2008 MDWG Glider Operations draw to a close

12/20/2008

Photos courtesy of Tim Bowen, Capt., CAP 

Glider operations for 2008 are now over.  The glider has been disassembled and stowed it in its trailer for the winter. 

How can I express my gratitude for the members that showed up for work today?  It is one day before the start of Hanukkah, and four days before Christmas.  I would like to thank the following members for giving up their time in this holiday season:  Lt. Col. Bob Ayres (MD Wing), C/Col Zach Bowen (Mt. Airy), C/A1C Chris Cook (Mt. Airy), Capt. Charles Davis (College Park), 2Lt. Tim Krout (Apollo 1), C/SSgt Shiloh Lockard (Mt. Airy), 1Lt. Ron Long (Mt. Airy), 2Lt. Joe Manning (Carroll),  Capt. Kevin Martin (BCC/MD Wing), Maj. Doug Lundgren (Hagerstown), 2Lt. Thomas Pearson (Apollo 1), C/SrA Nick Peterson (Mt. Airy), SM Alan Siegrist (Mt. Airy), and Maj. Bob Terry (MD Wing).  I would also like to thank 1Lt. Mark Gladstone for standing in the wings in case we needed extra help.  I could not have done it without all of you. 

Special thanks go out to Lt. Col. Bob Ayres for arranging the use of FDK’s heated maintenance hangar to disassemble the glider.  He also towed the glider over to the hangar.  Having a dry surface after all the rain we had on Friday was incredibly fortunate.  Thanks to Capt. Kevin Martin for his continued mentoring as I take over as MD Wing Glider Coordinator.

The glider may have been put away for the season, but planning for next year has already begun.  In November 2008, our current tow pilot, Capt. Olin Kinney started the process to qualify new tow pilots.  With a couple more flights, 1Lt. Rick Stuart will be a qualified tow pilot, and Capt. Mike Allen has just started the process.  Capt. Martin has spoken to other interested pilots, and we will work out a schedule to get those pilots qualified.  If you are glider pilot, please contact us to see what else you may need to become a cadet orientation glider pilot. 

2009 will be the first year since losing the Maule (I think 2005) that we will have a full year to dedicate to glider operations.  We expect to schedule the glider’s annual inspection for late February 2009, and glider operations to start in mid-March.  The start of operations will be dedicated to qualifying new tow pilots.  Look on the MDWG calendar from mid to late April for cadet orientation flights to start (dependent upon funding).   

For those members residing in the Frederick area, I will be looking for your support for routine maintenance.  I will need some help to cut and trim grass around the glider, someone to verify tie-downs, and general security for the 2009 season.  If you think you may be of assistance, please contact me.

Any comments and/or suggestions: webmaster@mtairy-cap.org.