M-ASA Convector Newsletter Copyright 2015 July 2015 1 | P a g e
Out West with Aeolus Cathy Williams
In This Issue:
1… Out West with Aeolus, Mike Smith
2… From the Board, Mike Smith
3… Hold Above Fairfield, Brian LaBorde
5… M-ASA Publicity at Udvar-Hazy, Glenn Collins
6… New M-ASA Members
7… News
8… Upcoming Events
9… Club Racing News, Rick Fuller
10… Soaring with Roger, Part 2, Mike Smith
13… Duty Schedule, Ricardo Cibotti
14… For Sale and Wanted
Banner Photo Fetching gliders, fetching sky—Beaver, Utah. Photo courtesy Cathy Williams.
2015 1-26
Nationals,
Minden, NV.
Photo Gary
Swift.
Hello from Cathy Williams and James Joao. We just had 4 fantastic days
of soaring out of Beaver Utah. Joined a group out of San Diego called The
Skid Row Gang. See attached picture of some of the "gang" waiting for a
tow. Nine 1-26s having a ball! Saw 15.8 knots on the vario at
times. Spent quite a bit of time cruising at 80-95 mph while climbing -
often while trying to avoid 18000'. Not something I experience often in
the 1-26. The mountains are spectacular and the fields more frequent
then I expected. Flew up to Nephi yesterday and down to Parowan and
Cedar City a few days ago.
James is great crew. He had a Grob flight when we stopped at Moriarty on the way to Beaver. No 2 place available at Beaver. Now we are driving to Minden and the 1-26 Championships. Practice and contest are June 30-July 8. Should be back at Fairfield by mid-July.
Newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association, Inc. http://www.midatlanticsoaring.org July, 2015
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Whom to call…
M-ASA Club Officers and Directors:
President – Mike Smith
Vice President – Bob Jackson
Secretary – Holland Ford
Treasurer – David Pixton
Director – Mike Smith
Director –Preston Burch
Director – Willy Hackett
Director – Bob Jackson
Director – Dave MacVeigh
Safety Officer: Paul Rehm
Membership Chair: Steve Shelton
Duty Scheduling: Ricardo Cibotti
Chief Instructor: Dave Weaver
Chief Tow Pilot: John Machamer
Convector Editor: Erik Nelson
Website Manager: Wayne Elseth
For Godfathers and other support staff,
please visit www.midatlanticsoaring.org.
New Members We would like to welcome more new members to MASA, Glenn McNatt, Jeff Schwartz, and Andrei Schwartz. Please introduce yourself to them and make them feel welcome when you see them at the field. Tow Planes The issues with the towplanes have been resolved. The vent on 58L has been modified slightly and all indications are that the venting system is working as it should. 99Z was taken over to Charles Bender to have the exhaust inspected. He found a crack in one of the pipes. The exhaust was sent out and repaired, and also to have the exhaust pipe extended. Charles has re-installed and checked the exhaust. He also did some fabric repairs and installed rubber stoppers (like 58L) to keep the fabric from being damaged by the window handle. He repainted the fabric and the red stripe where the repairs were made. With these issues taken care of, I’m hoping we’ll get a break from unexpected maintenance for a while. Board Meeting The board is planning to meet on Saturday the 11th of July. If you have any issues that you think
the board should be aware of, please try to attend.
See you at the airport!
From the Board Mike Smith
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Hold Above Fairfield Brian LaBorde
As many of you know from talking to me I am also an
instrument rated pilot and love getting into any aircraft
cockpit I can. Two weeks ago a friend of mine who owns a
beautiful Columbia 350 (N6502A) asked me to be his
spotter pilot while he worked under the hood staying
current on his instrument rating. I of course quickly agreed
and we planned to fly from Lancaster to Hagerstown and
back.
Since he was under the hood he was of course shooting a
complete IFR practice approach and choose the ILS 27
shown here.
The day was VFR with partial overcast and ceilings around
4500’ AGL. We were cleared to the initial approach fix
(HAIGS) and decent to 4000’. All of this is fairly standard for
a full ILS approach. What became unusual, especially for a
VFR day was when Potomac Approach asked us to hold as
published at the HAIGS intersection to wait for other traffic
to clear.
Ironically earlier as we boarded for our flight I asked my friend if we could divert over W73 so I could see
if anyone was rigging to fly given the weather. He said he had already filed and that would not work.
So imagine my surprise upon entering the entry hold that I was circling right over Fairfield at 4000’! I had
no idea that there was a published navigation point much less a hold that close to the airport. It is also
noteworthy that these holds are not usually published on the VFR charts.
For illustration purposes I
overlaid the IFR plate over the
VFR sectional which shows W73
/ Fairfield and the hold position.
As you can see the hold point is
just of the north corner of the
airport.
