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G-BASH Flying Group Rules

Introduction

This document describes the rules and practices of the syndicate owners and operators of the Grumman AA5 aircraft Registration G-BASH. The syndicate owners will be referred to as the BASH flying Group.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the group is to manage operating overheads to a minimum by operating efficiently and effectively with active participation of all group members. The culture of the group is to promote safe enjoyable flying in a professional manner. Group members will be expected to carry out tasks such as keeping the aircraft clean & tidy, cutting grass in the parking area, keeping logs in a clear and concise manner, updating the defects register etc. The group operate a flexible booking system for the mutual benefit of members. Members are expected to operate this system in the spirit of mutual consideration.

Meetings

The Annual General Meeting will be held during the month of September. A meeting of the group shall take place bi-monthly. Other meetings may be called throughout the year on an ad-hoc basis by any member to discuss relevant urgent business. All meetings will follow an agenda and notes of the meeting will be issued to members.

Aircraft Booking

The booking of the aircraft will be as per availability on the basis of "first come, first served" by reference to the aircraft diary: If the member making the booking fails to arrive within thirty minutes of booking time, then another member has the right to take over the booking. Any member wishing to take the aircraft away for a period exceeding 3 days, shall give at least =e weeks' notice by means of written notification on the booking diary. Booking periods exceeding eight days must be discussed with the group at least two weeks in advance.

Ownership Sale and Purchase of Shares

There will be twelve shares in the aircraft. A member must own at least one whole share. A share register will be kept on behalf of the group by the group secretary. A copy will be kept at Popham Spitfire Flying Club for booking reference. All members of the group shall also join the Spitfire Flying Club. The Shares may not be used as security or collateral for any third party deals and must be kept free of all liens. Each group member may sell his/her share at any time but it must be offered to the group prior to putting it on the open market. All members will have the opportunity to purchase the share but no member will be compelled to buy. The group member must offer a fair and reasonable, as deemed so by the group, price for the share. Any prospective new member must be accepted by the group chairman and at least two other members. If the Chairman wishes to sell his share, suitability of the third party will be decided by the committee.

Aircraft Operation

All operations of the aircraft will be carried out so as to comply with the current Air Navigation Order, the limitations laid down in the aircraft operations manual and any constraints laid down by the CAA, and as required by the group regarding longevity of the aircraft and engine.

Engineering Operations

The aircraft will be deemed mechanically fit to fly by the appointed Engineer. It will be stated in the aircraft's technical log when the aircraft is taken out of service for maintenance and when it comes back into service. When it is out of service the aircraft may not be flown except with the explicit written permission of the Engineer.

Pilot Requirements

Only members of the group are permitted to fly as pilot in command. A pilot member will be considered able to fly the aircraft only when he satisfies the requirements of the insurance certificate and after the check pilot is satisfied that the pilot in question is capable of safely operating the aircraft. The pilot will need to have flown at least one hour in the group aircraft during the past six weeks in order to be considered current. This condition may be wavered by the check pilot.

Debts

A member loses the right to fly or be a passenger in the aircraft if he/she has had an outstanding bill for more than three weeks or greater than £150.00. This condition maybe overruled by the group Treasurer. The group Treasurer shall make immediate efforts to recover the debt and all charges incurred. A charge of 5% of the total outstanding will be added each seven days whilst the account is in deficit. The Treasurer will also inform the group should any member fall within the jurisdiction of this clause. Should a member default on their payments to such an extent that the total amount due to the group is deemed to be excessive by the other members of the group, then the group shall have the right to prohibit that member from selling their share and unless that debt be cleared, the group shall have the right to sell the member's share in order to recover the debt due to the group.

Financial Matters

Monies paid in by way of subsidies and flying costs are to be used to meet the costs of running the aircraft. All monies paid to the group belong to the group. Likewise any monies owed by the group are the responsibility of the group and not any one individual. To this end the group Treasurer may call upon the group to provide additional money in the event of the funds not meeting an outgoing expense. In the event of an excessive surplus of money, the group will meet to review the current operating rates. The group Treasurer will keep detailed accounts of all monies and a balance sheet and a profit and loss account shall be submitted at every Annual General Meeting in September.

Expenses

Expense and income responsibility in the running of the aircraft are as follows:

Subsidies; A fixed amount will be paid by each member to the group each month. This subscription shall be due monthly in advance on the first day of each month, payable by cheque or cash so that they can all be presented as one transaction to minimise bank charges.

Flying Costs; The aircraft log will be used to log times flown by the member and will be logged to the nearest minute, take OFF to land ON. Hobs readings should also be noted. Payment for flying as per hobs reading is to be made by cheque/cash on the day, or at the end of each booking.

Fuel Costs

All fuel will be paid for by the group out of its funds. Fuel and oil purchased by members while away from Popham, for use in the aircraft. Fuel will be reimbursed at the rate in force at Popham upon presentation of the receipt.

Maintenance

Maintenance costs will generally be met out of group funds. In the event of major costs being incurred then this will, with the agreement of the group, be split amongst the group evenly. The maintenance co-ordinator appointed by the group shall be responsible for organising the cleaning, and booking of the required maintenance & inspections as appropriate.

Capital Costs

In the event of a major agreed capital expense the costs will be divided amongst group members. Where a sum of £50.00 per member is required a majority decision will be required.

Authorisation of Group Expense

Authorisation for a group capital expense to a value under £25.00 pounds may be made by any member. Any capital expense up to £150.00 will to be authorised by agreement of at least three members; above this figure the expense must be authorised by the agreement of a majority of members.

Aircraft Damage/Loss

The group Treasurer shall ensure that adequate insurance cover is maintained. It will be every member's responsibility to make sure that he stays within the requirements of the insurance. The organisation of the insurance will be the responsibility of the group Treasurer. In the event of an incident, the following will apply: Damage caused up to the stated excess will be fully paid by the member who is pilot in command at the time. The member has however the right to ask for a group meeting to consider whether the damage was his fault and to ask for part or all of the excess to be met by all the members or out of group funds. Damage caused by proven negligence will be the total liability of the pilot in charge. This might be the check pilot if he has elected to be pilot in charge prior to start-up. Damage above the excess will normally be paid by the insurance company. In the event that it is not, a meeting of all members will be called to determine what action should be taken. Liability In law it is not possible to sign away personal liability but all members must remember that they and their passengers travel at their own risk. Rules No member shall be absolved from the effect of these rules or any regulation of the group by any allegation of not having received them or of ignorance of their contents; furthermore a copy may be obtained on application to the group

Chairman.

All rules and regulations are for strict compliance by all concerned without exception. End of Note.

Notes to prospective purchasers:

For clarity the G-BASH flying group offer the following advice to potential purchasers of shares:

1. The group do not have an engine fund and there are occasional calls for funds. Most group members have a personal contingency set aside for such costs.

2. The group do not allow primary training on G-BASH.

3. Within the rules the group may veto membership of an individual, so it makes sense to attend a Group meeting before concluding the purchase. The group will be happy to convene a meeting to meet a prospective member.

4. Within the rules new members are required to be cleared by a group check pilot before flying G-BASH on their own or with passengers. The group are happy for prospective purchasers to fly (at their cost) with a check pilot before concluding the purchase.

5. Within the rules newly qualified or low hours members (less than 100hrs) may be required to fly with a check pilot until the check pilot is satisfied that they have sufficient experience.

6. Members are required to fly with a check pilot unless they have achieved a minimum of 1 take off and landing in the last 6 weeks.

7. Booking rules are very informal, but to maximise availability individual group members usually limit bookings to a maximum of half a day at weekends. Longer trips are usually scheduled between Monday and Friday.