THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTION 2020 will certainly be recorded in world history as memorable for the challenges that the world has had to overcome. The pandemic is still ongoing and each of us in the Tourism sector have found the need to adapt and welcome our visitors in an atmosphere not encountered before. We had an opportunity to meet many, many more of our Provincial “neighbors” in encouraging numbers, throughout our fourth summer of operation. The Travel Manitoba “staycation” promotion provided us with the opportunity to tell the history of the famous Gimli Glider story to Manitobans of all ages who were unfamiliar with the event. The verbal and written feedback from many was spirit lifting as our 2020 will certainly be recorded in world history as memorable for the dedicated volunteers put in their hours behind masks and sanitizing constantly. It was impressive to hear how everyone was enjoying discovering their home Province and doing several “firsts” visiting other towns and villages. When our borders were opened to Western Provinces and Western Ontario, we were delighted to hear from visitors how the first thing they wanted to do was to make the trip to see us. It is likely during the winter months approaching we will continue to be in the midst of a different experience. We have now closed the Exhibit until future notice. We will reopen when our increasing Covid-19 positive cases once again head back to the lower numbers. We enjoy our time with visitors and as hosts we want to provide the best experience within the smaller area of our simulator flight feature.
EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN & ENTERTAIN
Giving Tuesday - December 1st 2020 A popular feature for Charities happens once a year in early December. We can now participate with the addition of Canada Helps. We provide Official CRA Tax receipts for any donation over $20.00. If you wish to support our continued operation please consider participating in this event, we value all donations of any size.
NEWEST NEWS: Many of you have seen our just released revamp and re-styling of our Gimli Glider website. It also has now been changed to the domain of www.gimliglider.org, reflecting our non-profit charitable status. We have responded to your request to make donations easier by installing a Canada Helps donation link with a button. We have secondly responded to requests to have our Gift Shop items on line for those that are seeking a Glider Exhibit keepsake. We will be making changes to the site more frequently than in the past as our commitment to keeping it fresh and responsive to immediate needs. We hope you like the new styling and appearance. Speaking of Gift Shop, one new item in very limited numbers is there. Many of you recall our limited numbers of fuselage tags, numbered and registered with Authenticity Certificates. Each of those tags had cutout replicating the outline of 767 aircraft. The craftsmen that created these tags were asked to keep the metal from that cutout. Now, set within a resin dome we have only the best of those cutouts in a paperweight style keepsake. These will also sell out so, get your order in now. This is last of the metal from our fuselage 3 window panel; green paint on the underside of the white skin of the 604 plane accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and registered. DID YOU KNOW?...................... Every Newsletter we will publish a lesser known fact about the world-famous history of the Gimli Glider event. Many of these “factual tidbits” are found within the Exhibit. This is one that most visitors are surprised to learn. Air Canada AME’s (Mechanic Technicians) told us that there was an ovular patch on the front underside of Fin 604. The distinct patch was in the area of the collapsed front landing gear, destroyed as the aircraft impaled itself upon the metal strip dividing the racetrack. They commented that all they had to do was glance upward at the underbelly, if they saw this patch, they knew instantly it was the famous Gimli Glider. The repair to this area was made here at Gimli during the 4 days it was on the decommissioned runway and the repair remained on the aircraft for her 25 years of flying the skies. One of the pilots that flew Fin 604 into Winnipeg for the additional months of repair recently sent us his photos of this repair area. Visitors are impressed to hear that the skill of those Air Canada technicians remained on the plane for the duration of her time in the air. | THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTION A Brand New Year 2021 – going forward in continuing difficult times:Like most interactive venues our doors have been closed with the Provincial guideline restrictions since November 1st, 2020.We were busy prior to Christmas with our successful Giving Tuesday event and pleased to receive orders for Gimli Glider merchandise through our online gift shop. Thank you to all of our website visitors that made our continuing operation successful with these ongoing purchases and donations. We have also received some financial support through Government programs that will allow us to continue being a popular Manitoba tourism destination. We are grateful for the assistance. With the reducing numbers of the Covid-19 cases within our Province, we are hopeful that more normal times will return especially once the vaccine will be made available to the residents. The staff misses meeting visitors from around the world and is looking forward to being back at the Exhibit.
EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN & ENTERTAIN
2021 Events: The planning for 2021 activities are underway and once it becomes clear to what we can do and when, we will be sure to post all our news on the site and through this Newsletter. LATEST GIMLI GLIDER ARTIFACT ACQUISITION: We will be announcing shortly the arrival of another artifact from the Gimli Glider fuselage and access to 604 material that will allow us to provide some additional authentic souvenir items for our gift shop. Restoration of the item and design and prep of the items will take several months before all arrive in our Exhibit. We will keep you updated on this progress and we are excited to continue this development of our display.
Here is an example of Fuselage tags that were created from metals of the Gimli Glider, Fin 604. These are currently sold out. A Certificate of Authenticity was included. The tags were serial numbered and a register of owner is kept. WHAT’S COMING: SPRING!!! And the welcome opportunity to see the re-opening of our doors and announcing what we have in mind for the public activities through 2021….stay tuned! DID YOU KNOW?...................... Every Newsletter we will publish a lesser known fact about the world famous Gimli Glider Event. Many of these “factual tidbits” are found within the Exhibit. This month we will take the opportunity to introduce our readers to more of our local colourful aviation history. We have always intended to expand as we can manage, to tell the other two aviation stories of Gimli area that are of interest to history and aviation buffs. Both of these local histories played significant roles in our economic growth and character. Gimli’s colourful history is well covered in a coveted hard cover book called the “Gimli Saga”. As written “next to the arrival of the Icelanders in 1875, it is possible that no other event had a greater impact on this community than the establishment of an air base”. “For 28 years this based contributed much to Gimli”. Keeping in mind that the safe landing of the Glider was accomplished on the decommissioned airstrip. | THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTION
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THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTION LATEST UPDATE Finally, after several months of closure we received directions allowing us to open our doors to visitors. It is a great feeling to once again meet people with a keen interest in the history or those who have just had the opportunity to discover the story. Our annual Official Gimli Glider Day, July 23rd. falls on Friday this week and we are thrilled to unveil our latest acquisition and the story behind the artifact. The 1st Observer’s Chair from the cockpit has a connection with that evening’s events. It is likely to be the last significant piece of the famous Fin 604 that can be retrieved. ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Pandemic regulations for large gatherings are anticipated to remain in place for a number of weeks to come, barring another increase in hospitalizations. We are hoping to have our large gathering for a Fundraising opportunity this fall. Please keep visiting our website and or Facebook for the news on a development about a special event.
EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN & ENTERTAIN
A VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH CAPT. PEARSON NOTE: LIMITED NUMBERS What’s planned? We are pleased to offer one or two evenings with Capt. Pearson in our Exhibit area with only 12 guests at each event. This will give the participants a rare opportunity to spend time with him and answer questions you have always wanted to ask and hear him speak of the 1983 event as it unfolded. Additionally, Capt. Pearson will be your personal co-pilot in the Simulator Experience while you attempt to land the plane under the same conditions the crew was facing. A souvenir from this special evening will be given and photos with Capt. Pearson will be allowed. Cost for the evening event would be $150 per person. The date is to be announced as the restrictions are eased, with good notice. If you have an interest in attending, please email us at gimligliderinfo@gmail.com, provide your contact information. The first 12 quests to remit their fee, after we confirm date and time with a notice back to the list, will be confirmed for attending and provided their personal “Boarding Pass” for the date. Additional details will be provided when the date is confirmed. NEW “NEWS”: Gimli Glider Endowment Fund becomes a Reality Our local Westshore Community Foundation has advised us of the interest of a local couple wishing to establish our Manitoba Endowment Fund. This generous offer will secure our beginning stages with the development of a fund that continually earns income through each and every year as the Fund grows with donations Endowment Funds are most important to charitable operations which rely on the support of the public. Those that value the presence and relativity of organizations contributing to education and entertainment in a community, often support through Endowment Funds. Funds ensure donors their support will be an ongoing gift to sustain the operation of the Gimli Glider because it provides annual revenue on the fund value. We appreciate the demonstrated confidence and interest toward the GGE remaining as a Canadian and local attraction. All donations over $20.00, to the Gimli Glider Exhibit, receive a federal tax receipt. On another important note, please take a look at the latest news on the construction of a new home for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada . It details their construction progress and recent acquiring of the restored STARFIGHTER for their display. Capt. Pearson and other pilots who attended the 2019 Fundraiser visited the Starfighter aircraft and admired the results of the years of hard work that restorer Steve Pajot dedicated to this sleek fighter jet. Now that all Museums are allowed to re-open the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM), Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial – Dedicated to the plan for training air force personnel for the Commonwealth in WWII (airmuseum.ca), in Brandon Manitoba, is also open for visits from aviation fans. All three Manitoba Aviation Museums have their own unique history to present to the visiting public.
