Dear All
There are some exciting changes to the Single Seater Scheme for next year. The Discus, DM, is being refinished and will be returned to the club in January 2020.
In addition, a second Discus is being acquired to replace the ASW24. Although a few of us will miss FLY, the conversion step required to fly it will be removed by the change, and the Discus fits a wider range of pilots.
This will mean that we will have the Pegase and one Discus in the hangar, as now. We will still keep one Discus in its trailer, which is great for early-morning rigging on a big day (reducing hangar rash and dust) expeditions and retrieves.
After this year’s successful introduction, flying the two Juniors is included in the scheme all year round, and are charged for like the other aircraft. Booking one of the Juniors may be done through the Junior booking system. This also makes the Single Seater Scheme attractive to pilots who are in the process of converting from Juniors to the other scheme aircraft.
As before, you can purchase from one to three shares. Each share gives you the right to make an advance booking for any of the high performance single seat gliders. One share is ideal if you expect to fly only occasionally but want to ensure you have access to a glider. Three shares entitle you to unlimited solo flying and the ability to hold three advance bookings (including one weekend booking) – ideal if you plan to fly a lot, or want to maximise your chances of having a glider available when you have a few days holiday planned.
The scheme year runs from 1st April to 31st March in the following year. In order to allow scheme members to use any unused hours towards the end of the season, solo flying in two-seaters after 30th September will be rebated at the end of the scheme year.
So the improved Single Seater Scheme offers members an excellent opportunity to enjoy some of the benefits of syndicate or private glider ownership without the initial capital outlay. Your flying costs are reduced and the booking facility offers you the certainty of having a glider available for your sole use on the days of your choosing.
The Single Seater Scheme is now open for applications for the next season starting on 1st April. After a number of years where the price has been held or decreased, prices will rise slightly next season. However, we are still giving members the option to secure a generous discount by paying in full in advance. The deadline for next season’s EarlyBird discount will be 1st March.
Alternatively members may pay in monthly instalments during the season. Either way, please let me know your intentions as soon as possible so that your shares can be secured.
Last year we had a record number of 27 members going solo, so it is likely that the scheme will be over-subscribed this year. 18 shares out of 30 are already allocated. To avoid disappointment, reserve your shares now by emailing me at sss@lawrence-Jones.net
Mark Lawrence-Jones
