Briefing for Visiting Pilots
The following brief can be downloaded in a printer friendly PDF format from the forms page.
Welcome to Haddenham. We hope you will enjoy your visit to the Upward Bound Trust. If there is anything you require, please ask. The following information about the airfield and local area is important so please read it carefully. If there is anything you are unsure about, please do not hesitate to ask. If you are arriving by air then the normal rules of Airmanship apply. Once you have landed please follow any guidance given until you are fully conversant with our procedures.
- A DAILY BRIEFING BOARD will give you details of the day's operation pattern (launch line, tow back route, landing areas, local weather etc).
- The preferred circuit system is used, however, circuits may be flown on either side of the airfield if the need arises.
- Use BGA standard circuit pattern with all turning completed by 300 feet.
- Do NOT overfly the gliders queuing at the launch point. If the landing area is congested, then move your base leg and land further up the field.
- Do not queue for the launch line in the landing area.
- Once you have landed, please clear the landing area as quickly as possible.
- Mutual flying / Trial Lesson flying must only take place with the CFI's approval.
- KEEP A GOOD LOOKOUT both in the air and on the ground.
- Acceptance of the cable means you are ready to go. The launch controller will ask the winch for slack using the radio when it is clear.
Do not loiter in the launch area once you have released the cable (unless of course you are in a thermal). - If you wish to fly cross-country, please obtain the CFI's (or his deputy) approval. Let us know where you are going (i.e. your route plan) and the likely time it will take.
- A coloured weak link system is used. Please ensure you ask for the one to suit your glider.
- BEWARE of cables at all times. DON'T touch the other cable if a glider is being launched on the other. Only handle the cables when it is essential to do so.
Because we are a winch only operation and we operate from a bi-directional strip the following guidelines are very relevant:-
- Are you current?
- When did you last have a winch launch?
- When did you last have a cable break?
- When did you last launch or land in a crosswind?
If you are NOT current in any of these areas or not current in any other aspect of gliding which you will encounter during your visit, then please ask for a briefing and/or a check flight.