Retrieve Planning
Before the Flight:
- Rule #1 - Get the Retreive Cell Phone Contacts & numbers for the Day from the duty Log Keeper (The numbers can vary by day based on who is on duty so make sure you get TODAYS numbers before you take off!
- The main Airport Phone Number is (845)343-5965 but that is a backup only. A message here could sit on the answering machine for a long time before we know anything about it at the other end of the field.
- Rule #2 - Agree who your crew are before you fly, Hook up your trailer, Leave your Car Keys, Have a full Tank of Gas!!
- If you are flying a club ship on a X-C make sure you have a trailer organized and Rigged for the Type of Glider you are flying. You don't want your crew showing up with fittings rigged for a 1-26 if you are flying the 1-34 etc.
During the Flight:
- Plan ahead, when it starts to look problematic start making those periodic 'Still Flying' radio announcements on 123.5 Calls should state your Call-Sign, location & 'Still Flying'. We will start paying attention.
- Rule #3 - Once the decision is made to land. FLY THE PLANE STUPID - No More Radio Calls - Concentrate on the job in hand.
- Rule #4 - 'Land In the Dirt and you Won't Get hurt'. Wires, Wires, Wires!! Remember look for the Pylons and line them up in your mind, its almost impossible to see the wires themselves. Roads may look appealing but there are often wires, ditches, stakes and other hazards all the way along the sides. Dirt is easy to clean off.
After Landing:
- Tie down the Sailplane.
- Rule #5 - Get all the relevant Info and then call - Location & Directions! If you have a GPS give us your exact coordinates.
Retrieve Costs
Ground Retrieve:
- Beers and possibly a burger for your retrieve crew!
- The obligation to return the favor!
Aero Retrieve:
- $1per Statute Mile (one-way) (Min $30)
- Aero retrieves are only available either after the last tow of the day or when we have a spare tow pilot and tow-plane. Normal operations take priority.
- No marginal Aero Tows - You must be on an airport (at least 2000ft) , our insurance does not permit towing out of fields regardless of size.
- Remember if you call for aero-tow and we send out a tow-plane, the tow-pilot will do a fly over first and if he or she is not 100% happy they will leave you and come straight home - YOU STILL PAY FOR THE RETRIEVE!!!!