DID YOU KNOW?...................... Every Newsletter we will publish a lesser known fact about the world famous Gimli Glider Event. Many of these “factual tidbits” are found within the Exhibit. This month we will take the opportunity to introduce our readers to more of our local colourful aviation history. Some of our information regarding the fuselage comes from the varied interests of our guests, or their connection with the history and aviation. Such was the case for our artifact – the fuselage door for the Ram Air Turbine. The commonly referred to “RAT” played a major role in the skilled landing of the Glider. The RAT on display to much interest of visitors, is accompanied by the actual fuselage door. It is placed on the wall just behind the system. An employee of the Winnipeg plant that produced the Boeing RAT doors was very pleased to see the recovery of the item as it was manufactured in Winnipeg. He mused “hmmm, i wonder if I was part of this one being produced”? We also have had people look at the identification marks for the assembly personnel on the inside of the Three Window Panel from the fuselage, to see if they were on the production line for the C-GAUN Fin 604. The hundreds of identifying number systems on an aircraft are there for a reason. Why? To identify the part and the location on a plane and who the assembly personnel were at the time of aircraft proceeding through the manufacturing line. Or so we are informed by them. What to watch for next on this website: . Updates on Fundraiser . The expanding visitation numbers allowed within the Exhibit . New souvenirs from the metal from 604 Questions or comments – through email gimligliderinfo@gmail.com
| THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTION LATEST UPDATEIt was wonderful to be back greeting visitors coming through our door and experiencing the Exhibit. Even with past years frequent occurrence of visitors beyond the Canadian and North American borders, this too is happening again. We were delighted to hear how many “bucket lists” we are on. Staff looks forward to a time that our occupancy numbers within the Exhibit are safely allowed to return to normal and the need to lock our doors when we reach capacity, is a thing of the past. Meanwhile, the expressed appreciation for all of our cautions and care in operation were often heard through the days. And thank you. We now enter into our reduced Winter Hours as posted, and want you to know that we can, with sufficient notice, make arrangements with staff to greet groups and visitors outside those times. Just contact us to enquire about the day you wish to visit. Exhibit phone is 204-642-5577, email is gimligliderinfo@gmail.com, or through our website www.gimliglider.org.
EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN & ENTERTAIN
JULY 23rd, 2021 The anniversary date of the famous landing continues to be busy day with much interest from visitors. We presented the newest artifact, and the accompanying history of why we acquired the 1st Observer’s cockpit chair. One thing staff have noticed this summer is the increasing amount of questions around the landing, departure from Gimli racetrack and the subsequent months of repair. A recent visit from an American pilot and his reason for making his trip to the Exhibit, was to get a question answered in a detail he wondered about. “How was it that the Glider was here for such a short period of time before being flown into Winnipeg”? “How was this achieved in such a short time with the amount of damage to the fuselage?” While developing the Exhibit we are fortunate to have established many contacts within the framework of this history. We are able to reach out to them, clarifying what is fact and what has become fable over the decades. Resources such as our local Fire Department who provided us with the official Log Sheets of times they were at the site, are back-up information on discussions, and among the display items. Also, AME’s employed by Air Canada that worked on the aircraft here and Winnipeg for a long duration, can confirm or clarify questions that come to us. For much of this reason and establishing relationships with people involved, our staff is able to give the history a more personable introspective while in the Exhibit.
