Chairman’s Message 19-02-23

Chairman’s Message 19-02-23

Dear Member,

A quick update from the HAC.

ADDITION TO OUTBRIEF
There is a minor addition to the Outbrief under the Flight Planning section. It simply states ‘Carb Icing Considerations‘. When you get to this line, it is a confirmation that you have:
–  Checked the Relative Humidity and OAT during your Met preparations.
–  Checked this data against the Carb Icing graph.
–  Considered preventative measures.
–  Considered EFATO actions.
–  Sought advice from Staff if required.

SECURITY
On 2 occasions recently, the Hangar Fire Escape (closest to the Fuel Compound) has been found open overnight. We believe this is caused by a worn-out locking mechanism. The door can be successfully closed but only from inside the Hangar. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our Hangar is kept secure – particularly, if the last to leave. Check – Do Not Assume! 

CZ OCCURENCE – LOCAL INVESTIGATION (LI)
My thanks goes to our Flight Safety Officer, Flt Lt Sammy Nassiri, for the completion of the LI. It will be circulated over the next few days. I would also like to thank Shane Sobral for his work as Deputy Flight Safety Officer. He has now relinquished this duty and we a looking for a successor for this interesting role. If YOU would like to be considered, please reply to this email.

100 AIRFIELD CHALLENGE
Have you landed at any airfield since 1 Jan 2023? If so, then claim your place on the 100 Airfield Challenge Board. Rules for this Challenge are displayed in the Planning Room.

IER2 DUTY GUIDANCE
A new book detailing the IER2 responsibilities is being produced and will be kept in the Ops Room book rack. All IER2 personnel are to familiarise themselves with its content at the start of their duty day. My thanks goes to Simon Greaves for his work coordinating IER requirements.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tue 7 Mar (1900hrs) – Where is MH 370? A fascinating talk by Dusty Miller.

Sat 25 Mar (1400hrs note time change) – SkyDemon Masterclass. A visit by the inventor of SkyDemon – Rob Hart.

Sun 2 Apr (1000hrs) – Spring Clean. Lots to do to get our Club ready for the flying season.

Finally, I would like to thank Adam Norton who has given up his Saturday afternoon to give G-HACS a thorough polishing. What have you done for your Club lately?

Stay Safe,

Mark

M T MANWARING
Air Cdre
HAC Chairman

Chairman’s Message 07-02-23

Dear Member,

This important update follows the HAC Committee Meeting on Thu 2 Feb and yesterday’s Membership renewal email from Mike Russell. Please take time to read and action the following:

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
With around 160 members and numerous categories of membership, the renewal process is complex. It requires you to carefully read and complete the paperwork as soon as possible. Please support Mike in this mammoth task!  Please note, there will likely be a waiting list for Associate Membership – the prioritisation will be conducted by the Exec Committee in late-Feb 23 and based upon potential Associate Members’ ‘contribution to the HAC’.

AIRCRAFT BOOKINGS & TIME KEEPING
For the next few months, the fleet size will be reduced. It is therefore critically important that:
–  You book only what is required to achieve your flight.
–  You arrive in plenty of time to prepare for your flight – pilots arriving at the start of their booked time may have their booking cancelled.
–  You ensure that your aircraft is ready to hand-over to the next pilot no later than the end of your slot.
Pilots booking a 3-hour slot and flying for a significantly lesser period are reducing the efficiency of our fleet which will only result in increased costs for everyone (or termination of membership).

BANK ACCOUNT CHANGE
The battle with the banking system to sort the new account has become intolerable! WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, all BACS payments are to go to:
Halton Aeroplane Club Ltd
40-08-39
21696793 
If/When the new account goes live, we will use it for ring-fenced finances such as social events. My thanks goes to Rob Churchward for his work in this matter.  We will continue to monitor the Barclays account which has been in use since the summer, but please remove this from your regular payments details.

G-HACS – DECISION TO SELL
After 10 years of ownership, the Committee has decided to sell the Tecnam Sierra. The full details will be presented at the AGM (9 May 23), but in short, a period of under-utilisation caused by Covid, unacceptable periods of down-time caused by unfamiliar engineers and spares available, and the bad luck with the half-life Rotax engine, has made the hourly break-even cost unaffordable. The plan is to consult with the RAF Benevolent Fund and Central Funds (who contributed 40% of the purchase cost) and advertise her for sale in early-March 23. We will require a cleaning party before then – details to follow. 

TONIGHT’S SOCIAL EVENT – 1900hrs
With an external speaker from the UK Border Force coming to present to us tonight, I look forward to seeing you all for pre-drinks at 1900hrs. Food is on order – please bring cash!

Stay Safe!

Mark
M T MANWARING
Air Cdre
HAC Chairman

Chairman’s Message 19-02-23

Chairman’s Update 03-02-23

Dear Member,

Our 2023 Social and Training Programme starts next week with:

UK BORDER FORCE – TUE 7 FEB – 1930hrs HAC CREWROOM

An Officer from the UKBF Intelligence Directorate is coming to the HAC to provide us with an update on General Aviation-related issues. All HAC members are expected to be the ears and eyes of Project Pegasus and this briefing will explain the threat that currently exists to the UK. This will be a brilliant start to the year – a full turn-out is required to host this visiting lecturer. Bar and Food will be available! 1900hrs pre-drinks.

