03-03-21 Chairman’s Message to Members

03-03-21 Chairman’s Message to Members

by | Mar 3, 2021 | Events, Home page display, Membership, News, Operations Status, Training

Dear Member,

There is light at the end of the tunnel!  After yesterday’s CAA update and today’s RAF Halton Flight Safety Meeting, I am delighted to give you the following good news:

2021 RETURN TO FLYING DATES 

Wed 17 Mar – Instructors’ regain of currency.

Last Week of Mar Onwards – EBS Re-opens (this will follow a risk review by the Committee and will be notified to you by email).

Thu 1 Apr – Private Aircraft Owners’ regain of currency (solo flight only, monitored by Instructor.  If unable to attend on 1 Apr, the next opportunity will be 12 Apr).

Mon 12 Apr Onwards – 42-Day Currency Regain (licensed members in C-152 or PA-28 with HAC Instructor).

Mon 19 Apr Onwards – Start of ‘Normal Ops’ – from this date PPL/IMC instruction and solo flights after completing currency regain start (first date for dual flights with someone outside of your family bubble (other than an instructor) is not yet known).

Early May Onwards – JRPSS recommences

Mon 21 Jun Onwards – Nationally-anticipated ‘No Covid Restrictions’ date.

Tue 1 Jul – Party!

Details of the return to flying instructional package will be published soon and will be very similar to post-Lockdown One.  The new Out/In Brief will be sent to you for familiarisation in late-Mar.

ALL DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!

OTHER NEWS

– Station Passes – this will be managed by Mike Russell and Carl Finch.  However, there will be a backlog, so last year’s passes will be accepted until resolved.

– Car Passes not required to use car park outside of barrier.

– Work Projects on the Airfield include: Repairs to expansion joints on Dispersal and hard-standings, new barrier, repainting of road markings.

– The Airfield is in excellent condition.

– Station Ops will be manned 7-days a week from the start of flying.

– Hangar Aircraft Parking Plan – This will be reviewed and improved in early Apr.

We need to manage this return to flying in a structured and safe way. Please ensure that you read and understand all HAC emails which will contain important info to achieve a successful return to flying.

Stay Safe!

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

RAF Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme

RAF Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme

by | Sep 24, 2020 | Events, Home page display, News

Article by Mark Manwaring

The Halton Aero Club has been the main training provider for the Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship Scheme (JRPSS) since its start in 2015.  Over that time, the HAC has trained 30 junior members of the RAF to solo standard – this year, the HAC has been tasked with hosting 10 of the 35 scholarships awarded.

The Scheme is funded by the RAF Charitable Trust which primarily generates its charitable funds through the Royal International Air Tattoo.  The scholarships are awarded the very best of the applicants annually through a rigorous selection process.  The scholarships are conducted at RAF Flying Clubs and follow the first 15 hours of the LAPL Syllabus to solo standard.  Groundschool is also provided and scholars are expected to study for, and take, as many of the CAA exams as possible.  Each year, additional ‘Top-Up’ Scholarships are awarded to the best of previous years’ scholars to continue to completion of the LAPL.

The Scheme provides the RAF with tradesmen and women who are significantly more ‘air-minded’ than their peers and fantastic advocates of General Aviation.  In addition, 3 HAC graduates have successfully applied for commissioned flying service in the RAF as pilots and weapon systems officers.

Following a delayed Covid start, as at 22 September 2020, 5 scholars have commenced training at RAF Halton with 2 having solo’d (and more imminent!).  Our congratulations go to all scholars, past and present, and we look forward to continuing this life-changing training into the future.

03-03-21 Chairman’s Message to Members

Chairman’s update 20-07-20

by | Jul 21, 2020 | Events, Home page display, News, Operations Status, Training

(Message send on 20th July 2020)

HAC Update – Go Fly!

BOOKING IS NOW OPEN

Dear Member,

One week after we opened the EBS to Licence Holders to regain currency, we are delighted to announce that with immediate effect we are opening the flying schedule to all types of dual instruction.  So, if you are a PPL Student, please get booking.

There is plenty of instructor and aircraft availability right through until 12 Sep. Please do not book beyond that until we have incorporated the remaining Junior Rank Pilot Scholarship courses – you will be emailed when this happens.

Please note the following when booking PPL instructed flying:

Tue 21 Jul-Sun 16 Aug (inc) – Priority – 1. Instructed 42-day currency regain checks.  2. PPL Instruction.  3. Solo hire.

