Australian Soaring Site closes

(From Sportavia Gliding, a well-known soaring site at Tocumwal,
Australia.)

Dear Gliding Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce the closure of
Sportavia's commercial gliding operations. Since March we have been
trying to sell the business and its assets or just the management
rights. The last of the potential buyers withdrew their interest on
Wednesday.

This is a very sad outcome for all of those who have been involved in
the business over the past 30 or so years. We would like to thank all
who have contributed through the years - customers, suppliers, staff
and the local community. Sportavia at Tocumwal was an extraordinarily
wonderful place and, while it was disappointing to only break-even this
past season, its final season will be remembered as a great one - one
of the busiest and most enjoyable in years!

In the Australian spring-time an auction will take place on site to
sell most of the assets. I expect that the land and buildings, a tug or
two, and a couple of gliders will be retained. The exact timing of the
sale and an information pack will be finalised over the next few weeks.

Those with gliders, caravans or both at Tocumwal will need to remove
them by the end of October. Special arrangements may be able to be made
for our international customers to extend this into November but this
will only be done on an as needed basis. Hangarage and site-rental
invoices will be prepared up to the end of October and sent to the
affected parties. If any-one wishes to include their aircraft or
caravan in the spring sale process please email us as soon as possible.
All correspondence should be sent to .

For those customers who have paid a deposit for flying in the next
season, refund cheques are being prepared and will be sent out by the
end of August.

Some customers have expressed interest joining a club whose annual
membership fee would cover a CFI/Tug master salary plus basic club
running and insurance costs. All other club services (towing etc) would
be charged on a cost recovery basis. Hangarage would be additional and
directly paid to the property owner. It is expected that membership
will be limited to those who have an aircraft based at Tocumwal. If
there is enough interest this may allow the caravan park, some basic
accommodation to be retained and, perhaps, a couple of club aircraft.
For those interested in becoming a member of such a club please contact
us.