MIDLAND GLIDING CLUB
FLYING ORDER BOOK
Draft 8
19th Oct 2015
PREFACE
Midland Gliding Club is a member of the British Gliding Association (BGA). It is a condition of membership of the BGA that all flying operations are carried out in accordance with the Operating Regulations of both the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the BGA.
The rules in this publication are the Operational Regulations of the Midland Gliding Club. They are adapted from and supplement both those of the CAA and the BGA, but reinforce good practice to provide a framework for the safe and efficient conduct of the sport of gliding.
The BGA Operational Regulations and Recommended Practices are to be found in the current edition of “Laws and Rules for Glider Pilots” published by the British Gliding Association.. The most recent version can be downloaded from the BGA website: www.gliding.co.uk
This publication is to be reviewed on an annual basis by the Chief Flying Instructor, the review date normally being the anniversary of the previous acceptance by the Management Committee.
These are the rules and practices relating to flying and airfield operations of the Midland Gliding Club at the Long Mynd for members and visitors.
Definitions
In these Rules, and unless context requires otherwise: -
(1) Reference to a “glider” includes both Club and private gliders including visiting gliders.
(2) Reference to a “member ” or “members ” of the Club includes a visiting pilot or pilots unless the context in any case does not require this.
(3) ‘Club ’ means the Midland Gliding Club .
General
All members share the obligation to ensure safe flying and smooth running operations.
All airfield and flying operations at the Long Mynd shall be carried out in accordance with the relevant provisions of the current edition of the BGA Laws and Rules.
CONTENTS
Section 1: Responsibilities
1.1: Responsibilities
1.1 Chief Flying Instructor:
1.2 Club Safety Officer (CSO)
1.3 The Duty Instructor
1.4 The Launch Director
1.5 The Winch Operator
Section 2: Flying Operations
3.1 Authorisation - Instructor in charge
3.2 Authorisation - ex instructor available
3.3. Authorisation - No instructors in charge:
3.4 Post Silver C pilots:
3.5 Pre-Silver C solo pilots
3.6 Flying operations- Pilot Responsibilities
3.10 Minimum circuit height –
3.11 Pre landing checks
3.12 Logbooks
3.13 Annual winch checks
3.14 Annual field landing checks:
3.15 Pilot qualification and training- Currency rules Motor Gliders
3.16 Flying operations- Radio procedures:
3.17 Ridge Rules
3.18 Flying Operations- Cross-country
3.19: Flying Operations- Cloud flying
3.20 Flying Operations- Wave and High Altitude
3.21 - Aerobatic training
3.22 Wheels up Landings:
3.23 Flying Operations- Mutual flying
3.24 Mutual Flying in Private Gliders: -
7.1: Pilot qualification
7.3 Pilot Currency Requirements
Section 3 – Visiting Pilots
7.2 Visiting pilot checks
Section 4: Airworthiness
4.1 Aircraft certification
Section 5: Ground operations
3.7 Glider Rigging
3.8 Daily Inspections
3.9. Winches and Cables
5.1 Use of Private vehicles airside:
5.2. Club Vehicles
5.3 Trailer driving
5.4 The Flying of Model Aircraft
5.5 Dogs
5.6 Public Rights of Way
Section 6:
Medical Requirements
Section 7 Accidents and Incidents
8.1 Definitions 25
8.2 Accidents 26
8.3 Incidents 26
27
Appendix A - EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 28
Appendix B – Trial lessons on the winch 50
Appendix C – Medical Requirements 51
Appendix D – MGC Stages 53
Section 1 Responsibilities:
1.1 Chief Flying Instructor:
The Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) is appointed by the Committee. He is responsible to them for the following aspects of club management:
1. Club Flying and Ground Operations carried out at Long Mynd, including all training in gliders in accordance with the BGA syllabus.
2. Issuing detailed flying orders in accordance with BGA regulations and, where necessary, regulations for ground operations and for ensuring all members using the site adhere to such orders and regulations.
3. Appointment and re-appointment of all site instructors and the maintenance of instructional standards. Training suitable pilots as potential instructors.
4. All aspects of flight safety.
5. Ensuring that all flying operations are properly supervised and that supervisors are adequately briefed. Lists of instructors and those members who may authorise flying in his absence are to be notified to the club as required.
