In these unprecedented times, the club committee wanted to reach out to all club members to let you know what we can all do to get through the uncertainties we all face concerning the COVID-19 outbreak whilst still enjoying the sport we all love.
We understand that now, more than ever, as the community transitions to increased work from home arrangements, as events and travel are curtailed, and as social distancing is needed. How does this relate to gliding you may ask?
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, several countries have closed all airfields as part of broader measures to slow the spread of the virus. Luckily this hasn't happened in Australia yet. However, if gliding remains possible, it can be a perfectly suitable activity in these testing times. After all, what better way is there to practice “social distancing” at the end of a tow rope while doing something that’s fun?
However, there are still some precautions we all should take when coming to the airfield. No one on the committee is a health expert but here’s a current list of precautions based on all the advice we’ve all been given:
- Stay away from the airfield if you have (or recently had) any symptoms associated with Covid-19, or if the advice from the government and health authorities suggest that you should self-quarantine for any other reason.
- Take special precautions while at the airfield:
- Keep your distance from other people (e.g. during the daily inspection, at the clubhouse, etc) and don't shake hands.
- Bring some sanitizer so you can disinfect your hands after touching surfaces that others are frequently touching as well (e.g. controls, handles, instruments, etc. in club gliders; locks and doorknobs; tow ropes; club parachutes; computer keyboards or touchscreens, etc.) - Think twice about flying with others in the PW-6. If you do, assure yourself that your instructor, student, fellow pilot or a passenger is healthy and not showing any flu-like symptoms.
- If any instructor or mutual flying in the PW-6 needs to be curtailed due to social distancing then we will operate with single-seaters only.
Whilst it may seem all too much and you may not wish to come out to the airfield at all it is likely that the Covid-19 outbreak is going to be over months not weeks and we intend to still operate unless advised otherwise.
We will keep you posted on any developments.
David Kinlan President Warwick Gliding Club