CEO Thoughts
CEO Thoughts
Patience is a virtue
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any of us are finding it hard to lose the privilege that we have, namely to fly. However, things could be so much worse. I fear that many of us may have lost loved ones or fellow flyers. If you have, my heartfelt condolences. Here at LAA HQ, or to be more accurate my back bedroom, we are focusing on staying safe and planning for when we can safely get back into the air. A significant amount of time in recent weeks has been spent in discussion with the Department for Transport and the CAA to enable extensions to licence validity and Medicals, meaning that pilots can continue flying as soon as possible after restrictions are lifted. We also worked with the CAA to legitimise essential maintenance and ‘engine health’ flights. However, we should not abuse that privilege. Just because someone can fly, it doesn’t necessarily mean they should. At the time of writing, the Government position remains that leisure flying is not considered an essential activity and travel to an airfield should only be contemplated if it is absolutely necessary. A good question might be, do you really need to carry out this maintenance or flight immediately? It may be that by waiting a week
By Steve Slater or two, no real problem in the current benign ambient conditions, any flight, or even you travelling to the airfield, will become much less sensitive in terms of public opinion and COVID risk. Meantime, have a read in these pages and Technical Leaflet TL 2.32 (available via links from the LAA website and the LAA Facebook page), for information on precautions if further storage is contemplated, and advice on planning the eventual return to service of your aircraft. Once the COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift, there will undoubtedly be a number of aircraft waiting for their Permits to Fly to be revalidated. However we are planning to ensure sufficient LAA resources will be in place to handle this. In the meantime, we’ve got a few new things to enjoy. Below is a great competition to have a go at and look out for the launch of a dedicated LAA YouTube channel, with videos, blogs and other items to keep us all occupied. Also, if you have bored, aviation-minded children or grandchildren, look on our website for the new LAA Aviation Art Competition, which runs until Tuesday 30 June. A poster to print off to give you added inspiration can be found at https://tinyurl.com/art-poster. Have fun. But most of all, stay safe. ■
Competition
Perma-Grit and Deluxe Materials invite ‘full-size’ kit builders to enter fun model competition
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erma-Grit Tools, specialist abrasive tools manufacturers, and specialist adhesive provider Deluxe Materials, have teamed up to run a competition to encourage the engineers of the future into model building, and are inviting ‘full-size’ kit enthusiasts to join in the fun too. Four classes are open for entries and First Prize in each class is a voucher for £100 worth of Perma-Grit Tools and £50 worth of Deluxe Materials adhesives. Class A: Experienced (so the rest of us know what to aim for). Class B: Have built, but not for years! Class C: First ever build (child or adult). Class D: Family build – everyone in the house (pets included) can stick together!
■ To enter: Post a photo of yourself and the model you are building, stating which class you wish to enter. Post on Facebook page @permagrit or email diytrace@gmail.com You may also wish to join the Perma-Grit builders Group. ■ Then post nine of your best photos and videos during the build, the last photo being of you and the completed (or nearly completed) project. ■ The competition will run until the 31 July 2020 but the last chance to join in the fun will be the 30 June 2020.
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At the end of July, the best from each class will be selected and the prizes will be awarded: www.permagrit.com and www. deluxematerials.co.uk The only stipulation is that no adhesive or abrasive tool product placement is permitted in photos or videos, other than those of Deluxe Materials or Perma-Grit. Please mention useful tips on building, and give advice and encouragement to others. Mention favourite products, kits, great shops, clubs, great people, events, and great tools. You don’t have to use PermaGrit tools to enter, hopefully someone might just, at a push, lend you theirs, but don’t bank on it! Don’t forget to show your ‘oops, shouldn’t have done that’ moments! We all learn more by our own and others’ mistakes. Extra photos and videos are allowed for the ‘oops’ moments – we all need a good laugh at the moment.
Useful links: British Model Flying Association – all information, clubs, teachers, flying fields, Educational easy build kits etc. https://bmfa.org/ Slec UK supplier of Balsa, Plywood, etc www.slecuk.com/balsa Specialist abrasive tools www.permagrit.com Specialist adhesives and resins www.deluxematerials.co.uk
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