Spring 2005

The snow is disappearing around the gliderport and the sun’s heat suggests the wearing of short sleeve shirts. Once again the time for soaring approaches, and it surely feels good!

Opening day for Sugarbush Soaring Association is set for May 7, 2005. Activities begin with Breakfast at the Dinersoar Restaurant from 8:30 AM, followed by glider assembly, and general airport cleanup. There is a lot to do, so dress casually. Dave and Sandy will be hosting appetizers and dinner at the Dinersoar. Please plan to attend.

Your Board of Directors and Staff have been busy over the winter months. Last season was fiscally marginal, so we have carefully reviewed our operation and made some important decisions. We are now supporting the costs of the two excellent Pawnee towplanes that are mandatory for our 7-day operation. After careful study of both fixed and variable costs associated with tow operations, we made the following decisions:

1. That the tow operation must at least “break even,” and should have a positive effect on the Association’s financial position.
2. For the tow operation to “break even,” including the cost of our capitol investment in equipment, we must raise tow rates significantly.
3. We raised the tow rate for members from $0.65/100 ft. to $1.00/100 ft. This is partly to cover the increased cost of fuel, and partly to pay down debts accumulated in purchase and restoration of the towplanes.
4. We lowered the “hookup fee” for members from $16.50 to $10. We expect that thrifty club members will take bets on 1500 ft tows to Scragg. It will be interesting to count the increase in re-lights.

The Board decided to invest serious money in upgrading our Grob-102 glider. Aileron and elevator A/D’s have been addressed, so the airspeed limitation has been removed. The upholstery has been replaced, and we plan to put a radio and glide computer in the panel. We strongly recommend that club pilots choose to fly the G-102 rather than the K-21. This makes the 2-place gliders more available for instruction and commercial flights. At the same time we actually reduced the G-102 rental rate. This should encourage qualified visitors to enjoy this newly refurbished glider.

Further, we decided not to defer optional Blanik L-23 repair & A/D work. Rear fuselage bulkheads have been replaced, and elevator drive bellcranks have been replaced rather than being subjected to 100-hour mandatory inspections.

The board also decided to replace our aging green golfcart with a newer and less odorous one. Further, the board agreed to raise the marketing budget this year in hopes of attracting more students, club members, and tourist flights.

In 2004 we solicited $43,000 from various members for restoration of towplane “4P”. This year the Board agreed to pay back 20% of these loans + interest. Given our somewhat precarious financial situation, your Board of Directors carefully weighed the merits of each expenditure.

We trust that you, the members, also endorse our pro-active approach to maintenance and our fiscal conservatism. Ultimately, the success of Sugarbush Soaring Association depends on active participation by its members. The Association provides an excellent facility, equipment, and services. The more members and friends fly with us, the longer we can continue to be successful.

Finally, here are several personal notes:

Tim Bush has decided to move to Inactive status for this year. The combined pressures of starting a new business and raising a family have limited his available time. Tim has been an active member of the Board of Directors, and his enthusiasm will be missed.

John Daniell “went missing” last year for health reasons. I spoke recently with him and can report good and bad news. The good news is that he is feeling fine and is anxious to get back in the air with his glider. My bad news is that John is reclaiming his hangar, so LS-4a “RB” shared by Rick Gehlert and me will have to move out.

Dave Ellis, President