Apologies. Received from Gordon Allison and Rob Davies.

The event was competently presided over by the President, Ken Shail.

The Chairman ( Nick Collins) reported a poor year for the club, because of the prolonged outbreak of F&M. However, he also reported a number of good club outings to coastal sites that were F&M free.

Secretary’s Report. There was no report.

The treasurer ( Roy Dade) reported that the club finances were in good order. We have approximately £2300 in club funds. The treasurer advised that the club fees remained the same (£15.00) for the coming year. This was voted in. Suggestions for any advantageous ways of using club funds were requested.

No problems with sites apart from the national F&M problems.

It was requested that Tony Jones should write a report on the west side (pinnacle) landing fields (areas, access and owners etc) for publication to club members.

It was thought necessary to encourage PG pilots to land in the official field (east side) and not in the football field.

Bryan reported that club membership had reduced from 57 to 41. This may have been influenced by F&M. Reminders were to be sent to the 16 members who had not rejoined.

There were no competitions organised, because of the restricted flying(F&M).

There was no safety report. It was stated by members, however, that there had been no accidents to club members during the year.

Derek Evans brought up the issue of encouraging HG pilots to used the correct terms when taking off. There was a need to be more disciplined at launch.

An extra effort will be made this year to get a repack meeting organised.

It was recognised that the club did not advertise itself enough. Brian Pilcher will investigate placing our organisation’s name in the local library etc.

Alan stated that we had hosted a very successful club coach course this year.

Thanks to Bryan for the organisation of the venue etc.

New Club Officers were elected as follows:-

President - Ken Shail.

Chairman - Peter Wood.

Treasurer and Membership Sec - Bryan Hindle.

Secretary - John Bevan.

Sites Officer - Tony Jones.

Sites Officer - Mick Morris.

Safety Officer - Rob Davies.

Competitions - Derek Evans.

PG Rep and Dogsbody - Ian Bradley

Newsletter Editor - Gordon Allison.

Chief Coach - Alan Hyde.

Rigid wing rep - Nick Collins.

Publicity and liaison officer - Brian Plicher.

Webmaster - Chris Smith.

Social Sec - All.

It was requested that the following issues be discussed at the next committee meeting (Wednesday April 17^th 2002 at the Plume of Feathers. 8.00pm)

1. Issue of Club helmet stickers.
1. Club information to be placed in Skywings.

Venue for Club meetings.

Working as a GP I have noticed that there may be conspiracy afoot, for Drug Companies to become involved in free flying. The following examples illustrate my theory:

There is a contraceptive coil called NOVAguard. Perhaps the paragliding equivalent would be a back protector made by NOVA?

UPjohn makes a product called UPrima. This is an injection for impotency. It turns "floppies" into "stiffies". Perhaps they have cracked the paragliding/hang-gliding metamorphosis?

Gaviscon ADVANCE is a new formulation of a liquid for indigestion. Maybe the next ADVANCE glider will be called "Gaviscon", following in the footsteps of the Epsilon?

If anyone has spotted any other examples, please let me know. On the other hand maybe I am just getting a bit paranoid……

Membership Fees Full Membership (Flying) £15.00*

Associate Membership (Non Flying) £7.00*

Note it is a condition of full membership of the Malvern HGC (Hang Gliding Club) that one is also a Flying or Training member of the BHPA, i.e. having 3^rd party insurance coverage for flying. If you are not a member of either of these bodies then please make the appropriate application to:

BHPA, The Old School Room, Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE1 5PJ Tel: 0116 261 1322

Name……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………PostCode………………………

Send my newsletter to the above *… I can get the newsletter from the web. * http://malvern-hang.org.uk/news/newsletter.html

Declaration:

Please enrol me as a Full/Associate* Member of the Malvern HGC. If a full member (Flying), I agree to follow the BHPA Code of Good Practice and understand that if my BHPA Flying Membership lapses then I cease to be a member of the Malvern HGC.

I enclose my remittance in respect of membership. (Cheques made payable to: Malvern Hang Gliding Club) I am at least 16 years old.

Waiver of claims:

I agree that no claim shall hereafter be made by or on behalf of myself or my Estate against the club in respect of any loss or damage to property or any personal injury, whether the same be fatal or otherwise, substantiated or suffered by me and in whatsoever manner caused. I understand that the club in respect of any such loss, damage, injury or death will pay no damages, compensation or other award to my Estate or me. The words ‘Club’ in this application shall refer to the Malvern Hang Gliding Club and shall include any officials, servants, representatives, agents, contractors and sub-contractors in and of the Club.

Signed…………………………………………………………………… Date…………………………………………

* = Delete as appropriate

Glider…………………………………………………..Size…………………………….Colours…………………………………….

Canopy…………………………………………………Size…………………………….Colours……………………………...…….

Please state your current pilot ratings…………………………………………………………BHPA.No…………………………………

Approximately how long have you been flying?……………………………………….Years. …………………………Hours.

Application form found on our web page. Please send with your membership form to the address below NOT to the one indicated on the form.

When you have completed this form please send it with an S.A.E and the appropriate remittance to:

Bryan Hindle, Membership Secretary, Malvern Hang Gliding Club, "Bydand", Gordon Terrace, Malvern Wells, WR14 4ER Mobile phone 07773493622

By Rob Davis

n the last Edition of Skywings there is a report about the PWC Competition in Mexico. A large contingent went from the UK and wrote about their experiences. Commenting on Task 2 a pilot wrote, "I launched early but discovered my speed system entangled and the glider behaving worryingly. I flew out and fixed it on a glide but took time to regain position". The next day the same pilot had this to say about Task 3, "I launched more conservatively, but this time discovered a brake handle knotted in the risers. I flew out to fix it…"

Now it is very easy to be an "arm chair" critic. I was not there; I did not experience the stresses and the excitement. But reading between the lines, it does seem that the pre-flight checks were not done properly. We have all done things wrong and got away with them: Speed bar line through leg-strap, straps not done up, helmet not done up – the list can go on and on.

It is all too easy to forget to do some, part or even all of your pre-flight checks. This is particularly more likely when under stress and pressure, such as when in a competition. The only remedy is to have your checklist written down and accessible. You then go through them like any ordinary pilot. You only take-off when they are all checked and OK.

Last year I wrote an article on Accidents and here is the paraglider checklist that I suggested then, with one amendment (thanks to Chris Sturdy for suggesting the addition of "weather" – with reference to any likely change during the flight and in the proposed landing area)

I commend this system to you to help try to reduce the risk of accidents. I am sure that the above list could be easily modified for hang gliders –does anybody want a go?

Next month – "Flying Foreign"

Diplex Ventimeter £59 (P&P £1.50) from Firebird UK, Honiton

or

TFA Anemometer Ref, L 977 340 £34.95 (P&P £4.95) from Compass – I am sure that this is the same meter!