As I'm sure you recall, I've been talking with Phil Brown (out of Leamington). I think there is some good (extra) soaring conditions we are missing out on at times down his way (as far as Chatham).
Phil has gone to the effort of finding an airstrip that we can tow out of. The barrier then was getting a tug/trike down there. He has now found an UL pilot (Clearence) that has a two-place trike (with a 503) that is willing to fit it with a tow-kit and learn how to tow HGers. I don't know much about the trike but if it is strong enough to fly two people, it should be strong enough to tow a HGer. I've heard it said before that we should be looking for bored UL pilots like this as they just want to fly and they'd be happy to "tow shit up!!".
I think it's in the club's best interest to pursue this...another tow site (not a replacement) and another tow plane & pilot.
I don't know for sure if there is any fees needed for the tow field (not for a test fly-in anyways) but what about the club paying Steve Younger to go to this guy's place, check out his trike, do some check rides with him and teach him (at least) the theory of towing hang gliders.
If Steve says the guy is adept, I'd like to see us cover the cost of fitting the trike with a tow-kit - apparently Steve can do this.
After Steve's sign off, I'd be happy being the guinea-pig doing some test tows behind the guy.
So I am prosposing:
1) SOGA pays Steve to train Clearence and check out his trike (travel costs, Steve's normal fees for UL check rides & some basic HGing training/theory if Steve thinks he needs it). Clearence covers price of gas for the flights.
2) if #1 goes OK, SOGA pays for a tow kit (Steve to propose a budget for parts and install time)
3) SOGA agrees to cover cost of test flights (just the gas, not for travel + standard tow-pilot fees paid to Clearence + standard fee for using a trike/tug for a flight)
I'd hope that #1 could happen this fall...and if all is OK, it'd be fantastic if #2 could happen this season (but I doubt it) and it'd be outstanding if #3 happened this fall too (but I highly doubt it).
My goal is to do some spring XC flying in that area as that is when it is good (thus my personal motivation for the timeline) but a June club fly-in would be the club's goal. And Phil and Clearence and the tow-strip are willing to let us camp on-site and have a fly-in....what more of an invite could you ask for!
Let's discuss tonight.
