Evergreen Soaring, Inc.

Minutes of the February 13, 1997 General Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 7:30PM by President Chris Chantrill. President-elect John Daly was asked to report on the insurance situation. Our present carrier, Costello/Com-Av, has declined to offer hull coverage for the coming year. They will, however, provide liability coverage, and have provided certificates for renewal. Our present coverage ends at the end of this month. The Board has been considering the situation and would prefer to have hull coverage on the Pawnee, at least, since its loss would effectively shut us down. Daly is to contact other carriers and provide a report to the Board at its next meeting for a final decision.

John Gilbert reported that the Lark brake had been exhaustively analyzed and a solution devised. Following the scientific method we all learned in junior high school science class, a experiment will be conducted using a bicycle-type brake lever fitted to one of the sticks, connected to the existing Tost drum-type brake. A “test pilot” will occupy the ship and a crew of “virtual inertia” worthies will apply an irresistible force via towline and tow hook. If adequate resistance is felt, both cockpits will be fitted with the bicycle levers and a permanent connection will be made to the brake. On the other hand, if the test indicates adequate braking force cannot be generated, the present brake will be replaced by a hydraulic disc brake and appropriate linkage installed. Stand by for a full report.

Craig Kramer noted that the Northwest Aviation Conference will be held at the Puyallup Fairgrounds on February 22-23 and the Seattle Glider Council will have a booth and glider display. Volunteers were requested to come forward to man the booth and distribute brochures etc. The following weekend, March 1 and 2, the annual Soaring Expo will be held at the Museum of Flight. Again, volunteers are needed to meet the interested public and sell them on the joys of soaring and Evergreen Soaring in particular.

Jerry Painter reported that agreement had finally been reached with the Arlington Airport staff on renting clubhouse space. A formal agreement will be forthcoming shortly. Rent will be in the $90-100 range. The space will have heat, water, a bathroom and electricity and a telephone! Parking, however, will be limited. Plan on parking in the space near the airport office.

First speaker for the evening’s program was Steve Northcraft, Region 8 representative to the SSA. He explained the organization and working of SSA and reported on the ‘97 convention in Dallas, upcoming events and ongoing concerns. Policy-making meetings occupied most of Steve’s time at the convention, but he reported a good turnout, lots of good exhibitions and meetings. John Daly also went to the convention, and he echoed Steve’s comments. The ‘98 convention will be held in Portland, OR, possibly jointly with he Hang Gliding association.

The regulation wars continue, with the Dept. of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and citizen groups pushing for restrictions on overflight of “wilderness” areas, forest and park lands. This would prevent flights in most of the sites commonly used in the western US for wave and cross-county. SSA is attempting to engage other aviation organizations in opposition to these proposals.

Other SSA chapters have also reported problems with the SSA-sponsored insurance program via Costello/Com-Av/Safeco. Other carriers are being considered. Lifting the 20 year life limit on Lark gliders is also being pursued by SSA. SSA was instrumental in getting fixes for the Pawnee cluster fitting AD, is working on an internet soaring weather site and facilitating FAA certification of European gliders.

Keith Turner, the club’s Chief CFIG, reported on changes proposed for the club’s training program. These include updating the syllabus, revising its format to fit within a student’s logbook and adopting a FAR Part 141 approach to the training program. This would include such things as “Stage checks” and standardization of training. He’s working on establishing minimum pilot criteria for flying the Russia (this may be partly dependent upon insurance requirements), currency and proficiency requirements for solo, ridge, wave and cross-county flying for all club ships. Given the insurance crisis, aircraft damage, accident prevention and safety have become more important than ever. Club CFI’s are the front-line forces to carry forward the safety improvement banner.

John Gilbert reported that Norm Ellison, Seattle Glider Council Chairman, has been diagnosed with cancer. He’s also been ill with pneumonia. We all wish Norm a speedy recovery and return to the cockpit of his Libelle. Vince Miller, Vice-Chair, is occupied with business responsibilities, to the extent that he has had to sell his glider and will be restricting his SGC activities. Into the fray comes our own John Gilbert. He will act as interim Chair until Norm and/or Vince are able to resume their duties. The soaring season will soon be upon us, and with it the Soaring Expo at the Museum of Flight, Wenatchee and Ephrata flying, all largely the result of SGC’s efforts. We are encouraged to continue our support of SGC.

The next club Board meeting will be held at Mike Delaney’s home on February 27, 7:30PM. The next General club meeting will be March 13 at the Museum of Flight, 7:30PM. The program will include the Wenatchee Briefing, mandatory for those members wishing to partake of the ridge and wave, and a slide show by Len Trautman on Nationals Contest flying. A Good Time is assured for all.

President Chantrill adjourned the meeting at 9:45PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Jerry Painter, Secretary