Scottish Hang-gliding and Paragliding Federation AGM minutes - 10th February 2007 held at Tinto Hotel, Symington
Present
Shown below.
Introduction
Alistair Bowman opened the meeting by welcoming members.
Minutes and Outstanding actions from last AGM - 25TH Feb 2006 -Alistair Bowman
There was intention to run a Club Coach Course last October and although this did not happen, a course is scheduled for 24th-25th March. This has been organised by Sean Figgitt through the LLSC Club and Alistair encouraged member to participate.
Website
This has now been set up by Bob Veitch
New Airspace around Edinburgh
There are no issues known at this stage and all seems to be working well on both sides.
Approval of the minutes of the 2006 AGM
Proposed: George McGhee, Seconded: Bob Veitch
Chairmans Report - Alistair Bowman
Alistair was pleased to say that there had been some more excellent flying in 2006, with SHPF members taking 6th, 7th and 15th places in the BHPA XC League, and various new records being set including longest flight and height gain in the UK. He congratulated Chris Canata, Dave Thomson and Bob Gair.
21 Pilots logged flights with well over 3000kms recorded. There were other excellent flights which weren’t recorded, so overall a successful year, especially with no major accidents or injuries that he was aware of. Alistair advised the meeting that membership had largely stabilised after last year’s sharp fall and is just below the 200 mark.
Ratho Repack was run successfully last February. Alistair was aware of one real deployment this year of a reserve which was packed at the event and so this made it all the more worthwhile.
Alistair again brought the SHPF website to the attention of the meeting advising it could be found at www.shpf.co.uk. Bob has set up a googlegroup for the whole of Scotland. The Site Guide as it stands can be found here although at the moment only Hillend is featured and Cliff Smith is currently working on it. Members were encouraged to use the googlegroup and to view the web page regularly.
The grant from Sportscotland was received at the same level as last year GBP1000 and a report sent to them. There is a new system this year and unless events are run this grant may be jeopardised. Alistair encouraged clubs to run their events through the Treasurer so that it would show in our accounting.
The Broughton windtalker was set up and has been very useful. Members were encouraged to use this facility. With a GBP10 subscription there is unlimited access to the windtalker’s readings and 30 phone calls.
Transponders -The CAA are looking to impose on all flying machines to have a transponder. The cost could be GBP1000, it would be heavy, poor batteries and no safety benefits etc etc. CAA now realise that they have got it very wrong with paragliders and our way of flying. E-petitions are out and Alistair asked members to act now and sign up against the transponders.
Future - Alistair asked members to make suggestions on any events or activities that they thought should be run other than those done in the past. He said that the SHPF only has any purpose if it brings about results which might be beyond the scope of any individual pilot or club. He asked for ideas and thoughts on where there were gaps in what we do.
Alistair told the meeting that he was happy to stand down to a new Chairman who might take the SHPF in a new or different direction.
Treasurers Report -Alistair Bowman
Income exceeded expenditure. Not much was spent on coaching & training and we need to perhaps look at more local events rather than SHPF national events. The bank balance sits at GBP4209.58. A copy of the accounts were attached to the Agenda. Brian Steele suggested that Tim Bridle might be approached to audit the accounts.
Clubs were encouraged to organise local coaching and reserve packing but to finance these through the Treasurer.
The accounts were proposed by Sean Figgit and seconded by Brian Steele.
Sites and Safety Report -Cliff Smith
The Scottish Land Reform was bedding in nicely. There was a general trend of landowners now being much more aware of responsibilities and access was easier with less conflict.
Sites -Sites will be included on the new website only after liaison between Cliff and clubs. Clubs must approve their sites going on the guide.
Safety - The only known incident was Willie Barron’s reserve deployment at Tinto after suffering a cravat low to the ground. Willie noted that he was using an unfamiliar harness and this may have contributed to his decision to throw his reserve early. He landed safely and was out flying a couple of days later.
Bishop -Cliff advised the meeting that the pub in the village had bought a strip of the field just in front of the pub where pilots were encouraged to land.
Hillend -There are now few pilots who are unaware of the new restrictions. There was the exception of the visiting pilot who had a wee flight off Arthur Seat. Its worth noting any infringements were not by BHPA pilots but by visitors and this only strengthened the argument for a sites guide.
Scottish Mountain Safety Forum -The Mountain Weather Forecast saga is ongoing. After extensive consultation, research, tendering and analysis the SMSF recommended to the Scottish Office that the contract should be awarded to Geoff Monk’s Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS). It would appear that someone at the Executive asked why the Met Office had not tendered and as a result everything went back to square one. To date there has been no conclusion to this issue. At present both MWIS and the Met Office are offering a free mountain weather forecast to the public. The Scottish Office has not stated what its long term intentions are.
