General Meeting of Members Saturday 12 th October 2019 Future Aerotowing at Nympsfield Choice of Tug Type
Agenda • Welcome • Apologies • Business of This Meeting • Presentation by Chairman • Response from Tim Macfadyen • Questions from the Floor • Vote on The Resolution • Buffet • Result of the Vote • Close
Welcome • Opposing Views and Strongly Held Opinions • Respect the other view • Keep to the facts • Don’t get personal • Keep an open mind • Listen to the debate • Make a decision in the long term interests of BGGC • Vote accordingly • Respect the decision of the majority
Apologies Fred Ballard, Anne Bevan, Tim Dannat, Roy Dodge, Steve Orchard, Norman Parry, Ben Payne, Kevin Tarrant, Jane Tarrant, Matt Davis. Not attending and requested Postal Votes: Simon Bawden, Gill Starling, Richard Starling, Ian Lane, Trevor Stuart, Robin Looms, Richard Moore, Rob Thompson, Nick O’Brien, Scott Barrett, Barry Walker, Geoff Beard, Jackie Beard
Business of This Meeting • The only business allowed at this General Meeting of Members is that specified in the Calling Notice (Club Rule 26c), i.e. “To present and discuss the options for choice of sole club tug type for aero- towing at Nympsfield and then to decide which tug type to select by a vote of members on the resolution.”
Who Can Vote and The Resolution • Full Members of the Club over the age of 16 are entitled to vote on the resolution (Rule 26a). • Full Members of the Club comprise of Flying, Associate and Honorary Life Members but not Temporary Members (Club Rule 13). • The Resolution is: The Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club shall acquire a 120 HP Eurofox tug at the first opportunity and then dispose of the Pawnee.
Chairman’s Presentation Introduction • The Future of Aero-towing at Nympsfield Sub- Committee was formed in early 2018. • Their Final Report Issue 2, 30 th August 2019, contains a very detailed analysis of possible tug options and costs, including the 120HP Eurofox Trial and concludes……. • “The only credible ways forward appear to be to continue with the Pawnee accepting its high cost of operation or invest in a EuroFox 120PS,” and “In the Short-term: The club should acquire a 120 PS EuroFox as soon as possible and dispose of the Pawnee whilst it has engine time remaining .”
Chairman’s Presentation Introduction: • 2015 – 2017 average 975 Aero-tows per annum • 2018 was exceptional year, 1100+ aero-tows • Winch Launches ~ 3000 per annum. • Aero-tow numbers only support one club tug • When the club disposed of its surplus tug, the members voted to dispose of the Citabria Scout and keep the more capable Piper Pawnee.
Pawnee Engine • Life (TBO) = 2000 hrs • On condition, extension to 2200 hrs + ? • Engine overhaul / replacement within 2 – 3 years. • Must be planned and scheduled, not reactive. • Overhaul of our engine, quote April 2018 £22,665.58 + Test + VAT = £27,396 (Nicholson MacLaren) • Our budget is £35000 (but may be exceeded?) • Prop refurbishment ? • Other airframe work ?
Pawnee Airframe • G-NYMF is 45 years old and fully written down • Resale value = remaining engine life + ? • Is an EASA a/c, with Maintenance overseen by CAA Licenced Inspector approved by BGA CAMO • Robust and well proven airframe • Ongoing corrosion and fatigue rectification ? • Requires released parts, EASA / FAA • Possible delays on parts from manufacturer ? • Airframe + engine average maintenance cost of £10478 per annum. Future costs ? • Future Inspector Availability ?
Pawnee Tug • Robust • Powerful • Very Capable – can tow all BGGC based gliders in most conditions • Expensive to Maintain (£10.48 per 2000ft tow) • Fuel burn 8.32 Litres per 2000 ft tow (£11.98) • Current BGGC charges include no element for airframe replacement • Requires engine overhaul within 3 years.
Eurofox Airframe • 2 versions LAA or BMAA • Only viable version is LAA, self build • Operates under LAA Permit to Fly • Maintained within LAA system under LAA Inspector supervision, e.g. Targett Aviation • Members can do many maintenance functions • Non released parts / direct from Aeropro • Estimated cost of maintenance ~ £3000 pa = £3 per tow at 1000 tows pa • Robustness ? Should last at least 20 years.