Ok, ok… I know what your
response is, and I heard it when mentioning it to some at the airport this past weekend. “Brian, when
they are IFR we will not be flying!” While in general true the risk is still there. Saturday and Sunday were
completely overcast and there were a few gliders flying. Flights were mostly the club Grob ships that
were working students. Saturday in particular there was lift to be found with a deck around 4000’. If you
are a glider near cloud base, legally flying 500’ below cloud base, and a jet pops out of the clouds onto
the hold flying IFR then it could quickly become an issue.
W73/Fairfield
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Mel Donahoo fixing 2GB’s electrical issues. Photo Ricardo Cibotti.
I am writing this to simply raise the awareness of the members, not to change anything we are doing. If
flying on an overcast or partially overcast day then it is possible for instrument traffic to descend out of
the clouds onto the hold point north of the field. Be aware and possibly give a little more than 500’
vertical clearance to hedge your bets.
Fly safe!
Brian LaBorde (Bravo Lima)
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Glenn’s DG draws a crowd at the
Smithsonian. Photo Jeff Rose.
M-ASA Publicity at Udvar-Hazy
I wanted to send out a short note expressing my thanks to Li Cao, Rich Matheus, Chris Ruark, Paul
Rehm, Jeff Rose and Steve Shelton. These guys all came out Saturday to help display OB at the 2015
Innovations in Flight family day at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. It was a long day which started with
a sprinkle or two. But overall the weather held and a fine event was held. Museum attendance for the
day was just over 15,200.
Glenn Collins
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64G discovered some
rather soft spots
underfoot when landing
after recent heavy rain…
Photo Andrew Crabb.
New M-ASA Members
Jeff and Andrei Schwartz
Hello All. We have met a few folks at the airfield so far, but wanted to introduce ourselves to the wider club. My son (Andrei) and I (Jeff) joined up a few weeks ago and are having a great time learning to soar. I have had a power rating for a few years now and am looking for to the challenge of this add-on. Andrei (14) is taking flying lessons for the first time. We're looking forward to meeting more of you. Seems like a great club.
Glenn McNatt
He is a journalist with the Baltimore Sun and soloed a 2-33 and 1-26 back in the 80's but never received
his rating. He joined our club to complete his training and get his glider rating. Glenn Collins has
volunteered to be his instructor.
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News
In Memoriam -- Leo Buckley
Condolences to Pat Buckley and her family on the passing of her husband, Leo Buckley, Jr. at home in
Salem, Virginia on June 16. Leo was a kind and talented man, and well known in local and national
soaring circles. He was a key founding member of Blue Ridge Soaring Society in New Castle, and had
become an integral part of sailplane racing in our country as a longtime scorer and contributor. He was
the official scorer at the 2012 World Gliding Championships in Uvalde, Texas, and remains a favorite at
M-ASA for lending his unsurpassed skill, patience, and professionalism to the Region 4 North Contest
these last few years. He will be sorely missed. Memorials can be made to The Cloud Fund, named after
BRSS tow pilot Jeff Cloud, who helped establish the fund to support and assist young people in their
desire to learn to fly gliders. Checks payable to “The Cloud Fund,” mail to Kevin Kochersberger, 102
Highland Circle, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
Mandatory Glider Transponder Proposal
From the SSA:
The FAA will consider new safety
requirements for certain aircraft
known as gliders that do not have
engines or motors. Gliders would
be required to use transponders to
identify their position in the air
under the advance notice of
proposed rulemaking from the
FAA. Proponents of the rule say it
would increase airspace safety.
The rules come at the request of
members of Congress following a
collision between an airplane and
a glider. The public has 60 days
to comment ending on
8/17/2015. http://bit.ly/1IG0oJI
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Bob Jackson and the “new”
58L. Photo Peter Kern.
Upcoming Events
U.S. Standard and 15-Meter Nationals Harris Hill, NY July 24 – August 4
Practice July 24 and 25, contest July 26-August 4. Contact: Rebecca Murphy, (607) 742-4213.
http://www.harrishillsoaring.org and http://www.ssa.org/Contests?cid=2256
Region 4 South Contest New Castle, VA September 20-26
In September the Blue Ridge Soaring society will host its 33rd Annual Regional Contest. Due to the size
of our facility we must limit our field to 42 entrants. The Classes will be: Standard, 15M and 18M.
Contest dates are September 21 thru 26, with official practice day of Sept. 20. Please be sure to submit
your application prior to the July 23 preferential deadline. Contact Patty Smith, (540) 384-7226.
http://www.brss.net/r4s_contest
Region 4 North Contest Fairfield, PA October 11-17
Come fly the beautiful and historic Gettysburg area of Pennsylvania and enjoy the possibility of thermal,
ridge and wave flights amidst the autumn colors. Practice October 10, contest October 11-17. Classes:
Standard, 15-Meter, 18-Meter, Sports. Contact Mary Nelson, (540) 535-1275.
http://www.ssa.org/Contests?cid=2328 and http://www.midatlanticsoaring.org/?page_id=40
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Reflections of 9S. Photo Chris Ruark.
Club Racing News Rick Fuller
The local news reminded me that we’ve had the wettest spring, with over 10 inches of rain, since 2008.
