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Folks, I am looking for some help to finish the new tie-downs. I’ll need at least 2 and probably 3 members help, hopefully a couple of our youth members. I will need someone familiar with the operation of the auger drill that the club has use of. I expect this will take about two hours. I’ll be arriving at the field around 11;00 am. John Lincoln
Folks, Don has received the Rudder Return Springs for the Pawnee. He does not have a time set up to install but I’m certain it will be soon, either Friday or Saturday. Weather for Friday, Saturday and Sunday don’t look to promising for flying so an extra day to install the springs shouldn’t be stopping any flying. John Lincoln
I wish to thank Don Grillo and Greg Tomczyk for their thanks to the presenters at our safety meeting. It was well and expertly done. Also thanks to those who performed the set up.
One correction to the tiedown situation needs to be made. There are still at least 3 more trailer tiedowns that need to be installed. The forecast looks like rain for the weekend but if the weather clears enough I would like to get that done on Saturday. If an earlier time works I am open to suggestions.
John Lincoln
If the weather holds as seems likely and flight operations are started please be aware that the regraded runway will need to be avoided. The contractor recommended at least one mowing and better to have more than one, before we use the regraded portion of the runway. Maybe mark the north edge of the regraded runway with cones. Also please remember there needs to be a briefing and a GSO. Mark is a good instructor and will run a safe operation. Spring check outs also require pilots to take and pass the wing runner course. So if we’re flying have a good time and let’s be safe out there. John Lincoln
Rich, Denny and others,
The cross country camp idea is a nice idea but we have the Proving Grounds cross country training aid in the club and there hasn’t been much, (any) interest in it. So I dismiss cross country training as a reason the 1-26C is underutilized. The 1-26C had been in the hangar and then tied down no farther than most of the other ship so I’m not sure that ease of access to the “C” is an issue either. Getting the “C” out probably is an issue if no one else is likely to fly it later. And we do have a 1-26 that has been closer to the line than the “C” which also has had an effect.
I don’t believe being farther away next year will be as big an issue as I think I’m hearing because I have always seen us use a golf cart to get any ship out from it’s tie down location to the line. Yes it will take a few minutes longer but not an egregious amount of extra time.
Cost. Liability insurance per single place ship is $700, Annuals for single place ships is $250. There are also some maintenance charges too. The “C” had 4 flights last year. The club is covering $237.50 per flight to keep this ship in the fleet.
I have not flown the “C” and only flown the other 1-26 once or twice and that before I bought my Ventus. That said I am also sensitive to the clubs needs for aircraft. I do believe that having plenty of aircraft available for our members is very important. That said if the utilization is as low as it has been it is abundantly clear to me that we have more ship than we have a need for. (At least at this time.)
The board has more responsibilities than just having ships available for the members. Looking out for the long term viability of the club’s finances is also our responsibility. Keeping more ships than are utilized isn’t prudent from the financial point of view. While the club has plenty of cash as of today we are running in the red and are always looking for ways to reduce the negative cash flow. There is already a 1-26 in the club so having two seems excessive to me and the board.
Finally the board has concerns about the Krosno and is looking to replace it. Having more cash will make that process a bit easier.
Sincerely,
John Lincoln
Rich,
The gate might have been left open by Mike Kartowicz while he was working on the runway. Thanks for noticing and letting us know.
John Lincoln
Andy,
Thanks for the video. That was a nice surprise as I didn’t know anyone was filming for us. And thanks to whom ever did the filming. John Lincoln
Hello from Lincoln,
Indeed it was a nice day. The sunny skies stuck around until about 3:30. There were Cu’s and the lift was up to 4 knots, and it seemed to be plentiful. Jim Hopkins and I had a very nice 1:10 flight and got up to 3,200 AGL. Jim pointed out thinks on the ground and a few landing strips near SSI that I hadn’t ever recognized before.
I had two very nice flights with members this year, this one and a flight earlier with John Osborn. It’s kind of nice to have a back seater to talk with while flying.
It turned out to be a good day for our last for this season. The runway will close tomorrow. Thank you to all who helped yesterday, to all who have helped throughout the year and a VERY BIG thank you to all of you who have worked on and maintained our fleet. Your help and work is what keeps us all flying.
John Lincoln
The final brief. Same as yesterday except that the sunny skies depart at noon to 12:30 and the wind is now northeast 6 to 9 knots. Looks like we will need a tow pilot. I’ll be out around 11. And isn’t it wonderful to see that photo of John Scott and his bride with his 1960’s vintage (and modified) LK-10A. Oh yes I guess there is an old Oldsmobile Bonneville in that shot too!!! John Lincoln
Thursday’s brief. Pretty much the same as yesterdays forecast except now mostly sunny until around 1 pm. Lift is also back up to 2.5 to 1,790′ agl. Still an ok day if it’s our last. I’ll send one more report tomorrow. John Lincoln
Today’s brief. Saturday still looks flyable but no longer sunny. A high layer of clouds are now forecast along with a lower high temperature of 47 degrees. Winds are now north-northeasterly to northeast at 5 to 9 knots. lift is still forecast but now only up to 2.1 knots. I’ll follow the forecast and continue to report. John Lincoln
