Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association, Inc.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

M-ASA is a private club that was founded in 1952. We have operations at the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center in Fairfield Pa. (just 8 miles south of Gettysburg, about 4 miles northwest of Emmitsburg Md.) and at the municipal airport in Frederick Md. M-ASA offers a wide variety of soaring opportunities at both locations. These include primary and advanced instruction, local and cross country soaring, towing service for owners of private ships, and use of club single and two place gliders. Conditions in the Maryland and Pennsylvania area include good thermal, ridge and wave soaring. Thermals frequently start in late morning and last until early evening. Wave conditions frequently exist in the area from late fall to late spring. Members have attained altitudes in wave regularly to 12,000 to 14,000 feet. The Maryland state altitude record was set by a M-ASA member at Frederick to 21,000 feet. While conditions allowing for such altitudes do not happen often, they are possible.

Both of M-ASAs two flying locations offer different challenges and opportunities. Members are encouraged to fly at both fields in order to become familiar with each fields operation and flying opportunities.

As a "self help" club, the work associated with club operation is performed by members. This includes towing, acting as operations director, instructing, aircraft maintenance, facility maintenance, and club administration. All of these jobs are performed by volunteers. Members are assigned duty in rotation as either an operations director (OD) or tow pilot (if qualified). ODs serve three to four times a season, tow pilots serve in rotation every four to eight weeks (4-8 times per season). CONVECTOR, the club newsletter, is published each month and lists the schedule 4-6 weeks ahead so that all members are informed of these assignments. Members are also expected to move aircraft, help assemble gliders, etc. There are about 30 volunteer jobs in M-ASA. You may offer, or be asked, to do some of these as your experience increases. There is also a need for staff at the Region 4 North contest (late May), our 10-Day Weekend (June-July), and Oktoberfest, etc. It's fun!

M-ASAs operating season starts with the mandatory safety meeting the second Friday in March and extends through the third weekend in November. Most years, generally around Memorial Day Weekend, M-ASA hosts the Region 4 North Soaring Championships at the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center in Fairfield, Pa. Other club activities include a "Ten Day Weekend" held around the 4th of July holiday, and Oktoberfest held around Columbus Day. During other weekends during the operating season we conduct cross country soaring races (club task competitions), fly around both of our two fields, go cross country touring, and provide instruction to our members. Soaring provides a great way to spend a day or a weekend out doors. Plan to attend often, arrive early, contribute to the pre-flight activities, fly, and help put it all away again at the end of the day. So plan to arrive at the field early, FLY, and help other members do the same. Each operating day a sign-up list is started at each field. This list serves as the queue for tows and for use of club gliders. Members are expected to sign-up and fly in rotation. The sign-up list, and pilot preparedness are used as the method to determine the launch order.

Club meetings are held the second Friday of most months starting at 8 PM at the Frederick hangar. (Turn off Gas House Pike at the water-treatment plant.) Visitors are welcome. The Banquet in January, contest week around May 30, Ten-Day Weekend, and Oktoberfest in mid-October may replace regular meetings. We often go to dinner, or have a cookout, after flying. All are welcome to attend.

For more information contact: Call: Hope Howard 4823 Teen Barnes Rd. Frederick Md. 21703 (301) 473-8984 or send email to HyHope@juno.com.

HOW TO JOIN M-ASA

1. Visit operations at both Frederick and Fairfield and ask to be introduced to the directors present. They may discuss your interest in flying and your interest in M-ASA before they sign your application. Note that signatures of two directors are required before your application can be processed. Detach and keep this information sheet and:
2. Send:
   a. the completed application form, and
   b. an identifiable photo, and
   c. a check (see details below) made out to M-ASA to:

   Hope Howard
   4823 Teen Barnes Rd
   Frederick, MD 21703

3. If you are a rated glider pilot a M-ASA instructor must check you out in order for you to fly M-ASA club gliders.
4. If you are a student, with or without experience, you will need to contact the chief flight instructor and be assigned an instructor. Instructors volunteer their time and provide free instruction to members, on a time available basis. Prior coordination with instructors will ensure that they are available to meet your training needs. Student pilots have priority for club gliders and tow position each operating day before noon.
5. About 11 months after you join as a provisional member, a you will need to send a letter to the Membership Chairperson requesting consideration for permanent membership.

Membership is provisional for the first year to allow members to get acquainted with the way the club operates and to allow the Board members to get to know new members before they vote on their admission to full membership 12 months after they join. So, spend time at each field; get to know members of the Board of Directors. To facilitate your acceptance, be sure all five directors know you. (They are listed in the club monthly newsletter, CONVECTOR.) The by-laws require unanimous approval. If you fly, help on the line, participate in club activities and projects and attend meetings, the directors should know you.

Once you complete your first year and are accepted as a member you will have the right to vote, and the right to have one member of your immediate family as a Family Member. Family members, regardless of age, do not pay the initiation fee -- only M-ASA dues, SSA family dues, and flight charges.

Once a member, you also have the right to go Inactive if you wish. Just send a note to the Membership Chairperson that you're going Inactive (must be in writing). Then if you want to return in a year or 10 years, you won't need signatures, approval, nor initiation fee. You will pay dues and any other fees in effect and be put back on the roster. Your request to re-activate should be in writing and include your then current address.

Information about membership costs are described on a separate page.