Minutes June, 2005

Minutes for June Meeting, June 20, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm by the President at the club flying field. Members and guests were welcomed by Jerry Mc Lean. Visitor Curtis Crape, new student Rick O’Connor, new member Steve Kessinger, and member Chris Robertson back from a year in Iraq were recognized. Jerry thanked the members for their help with our part of the Flight Museum ’s “Fly In” and the “Big Bird” event as well as support for combat and pylon racing. Special thanks went to Don Wilson for his organizing and overseeing of the “Ski to Sea Parade” activity.

The minutes of the May 16 th 2005 meeting were read by Secretary Jim Bradshaw.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Gail Buck reported that the receipts from the Big Bird raffle were mysteriously missing.

Vice President’s Report: Charlie Pilchard has called AMA again and new “T” shirts should hopefully be available by the next meeting.

Old Business:

Jerry thanked CDs Mark Metge and Bill Schnobrich for their good work in conducting the Big Bird event and Pat Eastman for his soliciting prizes of merchandise and dinners from the Silver Reef Casino and dinners from the Chihuahua Mexican Restaurant in Ferndale . Jerry Chambers was also thanked for the use of the concession trailer.

New Business;

Jerry asked members for thoughts about improving next year’s Big Bird event. He also asked for input on adding an additional event for next year.

Safety Report:

F.S.O. Gerry Becker reported that there were 3 injuries since the last meeting, all propeller cut related. He again stressed the need for caution with starting and adjusting engines, as well as the use of the frequency board when more than 2 flyers are using the field. He recommended that the club acquire more traffic cones for use during events to discourage spectators parking in the path of the runway’s North end. He also stated that flyers should try to make their approaches parallel to South Red River Road making a short final turn to the runway, whenever possible. South Red River Road is slated to be paved and traffic will undoubtedly increase. One of the AMA district vice presidents suggested that we might provide name-tags for entrants at events to help in keeping spectators from entering the pit area. There also was a complaint that some people were not observing the field safety rules, when immediately after the Big Bird event, small electric 3D planes were being flown in close to the runway while larger planes were still being flown in the normal pattern.

The use of drip pans for starting engines and continuing the use of the safety fences was discussed. It was suggested that drip pans might present another hazard due to the possibility of them being drawn into a propeller. Members voted and agreed to the continued use of the safety fences.

Combat and Racing:

Charlie and Jerry thanked members for their support at these events. They also asked for more people to help with judging and other necessary tasks.

Jerry showed the Memorial Plaque that will be installed in the transmitter impound. He read the names of those deceased members on the plaque.

Next Event:

Fun Scale Saturday July 9 th.

C.D. Gerry Becker outlined the schedule and Ken Huber discussed how the event would be judged. The club website will soon display the rules for the membership.

In Memoriam: Al Wackerbarth gave a eulogy for recently deceased member and longtime flying buddy, John Lowland. Needless to say, John will be missed. Many members have their own fond and humorous memories of John.

The meeting was adjourned at 7pm and John was honored with a fly-by, ably presented by Gerry Becker and his Piper Cub. Items left to the club by John were raffled off.

Minutes recorded and presented by Jim Bradshaw.