UPDATE: SPECIAL EVENING WITH CAPT. PEARSON This evening is still on our planning calendar and we have accrued a list of names that are interested in attending. As outlined, this will be an event of low numbers (12) within the Exhibit with Capt. Pearson. Photos will be allowed, the opportunity to get your own questions answered, a simulator flight with Capt. Pearson as your co-pilot is what we are organizing. Rarely would an event of this nature be offered, so let us know at gimligliderinfo.com if you wish to be placed on a list of names to be notified of a date.
FUNDRAISERS & THE BIG RED BUTTON! Neither of our past two larger events have been possible. As we announced in our past newsletter, the establishment of our Endowment Fund has been completed. The generosity of one local couple has made this possible in difficult times and for that we are very grateful. We participated in Canada’s annual Giving Tuesday last year and will do so again on the first Tuesday of this coming November. The option of donating to the Gimli Glider Exhibit now provides the choice of placing donated funds within this Fund to work for us on a continual basis providing annual revenue through this program. Or, you may decide your donation can be left to the Board of Director’s decision on how it may be used to enhance our display or for necessary operating costs. Giving Tuesday in November was established for persons who wish to support registered charities in the “Giving Season” and before the end of the year and taking advantage of a 2021 tax year receipt. Like all charitable non-profit organizations we always have a need for funding to continue our operations and provide a quality venue. The Gimli Glider Museum Inc. operates under the name of the Gimli Glider Exhibit and is volunteer operated with no paid staff. Please see our Donation page or press the “Big Red Button” on our Website, if you wish to support the Exhibit.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: As we advised Members earlier, your GGE annual Membership was extended into 2022. We felt this was necessary as visitation was not easily possible through the past 18 months. 2022 will see the return of an annual Membership renewal date and of course the unlimited visitation you have enjoyed before, often upgrading your simulator skills on landing the aircraft. We thank those Members who have continued to remain a supporting member with us.
What to watch for next on this website: . Updates on Fundraiser . The expanding visitation numbers allowed within the Exhibit . New souvenirs from the metal from 604 Questions or comments – through email gimligliderinfo@gmail.com
The excitement is building - 2022 HIGHLIGHTS OF AVIATION IN MANITOBA: The highlight of next year will be the spring opening of the new facility for the Winnipeg Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada . Those that have had the opportunity to be within the amazing new structure are impressed and expressing how they are excited to see the finished results with displays of aircraft in place. Manitoba is notable for its aviation history in Canada and along with the Brandon Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM), Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial – Dedicated to the plan for training air force personnel for the Commonwealth in WWII (airmuseum.ca), planning a visit to the Manitoba Province should include time to see all three of us, for three different aviation histories. Be part of this excitement and put Manitoba on your priority 2022 traveling list.
DID YOU KNOW? Every Newsletter we will publish a lesser known fact about the world famous Gimli Glider Event. Many of these “factual tidbits” are found within the Exhibit. This month we will take the opportunity to introduce our readers to more of our local colourful aviation history. We spoke briefly about the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) in our last issue. It continues to be a highlight at the Exhibit. Along side the RAT display we have a monitor with the original Power Point presentation to the industry by the Inventor, Mike Zolidis. We have been told by aviation engineers that this new component was a “hard sell” at first, deemed unnecessary for the proposed use in an emergency.
Capt. Pearson speaks of value of the RAT in his ability to have enough hydraulics to perform the foreslip manouver. Today the blades on the RAT are larger and supply more hydraulic power to the aircraft. The power point presentation is additionally of much interest to our visitors. UTC Aerospace Systems of Rockford Illinois were pleased to donate the RAT on display and two of their management team came to be with us for the Grand Opening days – Jon Althoff and Tim Schmelling appear in the photo with Capt. Pearson and it was pleasure to meet them.
| THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTION OPERATING UPDATEAfter our latest closed period we are re-opening to welcome visitors on Saturday, April 2nd. We will for the immediate future adhere to the suggested Manitoba Health guidelines and require double vaccination and wearing of masks. We thank you for respecting our endeavouring to protect our staff and visitors through these next weeks. Our occupancy limits have been lifted but, we are still using social distancing between groups while they view the Exhibit and experience the Simulator use. Current operation of our open hours are shortened until more of our staff return and are available for greeting visitors.
