Join the VSA gang in the annual hangar raising ritual.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PevlWL1m1Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Daan recorded this last year. The wind strength on that day was about 5 to 10 knots easterly and this attempt was our second attempt. We were overpowered in the first attempt. The power in a fully inflated hanger roof sail is incredible.

Raising the Hanger roof

Items you should bring: Work gloves, rain boots, dry socks, a knife that cuts 1/4 inch polypro rope, rain clothes, warm layers, your lunch and your snacks for the day. Paul is bringing a long ladder. Does someone have a short one for the front wall? Power drill with screwdriver attachments, or whatever you call those things (one or two amongst all of us will suffice).
Tasks:
Assess wind strength and safety of conditions for unfurling 900 lbs of expensive canvas
Rake/roll the hangar floor flat (2 ppl)
Duct tape over all sharp edges on hangar frame (2 ppl up ladders, 4 ppl holding ladders)
Move expensive things well away from hangar frame on both sides (4 ppl)
Pull hangar cover out of the shed (16-20 ppl)
Pause for requisite annual photo (everyone)
Spend a moment being confused about wind direction (3 or 4 ppl)
Align cover on the leeward side of the hangar (16 – 20 ppl)
Unfold half of the cover so the top side is out, grommets of both edges near the hangar base (10 ppl)
Discover we have unfolded it the wrong way (1 person for, 17 against, 2 undecided)
Refold, unfold, rotate, and reposition cover (16 – 20 ppl)
Argue about it (3 ppl, 18 spectators)
Realize it was right the first time, and do it all over again (19 ppl with 1 shyly hiding in the bathroom)
Throw 15ish LONG ropes over the hangar along it’s length (2 good throwers)
Retrieve the wrench that inadvertently separated from the rope and was hurled half-way to Chilliwack (1 person)
Secure each long rope to a grommet on the top side of the folded cover (2 bad throwers)
Loosely secure the bottom side of the cover to the hangar frame (4 ppl)
Wait for a little breeze, or calm between gusts (towplane as back-up wind)
Pull cover over hangar (EVERYONE!) This is the bit where someone might lose an eye and everyone starts yelling at each other.
Straighten the cover. Ensure that the back end knows what the front end is doing, as we usually split in to two distinct tribes at this point (one at each end, each with their own leader, motto, and flag).
Discuss how the cover must have shrunk over the winter
Unhook the end bit that inevitably gets caught between hoops. This needs a guy on a ladder. Don’t even try broomsticks this year.
Start lashing her down tight! (Everyone)
North tribe installs the rear wall (6 ppl – easier than the front one, but usually involves a bunch of people standing on the gravel road with ropes in hand)
South tribe installs front wall (6 ppl – needs long ladder for the top ropes, and a med-size step ladder for the cross-bracing)
Install floor last (so it is not damaged by ladders or frustrated pilots)
Install rails. Don’t forget that tricky little curve at the end so the first glider in can fit all the way back to the wall.