Tow out gear for the Twin Astir

Finally after almost 30 years of service IUM, the Twin Astir has it's own set of tow out gear. We now have a tail dolly, wing walker and tow bar for the 'Twin'. All that walking the wing finally got to people and Max Hedt and Joe Luciani have put together a system which is practical and doesn't require 'old blokes' to walk a mile in the sun to get to the launch point. Here's a picture of the tail dolly on the Twin.

So things are being made easy for everyone and now we have no excuses for not getting the gliders out and going flying.

Gliders on track. Max has been working on the railway

Max Hedt has been busy working on a new track system to move the Janus and the Twin Astir in and out of the tug hangar (which is now the glider hangar and the old glider hanger is now full of power planes and the tug, so is now the tug hangar). Each glider will have it's own 'trolly car' and run in and out of the hangar on a track to a set point both inside and outside the hangar.

This system will allow one person to get a glider in and out of the hangar. The Pegase will still move in and out on it's existing free wheeling trolly. The system is not quite complete. Max is finishing off the 'trolly car' and tracks for the Janus. The tracks are made up of tube on a flat plate nailed to the ground. The 'trolly car' has a jack to life the glider up and down. Both gliders run easily along the track with only a minimum amount of push or pull required. The short video below demonstrates the basic operation of the 'trolly car'.

A better quality version of the video can be found here on YouTube

Workshop Looking Great

The workshop repaint continues at a cracking pace. The floor has been painted. the doors repaired and repainted. It's come up a treat. A big than you to Wayne Jackson who has lead this project and to Marta and Ziggy for helping out applying the paint.

Hats a plenty

After a number of delays. Arnold has been able to organise sample caps and bucket hats embroided with the club logo. At the recent club meeting it was decided to obtain 10 of each type from Totally Workwear Mildura for sale to members. The caps and hats are being sponsored by Dimboola Stockfeed, a fine small business and great supporter of the club. I'm sorry we don't have a photo to display here in 'The Fly Paper'. More details of what they look like and how much they will cost will be available soon.

New Long sleeve & Short Sleeve Polos

 

The club has a new range of short sleeve and long sleeved polo tops available which have the the club monogram embroided on to the shirt (along with your name if you wish). The two in the picture above are the samples that Arnold had made recently during a trip to Mildura. The colours available are white (pictured) and navy blue. Each shirt would cost about $30. These shirts have a high UPF rating for sun protection. The avaiable sizes for men are S, M. L, XL, XXL, 3XL and 5 XL. The sizes for women are 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22.

There is a order list attached to the shirts in the clubroom. Choose the style, colour and size and what name you want embroided below the club logo.

Check out the links Standard Plus Polo (Long Sleeve) Standard Plus Polo (Short Sleeve)

Two New Life Members

At the club's annual dinner held at the Natimuk Hotel last month two Life Memberships were awarded to current club members who have provided outstanding service to the club over many years. Michael Hogan the current club Vice-President standing in for President Arnold Niewand presented the first Life Membership to Steve Schneider. Steve has been recognised for his ongoing contribution to the club, in particular for his role as club secretary for for the past twelve years. Past club President Michael Sudholz then presented the second Life membership to Michael Hogan. The less said about him the better, especially as it is he/me that is writing this newsletter entry.

You check me & I'll check you

 

Peter Weissenfeld and Peter Kelly give each other their annual check flight in the Janus CM Victor X-Ray. This photo taken as they swapped places for the second flight. Both were pretty happy with the others flying. The third flight for the day involved Peter Kelly checking Michael Hogan. Everyone agreed that VX is a lovely plane to fly. The motor is running smoothly and starts easily if you follow the recommended starting procedure.

Not quite Spring cleaning

It's amazing what can get done on a late winter day. Not only have people been painting, but the 'Pie Cart' has had a wash down and the gutters of the bunk house cleaned out. May be we should have a AGM more often.

Operation paint the workshop (Part 2)

The clubs workshop has had a few coats of paint applied and is looking really flash. Almost to good to be a workshop. It's now an operations room. Even the concrete floor is going to get a coat of paint. A job well done by Ziggy, Marta and Wayne.

On a road to nowhere

 

It's almost a road to nowhere, but it's actually the view to the south on the recently sealed North South (17/35) runway. The strip has been closed for months while much digging and compacting has taken place. Now the seal has been put on it's getting much closer to being back in service. Then all we have to sort out is how gliding operations fit into the reduced area off the sides of the strip. But wiser heads than this blog contributor are working on that. More news as it comes to hand.