AOPA Safety Seminar

Randy Vanness presented the first of three AOPA safety seminars at the club's February meeting. Notwithstanding the poor weather, 20 people attended including a contingent from Midland airport.

The seminar consisted of viewing, on VHS, several re-creations of scenarios that led to the pilots experiencing spatial disorientation. At points throughout the scenario we paused the video to discuss key issues. Randy was able to lend his considerable experience as a career airline pilot to lead the discussions.

It is safe to say we now have a better understanding of the situations leading to; and the risks involved, in spatial disorientation. A sobering though when you consider that 80% of all inadvertent flights into IMC, which as we learned often leads to spatial disorientation, result in a fatal accident.

We will be presenting the remaining two seminars at future club meetings.

Club Meeting

March 19^th, 2008

The club's next meeting is on Wednesday March 19^th, 7 pm in the classroom at Edenvale.

John Galloway & Glen Alton were planning to give a presentation on the refurbishment of their Republic Seabee. Glen was tasked with the assignment of researching the status of general aviation in Florida and will not be back in time so the Seabee presentation has been put on hold. In its place we will be watching a DVD titled Lost & Crossed.

Prepared by AOPA, this DVD covers two situations that we could easily find ourselves in. The first involves recovering from being positionally challenged, following the failure of a panel mounted GPS, using basic pilotage skills. The second half of this 35 minute DVD reviews the proper techniques for a cross wind landing.

While not part of the 3 AOPA safety seminars mentioned earlier, this DVD is nonetheless a valuable tool to refresh our skills heading into the busy flying season.

Annual Dues

Annual membership dues are coming, well, due.

The annual membership fees will not be changing this coming year but they are due as of April 1^st.

• Flying Member: $300 including GST
• Social Member: $50 including GST

The club's membership year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Anyone wishing to fly the club plane must pay their dues no later than April 30^th. Our new online membership database will automatically restrict you from accessing the booking calendar if we have not received and processed your payment prior to April 30^th.

Anyone wishing to become a social member should also pay their dues by April 30^th. Those that subscribe to this newsletter who are not members are encouraged to consider becoming a social member.

Social members can attend all club meetings, social functions & have voting privileges within the club.

Dues can be dropped off in the bank at Edenvale or mailed to:

• Borden Flying Club
• Edenvale Aerodrome
• RR #2
• Stayner, Ontario
• L0M 1S0

While on the topic of dues, if you are not already a member, please consider joining COPA too!

Membership Profile

Update it today

Please update your membership profile by going to the Members Only section of the club's website. This ensures that we have up to date contact information for you.

Other club members have access to your home, work & cell phone numbers as well as your email address. This is all stored in a secure database away from the prying eyes of search engines and spammers. Directors and staff (if we had any) can access your next of kin , pilot & membership information.

As part of updating your profile it is important to review and update your pilot information. This is sent to our insurance company each May. The more experience our members have the better our chances of reducing those insurance rates. The best way to help the club reduce our insurance premiums is to fly at least 10 hours a year, or better yet, 20. This, along with advanced training, are the two most significant factors in determining the club's insurance premiums.

» Update your profile.

Forgot your password?

You can recover your password at the sign-in page as long as you know your user name AND we have a valid email address on file for you. Simply follow the instructions on the log-in page.

If you forgot your user name or you know that your email address has changed since you last updated the database you will have to send an email to webmaster@bordenflyingclub.com. Be sure to give your full name as we will only respond to those that we know.

The email address that we have on file for you is the same one that this newsletter was delivered to.

Annual General Meeting

Saturday April 12^th

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for Saturday April 12^th, 10 am at Edenvale.

This is when the directors report to the membership the status of the club and answer any questions put to them by you - the membership. It is also when we elect a new board of directors.

Any member in good standing - i.e. dues paid - can run for a position on the board of directors. The membership must elect 7 directors who will hold their post for a term of one year. Once the 7 directors have been elected as the new board, they appoint the officers (president, vice-president, secretary & treasurer). With the exception of treasurer these appointments are filled by one of the directors. The treasurer does not have to be a director though typically the board appoints a fellow board member.

To run for the board you need simply ensure that your dues are paid and nominate yourself. As the membership elects the board but does not elect the officers you do not need to run for a given position on the board such as president. Nominations will be taken up to the morning of the election though we encourage people to complete a nomination form in advance of the election.

The board meets about every 6 - 8 weeks for several hours though circumstances may dictate more often. Each member of the board is assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their skills and experience.

The wellbeing of the club relies on a talented and dedicated board. To maintain vigour and ensure that new ideas are brought forward it is necessary that the makeup of the board does not remain static. Anyone interested in the governance of the club should put serious thought towards running for the board. Relying on the same people for too long to lead the club taxes their dedication.

Like everything else, we ask more of you then do some clubs or schools. It is part the closest thing to ownership model that we use here at the Borden Flying Club that we ask our members to consider running for the board.

» Nomination form.

Florida Anyone?

Earlier I mentioned that Glen Alton was conducting research into the state of general aviation in Florida. Well, that's his story anyway.

You may have noticed a message from (about?) Glen on the club's message board where he reported that he completed ground training and a check ride in order to validate his U.S. pilot's licence. Glen is happy (smug?) to further report that he is making the most of his time in Florida as the following photos document.

No word on what else, other than our eternal gratitude for his hard work, that he may be accomplishing. Keep up the good work Glen. You put more hours in the cockpit than most of us have this winter buddy!