Dear Member,

I hope you are keeping safe and looking forward to the Bank Holiday Weekend (again!).  Please take time to read and note the following:

STAND-IN OPS MANAGERS

Adnan is enjoying a well deserved family holiday and will be away until early June 22.  In the meantime, Simon Roberts and Mike Russell have kindly volunteered to keep the office ticking-over.  Over this period there will some admin functions that we do not have the capacity to perform.  The team will prioritise the pure Ops functions and Adnan will catch up on the balance on his return.  The remainder of HAC Staff will fill the gaps where possible.  Please be patient!

SPRING CLEAN – SUN 8th MAY 22

This is an important day in preparing for the coming season – it also helps us to keep our prices as low as possible. Full details (jobs, equipment, etc) will be circulated next week, meantime please ring-fence 1000-1230hrs in your diaries for that day.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – TUE 10th MAY 22

A great opportunity to understand how we have coped and emerged from this terrible Pandemic. Also to look at the future of RAF Halton, the HAC and what your part will be.  The Agenda will be circulated by Fri 6th May – Members’ Agenda Items should be sent (no later than midday Wed 4th May) to mark.manwaring@haltonaeroclub.co.uk

FLEET UPDATE

C-152s – There is a global shortage of Lycoming parts and both of our U/S C-152s are being impacted by this.  We are in weekly contact with our engineers and will report any news once known. 

G-EDGA is heading towards TBO on its engine. I am awaiting confirmation of securing the only ‘exchange’ engine in the country – more to follow soon. 

The Tecnam is serviceable and has good availability.  Why are you not qualified on type?  Steve Thorogood is waiting for you…

JUNIOR RANKS PILOT SCHOLARSHIPS (JRPSS)

This is a good news story.  The HAC has been rightly recognised with the allocation of 1/3 of the Scholars from the entire 2022 Scheme.  The first is likely to start in June – please make them welcome.  

See you on the 8th May.  Stay Safe.

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

Dear Member,

A quick update on the day we celebrate the 104th Anniversary of the formation of the RAF and start the new HAC membership year (with snow!).

IN THE RED

All members have been placed in the RED for the following:
> Halton AOB – With effect from 1 Apr 22, ADSB-based Electronic Conspicuity (EC) is mandated for all Halton-based aircraft flying from RAF Halton.  This includes all HAC and private SEP, microlights and gliders. 
> HAC FOB – With effect from 1 Apr 22 there are changes to weather limits for Self-Authorising Pilots (to consult with staff prior to authorising) and dual check requirements for all Pilots of HAC Fleet Aircraft.

Both orders are attached, printed for viewing next to the T-Card board and incorporated in the relevant books. 

WED 6th APR – 1915hrs – SKY ECHO SOCIAL EVENING

The chosen ADSB EC unit for the HAC is the SKY ECHO 2.  All pilots are to demonstrate a good understanding of the system – this is the ideal opportunity to learn about this mitigation against the mid-air collision risk.  Also a good opportunity to reunite with your HAC, HMC and CGC colleagues and friends.  See you there.

BIG THANKS

Our thanks goes to Nigel Marshal for his professional repair of the front door to the HAC.  Without Nigel and our other volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to the maintenance and improvement to Club facilities, we would not enjoy the smart infrastructure or our team ownership atmosphere.  What has been your contribution recently?

APRON REPAIRS

The Apron has been subject to a major investment through repair works (which are ongoing).  As a result, we can look forward to a FOD-free environment.  However, for the time being, all pilots are to monitor the surface for stones which should be picked-up and placed into a FOD bin (not thrown onto the grass or surrounding area).  Also remember to transition from concrete/grass/concrete at the minimum power setting possible.

RENTAL PRICES

Due to an increase in fuel and insurance costs, new rental prices are in place today.  However, at: C-152/£124, Tecnam/£139 and PA-28/£150, we remain broadly similar to other RAFSA Clubs and excellent value compared to the commercial sector.  We will continue to monitor these overheads. 

MEMBERSHIP

My thanks goes to Mike Russell for his work as Membership Sec.  Our membership sits at a recent high and bodes well for a productive year of PPL/LAPL training, Junior Ranks Pilot Scholarships, IR(R) training, Exped and continuation/recreational flying.  I am meeting with the new volunteer Social Sec(s) tomorrow and will soon announce a social programme for the Spring onwards. 

Stay Safe!

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

Dear Member,

A quick update from the HAC.

