New Glider Pilot Licensee

We are thrilled to congratulate Dennis Dyke for getting his glider pilot license last Friday. He passed all his tests and will now work toward his Bronze Badge and passenger rating. I’m sure that his first passenger will be Malcolm.

Well done Dennis!

Wild Life at SOSA

It has been some time since I’ve been a regular at SOSA and when people see me they often ask what I’ve been up to. In the past two years I have often found myself volunteering at the Toronto Wildlife Centre located at the former Canadian Forces Downsview base. This is a charitable organization that focuses on the rehabilitation and care of wild animals. Essentially, it’s a hospital for wild animals.
On Saturday, June 14th I happened to be there when I recognized the voice of one of a SOSA member. As I walked in the reception area I was more than pleased to find Steve Benedek was there because he found a baby skunk alone and lost in the middle of the SOSA driveway (south side) and thought it may need help.
After the centre assessed the animal it was decided it would be best to bring the skunk back but to SOSA and place it in a semi-protective cage, near the driveway so that can be removed by its mother should she return. The plan was then to get someone at SOSA to check in on the little guy in case he needed to be brought to a local rehabilitator or back to Toronto.
We were all set to prepare the skunk for his trip back to SOSA when, after been given handling instructions (i.e. use gloves), Steve mentioned that he was slightly scratched on his finger when he picked up the skunk. This changed everything.
Skunks are a rabies-carrying species and although it was HIGHLY UNLIKELY that this skunk had rabies, Steve was instructed to see a doctor right away and then they would notify health services.
The rabies incubation period is known for dogs and cats but is UNKNOWN for a lot of wild animals. This meant that the baby skunk had to be put down for precautionary measures.
All-of-a-sudden this turned out to be a sad afternoon for all.
Steve’s effort to help an animal suddenly went in the wrong direction.
I was proud to see a SOSA member go out of their way to help one of the other beings we share this tiny planet with and it would be a good thing if we all did the same should we have the chance.
SO!!!!
If you find an animal in distress at SOSA, home, or elsewhere:
1. DO NOT PICK THEM UP.
2. Call the Toronto Wildlife Centre hotline: (416) 631-0662
3. Leave a message and they will call you back with questions and instructions.

Thanks again to Steve for his effort.
Mike Viechweg

THE UNOFFICIAL MASTER LIST OF CLUB RULES

From freeflight Issue (5/84)


We thought that we would reprint the unofficial official rules of the club (as opposed to the official official rules, which no one has seen for years and are, in fact, locked in a filing cabinet in a disused men’s room with a sign on the door saying “Beware of the Leopard.”

1. Come early (unpack the hangar) or
2. Leave late (repack the hangar)
3. Stay overnight. The club does not die at 5:00 pm.
4. Be ready on the flight line (the golden rule definitely applies here)
5. Chase a glider that touches down (participate)
6. Help record flight down times (especially when the field manager is getting harried)
7. Be nice
8. Be patient
9. Thank your tow pilot
10. Thank your instructor
11. “Understand” " that fellow club member who you always disliked (maybe he’s not the jerk you always assumed he was)
12. If you don’t know, ASK!
13. Volunteer (take the plunge it’s fun!)
14. Leave everything else at home (your ego, your anger, your frustrations)
15. Keep your club clean, (this means throwing out yours, and maybe someone else’s pop cans, water bottles, Kleenex, apple cores, etc.)
16. Try doing the facilities a favour (wash a plane, clean a windscreen, sweep out a hangar, mow the grass, gather some trash. We do not have resident elves for these tasks)
17. Share the load (who do you think operates the club? WE ALL DO)
18. Go to a club meeting. What better way to voice your opinion (no one will do it for you) and find out what’s really happening.
19. Smiling is contagious infect someone!

Flight # 1000

The Thursday evening training crew led by Instructors Ian Oldaker, Joerg Stieber and Ray Wood had a busy night last night with 7 students including one new member, Mathieu King who joined and flew his first flights last night.

They also quietly passed the flight 1000 mark for 2007!

BWY Engine Mount

Can you spot the crack in the engine mount above? Adam Oke did on Wednesday morning during his DI of BWY. Wednesday night, Dave Springford, Scott McMaster and Doug O'Connell stripped the cowlings, removed the prop and spinner and all the wiring and engine connections in preparation for the engine removal.

At 0830 Thursday morning, Vern Stutt from Kovachik's arrived and with assistance from Al Grant and Dave Springford removed the engine and the engine mount and by 1030 it was on its way to Toronto for welding to repair the broken tube. BWY will not be serviceable this weekend, but should be ready to go by the middle of next week.

The engine is currently suspended from the hangar roof, and supported by a wooden stand. While curiosity may drive you to look at the engine, please remember we look with our eyes, not our hands!

A little SOSA History

click on the picture below to enlarge