6. Ensuring that all operational flying is recorded in accordance with BGA and CAA regulations.
7. Appointing one or more deputy CFIs, if required, for adequate operational supervision, and such other members as are necessary for efficient flying management. When absent, or on holiday, appointing a suitably qualified deputy and informing the committee of the appointment.
8. Bringing to the attention of the committee any problems which might affect flight safety or efficient operation of the club together with any difficulty experienced in complying with these or other regulations.
9. Ensuring that gliders, motor gliders and powered aeroplanes are flown only by suitably qualified pilots and that the total number and variety of aircraft on site is consistent with the club’s aims. In this context, any member who wishes to join an existing syndicate or bring a new aircraft onto the site must have the prior permission of the CFI.
1.2 Club Safety Officer (CSO)
ALL MEMBERS are responsible for safety both on the ground and in the air.
Members must be mindful of their own actions and also vigilant regarding the actions, or non-actions, of others. If any member observes anything that could affect his own safety or that of any other member/visitor, he must immediately act to prevent it developing into an incident.
The MGC Safety Officer acts as a focal point for safety related matters within the club. Any incident witnessed or experienced by any member must be reported to the Safety Officer who will evaluate it, look for patterns/trends and ensure that lessons are shared with all members. The Safety Officer is also responsible for investigating and reporting flying related accidents to the BGA and Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB). In addition, he is also responsible for creating operating procedures and briefings to ensure that potential repeat incidents are avoided.
2.1 The Duty Instructor:
2.1.1 Qualification:
Must be a full or assistant category instructor or a Flight Instructor (Sailplanes). An FI who has not completed a BGA Full Cat Instructor course cannot supervise instructional flights undertaken by Basic Instructors unless and until the following actions have been undertaken:
a) He has successfully passed his Instructor Completion Course;
b) He has received an individual briefing session from the CFI or DCFI covering the supervision of the flying operation, supervision of pilots and a briefing on accident and incident management, and this has been signed off in their log book.
2.1.2 Responsibilities:
He is appointed under the direction of the CFI.
The Duty Instructor has overall responsibility for all on-site flying activity for the day.
The Duty Instructor should not allow himself to become involved with any activity which would distract him from the supervision of the flying operations.
It should be understood that the function of the Launch Director is the organisation and execution of the routine launch point operating tasks, under the oversight of the Duty Instructor, no attempt should be made to carry out the duty for him/her.
If unable to carry out their duty on the appointed day, he is to arrange an exchange with another appropriately rated instructor and amend the online rota accordingly.
2.1.3 Duties-before flying:
Obtain a weather forecast and NOTAMS and assess the suitability of the
weather for the flying operations planned.
Hold a Daily Briefing to ensure that pilots wishing to fly are informed appropriately regarding but not limited to: -
a) Weather
b) Notams
c) Launch direction and circuit direction
d) Potential operating hazards during the day.
Ensure the Launch Director is present, and brief him on any specific points.
Ensure that all pre-Silver pilots are briefed before they fly.
Ensure that visiting glider pilots are briefed and familiarised with the site before flying solo.
Ensure that the winch is positioned correctly to avoid the risk of cables drifting
Towards any footpaths
Ensure that all equipment to be used is serviceable.
Arrange for gliders to be rigged and test flown if required by the engineer.
2.1.4 Duties-during flying:
Ensure the adequate supervision of student pilots.
Ensure all flights are appropriately authorised and logged.
Monitor the radio on 129.975MHz frequency.
Assess which pilots require check-flights and ensure that these are carried out
by a suitably qualified instructor or by the Duty Instructor himself.
Endeavour to carry out all check flights in the morning.
Provide suitable site briefings to booked-in glider pilot visitors, or ensure these briefings are carried out by a suitably qualified, appropriately experienced, club member.
Ensure all Trial Lessons are flown by appropriately qualified instructors in appropriate weather conditions.
Report any infringement of these flying orders, or any incident or indiscipline in the air to the CFI.
Ensure all flights are completed by 30 minutes after sunset (or earlier if safety
requirements dictate).
2.1.5 Duties-after flying:
Ensure all gliders which have taken off from Long Mynd are accounted for, and initiate appropriate action for any which are not.
Ensure that all club equipment is removed from the airfield and all club aircraft are returned to the hangar and the doors closed.
