: Scheduling Calendar
Reminder: One Man Rigging Devices
Minimum crew for One man Rigger: Is Any number GREATER THAN One!
Not a fan of these things. Even curmudgeon’s like myself lacking in friends, still have acquaintances . Please don’t let friends (or acquaintances) rig or disassemble alone 😉 Thanks!
Today’s Safety Seminar recording
Here is the link to the recording of today’s meeting. sorry – was 10 minutes in when I remembered to start recording: https://fccdl.in/26YgcDx7jM
What a great turn out – we had roughly 24 in-person and about the same again on-line.
Thanks to all attendees. Apologies for the initial technical difficulties but a very engaged group and some great discussion. It was nice to see some new and some prospective new members too.
After lunch we assembled one of the 2-33’s and the 1-26, so starting to get the club fleet put together. Club member spring check-flights will be available starting next weekend.
Reminder: Spring Safety Seminar: 9am Sat 4/2/22 (tomorrow)
In the terminal building – please join us in person.
If unable to attend in person, please join on-line: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/flynesa
1st Launch of the 2022 Season 3/21/22
The winds were strong and roily, but that didn’t stop Bill Batesole from launching Tim Chow for the first flight of the 2022 season. Tim reported that it was pretty turbulent and returned to mother earth after a short flight.
If weather looks cooperative for our April 2nd Safety Meeting, we’ll conduct the meeting from the VSF terminal building via freeconferencecall.com and in-person (for those able to attend) and assemble club gliders following the meeting. Expect us to make the call about a hybrid/virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 30.
2022 Region 1 Contest: 7/2 – 7/9/22
NESA has submitted the sanction paperwork to the SSA to host the Region 1 Sports class in July. Please spread the word.
See: 2022 Region1 | New England for more information
SSA Junior Scholarships: Deadline 3/31/22
All – There are several scholarship opportunities for both pre and post solo juniors.
So, juniors it is time to take a look and think about applying. Link to scholarship offerings is here:
Junior Soaring – Soaring Society of America | Solo a Glider at 14! (ssa.org)
A few examples:
Annual Meeting Minutes & Presentations Posted
The minutes and presentations from Saturdays Annual Membership Meeting have been posted to the Members section of the website.
Use the yellow 2-33 registration if you don’t have your own login.
Meeting Minutes | New England Soaring Association (flynesa.com)
Bill Batesole Awarded Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award at NESA Annual Meeting
Our special guest at NESA’s Annual Meeting was John Wood, FAA Safety Team Program Manager at the Portland, Maine FSDO, who presented Bill Batesole with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing Bill’s 50+ years of support and promotion of aviation safety and accident and incident free flying.
Bill first soloed at Johnnycake Airport in CT in 1971 and received his CFI-G rating in 1975, instructing first near Waterbury, CT and later at the Schweitzer Soaring School in Elmira, NY. He graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida in 1978, and began flying Piper Navajo’s and DeHaviland Twin Otters for Precision Airlines, a commuter airline based here in Springfield. In 1983 Bill was one of the early pilot hires for Federal Express, now FedEx, where over his 36 year career he flew the Airbus 310, Boeing 727, 757, 767, and 777. He has remained involved in soaring at Harris Hill, as a member of the Vintage Glider Club and long time National Soaring Museum Trustee and current Board President. Bill is a long time NESA member and has held nearly every club position. Thank you, Bill for your many years of service and volunteerism in support of soaring and aviation!
Annual Meeting presentations will be posted to flynesa.com
