News
11th November 2008 - Christmas Bash
Our Christmas bash will be at Little Hallingbury Mill, near Sawbridgeworth, on Saturday 20th December. As the Mill is managed by Greg Burns, a club member & our new 2nd flexwing AFI, we're sure to be well looked after. Rooms are available at good rates if you overindulge! Please see Greg (contact info on the Contacts page) for details of the menu & accommodation. There's a sign-up sheet in the clubhouse to give Greg an idea of numbers - please fill it in if you're coming.
10th November 2008 - Fireworks Party
What a great evening on Saturday 8th November for our firework party! Many thanks to Barry & Chris for organising all the food, John for "chef-ing", & Steve for sorting out the fireworks.
Now we just need to repair the grass!
29th October 2008 - 2nd Assistant Flying Instructor!
Greg Burns has been working hard over the past few months & has now passed all the required tests - & we now have a 2nd AFI on flexwings! This will give flexwing students double the "instructor availability" & we hope to see more of you reaching solo standard & ready for your GST's in the coming year!
7th September 2008 - New LOA in place
Following the consultations with NATS, we are pleased to say that a new "Letter Of Agreement" (LOA) is now in place, allowing full flying operations at Hunsdon Airfield.
However, there are revisions to previous procedures. These impose strict limits on the area we can operate in & the maximum height we can fly at. This is because Hunsdon Airfield is within Stansted's CTR, which is class D airspace.
Club members should check the Airfield / Pilot Info. page for revised details & if not sure, discuss the new procedures with a club officer.
Non-club pilots wishing to visit Hunsdon are welcome, but positive PPR is ESSENTIAL, even if you are familiar with Hunsdon & have landed there before. If visitors do not PPR, the club may take such sanctions as necessary to ensure the LOA is not revoked by NATS. Note that positive PPR means you must speak to a club officer in person - it is NOT sufficient to leave a message on any answerphone. Our new club 'phone number is 07548 543561.
Sorry, but we can't allow training circuits by non-club students.
We are now operating under an obligation to ensure that any future infringements of the LOA are reported to LTC Swanwick immediately, so please ensure that once you have obtained PPR, you carefully follow the instructions given.
If your aircraft is transponder equipped, you must squawk 7010 with Mode C (if fitted) on approach to Hunsdon. This will let Essex Radar know you will be operating in to / out of Hunsdon.
We regret that such strict conditions are necessary, but they are required to ensure the future operation of Hunsdon Airfield.
6th September 2008 - Club 'phone number
Please note that a new club 'phone number is now in use. It is not always manned, but a message will give alternate contacts. the number is:-
07548 543561
24th April 2008 - Chat Group
We're trying out a discussion group, so if you can't make the monthly club meetings there's another way to communicate with other members.
It's for club members only & the rules are simple:-
No handles - real names only
No abuse or defamatory comments
No trolling
No adverts
Other than that, anything you want, it doesn't have to be microlights. Click the link on the homepage to subscribe or click the link below.
8th March 2008 - Licence Rules
NPPL holders! Did you know the rules for maintaining a valid licence have changed? You now need at least 12 hours flying (with a minimum of 8 as PIC) in the 24 months prior to re-validation (with at least 6 hours in the previous 12 months), of which at least one hour in the 24 months has been dual training with a qualified instructor (NOT a test! You can't fail this flight!). You also need at least a dozen take offs (& landings!) in those 24 months.
For more information refer to the March-April 2008 edition of "Microlight Flying" magazine.
These changes do NOT apply to holders of the old "PPL(A) (Microlight Only)" (commonly referred to as the PPL(M)). The revalidation required here remains 5 hours in the preceding 13 months. Holders of this licence MAY elect to change to the NPPL re-validation rules, but if they do, they can't change back!
15th February 2008 - Club Nights
It's been suggested that it would be a good idea if we had a regular club night where we can discuss anything effecting the club, as a club.
Anything would be up for consideration but if you've got a problem, & want to discuss it, it would help if you had a constructive solution!
We'd also want to discuss plans for fly-outs & fly-ins, & other social ideas. There's also sure to be a lot of flying talk!
Most of all, we want these to be enjoyable meetings with a few beers.
Meetings will be on the first Wednesday in every month, starting on 5th March 2008, at the Plume of Feathers in Gilston. We'd aim for a 7.30 p.m. start.
See you there!
6th January 2008 - Fly Outs?
Please let us have your ideas for fly outs, trips, & other events that we (or better still, you) can organise.
Some already suggested include:-
- Channel crossing
- South West tour (possibly as far as the Isles of Sicily)
- Duxford
- Stanstead ATC & Tower (NOT flying in!)
- Old Warden
- Land next to a pub & take lunch (some possibilities mentioned - no alcohol for pilots!)
Let's make this a great year! See the Contacts page for addresses to send your ideas.
5th October 2007 - North Weald
North Weald have told us that are increasingly alarmed at the number of microlights crossing their airfield at low level without calling them on the radio.
Whilst they have no ATZ due to the level of controlled airspace overhead, they have asked that:-
1) If you're crossing the airfield without intending to land, please do so at a minimum of 1,400' AMSL (& obviously your maximum there is 1,500' AMSL)
2) If radio equipped, please tell them what you're doing on 123.525 Mhz
3) Alternatively, if non-radio, a 'phone call to let them know you'll be about would be appreciated (01992 564200)
We really don't want to be tangling with the jets & warbirds flying out of our neighbouring airfield, so please adhere to this very reasonable request.
