WINDINGBROOK R/C FLYING CLUB 2011 NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT′S COMMENTS:
This year we will be flying out of the North flying field. If there is a need to make a change I will do so. Do not take it upon yourself to fly out of another field without specific permission from me.
FIELD PROBLEMS:
Do not walk on the grass after a heavy rainfall if you are leaving footprints in the soil. This causes major problems for the farmer and a loss of revenue. He also does not want to find any cigarette or cigar butts in the grass. He has had complaints from his landscapers that this is getting to be a problem. Take all trash home with you and dispose of it in a proper manner. There is no flying when any workers are on the field. If you are flying and they begin to work you must land as soon as it is safe to do so. Do not park in the road at the North field to unload your vehicle. The farmer is unnecessarily delayed when you have parking a short distance away. If you need assistance carrying your equipment from the parking lot please ask for help. Remember, helicopters electric or gas are not allowed at the field. Jets are not allowed at the field unless they are electric as per the farmer's request.
ADVISORY BOARD 2011
We have a new Advisory Board, a list of all members comprising this group and their contact information is listed on our web site. Remember this is your voice in influencing any possible changes in our club. While I am on this topic let me address any concerns of members as to how our very unique club functions. I sometimes hear that our club is run like a dictatorship, which I guess makes me the head dictator. Well, you are correct and the land owner is the KING. I am told by him exactly what he expects from our group. I must then inform the membership of his wishes and make sure they are carried out to the letter or we can pack up and try to find another place to fly! I guess that makes me the dictator! (Please note there was no need to vote on his wishes). The land owner also wants to work with one individual on a continuous basis that he knows and trusts to carry out his wishes. He also wants to be able to call or speak with me at the field on a daily basis or as the need arises. In turn I have chosen people who I can work with to help me get the job done. Hence, there is no need for meetings, very little remains to be decided. This is why however; I have created the Advisory Board. It is made up of all officers and a small group of club members, voted on by you, if more than seven people apply and who serve for a two year term. You can contact me or any person on this list to discuss your concerns. If it is something that we as a club have control over we will be happy to discuss your concerns with you present.
CLUB PICNIC:
Our club picnic this year will be Saturday August 20, 2011 with Sunday August 21, 2011 as our rain date. Check our web site or your club emails for updates as this date approaches. Joan Liska does a great job each year of making this a great success.
FINANCIAL STATUS:
Our balance as of 12/31/2010 was $xxx a complete treasurer report was submitted by Mo Balboni to the Advisory Board the day of our picnic.
LOCK CODE:
The lock code to our North field parking lot is xx. Please do not share this code with any individual not a member of our club.
CLUB BADGE:
Members are required to wear their club badge when using the Windingbrook flying fields. This alerts the owner, workers and Town Constables that we have a right to be there. If you are caught without your badge you may be subject to a $75.00 trespassing fine imposed by the town. If there is an emergency at the field please call 911 for assistance. In a nonemergency situation you can get assistance by calling 860.258.7640. Please make note of this number. If you need a replacement badge information is available on our website under the "MEMBERSHIP" tab.
IMAA MEMBERSHIP:
IMAA is the united voice of the giant R/C model aviation community. We have a local Chapter #566 in the Rocky Hill area. Please go to the IMAA website at www.fly-imaa.org to get more information and consider becoming a member of our Chapter.
FREQUENCY PIN:
Remember, if you are flying anything other than 2.4 GHz you are responsible for bringing your own frequency pin. A frequency pin board is at the field and you are expected to display your frequency pin on this board when it is in use.
AMA UPDATES:
As of this writing over 80,000 individuals have contacted their representatives to voice their opinions on impending Model Aviation's restrictions. Please go to the AMA website to contact your representative or follow the latest developments. Your best defense is to keep informed.
CLUB EMAILS:
If you would like to receive updated club information throughout the year please be sure Jim Cyr has a valid and current email address. You can contact him at warhawk@snet.net or by phone at 860.664.0859.
FIELD ACCESS:
In the spring after melting snow or heavy rains the roads leading to the field can get flooded. It is a good idea to go to our web site and check the height of the Connecticut River to make sure access to the field is possible. Greg Zepka, our webmaster, has done a fantastic job of listing all weather related information under the "FIELD CONDITION" tab. It is not an exact science since the flooding over the roads will depend on how high the streams were to begin with but generally speaking anything over 9.5 feet is cautionary. Also check to make sure the river has crested and is not still rising; you could get trapped in the Meadows.
NEW OFFICERS:
Paul DeJohn is our new club Secretary. I am very pleased to have him join our group of club officers. I have placed him in charge of all communication between myself and club members, this includes all emails and postal mailings. He is also in charge of preparing all club newsletters for mailing and updating the backup club data base. He is also the liaison between our club and all AMA communications and request for club information. He is also one of the fine cooks at our club picnic along with Mo Balboni and Ray Morin.
GENERAL COMMENTS:
Safety is everyone's job. We have two designated Safety Offers, Steve Swahn and Lance Murphy. But, they can't be at the field 24/7 so if you see someone doing something wrong speak out. In my absence their word is law. They have been given the task of keeping you safe and preserving our flying field.
John Perez
President of WRCFC.