Arrange for gliders to be de-rigged if required by the aircraft engineer.
Ensure all glider (and Motor Glider) electrical systems are “off”.
Ensure all parachutes, batteries and barographs have been removed from the gliders and that these items have been returned to the appropriate storage area and accounted for (batteries should be placed “on charge” in readiness for the next flying day).
2.2 The Launch Director:
2.2.1 Qualification:
Experienced pilot approved by the CFI.
2.2.1 Responsibilities:
The Launch Director is responsible for assisting the Duty Instructor in the supervision of flying operations. He is authorised to initiate unpacking of the hangar and setting up of the field, but an Instructor must be present before training operations start.
The Launch Director is also responsible for smooth running of operations on the ground, under the supervision of the Duty Instructor.
He is expected to remain on the airfield for the duration of flying operations; if He wishes to leave the launchpoint for any reason he must arrange for a another suitably qualified person to carry out his duties during his absence.
2.2.2 Duties- before flying:
Ensure all equipment (vehicles and retrieve winch) to be used on the airfield has been inspected and declared serviceable by the duty Winch Driver or another member of the MT team.
Ensure placement of all equipment (control vehicle, winch, gliders) on the
airfield is as required by the Duty Instructor.
Ensure the following are in place at the launchpoint:
a) Flying list
b) Log sheets
c) Cable strops with red, blue, brown, black and white weak links
2.2.3 Duties- during flying:
Ensure that the main and emergency landing areas are kept clear of obstructions (including sheep).
Ensure the launch area is kept clear of obstructions.
Ensure aircraft are retrieved promptly after landing and either positioned for the next launch or parked safely.
Ensure that no pre-Silver pilots fly without a briefing from the Duty Instructor or his nominee.
Ensure all glider flights are entered on the log sheets.
Manage the flying list: -
Ensuring student pilots and pilots requiring check flights are allocated appropriate instructors.
Seeking to ensure that student pilots are able to fly whenever a two seater is available and that there is fairness in allocating gliders and instructors to students.
Allocate single seat club aircraft to appropriate solo pilots.
Ensure any infringement of these Flying Orders, incidents or indiscipline in the air is reported to the Duty Instructor .
2.2.4 Duties- after flying:
Assist in the removal of equipment from the airfield and packing gliders into the hangar.
Ensure the airfield log is fully written up, with addition of any items of interest,
eg: Safety related incidents, cross countries, badge flights etc, and returned to the office.
2.3 The Winch Operator
2.3.1 Qualification:
Trained and authorised by an approved Ground Instructor.
2.3.2 Duties-before flying:
Inspect the winches and associated airfield vehicles to ensure that they are safe and serviceable, including, but not restricted to: -
a) All signal lights and radios are working correctly.
b) They are fully topped up with fuel, oil and water.
b) Tyre pressures are correct
c) The canopies, windscreens and all windows are free from cracks and are clean.
d) All guards are in place and secure.
e) Ensure the following equipment is available:
i) Equipment and spares for repairing broken cables (press and ferrules etc)
ii) Spare weak links.
iii) All required safety equipment is present and serviceable in airfield vehicles.
2.3.3 Duties-during flying
Delay launching if any obstruction or danger to flight or personnel is apparent.
Stop the winch and guillotine the launch cable in the event of a failure to release by the glider.
Signal the retrieve winch operator when clear to retrieve the cable(s)
Deal expeditiously with any breakdown in the launching arrangements.
Keep unauthorised persons well away from the winch.
Periodically check the fuel, oil and water and top up as necessary.
Not touch the cable or drum whilst the drum is revolving.
Ensure that both the Main and Retrieve winches are fully turned off before working on the cable, the drum or any associated equipment.
Ensure the gate to the airfield is closed during flying operations.
2.3.4 Duties-after flying:
Ensure that the winch and related equipment are cleaned, re-fuelled and returned to their parking locations (including the warning sign(s))
Ensure any debris from the days winching operations (discarded cable etc) is disposed of correctly.
Ensure all the airfield vehicles are refuelled and serviceable for the following days flying and the returned to the appropriate parking location.
Report any serviceability difficulties to the Winch Master and also ensure these difficulties are notified to the next duty winch driver.
Section 2: Flying operations