Meet the committee

Keith Batty (Chairman)

Keith started learning to glide at Rufforth in 2002 with his then 14 year-old son Andrew. His first solo was in November of that Year followed by Bronze in 2003 and Silver in 2006.

Doing bits and bobs on the new clubhouse led to an opportunity to be put forward as a Committee member with oversight of the site: a role he enjoyed from the end of 2004; he was elected chairman at the end of 2007. Taking advantage of a background in education, he's now started to get a ground training syllabus organised. He now looks forward to training as a BGI and, perhaps, get involved in a few competitions under, as he puts it "the excellent tutelage of the seasoned veterans at YGC."

Richard Kalin (Chief Flying Instructor)

Richard started gliding in 1973, and soloed while 16 years of age. He now has 11000 hours power, 3000 hours gliding and holds of 3 diamonds and the FAI 1000 km diploma.

He is an airline pilot by profession, now working as an Airbus 320 captain based in Katowice, Poland.

He's been a member of York Gliding Centre continously since 1987 and has also been a member of gliding clubs at Dishforth (1979-87), Aboyne (1990-96) and Cambridge (1996-2004).

His main gliding interest is in cross country flying and also participation in regional competitions as well as occasional Open Class Nationals.

Paul Hepworth (Treasurer)

Paul came to the sport in the mid eighties with a daughter wanting to be solo on her sixteenth birthday. He's been doing the treasurer's job for what he describes as "ages" and for the last five years has been on the BGA executive. He still finds time to fly and instruct and even consult on bio diesel production.

Dawn Hammond (secretary)

Roy Nuza Roy left his native Gibraltar on a motorcycle tour to Greece. He took a wrong turning and ended in Harrogate. Similarly on a drive to York he took a wrong turning and ended up at Rufforth where, after Trial Flight he joined. That was in 1985 and has been a member ever since. He remembers astounding a private school selection committee at the age of eight when he explained the theory of flight. He's now a lapsed PPL, and a lapsed BGI with approximately 500 hours gliding.. Had many years fun as syndicate member in a K6CR (FUM) and now shares a DG202/17 (1Z). It's taken him twenty two years to get Gold C and a diamond - blame a young family and work. He now runs a B+B which allows ample spare time to enjoy the weather and has found a new lease of life participating in the Interclub league and cross country flights. Roy finds a winch launch the best and more challenging way to get airborne and would like to make gliding more accessible to a young crowd.

Other members, of which more anon:

John Taylor

John Rogers