A return to the skies
Under Level 3, White Sheet is open for members to return to airborne operations.
Please keep in mind and adhere to all government rules relating to the coronavirus, social distancing and use of PPE etc
Further to this, WSRFC recommends a flightline maximum of 4 people at two meters apart to ensure continual communication amongst those flying.
Stay safe, stay well and enjoy flying again.
We are going to try the Spread Eagle at Stourton/Stourhead following the closure of The Somerset Arms at Maiden Bradley. Dates are:
January 8th
February 12th
March 11th
April 8th
May 13th
June 10th
July 8th
August 12th
September 9th
October 8th
November – pre AGM round-up – 12th
And of course, the AGM on Saturday 21st November at The Dolphin in Mere
Scale events had the best of the weather in 2019, but a few fab days flying were had. For 2020 we are also planning on running Fly-in days. We are still not sure what the difference between the two is, but just means more dates when we can meet up on The White Sheet!
Dates will be shown on the new 2020 calendar sent to everyone who renews, but for users of the interweb, here goes:
March 15th
April 5th
May 3rd, Fly-in on 17th
June 7th
July 5th, Fly-in on 19th
August 2nd
September 6th, Fly-in on 20th
Last Hurrah, sport and scale – October 18th
All subject to weather calls
We suggest that members use the BMFA to comply with regulations, it is available at https://rcc.bmfa.uk/rcc Copy and paste the link to the browser on your interweb and away you go
To do the test you will need, your bmfa number, your bmfa portal email address and your postcode
1/ access the above link and take the test if you do NOT have BMFA A / B test certificates (or equivalent LMA etc)
2/ take the on-line competency test via the above link.
3/ The on-line system gives you a list of any incorrect answers together with suggested corrections.
4/ Once passed, an email will be sent to you with a copy of your pass certificate.
5/ Download the certificate and then upload it onto your BMFA portal under the achievements section
If any members are experiencing difficulty, or can’t, do the online test, please let me know and we will do our best to assist.
We will have also to do two online opt-ins on the portal at some stage so that the BMFA can upload our data to the CAA.
Then pay your £9 registration fee to the BMFA together with your membership renewal, which remains unchanged from this year.
Mike Bleathman will send out a mailchimp email later to announce the dates/plans for the ‘A’ test day(s) to be held at White Sheet. Whilst we won’t get this done before the competency deadline of 30th November, it should obviate the need for repeat on-line test in the future.
Mike can be contacted at vice@whitesheet.org.uk
Committee changes
After much sterling service, Chris Lamming stood down as Chairman at the AGM, with Mike Bleathman now fulfilling the role of Vice Chairman and me picking up the Chair position. (contactable at chairman@whitesheet.org.uk)
We are extremely fortunate that Chris Williams, Den Larking, Ian Duff, Jess Nicholls and Stu Wallace offered themselves for re-election in their existing roles.
Full AGM minutes will be posted on the WS interweb in due course.
In other AGM news:
Last but no means least – Tech Support 2019, at the request of members, the Tech Support was awarded to Graeme Mahoney for the help and knowledge that he gives to all fliers.
Here are a few images from our recent Scale and Open Slopes events.
10:00 to 15:30
DLGs, Electric assist etc. Be prepared for anything.
As the present forecast is not looking ideal for the slope, we are preparing to run Open Slopes
as a part flat field event at White Sheet Down this Sunday, with electric assist and DLG’s etc.
Hopefully we will encounter thermals or wave lift off the slope as the day progresses.
Everyone is invited, with anything that glides, no hotliners please.
Assist to height only.
Don’t forget your sun cream, sun glasses, hat and water.
See you on the hill
Please note that the dates for the first scale event of 2019 and the March backup F3f date have been ammended and are not as advertised on the club events poster that has been sent out.
Please check the dates on the calendar and F3f pages, before setting out for Whitesheet
The correct, revised dates are
March 10th – Winter league F3f
March 17th – Scale fly in
Nearly thirty pilots turned up for the last Open Slopes event of 2018
What better use of the mound on top of Whitesheet’s SW bowl
Once again we got very lucky with the weather, though the conditions at times were quite light, but a great day of flying and larks was had by all
See you for more next year!
Here is a note from Graham Stallard, Chairman of TVSF
Finally the weather appears to be co-operating. I have left calling this on until closer to the time to save calling it off. The venue will be confirmed on Tuesday/Wednesday. However the forecast is NNE to NE so the probable venue is Watership Down NE bowl.
Attached is an updated brief (click here!) on location and directions.
Look forward to flying with you Thursday. Looks like a cracker so for.
Best Regards,
Graham Stallard.
