by BGC Committee » Sun Jul 17, 2022 1:56 pm
Tug Working Group Tony Brown / Ken Sangster
STATUS UPDATE 15/07/22
Sourcing suitable tug.
Wanted adds placed on Glider Pilot Net and Afors websites.
Contact from seller of Sportavia RS180. Previously considered and does not meet with our requirements:
• Only one operating in UK
• Unproven tow performance
• Does not fit in with our Tug Strategy Document
Eurofox G-COLY advertised for sale 11-07-22. Deemed not suitable.
912 ULS, 100Hp. Would require engine upgrade. Not viable at anywhere near current asking price (£83K).
Ken has also now obtained list of Eurofox aircraft operating in UK with a tow hook together with owner details with a view to exploring future sale intentions.
No other prospects at this time
Eurofox BF repair.
Ken & Martin have established a line of Communication with Roger Cornwell at EuroFOX UK
Our aircraft is now booked in for commencement of repairs to start when workshop space is available, which Roger Cornwell suggests will be from early August. Once in workshop, Roger will fully assess the scope of work and order the necessary spares.
Transport of BF
There is no trailer available at EuroFOX UK due to past problems encountered when a trailer has taken out on loan. Other options explored are:
Open trailer used by Eurofox owner located in Forth (Lanarkshire). Contact made – informed available if required though not best solution for our needs.
Fully enclosed Eurofox custom trailer located at Portmoak, owned by ASSET (Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust). Contact made with Chairman, Alisdair Stewart. Trailer can be made available from August 1st. Terms suggested charge £200/day plus vat. Insurance on Milfield insurance. Trailer value stated as £17k. Suitable towing vehicle required.
To allow for slippage in EuroFOX UK schedule and allow time to secure commitment from member(s) to facilitate transport, loan of the ASSET trailer has now been secured for w/c 22nd August for a maximum of 7 days. The final price of £500 (to take the form of a donation to the Charity) was negotiated on the basis of 1 return trip to Maidstone with trailer collection/return to Portmoak.
I have provisional commitment from Susan Hall to complete the delivery round trip if the trailer can be collected /returned to Portmoak by another. Adrian has expressed willingness to assist with this but have yet to discuss dates with him.
I have negotiated potential earlier loan periods (w/c 1st Aug and w/c 8th August) though the first of these does not sufficiently allow for slippage in the EF UK schedule and the second conflicts with Susan’s planned trip to Saltby on Milfield club expedition.
Time will be needed to engineer a solution to trailer loading (undercarriage removal/dolly fabrication?). This work is now ongoing. I will be at Portmoak next week and will confirm trailer dimensions to facilitate preparation of aircraft for loading.
Yorkshire Gliding Club are seeking assistance (if possible) with return of their tug, G-IOF from Eurofox UK as they are now aware we will be planning the return trip empty. ASSET have been consulted and have agreed in principle, though they would look to split any renumeration with us. A figure of £300-£350 was discussed for the delivery to Sutton Bank which could effectively reduce our trailer hire charge to £350.
However, I think though it is important that we firm up on our own schedule with confirmed commitment and willingness from volunteers before introducing a third party to the mix.
Tony Brown
[b]Tug Working Group Tony Brown / Ken Sangster
STATUS UPDATE 15/07/22[/b]
[b]Sourcing suitable tug.[/b]
Wanted adds placed on Glider Pilot Net and Afors websites.
Contact from seller of Sportavia RS180. Previously considered and does not meet with our requirements:
• Only one operating in UK
• Unproven tow performance
• Does not fit in with our Tug Strategy Document
Eurofox G-COLY advertised for sale 11-07-22. Deemed not suitable.
912 ULS, 100Hp. Would require engine upgrade. Not viable at anywhere near current asking price (£83K).
Ken has also now obtained list of Eurofox aircraft operating in UK with a tow hook together with owner details with a view to exploring future sale intentions.
No other prospects at this time
Eurofox BF repair.
Ken & Martin have established a line of Communication with Roger Cornwell at EuroFOX UK
Our aircraft is now booked in for commencement of repairs to start when workshop space is available, which Roger Cornwell suggests will be from early August. Once in workshop, Roger will fully assess the scope of work and order the necessary spares.
[b]Transport of BF[/b]
There is no trailer available at EuroFOX UK due to past problems encountered when a trailer has taken out on loan. Other options explored are:
Open trailer used by Eurofox owner located in Forth (Lanarkshire). Contact made – informed available if required though not best solution for our needs.
Fully enclosed Eurofox custom trailer located at Portmoak, owned by ASSET (Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust). Contact made with Chairman, Alisdair Stewart. Trailer can be made available from August 1st. Terms suggested charge £200/day plus vat. Insurance on Milfield insurance. Trailer value stated as £17k. Suitable towing vehicle required.
To allow for slippage in EuroFOX UK schedule and allow time to secure commitment from member(s) to facilitate transport, loan of the ASSET trailer has now been secured for w/c 22nd August for a maximum of 7 days. The final price of £500 (to take the form of a donation to the Charity) was negotiated on the basis of 1 return trip to Maidstone with trailer collection/return to Portmoak.
I have provisional commitment from Susan Hall to complete the delivery round trip if the trailer can be collected /returned to Portmoak by another. Adrian has expressed willingness to assist with this but have yet to discuss dates with him.
I have negotiated potential earlier loan periods (w/c 1st Aug and w/c 8th August) though the first of these does not sufficiently allow for slippage in the EF UK schedule and the second conflicts with Susan’s planned trip to Saltby on Milfield club expedition.
Time will be needed to engineer a solution to trailer loading (undercarriage removal/dolly fabrication?). This work is now ongoing. I will be at Portmoak next week and will confirm trailer dimensions to facilitate preparation of aircraft for loading.
Yorkshire Gliding Club are seeking assistance (if possible) with return of their tug, G-IOF from Eurofox UK as they are now aware we will be planning the return trip empty. ASSET have been consulted and have agreed in principle, though they would look to split any renumeration with us. A figure of £300-£350 was discussed for the delivery to Sutton Bank which could effectively reduce our trailer hire charge to £350.
However, I think though it is important that we firm up on our own schedule with confirmed commitment and willingness from volunteers before introducing a third party to the mix.
Tony Brown