Tommy Bryson viewed his concerns to the meeting about site information going on the web. He thought it was only right that landowners were made aware that this was happening and he didn’t know that it would receive positive reactions. Discussion took place on site contacts and it was agreed to carry this over to the next committee meeting.
Sean Figgitt said he thought that sites within ATC airspace are the most important sites that need to be on the website.
SportScotland and Scottish Sports Association Report
SSA annual membership payable. Dave Thompson attended one meeting this year but generally meetings are not of much relevance to SHPF.
Communications
Flying Scot. Bob Veitch is now posting articles on the SHPF website in lieu of the electronic magazine. Cliff voiced that Sportscotland will be bringing out an Equality policy which may become an issue in the future. After discussion it was generally agreed that the SHPF should ensure all communications are sent to clubs and it was their responsibility to ensure this is passed on/received by their members in whatever form necessary.
Programme for 2007
Club Coach Course
Sean Figgitt has organised an official BHPA run Club Coach Course. This is running the weekend of 24th/25th March. Members encouraged to join up for this. Huge experience not necessary. 10hrs and BHPA membership. All experience necessary. This event is subsidised by the SHPF.
Paragliding National Series
George McGhee has kindly agreed to be in charge again. All help welcome. It was thought to be a good idea to have more structured coaching during this event. A discussion took place on the expenses of running these events and it was agreed to have a GBP100 cap on each of the 6 events. In an effort and in view of a 30% drop in members it was suggested that each event be notified to local papers to increase interest. George agreed to do this.
Ratho Repack
Cliff advised the meeting that the centre was currently closed. It should be fully open probably by August. He would keep the Committee informed who would then be able to discuss whether to run a repack event Oct/Nov this year or early 2008. Clubs were reminded that there are funds to assist with hall hire etc should they wish to run a local event. They were again reminded to organise this through the Treasurer.
Subscriptions
Funds are good. Subs are presently GBP3. Tommy proposed an increase of GBP2. Cliff seconded this. A long debate took place and it was carried. Subs to be set at GBP5.
Cliff proposed that for LLSC only, that GBP2 per LLSC member be given as a one-off contribution to the Tinto Liability Fund. Gordon seconded this. After discussion the vote was carried.
Election of Executive Committee
Chairman: Alistair Bowman
>p>Proposed: Cliff Smith, Seconded: Bob VeitchSecretary: Dorita Orr
Proposed: Alistair Bowman, Seconded: George McGhee
Treasurer: Gordon Smyth
Proposed: Cliff Smith, Seconded: George McGhee
Sites and Safety Officer and rep. for Scottish Mountain Safety Forum: Cliff Smith
Proposed: Dorita Orr, Seconded: Alistair Bowman
Communications Officer: Bob Veitch
Proposed: Alistair Bowman, Seconded: Dorita Orr
PG Comp Series Coordinator: George McGhee
Proposed: Alistair Bowman, Seconded: Gordon Smyth
HG Comp Series Coordinator: Sergey Kataev
Proposed: Alistair Bowman, Seconded: Dorita Orr
XC League Co-ordinator: David Thomson
Proposed: Alistair Bowman, Seconded: George McGhee
SportScotland Rep: Alistair Bowman
Proposed: Dorita Orr, Seconded: Cliff Smith
Website Co-ord: Bob Veitch
Proposed: Alistair Bowman, Seconded: Gordon Smyth
AOCB
The BPC and Scottish Open will be based at the Tinto Hotel, 25th - 28th May. Pilot rating.
Presentations
HG XC League Trophy - Mike Armstrong
PG XC League Trophy - Chris Canata
PG Nationals Series - Kenny Cooper
PG Nationals Series Club Trophy LLSC
HG Federation Trophy - Mike Armstrong
PG Federation Trophy - Dave Thomson
Club XC League Greatest Distance - LLSC
Club XC League Greatest Number of Flights- LLSC
SHPF Longest Distance Flight- Chris Canata
Planned date for next AGM: February 2008
AGM - Attendance record Name - Club
Andy McGregor LLSC
George McGhee LLSC
Brian Steele SMPC
Alistair Bowman SMPC
Dorita Orr SMPC/LLSC
Bob Veitch SMPC
David Thomson LLSC
Robert Sarneck
Sergey Kataev LLSC
Cliff Smith SMPC
Gordon Smyth LLSC
Sean Figgitt LLSC
Dave Lyal Wingbeat
Tommy Bryson Wingbeat
Gordon MacGregor LLSC
Ian Kennedy SMPC
Danny Wilks LLSC
Rik McHarg LLSC
Zeno Kerr SMPC
Tina Wood LLSC
Mark Robson
Dominic Job
Steve Scott
Jitka Polechova
