MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER MEETING OF THE 
KERNOW HANG GLIDING & PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION
AT THE CLINTON SOCIAL CLUB ON 9th SEPTEMBER 2002

Please note there was no meeting in August

The meeting opened with Phippsy in the chair deputising for Chairman Pete on holiday in the U.S.A. 24 members were present.

APOLOGIES were made for the absence of Chairman Pete and Mark Woodhams.

MINUTES of the last meeting were read, approved and signed.

MATTERS ARISING.

COMPETITIONS. Phippsy reported on the Larangue trip including the British Hang Gliding Series Competition. Of special note was the Ladies Day at Aspres when all three of our new lady hang glider pilots made cracking to bottom flights including Kathy with just 45 mins flying time. In the competition flying with 60-70 pilots Kernow notable incidents included a tree landing by Steve (two uprights) followed by another landing in an obstructed field (two leading edge tubes). Tim’s glider had an affinity with the bottom landing field but as the days passed it got better for all. Phippsy told us that the area and the conditions were very suited to low airtime fliers but the company and assistance of more experienced but non competing pilots would help a lot.
Patrick reported on the British Clubs Challenge flown off the Blorenge in difficult conditions. In the Hang Gliding competition Kernow made best club and best individual pilot (Phippsy, of course). Derbyshire Soaring Club made top club overall.
The chairman thanked Patrick and congratulated him on the successful running of the competition and thanked Gay and Paul for making and giving the Hang Gliding and Paragliding trophies.
Regrettably Kernow was no good at all in the fire eating competition. Vicki added that, although not competing Alan was seen to have scored with a little old Welsh lady in the Castle Meadows landing field.

TOWING. Vicki reported that the paragliding weekend was blown out. The hangers enjoyed three weekend sessions and 2 evening sessions which included some dual flying by Paul D. Problems arose when we wanted to tow when the Culdrose Gliding Club were not active and our procedures need to be tightened.
Tim’s tow coach rating has been completed and Daisies Senior Tow Coach rating is well in hand. Winch Operator ratings for Patrick and Vicki are being finalised.

STEVE’S SEAT. Nothing has been heard from the Carrick official concerned. Phippsy continues to follow up.

TRAINING. Graham said he has had a very busy month with hang glider training. Mark said he had done very little as he has been unwell.

CULDROSE AIR DAY. Alan reported that due to an accident to the BHPA van we were not able to have the virtual glider. However a small team of members rigged and displayed two gliders with hang gliding and paragliding equipment photographs and leaflets.

FESTIVAL OF FREE FLIGHT. Daisy reported that the Kernow winch operated well in good weather conditions on the Saturday until stopped by a thunderstorm at about 4.30.p.m. Sunday was NAFF. The event did not appear to be well attended and field conditions were far from ideal. Merv Turner the events organiser promises next years event will be much better with a proper tow event at Kemble Airfield.

OTHER BUSINESS.
INCIDENTS. Steve blamed a thermal for his tree landing (see above) . For his second incident there were no trees but the field was just too small. Vicki busted an upright landing in Castle Meadows and said too many distractions on the landing approach spoiled her concentration. Roger Green who destroyed his keel in the same field was not present to make any excuse so we put down to plain, straight forward, good old pilot error. Martin Fox was reckoned to be the luckiest pilot surviving the demolition of his glider when he crashed it onto a small ledge on the face of Monte Sec at Ager in Spain. 
Happily all these Hanger incidents, though costly in glider damage, resulted in no personal injuries other than pride and dignity. Unhappily the one reported para accident went the other way. Mark Presland induced a total canopy collapse while “manoeuvring” at low level off Perransands. Mark suffered severe injuries to his pelvis. We wish him a speedy recovery.

ANNUAL DINNER. It was agreed that the dinner be on similar lines to last year, at the same venue, but with more entertainment and some music. Alan suggested the dinner follow immediately after the Association’s AGM on 13th Jan so that the planned date for the dinner will be 18th Jan 2003. It is proposed that the presentation of trophies should take place at the dinner and that a suitable guest of honour be invited to make the presentations.

PHIPPSY told us that Nigel Eagle has taken delivery of his new glider and asked members to be helpful to our latest new hanger pilot. Paul and Gay have discarded their red ribbons and are building hours and experience. Graham went on to remind us that the summer XC league ends at the end of October. At present the league is led by para pilot Phil Whitelaw. Graham exhorts us to “crack on”.

QUICK ROUND UP
TIM wants clients for his library.
ROGER FULL presented his new “Tree Trophy” deservedly to Steve. 
Regarding Carbis Bay site Roger said the balloon launch operation is still going on and that so far he has not been able to contact the new owner of the site.
VICKI asked members to check with her before flying at Maenporth as the site is up for sale and the situation may change at short notice.
MARK BUTLER said his paragliding school is now operating as “Cornwall Paragliding” and any enquiries should now be made direct to him.
JOHN SEKULA explained the new “Forum” on the web site, replacing the old “Bulletin. John wants members to send him reports and pictures for the web site. He will arrange for a hit counter to be added as suggested by a member.
PAUL D said that the dual towing bridle needs a better sort of rope as the existing cord wears rapidly.
DAISY said he thinks our one time member Steve Hunt may be moving out to Australia
ALAN asked members to be sure to advise Perran Airfield (Phone 01872 55 22 66) when flying at Perranporth, St Agnes or Chapel Porth.
PHIPPSY came back to say that the Association will feature in a BBC Spotlight Southwest programme on extreme sports to be screened on Wednesday or Thursday this week between 6.30 and 7.00 p.m.
50 CLUB. The draw was made for August and September. Roger Full got the £5 prize for August and Gavin (Mini) Cooper made it for the £15 prize. For September Steve Merley won the £5 prize and sometimes lucky, Roger Full got the £25 ticket.

With the time at 21.24 that finished the business for the evening.