Can I take an aircraft away for a weekend or a few days?
Anyone can take an aircraft away for as long as he or she wishes but we would like to see the aircraft used so that other club members are not deprived of it unfairly. As a rule of thumb, the aircraft should be flown for at least 1.5 hrs per day away or a longer journey with a few days on the ground. Members are only charged tacho hours but any perpetual abuse of the useage guideline will gain the attention of the club administrators, requiring the guilty party to explain themselves.
“Who owns the aircraft and does the maintenance?”
All of the aircraft we have are privately owned and have scheduled maintenance carried out at other locations. We do undertake some regular upkeep maintenance such as washing and lubricating. When we have a maintenance day, you should receive an e-mail about it so please come along if you can. It’s a great way to learn about the aircraft.
“Who refuels the aircraft?”
You! Procedures for using our bowser are detailed inside the bowser itself.
Pupils are to conduct refuels whenever possible, not instructors who have to gather their wits again, kiss the ground and write up the performance of the pupil!
If you pick up fuel at any other military base then you should fill in their paperwork and the club will be invoiced. If you buy fuel from any other source then you pay for the fuel and put the invoice in the treasurer's mail slot (make sure you put your name and date on it). The club will pay for the fuel at a fixed rate of approx £1.10 per litre. You pay for the difference between this rate and what you actually paid.
“Who pays the landing fees?”
Flights to military or government airfields are always subject to prior permission being obtained but as member of the Royal Air Force Flying Clubs Association (RAFFCA), in certain circumstances we are exempt from charges for landing, handling and navigation at these airfields IAW GAI 5070. Paperwork, which may be requested by those airfields, is contained in each aircraft (ensure this paperwork is present - if not you will have to pay the fees). At all civilian airfields, the pilot is to pay all fees.
“What do I do if I break down away from Lyneham?”
In the first instance try and get free advice locally to sort the problem out. If free advice is not available you are to contact the owners (Dave or Sarah) and if they are not contactable try to contact the dep OIC or any other instructor. Permission for work to be carried out is to be sought before having any work carried out on the aircraft. In the unlikely event that none of the above are contactable within 2 hours or there are other aviation related time pressures (i.e. approaching night or poor weather) repairs may be carried out, but the pilot is to pay on site for any work and will be re-imbursed by the club on production of a receipt. The best advice is to always take enough funds to get home if necessary or an overnight bag. This has only happened once in five years of the club operating so it is unlikely but be prepared!
“Someone has left a Hercules in front of the flying club aircraft! How do I get past it?”
Under no circumstances should any flying club aircraft be taxied within 10m of a Hercules (or any other aircraft for that matter). Any aircraft movement under a Herc should be pulled with the towing arm with someone else looking out for confliction, looking out for the fin especially. If you arrive back and a Herc is in the wash bay in front of the hanger, make sure that you do not park on the taxiway. This can obstruct Hercules taxiing past. Move the aircraft away from the taxiway, closer to the wash aircraft.
“I’ve arrived at an aircraft and the windscreen is dirty and the oil is low. What should I do?”
If the oil is below 5 quarts (on the Warriors - for the Firefly use the figures in the checklist) then it should be topped up using the procedure in the gen book, use a full quart to raise the level back to 6 quarts (on the Warriors). Clean the windscreen with water and some blue roll or toilet roll. It should then be polished, ideally with Sparkle or Mr Sheen and a soft duster. Bring some to the club next time you pop in!
“The club does a lot for me, what can I do for the club?”
We only exist because of volunteers. If you have an idea for something positive for the club or an exped or social/flying activity then bring it forward. If you see something at work or at home being thrown away like a TV, fridge, plant, hoover or whatever that may have a use for the club then ask a committee member if we need it! We can only keep costs down this way.
Most of all come along and be an active member. Most of the club responsibilities fall upon a small number of shoulders, and this cannot continue if we get much bigger. We have voluntary positions and deputy posts available for many jobs, they don’t take a lot of work but are invaluable to the club so please do your bit
