Minutes

Bell-Air R/C Flyers October Monthly Meeting

October19th 2009 7:00pm @ Ferndale WECU Building

E-Board members in attendance: Paul Baker – President, Mark Metge – Vice President, Renny Stefani – Treasurer, Jay Schoening – Safety Officer, Gene Tapparo – Field Marshal, Rory Cahill – Secretary and 39 faithfulls.

The meeting was brought to order by President Paul Baker at 7:00pm; a sign-up sheet and a fine obituary for past member Ron Johnson were passed around to the membership.

The club welcomed guests Joe, Julio and William Marino.

The minutes for September’s meeting were read and approved.

Under “Communications”, Renny talked briefly about the service for past member Dick Clark that was held that day. He also read a thank you letter to him and the club from CASA – Island County regarding a young man living in foster care that had been flying with Renny as a result of improved behavior. He was transferred to the Seattle area recently but will possibly be able to work with a local club in that area to continue flying.

Renny gave the Treasurer’s Report along with a breakdown of funds spent and monies remaining in the club’s coffer. The report was approved by the membership.

Paul gave the President’s Report: Many thanks in particular to Jim Walker for his hard work (and back hoe operation) on the taxiway project; also a round of applause to Jason Reynolds for his expert guidance on the concrete pouring and finishing. The taxiways went smoothly thanks to the huge number of members that turned out.

Due to scheduling conflicts with other with R/C events around the state, Warbirds over Whatcom is scheduled for the second weekend of August.

The field will not be cut again until next spring; the new mowers have been put to bed for the winter.

Paul asked the members if they wanted to have another plane to raffle off next year, a motion was unanimously passed to purchase another plane.

There is a new membership/renewal form on line to use next year.

Details for the Christmas party will be discussed at the next E-Board meeting.

Mark gave the Vice President’s Report: After researching the topic, Mark said he had seen a loud speaker system used by another club that was portable and easy to use. For approximately $250 dollars, we could put together such a system. A motion was passed to allow Mark to spend up to $300 for the system.

Jay gave the Safety Report: Fences around the pilots stations were going to be taken down for the winter but after a near miss when a pilot shut off his 2.4 gig transmitter while taxing back to the pit allowed the throttle to go to full r.p.m. The plane hit the corner of the fence, breaking the corner post. Had it not been there, serious accident could have resulted. It was approved that wood dowels be purchased to fit inside the post of at least three pilot stations and they remain up for the winter.

Next spring there will be seminars regarding setting up transmitters with a fail-safe feature to prevent future accidents.

A reminder from Hoby Acres, NO TAKING OFF FROM THE TAXI-WAYS! Also, remember not to taxi into the pits, with the concrete taxi-way, the plane is going to travel faster and further. Violators will be pummeled unmercifully about the head and shoulders.

Under new Business: Jay stated that next year there will be two classes of pylon racers; T-6 class and Unlimited Warbirds. Next season he is hoping to fly at least twice a month. More information will be on our website soon.

Jerry Ruschenski asked for a motion to allow an IMAAC meet at the club’s field (approximately the second weekend in May, depending on other competitions that are already scheduled State and Country wide). Jerry explained that it would be a two day event with competition in the morning both days and freestyle with music in the afternoons. It would be a great way to make extra money for the club. There will be IMAAC seminars prior to the event put on by Jerry and friends. At the next E-Board meeting on November 14 th we will nail down more details. The motion passed in favor of the event. For more information on IMAAC, go to www.min/imaac.com

Renny has club patches for sale at the next meeting; 3” dia. featuring the club logo. $3.00 each. Renny also passed around paperwork for those that wanted a name tag for their hats or coats.

Show & Tell had Matt Coe displaying his new Seagull Yak 54 which was an early Christmas present; hopefully we’ll see him at the field early next spring huckin’. Wally Swartz had two T-6’s on display, one that he modified for pylon racing.

Clarence Chaussee received his solo certificate.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.

Respectfully submitted – Rory Cahill