Thanks to Denise Layton for providing notes from the February 3rd SSA General Membership Meeting-Ed.
Introductions
The SSA General Membership Meeting was held on Friday, February 3rd. SSA Chairman Al Tyler opened the meeting by introducing Laurie Harden and Fred LaSor, who constituted the local committee that put the speaker program together and performed a host of other duties. He then introduced the head table, consisting of Jay McDaniel, Region 11 Director and SSA Awards Committee Chairman; Denise Layton, SSA Chief Administrative Officer; and Ken Sorenson, Dianne Black-Nixon, and Frank Whiteley, of the SSA Executive Committee.
SSA Chairman Al Tyler and the head table at the SSA General Membership Meeting
Following the presentation of SSA awards, Al introduced Bill Daniels, SSA Growth and Development Committee Chairman and Bob DeLeón, who has helped Bill develop a new marketing strategy for the SSA. Bob subsequently described a new campaign, “Let’s Go Gliding!” to promote the sport and recruit new glider pilots and SSA members.
Bob DeLeón introduces the Lets Go Gliding campaign
Q & A
During the question and answer session, several members inquired about the status of the Blanik L-13 AD and possible fixes. Stephen Northcraft, who has been the SSA’s liaison with the FAA on this issue and has talked directly with the responsible FAA representatives in Oklahoma City, responded by saying that the FAA has not yet approved any of the proposed solutions. Furthermore, given the nature of the problem that led to the AD, any approved fix will be expensive (~ 15,000 Euros). The FAA has given no indication when they will issue approval for a fix.
Awards
For more information about the awards themselves and the award recipients, click on the hyperlinked items below to visit the corresponding page on the SSA Web site.
The Most Active SSA Instructors by Region
Region 1 – John Williams
Region 2 – Christopher Holliday
Region 3 – Sean Murphy
Region 4 – Gary Naber
Region 5 – Lane Bush
Region 6 – Paul McClaskey
Region 7 – Devesh Pandit
Region 8 – Laird Smith
Region 9 – Mark Matticola
Region 10 – William Brinkman
Region 11 – Peter Casti
Region 12 – Russell Holtz
The Most Active SSA Instructors
These awards are received on the basis of the most A, B, C and Bronze badges awarded on a National basis.
1st – Mark Matticola in Region 9
2nd – Devesh Pandit of Region 7
3rd – Gary Naber of Region 4
SSA Distance Awards
1st – Paul Seifried for his flight on May 5, 2011, a 751 km triangle in an LS-4 for 713.45 points.
2nd – Mark Zivley for his flight on July 3, 2011 of 473 statute miles in his Ventus BT for 415 points.
3rd – Sarah Arnold for her flight March 24, 2011 of 199.718 statute miles in a Schweizer 2-33a for 367.481 points.
Robert B. Evans Collegiate Trophy
The United States Air Force Academy
Mark Matticola accepted on behalf of the Academy
SSA Certificates of Appreciation
Mifflin Soaring Association – This is given to members of the association in recognition of their leadership over many years in running regional and national competitions at Mifflin County Airport and for their efforts to build the new clubhouse.
Penn Smith. This is presented to Penn in appreciation for his guiding SSA chapters on reorganizing and turning their organizations into successful 501(c)(3) status.
Monique Weil for her tireless work supporting soaring at the local and regional levels as an instructor and dedicated hard worker.
Robert Whelan for his efforts to help update the online SSA Sailplane Directory.
Ray Galloway for his outstanding organization and support of national soaring contests over many years.
Spratt Award
The Spratt Award is given annually to an individual or group who have made a major contribution to the support of soaring competition. This year, Anne Norbert is the winner of this award.