EDUCATE, ENLIGHTEN & ENTERTAIN
NEWS ABOUT EXHIBIT: - TWO NEW FEATURES READING STATION & CONTENT: The 13 binders of Capt. Pearson’s memorabilia collection have now been reproduced and saved for our Archive files. We have installed one of soon to be two reading stations. Visitors can now enjoy unlimited access to all the Pearson albums, photographs along with the local stories. The cover of each binder outlines the content. Over 500 pages of acquired letters, photos, “Awards” information and newspaper articles, regarding the history of the Flight 143 landing were within the albums. We also have a second set of the Enquiry Reports and soon access to the content will join the reading station. Please read as long as you like or return as often as you wish to enjoy and discover the information. We wish to acknowledge the financial support of Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage, who assisted with this important project in the preservation of the material & made printing of this project possible.
DIGITAL AUDIO WAND TOUR: We completed the first stage of this project almost two years ago, but with the ‘no touch’ policy for Covid protection we have had to delay presenting this to the public. Our second stage of this feature is also now completed and we are pleased to advise our interested visitors that this Digital Audio Wand Tour is now translated and available to our bilingual visitors in French. The repeated interest in bilingualism expressed to us through our early years, placed this project on our list of ‘must do’s’. We wish to acknowledge and express our gratitude for the financial support of the Gimli Westshore Community Foundation, our local Noventis Credit Union’s Community Connections support program, the Interlake Tourism Association, Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage, and Manitoba Building Sustainable Communites Program who assisted in this important project.
ENDOWMENT FUND Our Gimli Glider Endowment Fund continues to grow with support from persons wishing to see the non-profit registered federal charity sustained with ongoing contributions. For additional information on how our Fund works please do not hesitate to approach us and get your questions answered. Endowment Funds allow your contributions to continue working through the years ahead and are an important step to continued existence of our Museum within the community
MEMBERSHIP HOLDERS UPDATE: A reminder to all of our Members that your benefits are extended to the end of October of this year. We encourage you to take advantage of your unlimited access to the Exhibit and see the new features. The Membership rate will remain the same annual rate of $25.00. We thank the valued members who continue to remain an important supporter of the Exhibit.
BE PART OF THE GLIDER TEAM We are looking forward to what will be a record attendance summer at the Exhibit. If you are wanting to be part of experiencing and meeting visitors from around the globe, volunteering in a fun and friendly atmosphere? Talk to us …..we may be what you are looking for. Aviation experience or background is not necessary. Outgoing and wanting to be part of a popular venue in Manitoba is all that is required. We look forward to speaking with you. Contact us at gimligliderinfo@gmail.com to arrange a conversation or enquire at the Exhibit.
What to watch for next on this website: . Updates on Fundraiser . The expanding visitation numbers allowed within the Exhibit . New souvenirs from the metal from 604 Questions or comments – through email gimligliderinfo@gmail.com WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO 2022: There will be two important announcements coming about what we have been preparing for this summer. Keep a watch for both of them. CAPTAIN PEARSON & Pearl Dion, will join us once again for the Official GIMLI GLIDER DAY this July 23rd, a Saturday. Keep your calendar marked to visit us while he is greeting visitors in the Exhibit in the afternoon. Fundraising has not been possible through the past two years. We are planning the “UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL” event with Capt. Pearson on the evening of July 23rd. Watch for details coming soon. Very limited numbers for an incredible opportunity to spend time with Capt. Pearson.
DID YOU KNOW? Every Newsletter we will publish a lesser known fact about the world famous Gimli Glider Event. Many of these “factual tidbits” are found within the Exhibit. This month we will take the opportunity to introduce our readers to more of our local colourful aviation history. Each Newsletter Edition we provide information we discover about this Canadian Aviation History. Captain Pearson acknowledged as the “GOAT” of Aviation – is a headline we found while going through the innumerable amount of news clippings in the memorabilia binders. Made for some interesting reading and Greatest Of All Time is an acronym term becoming increasing used to label the best of an industry. Come in and we will lead you to this article for some reading.