120 HP Eurofox Engine • 40000+ Rotax 912 engines in service worldwide • Edge Performance (Norway) modified Rotax 912 engine upgrade increases power from 100 to 120 HP and known Rotax weak spots modified • Block is capable of 160 HP upgrade • Over 300+ 120 HP upgrades now flying • Highest hour EP 120 HP upgrade is at 1300+ hours • TBO = 2000 hours. On condition ? • Price of new EP Rotax engine fitted ~ £32000
120 HP Eurofox Tug • Light • Efficient, 3.353 L for 2000 ft tow = £4.83 • Cost Effective, maintenance ~ £3000 pa • Price new (self build) £85-90000 • Less Capable than Pawnee, OK with light gliders in most conditions but will not be able to tow heavy gliders in unfavourable conditions (DG505, Grob 103 and future DG1001), or very heavy gliders in anything but favourable conditions • Similar in capability to Citabria Scout ? • Continued availability of a winch option is essential.
SAFETY • All aero-tows carry some degree of risk – engine failure, tug upset etc • The Eurofox type does not seem to be prone to any higher incidence of accidents or incidents than any other type although recent BGA communication has cautioned of a greater chance of upset with light weight tugs. • No aero-tow should commence unless the PIC at both ends of the rope believe there is a very high probability of a safe and successful outcome
SAFETY cont …. • Your Committee considers there is no extra risk involved in aero-towing with the 120 HP Eurofox provided both tug and glider pilots are aware of and constantly review the factors affecting the combination’s performance and appropriate measures are put in place to assure a very high probability of a safe outcome: Specifically………. • 1) Mandatory tug pilot refresher coaching shall be introduced at the earliest opportunity, and • 2) During pre-flight annual aero-tow checks, and before each aero-tow launch, thorough launch failure eventualities shall be considered.
SAFETY cont …. • If you are in any doubt about a safe outcome, DO NOT GO • Your Committee will support any tug pilot, instructor or member who decides not to commence an aero-tow on safety grounds. • It has been said that BIs are not volunteering for BI duties because they are afraid of aerotows behind the Eurofox but during the Eurofox evaluation only one BI contacted the Chairman directly to express concern about a particular launch. Is this true ?
FINANCIAL • Assumptions based on history + future expectation • 1000 aero-tows per annum split 400 TL + Solo and Beyond and 600 Members • Your Committee believes most Trial Lessons who are cancelled will rebook • Members who cannot aero-tow may choose to either not launch or switch to the winch (additional winch profit). • Either we will lose 6.5% or more of the 600 member aero-tows or we will deliver more member aero-tows because the price is lower……. • The Committee assumption is 1000 tows pa
FINANCIAL • Treasurer’s Discounted Cash Flow, DCF spreadsheet • Calculates Net Present Value, NPV • Assuming 1000 tows pa and aerotow price of £27.50 for Eurofox and £37.50 for Pawnee, the NPV to BGGC is £79000 better for Eurofox than Pawnee after 20 years. This is after purchase of a new Eurofox at £90K, finance at 3.5% on the full price and depreciation of airframe down to £10K after 20 years. • Even at 1000 tows for Pawnee and 935 for Eurofox (ie 535 member tows), NPV to BGGC is still £54000 better for Eurofox and that assumes all operating costs for Eurofox remain at 1000 launches. • BGGC does not operate in a vacuum
FINANCIAL – EUROFOX PURCHASE • New 120 HP Eurofox self build ~ £90000 • £50000 from existing funds (Pawnee engine fund+) • Up to £40000 from loans (member loans, Phillip Wills Memorial Fund etc) • Annual operating cost savings in excess of £10000 PA should allow repayment of loans in 4 year period if desired. • G-CHUP might be a cost effective option.
FINANCIAL • Over to Nalin …..
CONCLUSIONS • The financial advantages of operating a 120HP Eurofox vs Pawnee appear to be overwhelming • The 120 HP Eurofox is undoubtedly less capable than the Pawnee. This will disproportionately impact on heavier gliders including some club two seaters and no doubt result in postponement of Trial Lessons on unfavourable days. • The Committee believes the 120HP Eurofox is no less safe than the Pawnee provided appropriate procedures are in place. • Members must decide if the savings are worth the loss of utility
Tim Macfadyen • The Opposing View….
Questions
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