See you next Tuesday,

Mark
M T MANWARING
Air Cdre
HAC Chairman

Chairman’s Message 19-02-23

Chairman’s Update 22-01-23

Dear Member,

I hope this note finds you well. I write to update you on changes to the managerial appointments within the HAC.

After 15 years of holding the appointment of CFI, Buster Jeffrey has decided to retire from flying instruction. I’m sure you will join me in saying a huge thanks for his dedication to the Club since starting his PPL training in 1997 and subsequent roles as Full-Time FI, DCFI and CFI. However, he will not escape that easily, I have stood-up a new post of Deputy Chairman which will be filled by Buster and see his continued contribution to the running of the HAC. He will continue to fly on his PPL, but will now have to pay for the privilege! 

With immediate effect, Steve Thorogood is appointed as the new CFI. Steve has provided excellent support as DCFI over the past years and will ensure a seamless transition as we head towards the busy flying season. 

With immediate effect, Deacon Brown is appointed as the new DCFI. As Full-Time FI, Deacon has supported Steve in many of the DCFI roles which makes him the natural choice. He will continue as Full-Time FI.

I send the entire team my congratulations and gratitude for their hard work.

And Finally… The Airfield is currently serviceable, although we are not sure how it will be after the ‘freeze’. Plus, the forecast for the next 2 weeks is mainly dry, so get booking and flying.

Stay Safe.

Mark
M T MANWARING
Air Cdre
HAC Chairman

 

Safety Update

Safety Update

The following is sent on behalf of the HAC Flight Safety Team – Flt Lt Sammy Nassiri and Flt Lt (Retd) Shane Sobral.  It delivers the initial findings of the Local Investigation of the G-BSCZ EFATO and subsequent field landing.  My thanks goes to them for this work.  All members are to read and consider the recommendations before flying next.

In addition, please note all members are now in the RED for the HAC FOB update detailed in the email dated 8 Jan 23.

————————————————————————————–

Dear HAC Membership,

As all of you now will be aware, on 7 Dec 22 G-BSCZ suffered a loss of power on take-off resulting in an off-site forced landing. Both occupants were unharmed. The HAC Flight Safety Team have subsequently begun a Local Investigation (LI) into the incident, and as we near completion of the LI have put together a summary below of the key points to keep you informed and promulgate some initial recommendations without delay.

The summary below will mirror the format of the LI so the full report and can be easily followed when released.

What Happened?

On 7 Dec 22 G-BSCZ was conducting circuits as part of an instructional event. The first circuit was conducted without incident. Following a touch & go on the second circuit the engine stopped producing power at approximately 200ft AGL. The instructor took control and committed to a forced landing in an off-site crop field approximately 120 degrees to the port side. After a successful touch down, the nosewheel dug into the soft surface causing the aircraft to turn over in a forward direction resulting in it coming to a halt upside down. The instructor successfully shut down the aircraft and both occupants exited safely. The emergency services attended the scene and both instructor and student were medically cleared.

Why Did it Happen?

On 7 Dec 22 the United Kingdom was experiencing a Polar Maritime air mass and its associated wet and cold air. At RAF Halton on 7 Dec 22 the outside air temperature was forecast to be 4°C, dew point 0°C, and relative humidity 90%. The actual air temperature at the time of the incident was 3°C and the dew point 0°C. These environmental conditions are considered a Serious Icing Risk for all Power Settings (see the CAA Safety Sense Carb Icing chart below). Another HAC aircraft airborne at the time also reported symptoms of carb-icing.

Given the environmental conditions on the day and the additional report of carb-icing symptoms, it is highly likely that Carburettor Icing was the Cause. An in-depth check of the Avgas installation (and all other aircraft tanks) to rule out fuel contamination of water was conducted and deemed satisfactory.

In light of the available Meteorological data for the day, additional report of carb icing symptoms, and absence of any other abnormalities, the HAC Flight Safety Team deem Carburettor Icing as the Cause.

Recommendations

Our formal recommendations will be published in the full LI on 13 Feb 23. In the interim however we make the following recommendations to the membership:

  • Re-familiarise yourself with the theory behind carb-icing and its associated symptoms. CAA Safely Sense Leaflet 14 provides excellent reading on Piston Engine Icing.
  • In particular be cognisant of the environment factors (temperature, dew point and relative humidity) that make carb-icing more likely – the carb icing poster is located at the Ops Desk.
  • Report any suspected carb-icing immediately to allow other crews to make informed decisions.
  • Think about where the best options for forced-landings exist and at what heights they become the best or only option as you climb.
  • Re-familiarise yourself with the bold-face EFATO actions for the aeroplane you’re flying.
  • Request an instructor to fly with you to rehearse an EFATO if required.

If you have any questions in the interim please do not hesitate to stay in touch, and stay safe.

Kind Regards,

Sammy

Flt Lt S Nassiri BA (Hons), PgCert, RAF | FSO | Halton Aero Club | RAF Halton | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire | HP22 5PG | Civ: 0129656178 |* MODNET: Sammy.Nassiri100@mod.gov.uk | * Internet: Sammy.Nassiri@haltonaeroclub.co.uk | HAC FS | CAA MOR | RAFSA VOR | ASIMS

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