York Soaring is somewhat snowed in.
However don't forget that, when the conditions are right, we do fly before April. Checking my FAS history reminds me that we flew during the winter on the following occasions:
December (2017,2021)
January (2022)
February (2023)
March (2018,2023)
There is a towplane, K21 and 2-33 waiting for you at the front of the main hangar (and a snow plough at the front of the small hangar), so watch out for a Forum post announcing which day we might fly!
Moving on to 2026
Finances
Our finances are healthy, we have enough cash to pay our 2026 property taxes and aviation/building insurance at the start of next season. We are setting aside considerable sums each year (including 2025) for (a) paying down our bank loan (b) reserving funds for an LTX engine replacement or rebuild in a couple of years time +/- one year. The Board have not yet considered any fee changes for the coming season. If any, we will probably only apply from June, so consider paying your dues before then to avoid surprises.
Towplanes
We have two good tow planes (LTX and EKV) ready for next season
We have enough AVgas in the tank to last us until the June AGM
We have 6 reliable tow pilots plus 2 with limited availability plus 1 near end of training.
Instructors
We have 15 glider instructors for next season
(always looking for more, if interested contact Paul)
We have 3 aerobatic instructors for next season for sure, possibly 1 or 2 more.
(if interested in becoming one, contact Wayne)
Cross Country
There is an ongoing myth that YSA does not support XC.
We certainly do encourage IF you have a Bronze C and make the proper preparations before flying XC
We have 5 XC instructors (i.e. who have flown XC themselves and are willing to instruct/mentor) plus 1 non-instructor mentor.
The Travelling trophy is often a good opportunity to try an XC.
Students
We have a dozen or so students at various stages of 2-33 or K21 training, or 1-34 or K21 or twin Grob conversion.
There is a possibility we might take on a handful of students (18 years or over) that SOSA have no room for.
Probably we will have 2-3 Hong Kong students.
Membership
45 Full members
1 Spouse member
4 Junior Members
5 Youth Members
1 Prepaidcourse member (Hong Kong)
3 Life members
TOTAL 59 (56 flying members)
Additionally a handful or two of Social members
So the club position stays stable compared to 2024.
Ground equipment
Our ground equipment director assures me:
The two main tractors are working!
The 4 flight line golf-carts are in good order.
The flight van is in good order.
The old mower deck for the runways became difficult to maintain, so we have an almost new mower to replace.
Social Events
The Board will encourage the social secretary to hold a Spring Banquet
The Board have agreed another Open day for the public
The Board have agreed to continue some Friday power fly-in evenings
Working with SAC
YSA has has quite a lot of interactions with SAC this year.
YSA & TSA member Stan Martin is the SAC Southern Ontario Zone Director, if you need to know more about what SAC does for us, speak to him!
Our Safety Officer has many interactions with the SAC Safety committee.
YSA undertook a SAC audit of our operation earlier this year, the Safety Officer will publish the final report on the forum soon.
Like all Canada gliding club Presidents, YSA will send a President's report to SAC on our 2025 season imminently.
We have posted, at SAC request, details of the TC near-miss survey initiative on the forum.
We have provided SAC, at their request, detailed updates of gliders based at YSA, for the SAC inventory.
The Board have applied, via the Safety Officer, for a SAC safety grant (we will be purchasing new windsocks, small flarm-like devices and hand held radios for use in 2-33 and 1-34).
Volunteers
Many thanks to all on the Board who have contributed in many ways to the club, outside of their position on the board.
Many thanks to all the members not on the Board who have also contributed to various projects during 2025.
Hopefully, ALL members will be able to assist in some way next year, if nothing else (and certainly not least) volunteer for extra line duty shifts!
The club would be in great financial difficulty without volunteer labour.
Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year.