COMING SOON May 22nd is the date of the Grand Opening of Winnipeg’s beautiful brand new building and location of the Winnipeg Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. Watch for it.
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THE GIMLI GLIDER CONNECTIONs Newsletter
We realize it has been awhile since we have last spoken about what is happening with our team and the activities, so let’s catch up.
MEMBERSHIPS: Most of you will recall that through our past Covid years, and the limited visitation times, we extended to our members the expiration date into a renewal date in October 2022. This ongoing support remains important to us for revenues toward our growth and operation. In our information about the upcoming 40th Anniversary there is additional detail about your Membership benefit for this event. Our Website update is going to detail what is new and added during the past 18 months to our Exhibit.
Our annual membership fee remains at $25 individual for one year from date of enrollment, and now Lifetime is introduced at $150 per person. We thank our new members and those who have enrolled, and as you know, we are always happy to see you with your return visits through the year. ANNUAL GIVING TUESDAY EVENT RETURNS NOVEMBER 29TH, TUESDAY!
This world participation Event is growing in popularity as it provides a special day each year during the ‘giving season’ for those that wish to support Charities with valued funding. We have in place an Endowment Fund program to build towards sustaining our local attraction. This funding also allows us to continue our goals of development with enhancing school tours and the educational component to the GGE history.
We have been very grateful for the support through different pathways over the past two years of reduced admission fee revenues. After serious discussion recently, we made the decision to leave our Admission structure as it is, so visitors and families from all income levels have access to our Exhibit. As an entire volunteer organization our team remains focused on providing a high level of experience.
When considering a donation of any amount to the Glider Exhibit, please use this attached link, the big red button, for your use on Tuesday. AND FINALLY, NEWS, NEWS, NEWS, on our coming 40th Anniversary Event.
It is extremely exciting to our team to be experiencing a heightened interest already about attending Gimli during the JULY 23RD WEEKEND with plans taking shape for events over the two weekend days. We will be confirming in the new year which of the crew members, special guests and local participants in thehistoric landing hours will be present for the weekend. Capt. Pearson and passenger Pearl Dion are looking forward to their return to Gimli and meeting visitors.AND FINALLY, NEWS, NEWS, NEWS, on our coming 40th Anniversary Event.
It is extremely exciting to our team to be experiencing a heightened interest already about attending Gimli during the JULY 23RD WEEKEND with plans taking shape for events over the two weekend days. We will be confirming in the new year which of the crew members, special guests and local participants in the historic landing hours will be present for the weekend. Capt. Pearson and passenger Pearl Dion are looking forward to their return to Gimli and meeting visitors. FUNDRAISING EVENING LOCATION IS HISTORIC TO THE LANDING NIGHT:
Yes, we are thrilled to announce we will be present within a large hangar runway side! If you know the history in detail there was a very large Gimli high school reunion happening that evening near the runway…..and so we return …… ! Additional information to follow as we make final plans and accommodation numbers through the next couple of months. Membership holders will receive a discount on the ticket price for the very special Event.
There is more exciting news to follow and more planning underway….we will keep you informed as we progress. Meanwhile, if you are planning to be here for the weekend and will require accommodation, consider making those arrangements now. Gimli is always a popular destination in summer. BE PART OF THE GLIDER TEAM We are looking forward to what will be a record attendance summer at the Exhibit. If you are wanting to be part of experiencing and meeting visitors from around the globe, volunteering in a fun and friendly atmosphere? Talk to us …..we may be what you are looking for. Aviation experience or background is not necessary. Outgoing and wanting to be part of a popular venue in Manitoba is all that is required. We look forward to speaking with you. Contact us at gimligliderinfo@gmail.com to arrange a conversation or enquire at the Exhibit.
What to watch for next on this website: . Updates on Fundraiser . The expanding visitation numbers allowed within the Exhibit . New souvenirs from the metal from 604 Questions or comments – through email gimligliderinfo@gmail.com
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