Best wishes for the New Year to all our happy band of aviators, families and neighbours.
The 2024 season ended with, due to a handful of flying members having medical issues, a small decline in active memberships, but with a corresponding increase in social memberships. However, the number of flights from York Soaring remained at over 1550.
Club finances remain in good order but our cash reserves have been significantly reduced by necessary maintenance and refurbishment of all three tow planes, in particular the two Pawnees. Many thanks to those working on the tow planes in the fall and now winter! Primarily Rob, Jon de Jong and Doug with support from Edge.
During 2024 York Soaring provided various opportunities for glider familiarization and training, to the local community, aviation community and again to international students.
Hong Kong students were again hosted and all received their Canadian Licenses. Additionally, two previous students from Hong Kong returned to successfully work through their Bronze Badge programs.
Several neighbours were introduced to gliding with complimentary flights. Further, we repeated our Antique flying open day. This year we were not rained off completely, several discounted glider flights were flown for the local community, a handful of power plane enthusiasts flew in including one aircraft from the Great War Flying Museum. Many attendees were full of interest with questions about gliding, all answered by our enthusiastic membership. Thanks to Ken Voort taking the lead on the event. We will repeat the event in the form of a straightforward open day, June 21st 2025, again with the support of Wellington North Township.
Our power pilot to glider pilot program has continued to produce results, with two new member power pilots signing up each year and becoming useful and much appreciated members of the club.
Not least several new members completed their licensing in the fall. Many passed the TC ground exam with spectacular scores.
2024 saw the reactivation of York Soaring Aerobatic courses. Two keen members are significantly on their way to becoming aerobatic instructors. All members are invited to experience aerobatics at least once in the DG500 in particular.
Over the off season, our DG500 is again based in Florida for the use of club members and their guests.
The 2025 season commences with the club offering glider instructor training, starting with an off season Zoom course, potentially open to members of other clubs. If of interest to any member: please inquire via ysa.officemanager@gmail.com
The annual banquet is currently being planned by Tracey for early April, this is an important date in our calendar for a semi-formal meetup of members and families and friends of the club pre season, details to be posted on the forum nearer the date.
The Board have decided, in view of the favourable comments from intro passengers during the 2024 fly-in, that 2K intro flights will be the norm for 2025. Details will be worked out prior to the start of season.
The fly-in will be repeated this year, June 21st, with more emphasis on gliding. It will be free entry (but attendees encouraged to freely donate). All members supported the event last year and we hope for the same this year. The event keeps our club on the map and maintains contacts with the local community, officialdom and the press. North wellington have again granted us $1000 and additional support.
There are no plans to increase, modify or reduce the aircraft fleet this year. However the Board, in particular Barry, are always monitoring the auctions and considering modifications to the tractor/grass cutting/golf cart fleet.
The OPP/CBSA have asked us to watch out for, and report, any unusual power plane movements at YSA. With the emphasis on possible loading or unloading of passengers/children/drugs etc. Members are not advised to approach such aircraft; just photograph if possible and report.
Wayne is stepping down as CFI after many years, his work has been very necessary and much appreciated by (nearly) all, many thanks for this and for joining the safety committee. Mark Voysey will take on the role. In the last couple of years Mark has gone out of his way to convert on to all club aircraft, including the 2-32 and undertook many instructional flights and contributed to the ground school of both Hong Kong and Canada youth students and new members. He is also accepted by Transport Canada for related administrative work and conducting Radio License examinations. Members please be understanding and supportive of any new approaches to CFI oversight of all glider activity, the Board supports the CFI and wish him all success.
A final note on our finances. Whilst sound, the start of each year is our most vulnerable for cash availability. Large bills come in at this time (Aircraft and building insurance, property taxes, unexpected building/infrastructure/battery maintenance due to winter conditions). It would be most helpful to the club that the basic membership fee is paid into the club by eTransfer as early as possible.
During the flying season, the Board have determined a strict NO FLY penalty on any account $200 or more behind. Keep in mind that zeroing your account and then taking 2 or 3 flights will most likely put you over $200 behind again. If your account is, say, $153 47 cents behind, please don't just pay in that amount, more pragmatic for all concerned is to pay in a larger sum to cover your next couple of weeks flying.
It is a requirement of the club that all members complete a new membership form and pay their membership fees BEFORE undertaking their Spring Check flight(s).
Any increases/reductions in fees will be discussed in February.
Have a good flying year, demand of nature an early start to the season!