9-05-21 Chairman’s Update

9-05-21 Chairman’s Update

by | May 9, 2021 | Home page display, News, Return to Flying, Safety

Dear Member,

Congratulations to everyone that enabled the fantastic return to flying. The past month has been so productive, that 2 aircraft of the fleet have already required 50 hour services! The Tecnam and 3rd C-152 will be returned to flying over the next 2 weeks.

Please read the following important updates:

Drones in the ATZ

You will have seen the Hot Poop regarding illegal drone activity which followed Deacon’s Airprox last weekend. Please remember and follow these actions should you see a drone in the Halton ATZ:

1. Fly the aircraft.
2. When safe, report the position on Halton Radio with reference to ground features (for example “over the centre of Aston Clinton at approximately 800 feet”).
3. Avoid further overflying of the sighted position.

Halton Ops will alert the RAF Police who will dispatch a vehicle to spot the drone. If sighted, they will call Thames Valley Police, who will deploy a patrol to identify the operator. If you spot a drone outside the ATZ (above 400′) report details of the sighting to HAC staff after landing. Unless we act upon illegal drone activity, it will continue.

Aircraft Engine Oil

With immediate effect, C-152s and the PA-28 will use Aero Shell 15W50 multi-grade oil. This has significant benefits for engines over previous single-grade oil, particularly during start-up. Adi has asked me to remind you to use the complete bottle when topping up. Only top-up when the level is:
C-152 – 4.5 Quarts (thus topping up to 5.5)
PA-28 – 5.0 Quarts (thus topping up to 6.0)
Do not overfill the oil sump, severe engine damage may result. Do not leave part-used bottles of oil. Be meticulous in pouring the oil to avoid spillage.

ALL STUDENTS – CAA E-Exams

All CAA exams are now completed on-line at the HAC. Before taking any exam, you must first set-up an account – do not leave this until the day of your exam! Instructions are here: CAA Registration Guide
The sign-up Link is here: https://portal.caa.co.uk/
All JRPSS Scholars are to be registered before starting training.

Looking Forward

As Covid restrictions ease, we will be looking at what is Covid-safe to take place during the summer and beyond. It will understandably but a low-key year, but we will aim to maximise the opportunities. Details will be promulgated over the coming weeks.

Stay Safe and Fly Safe.

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

9-05-21 Chairman’s Update

07-04-21 Message from the Chairman

by | Apr 7, 2021 | Home page display, News, Operations Status, Return to Flying, Safety, Training

Dear Member,

Please note the following:

PPL Instruction

The booking system for 42-Day Currency Regain flying has been filled and slots remain available.  Therefore, PPL Instruction is available from 12 Apr onwards – students, start booking!

JRPSS

All JRPSS Scholars will be contacted separately over the next week.  Please have some dates available to start/recommence your flying training.  Start thinking about Medical renewals.

Signature Sheets & T-Cards

Due to lack of recent flying, there has been no updates to any of the Flying Order Books.  Your signature will therefore be for the extant orders.  The Membership Sec will write to you soon with details of how to return to the Green.

Future Dates

We are working on calendar of events that will include Covid-compliant Late-Spring Clean, Fly-Outs, UK Exped and a limited Social Programme.  Details to follow.

Meantime, get current, get training, get flying and Stay safe!

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman 

9-05-21 Chairman’s Update

28-03-21 Message from the Chairman

by | Mar 30, 2021 | Home page display, Membership, News, Operations Status, Return to Flying

Dear Member,

British Summer Time is here and we are now just 2 weeks away from the long-awaited return to flying. Over the next few days you will be sent a link to a new password-protected page on the HAC Website. This will contain the mandated pre-study before you fly and will include:

‘Clued Up’ Magazine – Time to get Going. This brilliant publication covers every topic you will need to consider.

GASCO Presentation – Sit back and watch this 20-minute interactive video presentation.

HAC Instructors Guide – 2021 Return to Flying. A slimmed-down guide to how we will return you safely to solo flying, plus some self-assessed questions for you to check your readiness.

New Out/In Brief – for familiarisation.

Flying Order Books – for re-familiarisation.

Confirmation that the EBS is open for booking.

PPL Students should also conduct this reading before re-commencing training – it will pay dividends on your next lesson.

Safety Meeting – Thu 25 Mar 2021

At this meeting we reviewed all Covid and Flight Safety-related topics and determined that we will be ready to resume operations on 12 Apr.  Main Headlines:

–  Return to flying package as detailed above.

       >  The approach is to ‘coach and refresh’.  42-Day Currency regain will be approx 60-mins sortie.  Solo flying will be enabled through signed-off in logbook and training folder, and T-Card to Green when the Instructor is content. This has been an unprecedented 12-month period – do not worry if this doesn’t           happen first flight!

–  Extant Covid Risk Assessment and procedures are fit for purpose with the addition of:

       >  One Way System into and out of Hangar – follow the arrows on the floor!
       >  Masks to be worn when in premises.
       >  Hand sanitisation and gloves at re-fuelling point.
       >  Reminder to all – if you don’t feel 100%, then stay away.

–  Our track & trace system is covered through ‘members only’ at HAC. No guests until further notice.

–  2 hour booking slots for all flying 12-25 Apr (0900/1100/1300/1500/1700hrs (L)). This will allow plenty of time for rusty pilots…

–  42-day currency regain sorties only from 12-18 Apr (no flying Sat 17 Apr).

–  All types of dual and solo 19 Apr onwards.  Please remember these limitations when booking.

–  Monitored private owners flying will take place on 1 Apr (in accordance with extant Chairman’s Directive to Instructors).

In summary, we have all been away from regular flying for over a year, so a phased approach to safe aviating is essential.  This starts with home refresher study – if it is evident that this has not been completed, you will not be flying!  

I look forward to writing again over the next few days and seeing you ALL soon.

Stay Safe,

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

9-05-21 Chairman’s Update

21-03-21 Chairman’s Message to Members

by | Mar 22, 2021 | Events, Home page display, Membership, News, Operations Status, Return to Flying

Dear Member,

As we get closer to Mon 12th April, you will receive a weekly email to prepare you to return to flying in a safe way.  Please read all of the messages and complete any tasks as soon as possible.

Instructors

In-line with the Depart for Transport rules, most of our instructors regained their currency on 17 Mar.

Aircraft

We now have 2 x C-152 and the PA-28 through annual servicing and ready to go.  Once we have generated sufficient funds we will bring the Tecnam and 3rd C-152 back on-line.

Membership Renewal

With the departure of the VF Syndicate to another airfield, the good news is that (as at 1 Mar) all applications for Associate Membership have been successful and the Club currently has no waiting list.  On 1 Apr we will review the aircraft parking plan and hope to have most aircraft positioned with unhindered routing to/from the hangar door.

Safety Meeting

The Committee will meet on Thu 25 Mar to review our Covid mitigations and flight safety issues.  Once we are happy that all is in order to restart, we will open the EBS to reflect:

Mon 12-Sun 18 Apr – 42-day currency regain
Mon 19 Apr onwards – All types of instructed and solo flying (JRPSS to restart in May)

You will be emailed when the EBS goes live.

Still to Come

–  Return to flying pre-study requirements
–  Covid safety rules
–  New Out/In Briefs
–  Return to flying sortie content
–  EBS re-opening date
–  Calendar of events.

Stay Safe,

Mark
M T MANWARING
Gp Capt
HAC Chairman

Halton Aero Club
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