Surface Refinishing for Our K21 Training Glider
Oxford University Gliding Club is proud to own and operate an ASK-21, a 2-seater composite training glider that forms the backbone of our flight training programme. At 8,700 hours of flight time, the aircraft is approaching mid-life maintenance works that are necessary to ensure its continued air-worthiness and long-term service. If all goes to plan, completing the surface refinishing and 9,000 hours inspection will allow us to apply for a life extension from 12,000 to 18,000 hours. This will give the glider another 30 years of flying life, and boost its value to over £100,000.
In its decades of service, a training glider undergoes many stress cycles from simulated launch failures and hard landings. The surface layer has now developed many systematic, parallel cracks. Its airbrake bearings need replacement too, which involves an invasive procedure best done together with the resurfacing. The fact that the glider will be thoroughly inspected will provide us with evidence of the glider’s good condition in hard to reach areas such as the wing spar, needed for the 12,000 hour extension.
While this may appear cosmetic, it allows undetectable water damage of internal structure to occur. Sanding off all the surface is the only way to inspect the fibreglass underneath, and is a routine mid-life item for gliders.
In order to send it for this repair, we also need a new trailer in which to transport it. Our old metal tube trailer has succumbed to the weather and suffered irrepairable rust damage. We hope to buy a new trailer made of fiberglass and alumnum which would last many decades due to the nature of its construction. This costs around £16,000 – 23,000. Another option is to source a second-hand trailer for around £8,000. Additionally there are expenses related to its cross-border journey and paperwork.
Overall, for the surface refinishing, 9,000 hours inspection, and new trailer, we are looking at an expenditure of approximately £55,000 – 60,000, of which the core repairs amount to £28,000 – 30,000. Thanks to the stewardship of past committees and donors, OUGC is already almost half way there. If we can get past this hurdle, then our assets will be well positioned for decades to come and provide subsidized flying for university students.
Many Ways to Help
We are deeply grateful for anyone who can assist us in reaching our goals. This can be in many forms, including technical advice, maintenance, and connections within the gliding community as mentioned below. Please do not hesitate to get in touch at president@ougc.org if you would like to discuss more details. Here are some specific points we are thinking about:
- Second-hand K-21 trailer for sale in the UK or Europe, especially anyone who could help us view and inspect an offer in Europe;
- Preparing documentation for a glider crossing the UK border for repairs;
- Hiring a flat-bed lorry for transporting the glider in its trailer to Slovenia;
- Alternatively, how to drive the trailer to Slovenia – where to park, which roads to take, etc;
- Inviting as many alumni from your time in OUGC as possible to join our Linkedin group to stay updated, spreading the message far and wide;
- What we could do to solve recurrent problems, such as the wheel brake and tyre punctures;
- Quality of life improvements – how to go about designing a new instrument panel, where to get a good deal on aircraft upholstery, etc;
- Supporting us via donations, the average amount being around £500;
- And many more that we may not have even thought of!
Our Generous Donors
Many have helped us on our way, most of whom are inspectors and instructors with their time and expertise. Over the past years we have had several generous supporters, including Paul Jessop, Dean Winslow, Dinant Riks. We also thank David Roberts for his advice.
Prof. Dean 'Racer' Winslow is a retired Air Force Colonel, currently Professor of Medicine at Stanford University and an Honorary Fellow at Blackfriar's Hall, University of Oxford. He soloed in glider at age 14 in 1967 before moving on to jets in the USAF.Learning to fly gliders as a 13-year-old in 1966 transformed my life. I want to give back! Loved the weekends I spent with OUGC in 2017 and 2024-2025.
Support Us!
UK Taxpayers
This is fully secured, and makes use of their charitable status, enabling ‘Gift Aid’ to be added (in the UK) and makes all donations tax deductible.
US Taxpayers
For US Taxpayers, please write “#C2542 OU Gliding Club” in the Further Information box.
If you require any tax advice please get in contact with us at president@ougc.org, and we will help to arrange a meeting with the University of Oxford Sports Federation.
1937 Club
The 1937 Club welcomes alumni and kind supporters to receive updates on our club activities, such as intro days, maintenance events, and flying achievements. The club also aims to better integrate the community of past and present OUGC members and support a thriving gliding community. For any enquiries, please email president@ougc.org.