Latest from the Ops Office

PLOGBOOK LAUNCH

Please see separate PLOGBOOK Launch Post- link below.

FILMING

Filming will take place on the airfield and in Hangars 2 & 3 from 21st to 24th Oct.  Set up will take place from 17th Oct and strike down will be complete by close of play 28th Oct.  All HAC ac will be moved from H3 on Thu 16th Oct under Manners’ direction and returned to H3 on 29th Oct under my direction.

Flying will be allowed during the set up and strike down periods and, at the moment, instructed flying will be allowed up to 1200 on the filming days but this is to be confirmed nlt Wed 15th Oct.  Both HAC buggies will be parked in the garage between H2 & H3 from 16th Oct to 29th Oct.  the EBS has been amended to reflect the above.

TAXYING ROUTES

The airfield have asked that, as the airfield gets wetter as winter sets in, we use the published taxying routes by default unless the Duty AFM gives specific clearance to taxy direct to/from the hold from the apron.

SECURITY AND WILDLIFE REPORTING

There have been a number of minor incidents over the last few months that might be nothing but may indicate an increased security risk.  Just in case, would members be extra vigilant and report to the Ops Mgr anything you consider “unusual”.  Also, please report to the Duty AFM any wildlife sightings on the airfield so the effectiveness of the Wildlife Control Measures can be assessed.

WINTER WORKS PROGRAMME

If you have any suggestions for the upcoming Winter Works Programme, please pass them to me.

GRASS CUTTING

The grass cutting season ends on 31st Oct so the airfield will be open on Monday mornings from 1st November.  We are working with the airfield to develop a more flexible system for next year so not every Monday morning is blocked out by default.

Opsman Update – 18 Aug 25

1.  Please do NOT use the Master Copies of any documents in the Ops or Planning Rooms – eg Payment Sheets, W&B graphs etc. The new printer in the Planning Room is also a copier so please generate new copies if you use the last sheet.
2. Please use the printer in the Planning Room for essential printing of one or 2 pages – ie do not print a complete CAP document! -ink is expensive.
3. A gentle reminder about bookings.  It is unfair to other members to make multiple bookings for weeks ahead and makes my job of managing the ac fleet much harder  Please book only 2 future slots unless there is a very good reason to book more in which case please speak to Deacon or me first.
4. Please take heed of the new instructions on Oil usage and Recording in Hot Poop.
5. We are undertaking a review of all the ac performance documents on the website and paper versions in Ops Room to make sure they are complete, accurate and consistent.

Fleet

We are now back to 4 ac with RY having returned from her avionics upgrade on 2 May with 2 x G5s and a Garmin 430;  we have yet to sort out the database for the 430, but it is in hand and does not impact use of the ac for non IR flying.

Centenary Events

2025 is HAC’s Centenary.  In addition to the full social and events programme, there will be:

• A repeat of the 100 Airfield Challenge with a prize of 1 hr’s free flying for the member making the most landaways in a Club ac and 1 hrs free fuel for the Club member making the most landaways in a private ac plus other mystery prizes.
• A Centenary Day on 21 June during which we aim to have a HAC ac airborne continuously between 0900 and 2000. This will be followed by a BBQ for all members, family and friends in front of Hangar.
• An EXPED to Poland
• A Partners Fly out (to LFAT) 26/27July
• A presence at RIAT and Cosford
• A UK Mini Tour – aiming to get to the Scillies this time (4 – 7 Sep)
• A fly out to Stowe Maries (27 Sep)
• A Black-Tie Centenary Dinner in Oct/Nov. Unfortunately, HHOM will not be available due to structural issues, but a suitable alternative venue is being sought.
• Centenary logo’d merchandise. Initially Centenary Polo  Shirts & Hi Vis jackets.  Will be pre-order only.  Details to follow.. One Time Offer only.

Flight Records

Could all members make an extra effort to complete flight records (payment sheet and authorisation sheet) fully and accurately and include the correct reference on their BACS payment.  Unpicking omissions and errors takes me longer than it would take you to get it right!

RAFSA IFS Day, Benson 10 May 25

HAC deployed 2 ac (TM and GA) and 3 pilots (Dave Tester, Adam Norton and Paul BH) (plus our Chairman in his RV) to Benson on 10 May to support the RAFSA Initial Flying Scholarship Day.  On a very successful day we flew IFS Scholars for 6.8 hours and some of those who could not make the date  may come to us here at Halton in due course.  On of the scholars took the videos at this link  which give a flavour of the day.

Fly Out to Sleap 18 May 25

Our first fly out of the season was due to go to Bembridge, but was rescheduled to Sleap and was a great success.  Article to follow.

There is also an event at Sleap 11, 12 & 13 July (Sleapkosh25) that might interest you.  https://www.shropshireaeroclub.com/sleapkosh

Ops Mgr Update

Winter Work Programme

I am delighted to report that the Winter Work programme is almost complete!  The redecoration looks amazing (thank you Karl, Nigel & Arthur), the new carpet in the Planning Room has been laid (thank you Nigel Marshall, Jonathan Smith and Karl Smith), the tatty curtains in the Bar/Crew Room have been replaced by smart new roller blinds (thank you Jonathan Lee) and the new lighting throughout  is not only better for the eyes, but is more environmentally friendly (thank you Graham Bartlett).  With the excellent work put in on the Spring Clean (thanks to all attendees) we also have 3 very shiny aircraft, a freshly cleaned Fuel Compound, a repainted oil store (thanks Matt Scott), a spotless kitchen and shampooed carpet in the Ops and Crew Rooms.  Only the new Aircraft Cleaning Station remains to be done;  Deacon is coordinating that and would welcome a couple of volunteers to help – ideally including one with plumbing experience.

Propeller Tip Covers

How many of us have “bumped into” a prop tip in the hangar?  It might help if we had covers on the tips to a) make them more visible and b) soften the blow if you still walk into one!  Full length Prop Covers would be hard to make (and expensive to buy), but if anyone thinks they can design and make something to go over the prop tips, please get in touch with me and we can discuss funding the materials.

Cessna 152 Parking Brakes

It remains HAC policy that the parking brakes in the Cessna 152s are NOT used and that chocks are employed instead.  This is because the brakes have a tendency to stick and can be difficult to release.  Student Pilots will be instructed in the use of the parking brake, but only so that they are familiar with their operation.  Remember to take a nosewheel chock with you (secured behind the seats) if you are planning to land away.

Halton A/G Frequency

Halton A/G frequency wef 20 Mar 25 became 130.430 to make it 8.33MHz compliant.

Fire/IER Training

For those who were unable to attend the Fire Training session on 29th March, Dilshan is preparing 3 videos to cover Basic Fire Training, the 100l extinguisher and Basic IER Refresher.  These will be made available on the HAC website as soon as they are ready.

2025 Charts

The new 2025 1/2 million Charts (mandatory for flights in the UK) are available from my office at £19.50 each.  Fill out the sheet (so I know who has taken one!) and pay by account or BACS please.

Flying Rates

We regrettably had to raise the flying rates on 1 April.  Still the cheapest around – and probably the shiniest aircraft and smartest clubhouse too!

G-BPRY

We expect to collect RY from her winter upgrade at the end of this week.  She will have 2 x Garmin G5s and a Garmin 430.  Deacon will issue a briefing note on the use of the new kit, but allow yourself time to familiarise yourself with the ac before you next fly it.