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.

While we still aren’t quite there yet on all of the procedures needed to safely conduct dual flights, we did take a few steps in the right direction this weekend.

Three instructors – Bill, Alasdair & Charlie flew the 1-26, each getting some nice soaring flights. So we are working through getting the instructors current in gliders again (and therefore legal to conduct check flights), a necessary step before we can proceed to any Phase II opening. Swapping out also gave us the opportunity to work through our cleaning procedures for hand-over of equipment. Progress.

2-33 Assembly next on the list.

With VT allowing limited reopening of recreational activity businesses and non-profits (us) subject to their Play Smart Play Safe rules, yesterday saw the first day of operations under Phase I of NESA’s reopening plan. Phase I reopening is providing tows only for privately owned gliders.

We did 12 tows and everyone was able to get good multi-hour soaring flights self isolating in single place sailplanes. It’s a start. Thanks to all who showed up, Played safe and got the season started.

So, private ship owners, come on out and fly. Everyone else, hang tight – we will be monitoring the situation under Phase I for at least two weeks and will post updates whenever we determine that we can safely move to Phase II.

Weather permitting NESA will begin Phase I of its reopening plan with limited operations this weekend towing private ships only.

Everyone must wear a mask, observe social distancing guidelines and check in with the Health Officer for temperature and health questionnaire screening upon arrival. If we do not yet have you VOSHA training completion certificate on-file you must bring a hard copy with you.

Sorry no Spring check rides, dual instruction or club ship flying available as yet.

Please review the Club Rules and the Vermont rules and wear a mask if you are coming. Remember Vermont recreation reopening is limited – Arrive, Play (fly), leave. Please do not show up to socialize with fellow club members.

We are beginning cautiously, but we are beginning 🙂

The official decision has now been made to postpone the WSPA seminar until 2021 due to the COVID-19 situation. NESA looks forward to hosting the 2021 event.

Links to VT reopening guidance and required VOSHA training program, together with NESA’s phased re-opening plan and COVID related operating procedures have been added to the Member Resources section of the website:

Member Resources Page

The page is password protected. Use the same password you would for logging into the Instruction & volunteer sign-up logs etc. (N-number of Yellow 2-33).

All – Invoices went out today for SSA Dues for everyone renewing through the club under the SSA Chapter renewal program.

This years renewal period is 7/1/20 through 6/30/21. Those of you that joined the club more recently than last June or are participating in the chapter renewal for the first time and had an existing SSA membership expiring after 6/30/20 will see a prorated charge (rather than a full year) bringing your new renewal date to the 6/30/21.

The club must remit payment to the SSA to arrive by 6/5/20 to ensure all renewals are processed before expiry. We ask therefore that you please remit your payment promptly (by the 5/20 invoice due date) as for cash flow purposes we prefer to have received funds before having to remit funds to the SSA. Thanks for your help.