That was reaffirmed when my daughter said during a recent visit that our “Your front yard looks like a
jungle”. It was again confirmed when Rich Carlson and I agreed to land in the grass on 33L during my
flight review and proceeded to roll about 50 feet leaving the Astir caked in mud. The soaring conditions
have been less than…well…soarable this year. While we have had great opportunities for training
flights, we flew no Task Day flights in June. Hopefully the soaring gods will let the sun shine in and make
up for the lost days before the end of the season.
Task Day scores are listed at http://www.midatlanticsoaring.org/?page_id=3098.
1-26 Championships
Keep your eyes on the 1-26 National Championships being held this year at Minden, NV, July 2-9. Cathy
Williams is competing in her Schweizer 1-26B nicknamed “Aeolus.” The link to the championship results
is here: http://www.ssa.org/Contests?cid=2308&display=results
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Flying with Roger, Part Two Mike Smith
M-ASA President Mike Smith checks in from the US Open Class National Soaring Championships in
Hobbs, New Mexico, where’s he flying with Roger Buchanan in the jaw-dropping, two-place, 26.5
meter AS-H 30Mi:
Greetings from Hobbs. I’ve been watching the Eastern weather from a distance and I thought you might like to see some more inviting weather pics. We’ve had 3 really nice days of soaring. Roger and I are learning a lot and figuring out how to make his ’30 go faster. First photos are Big Springs Texas. If you zoom in you’ll see all the windmills. Last one is SS (Ron Tabery). He looks far away but he really was within 100 yards when I snapped the picture.
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2015 Duty Schedule Assignments
Date Operations Director (OD) Tow Pilot Assistant OD (AOD)
07/03/2015 Jim Lewis Gordon Daniel Andrew Crabb
07/04/2015 Rick Fuller Peter Hackett David Brunone
07/05/2015 Mike Higgins Bob Jackson Jacob Anderson
07/11/2015 Guy Pfeffermann Wayne Elseth Kai Rasmussen
07/12/2015 Brian LaBorde Glenn Collins Bob Whitehead
07/18/2015 Don Emert Pete Welles Edward Morgan
07/19/2015 Mehrdad Bayat Bob Andrew Edward Sauble Jr
07/25/2015 Kent Waymire David Pixton Kristina Waymire
07/26/2015 John Mitchell Buddy Denham Jeffrey Ezell
08/01/2015 Ben Mwendwa John Machamer Jeff Schwartz
08/02/2015 John Slifer Jim Chick Ralph Beidelman
08/08/2015 Peter Kern Peter Hackett Donald Bonsteel
08/09/2015 Mark Segall Gordon Daniel Alan Fullerton
08/15/2015 Jim Hogue Bob Jackson Victor Torhonen
08/16/2015 Kolie Lombard Glenn Collins Paul Jr. Nassetta
08/22/2015 Michael Hearn Pete Welles John Ulvelstad
08/23/2015 Peter Blacklin Bob Andrew Li Cao
08/29/2015 Mark Philip David Pixton Riley Campbell
08/30/2015 Mike Vance Buddy Denham Kristina Waymire
M-ASA Duty Notes: Members assigned to operations duty must be on site in enough time to start operations by 10:00 a.m. and stay at the field until operations are concluded. Each person listed on the duty roster is responsible for that day’s assignment. In the case of “no-shows,” the person acting as OD should indicate this fact on the flight sheet. “No-shows” will be fined $100. Every effort will be made to accommodate the new member’s stated duty preference whenever possible. M-ASA Scheduler: Ricardo Cibotti ([email protected]; 301-229-2407).
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Wanted: ILEC SN-10. Have one sitting on the shelf unused? Let's
talk. Mike Higgins 301-788-6612.
M-ASA and Region 4 North Contest Merchandise Hats, short & long sleeve t-shirts, polo shirts, and sweatshirts in various colors and sizes. Contact Mary Nelson at [email protected] or 843-907-0738.
Hangar Syndicate I am willing to invest in a share of a new hangar, so as
to house my assembled Ka8, if a few others join me, so that together we can build a hangar that meets our needs. Please let me know if you are interested enough to figure out the math of how much it would take to build such a basic hangar. Guy Pfeffermann, [email protected] Luscombe Tail Dragger club has openings. FDK Luscombe, a KFDK
based Luscombe club is looking for additional members. We keep the
membership to 6 members so that the aircraft is available when you want to
fly. Get your conventional gear time in a Luscombe 8E. Contact Wayne
Elseth 443-718-9359 [email protected]
Janus (4S) – Silent Soarers Inc. has corporate shares available. Glider is
currently hangared at Fairfield. Low cost access to an excellent high performance two-seat sailplane. 39:1 L/D with outstanding climb characteristics. Completely refinished prior to the 2010 season. Basic instruments, MicroAire radio, oxygen, trailer. Intent is to maintain corporate shares at 8 to ensure sailplane availability. Contact Glenn Collins ([email protected]) or Tom Jones [email protected])
For Sale, and Wanted…