Ops Flight

Our thoughts are with Sarah Hindley and Mark Devlin who have tested positive with Covid.  We wish them a speedy recovery.  Their absence will likely have an impact upon the ‘IER 1’ requirement from Mon 21 Mar onwards (the weekend will be covered by the Duty Airfield Managers).  Any restrictions to our flying programme will be circulated by Adi on Sunday.  A reminder that standard precautions apply to anyone that has come into close contact with Sarah or Mark in recent days.

Social Programme

My thanks goes to the 3 members that have volunteered to take on the Social Sec role following a recent HAC Update email.  As we emerge from the Pandemic (stand-fast the above!), this role will be important in maintaining the team spirit of the HAC.  At last night’s Committee Meeting, we discussed social plans for the rest of the year – these will be circulated once the Social Sec team is ready.

RAF Air Sports – Safety

In my primary role as the RAF Inspector of Flight Safety, I attended the RAF Air Sports Air System Safety Working Group this week.  This meeting enables the Air Officer Commanding 22 Group (who is responsible for all risks associated with RAF Air Sports) to categorise the risks as ‘low as reasonably practical’ and therefore, ‘tolerable’.  I am delighted to say that the RAF Sport Aircraft (our governing body) Air Safety Management System (ASMS) is the most developed and an exemplar to all RAF Air Sports.  It must be recognised that this ASMS is written by our Flight Safety Officer (Flt Lt Carl Jenkins) and is based upon the long-standing safety procedures of the HAC.  

2021-22 Season

Despite not restarting flying until mid/late Apr 2021, we have had a brilliant year with a flying rate around 20% above pre-Covid.  My sincere thanks goes to your Committee who give up significant amounts of time, without reward, to ensure that we have not only survived the Pandemic, but emerged stronger.  The staff who go above and beyond their Terms of Reference. And of course, the many members show fantastic commitment by volunteering to conduct the myriad of behind the scenes tasks that enables our success – you are recognised and appreciated.  Keep up the brilliant work.

Stay Safe!

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

Dear Member,

Lots of important information from the HAC!  Please take time to read.

HAC SOCIAL – WED 6th APRIL

I am delighted to announce the first HAC Social since the start of the Pandemic. Mike Tetlow (former HAC member) will be giving a very timely presentation on the ‘Sky Echo 2’ Electronic Conspicuity (EC) device.  Use of ADSB-based EC is mandated from RAF Halton on 1 Apr 22 and this evening will provide a fantastic opportunity to learn about out chosen product.

FLEET NEWS

KI – We have ordered a zero-timed Lycoming O-235 for KI which should be delivered for fitting in approximately 4 weeks.

SPRING CLEAN – SUN 8th MAY (1000-1230hrs)

Put this important date into your diaries now.  This event prepares our fleet and infrastructure for the coming season.  In addition, it helps to combat corrosion on our aircraft and adds a couple of knots in the cruise!  A list of tasks (as well as specialist tools such as a carpet cleaner) will be published nearer the time.  YOUR Club needs you – please be there.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

The process of membership renewal is running to schedule and my thanks goes to Mike Russell for completing this complex task.  To manage expectations, we are oversubscribed for Associate Members and will almost certainly have a waiting list.

FUEL PRICES

You will have noticed the forecourt prices rocketing over the past 2 weeks – the same is happening with aviation fuel.  We saw a 20p/litre (+VAT) rise in wholesale prices in just one day this week – to put this into perspective, that one rise alone has added £6/hour to the operating cost of GA!  Unfortunately, this increase will need to be reflected in hire costs.  We will monitor the situation and make the change on 1 Apr 22.

MOGAS TRANSITION TO UL91

Over the coming weeks we plan to replace MOGAS with UL91 due to lack of a suitable MOGAS supplier.  The prices are broadly similar (stand-fast current rises) and UL91 has a number of vapour-lock and hygroscopic advantages.  We will continue to use AVGAS for Lycoming-engined aircraft.  UL91 will be used for Rotax-engined aircraft.

BENSON MET OFFICE

I recently conducted a Flight Safety visit to RAF Benson in my primary role.  Whilst there, I took the opportunity to call into the Met Office and personally thank them for the time and effort that they take on producing a bespoke forecast for RAF Halton.  They were delighted at the feedback on the accuracy of the forecast, having always wondered what happens to it after the FAX machine has transmitted!  We are incredibly lucky to have this facility which is largely generated through goodwill.  I plan maintain a relationship with them by inviting them to the HAC over the coming months.

FLYING ORDER BOOK (FOB)

The update to the HAC FOB is complete and it is currently at Station Reprographics for printing.  A separate email will be sent providing a link to a PDF version over the next few days.

Stay Safe!

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman