Club member update on site access and biosecurity

Mike Samuels Uncategorised

Dear All

As you are probably aware the DfT announced today that the restrictions on GA and recreational flying have been lifted. Up until lunchtime today we had been advised that this might not happen for another few weeks. This is clearly very good news and I’m sure you are all champing at the bit to get back into the air.

Colin Cowden will be communicating our plans for restarting flying shortly, but please understand that this restart must take place in a safe and controlled fashion. Colin’s plans will describe the phased approach we will be taking. Rest assured we intend to get as many of you as possible flying soon but we must do this with safety as a priority.

We also need to pay close attention to our biosecurity. The club will not be able to operate as it once did for a considerable time and so we must adapt to our “new world”. To protect us all we MUST adhere strictly to the current government guidelines on social distancing which are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing. We will communicate more about how we will tackle the challenges these present over the coming days, but for the time being please take careful note of the following restrictions.

Access to the site will be allowed from tomorrow Saturday 16th May for members only, but with the following restrictions in place:-

1. Members MUST adhere to all of the government’s social distancing policies
2. Members should take every care with their biosecurity and ensure they have the equipment necessary for this including such items as gloves, wipes and anti-bacterial gels. There are some limited stocks of these items at the club and we will endeavour to obtain more in the coming days.
3. The club house may ONLY be accessed to use the toilets and for washing hands. There is to be no gathering of any kind within the clubhouse. The kitchen is closed until further notice.
4. The office should only be accessed to obtain keys or equipment necessary for flight.
5. Supplies of anti-bacterial hand gel will be available at the main club house entrance. Please use this BEFORE opening the club house or office doors.

Many thanks for your continued support as we make the journey back to flying operations in a controlled and safe way.

Kind regards

Peter Joslin

Chairman
Cambridge Gliding Centre

Coronavirus update: 15th May

Mike Samuels Uncategorised

Dear All,

The government have today issued the following guidance to recreational general aviation regarding coronavirus:-

“Updated government advice means that recreational GA flying is now allowed:

  • from English airfields or flying sites
  • if social distancing measures are strictly observed

In practice this means that only solo flights, or flights where everyone is from the same household, are permitted. This is because it’s not generally possible to observe social distancing during a GA flight”

Our Flight Safety Committee met on Wednesday evening to discuss a phased return to flying, and are meeting again this evening to make further detailed plans in view of the latest government advice.

Whilst we want to get back flying as soon as possible, our prime goal is to ensure that our return to flight process is made safely both from a flight safety and from a COVID-19 standpoint.

The full government advice is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-recreational-general-aviation/coronavirus-covid-19-recreational-general-aviation

We will issue a further update as soon as we are able to do so.

Kind regards,

Pete Joslin

Chairman, Cambridge Gliding Centre

Coronavirus update: 24th March

Mike Samuels Uncategorised
Dear Members
 
In the light of the Prime Minister’s announcement last night we must now inform you that the club will temporarily close with immediate effect.
 
We move now into a business survival mode in order that we may re-emerge at some future point, hopefully not too distant, when we may again enjoy all of the pleasures and challenges our sport provides.  We are better placed than many clubs to survive this but it will take considerable effort and sacrifice, particularly from our hard working and loyal staff, to see us through to happier days. 
 
This is a difficult and very worrying time for us all, but with memberships now due and fixed costs to meet, I implore all of you who can to please support your club by paying membership subs when due. Without your continuing support the cost of running the Club may rapidly outstrip our resources. Should that event occur it may require extensive and painful resource reduction in order to retain a fleet and launch facilities such that we may all go gliding at Gransden Lodge in the future.
 
We are now working on plans for how we manage the club and airfield throughout this period and will communicate policy on club access and any possible use of facilities shortly.
 
Thank you all for your support and understanding.  
 
Keep safe.
 
Pete
Chairman, Cambridge Gliding Club