SOUTHEND
“
FLYING
CLUB
CONTACT”
Jan 2014
WHY
CONTACT: Emailed newsletter for Southend Flying Club Last printed version sent out in Dec 1994 Quarterly or so publication Contributions welcomed
INSIDE ISSUE:
THIS
New Year—New
2
Plans Flying the Arrow
3
Variable Pitch
4
Props EASA update
Practical airmanship
“Issue 1”
CONTACT?
The Southend Flying Club newsletter’s name has a double meaning. Firstly I thought it would be nice to stay in regular touch with you, our members, and so decided to start an emailed newsletter to let you know what is happening at the club. “Contact” sounds appropriate enough and has aviation connotations. Most of us have been spared the pain of hand swinging aircraft propellers to start, but those who have had the pleasure should have heard the person at the controls shout “contact” as the mags are switched to live and the swinger has their first stab at getting it to go. Secondly those of you with memories long enough will remember
SKYDEMON—A
that the previous Southend Flying Club newsletter was also called “Contact” and was a printed leaflet (long before the days of email and the internet) produced quarterly. I intend to produce “Contact” quarterly but if I can get enough interest and enough material I will try to publish it more frequently. If anyone wants to send me ideas or pictures to add in, then please email them to the club address. Some sad news from 2013 was the death of both Mike Hatt and Dick Fox. Both were instructors at Southend Flying Club in the past and our thoughts go out to their families.
2014
MUST
On a brighter note, don’t let winter put you off, some of the best flying days are to be had in the early part of the year. If we get some snow you’d be amazed at the way it transforms even familiar landscapes. Lastly 2014 membership is due from the 1st of January and it is a requirement for you to be members in order to fly. Happy flying in 2014 Peter Shorter
The River Roach off of runway 06 last February
HAVE
5
6
Pre flight planning has never been more important. Last year there was an airspace infringement every 11 hours and the CAA don’t take kindly to it if you can’t show adequate planning.
A superb new tool is available to help with flight planning and NOTAMS. www.skydemonlight.com
This is a free to use system which helps with creating plogs and obtaining NOTAMS in a
user friendly way. It is definitely worth taking a look at. There is also a paid for version, which combined with an Ipad or tablet creates a formidable in aircraft GPS navigation, weather and NOTAM system.