Mon 17 Aug-Sat 12 Sep (inc) – Book a maximum of one x 2hr slot per day.  Priority – 1. Junior Rank Scholarships.  2. Other Instruction.  3. Solo hire.

Book now!

Stay Safe and we’ll see you soon.

Regards,

Mark

M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

 

03-03-21 Chairman’s Message to Members

Message from the Chair

by | Mar 18, 2020 | Events, Membership, News

Dear Member,

 These are unprecedented times. We are currently following the guidance of ‘no gatherings of more than 10 people’ which has resulted in the following: 

POSTPONED – Inaugural Exped Meeting

We will continue to plan for the better times ahead, but meantime, IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY ON THE EXPED WHATSAPP GROUP and WISH TO BE PART OF THE EXPED please email me at mark.manwaring@haltonaeroclub.co.uk and you will be added.

POSTPONED – Spring Clean

We will notify you of an alternative way of getting our Fleet and Club ready for the season.  This will likely involve provision of equipment and jobs that can be done by individual volunteers that are looking to escape their household lockdown… However, until we know the size and shape of the next Government measures, please stand-by.

POSTPONED – Pre-Season Dinner

JK will be in touch next week with the alternate plan/arrangements.

On the Bright Side…

  1. Deacon and I inspected the Airfield yesterday and it has dried nicely.  Pending the next Government briefing, we might start flying again soon.
  2. The Fleet has been started and checked-over and all is good.
  3. G-HACS requires a 50hr Service – this will be done at RAF Halton.
  4. We have been allocated 10 Junior Rank/Officer Pilot Scholarship Schemes this year, plus a couple of ‘Top-Up’ Scholars.
  5. The Air Cadet Air Experience Flying Scheme is in the process of being reinstated for the HAC (and RAF Waddington and Cosford) – this is hugely exciting.  Stand-by for more detail.

We will keep you regularly updated on the impact of CV19 measures as they are announced.  Meantime, stay safe, there is lots to look forward to once this passes.

Regards,

Mark

M T MANWARING

Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

03-03-21 Chairman’s Message to Members

Chairman’s Message

by | Mar 15, 2020 | Events, Home page display, Membership, News

Dear Member,

 After a 4-month operational deployment to the Middle East, I have returned to find that my fear of missing out of flying over the winter months was unfounded!  Despite the continued storms and standing water, we have a fantastic flying year ahead of us and need to prepare for it now.  All members were sent a copy of the 2020 HAC Calendar – I would like to draw your attention to its next 2 events:

SAT 21st MAR – 1000hrs – INAUGURAL EXPED MEETING

In the HAC Crewroom and should only last around 90 minutes.  The 2020 Exped is planning to visit Poland and run between Sun 28 Jun-Sat 4 Jul.  This first meeting is designed to inform all interested members of the:

  • Aim of the Exped
  • Duties ahead of the event
  • Daily routine whilst down-route
  •  Anticipated flying, accommodation and other costs

If you are unable to attend the meeting but would still like to be considered for the event, email the Chairman at mark.manwaring2@ntlworld.com

SUN 29th MAR – 1000 – 1230hrs – SPRING CLEAN

This is a critical part of our pre-season preparation where all members of the Club are required to blitz the infrastructure and ensure that the Club aircraft are cleaned and protected ready for the flying season.  I cannot stress how important this 2 ½ hr commitment is – without this, we would be forced to have the aircraft professionally cleaned, adding cost and down-time.  The event will conclude with a lunch made to a 1940s RAF Night Flying Supper recipe.  Friends and family all welcome!  I will email again next week with a list of specialist equipment that might be useful on the day – meantime, please ring-fence these couple of hours to ensure your contribution to keeping the Club and its assets in top condition.

CORONAVIRUS

Please ensure that you are familiar with current UK Government advice and recognised symptoms.

Best Wishes,

M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

HAC Flyout Programme now published

HAC Flyout Programme now published

by | Feb 22, 2020 | Events, Flyouts, Home page display, News

A new page has been added under the Members menu area featuring the flyout programme for the 2020 season. We also have a new email address set up for messages relating to the flyout programme. flyouts@haltonaeroclub.co.uk.

The new page is available here: https://haltonaeroclub.co.uk/flyouts/ The page lists the schedule for the year and includes a form for you to express your interest in participating.

Visit the new page by clicking on the button below.

Visit the Flyouts page
Halton Aero Club
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