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A-I-R Atos Demo Days This Weekend
Posted by John Bevan at 2010-06-10 19:29

Steve Elkins of Avian writes:-

Hi All,

Felix is coming over and we hope that we will be able to fly both days.

Please do make the most of this opportunity as it might be a few years before we persuade Felix to make a special trip to see us again.

Felix should be with us am Saturday.

Where we intend to Fly.

Several pilots have recommended their local sights however given the vagaries of the forecast I think it safest from a flying point of view to be based in the Peaks. (The DSC have sites that take various wind directions.)

Based on the forecasts we should be able to soar easily on Saturday.

On Sunday the forecast suggests far lighter winds.

Thus we have got permission from two aerotow sites to tow.

Notts Aerotow (Just south of Caunton, near Newark about 1 hour 20 from Avian in a ESE direction.)

Airways (Near Ashbourne about 1 hour 10 mins south of Avian.)

We will make a decision on Saturday or Sunday as to which is most suitable.

Costs.

Notts Aerotow Costs.

The usual rate for day visitors is £30 per day and tow fees at 40p per 100 feet.

Thus one tow to 1500 feet would cost. £36.
Two Tows to 1500 feet would cost. £42 etc.

Airways Costs.

Day membership £5

£15 to 1000ft and £4 for each 500 ft.

Thus 1 tow to 1500 foot would cost £24
Two Tows to 1500 foot would cost £43.

DSC day rate I expect is £5

All costs will be refunded if you buy a glider or two!

What to bring

Obviously all the equipment you need to fly harness, helmet, instruments including your tow release.

Please do bring your BHPA membership. Without this you are unlikely to be able to tow. Both CFIs have made it clear to me that without proof of your tow rating you will not be able to tow so please put it in your wallet now!

What can you fly?

We should have quite a few gliders to fly:

2 ATOS VQs
2 ATOS VR10s
1 ATOS S (Small pilots if you like.)

Please do let me know which day you think you might be coming.

Hopefully we will see you on both days.

Posted by John Bevan at 2010-06-11 19:44

STEVE ELKINS of AVIAN writes :-

11th June 2010 UPDATE 2
A Chance to Fly ATOS S, ATOS VQT, ATOS VR10 . We also hope to have the new elctrolift power harness and maybe a conventional power harness as well:

Date: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June 2010

A demo weekend with Felix Rule designer of the ATOS range of gliders. Felix is on his way and should be at Avian before midday tomorrow. (Saturday.)

We hope that we will be able to fly both days. (Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June 2010.)

Please do make the most of this opportunity. It might be a few years before we persuade Felix to make a special trip to see us again. Don't miss out. It looks like the weather will be good as well and we may even get the rare opportunity to fly both on the hills and Aerotow in one weekend. A once in a blue moon opportunity!

Location: Where we intend to fly.

We will be based in the Peak district this time. (The DSC has sites that take various wind directions.)

Based on the forecasts we should be able to soar easily on Saturday. The forecast looks like it should be on Lord's seat, one of the best flying sites in the country. (It is just to the West of Mam Tor.)

On Sunday the forecast suggests far lighter winds.

Thus we have got permission from three aerotow sites.

Notts Aerotow (Just south of Caunton, near Newark about 1 hour 20 from Avian in a ESE direction.) Andy Buchan CFI would rather we did not fly from this site in a NW direction. However the forecast suggests light winds and probably a light Easterly that is ideal.

Airways (Near Ashbourne about 1 hour 10 mins south of Avian.)

There is loads of space there but there will be students learning to fly and we will have to give them priority.

Cambridge Aerotow have also kindly offered their field.

This is still a 'wild card'. It is a great place to tow from and may have different weather. So Saturday evening probably we will be checking the forecast again. It is fair to say we don't really want to move everything down to Cambridge but it could still happen.

We will make a decision late on Saturday regarding Cambridge but maybe Sunday morning regarding a local Aerotow.

You may text me on:0798 636 8540 for further updates if you like.
Costs.

Notts Aerotow Costs.

The usual rate for day visitors is 30 per day and tow fees at 40p per 100 feet.

Thus one tow to 1500 feet would cost. 36.
Two Tows to 1500 feet would cost. 42 etc.

Airways Costs.

Day membership £5

£15 to 1000ft and £4 for each 500 ft.

Thus 1 tow to 1500 foot would cost £24
Two Tows to 1500 foot would cost £43.

Cambridge Costs
The same conditions would apply (aerotow ratings etc.). Costs would be £20 for first tow to up to 2000'. £5/1000' after that.
DSC
DSC cost for 10 day membership is only £5.

All costs will be refunded if you buy a glider or two!

What to bring

Obviously all the equipment you need to fly harness, helmet, instruments including your tow release.
Bring your friends. It make a lot of sense to get several pilots in a car and just bring your harness and gear. You don't need to bother with you own harness.

Please do bring your BHPA membership. Without this you are unlikely to be able to tow. Both CFIs have made it clear to me that without proof of your tow rating you will not be able to tow so please put it in your wallet now!

What can you fly?

We should have quite a few gliders to fly:

2 ATOS VQs
2 ATOS VR10s
1 ATOS S (Small pilots?.)

Please do let me know which day you think you might be coming.

Hopefully we will see you on both days.

I will be at Avian from about 10 am tomorrow Saturday.

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