MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

June 12, 2009

Meeting Agenda

Opening meeting: Since the Hood Canal Bridge has opened, our President, Greg Marken, has returned. He called our meeting to order at 7:05 pm.

Attending: Pendleton, Marken, Anliker, Bruce, Jim and Cindy Cook, Benjamin, Fitch, Barras, Olson, Maupin, Calkins, Stephens, Carter, Berson, Cochran, Bangle, Berger, Smith and Hanke.

Guests: At the opening of the meeting there was no acknowledgement of any guests, but as it happens, Dwayne Pipe did sign the attendance sheet.

Minutes posted on the web site were approved as submitted.

Treasurers Report: At the time of the report the Bank of America checking account has a balance of $1,917.77 and the CD at the Quimper Credit Union has a balance of $ 6,118.79.

Safety Report: Tim Bangle talked about the need to pre-flight our aircraft and give them regular close detailed inspection. It seems that there have been some "loose screws" flying at the field.

Old Business: Grant Smith said that Roger Short had someone make him an offer for the property surrounding our flying field. Fortunately for us he did not accept the offer. Grant suggested that we consider looking for another possible flying site.

New Business: Bill Berson announced that we will be having a swap meet at the end of our next business meeting. Dick Benjamin says he will be bringing a load of aircraft back from Alaska.

General: Pete Hanke mentioned that a Stearman flew very low and close to our flying field. Greg Marken said, "AVOID FULL SCALE AIRCRAFT!"

Dale Olson announced that the Orca Club is having a sanctioned electric fun fly July 18^th, with a $ 10.00 landing fee.

Crash of the Month: Greg Marken nominated Pete Bruce, and Pete Hanke seconded the motion.

Special Service Award: Pete Granger nominated Randy Calkins for his outstanding contribution to the Tri-Area RC Flyers Club. He is greatly appreciated for his years in office as a Director and Membership Chairman. And in addition Randy is still the pump guy to keep the sani-can at the flying field functional and at No Cost to the club.

Also included to share an award was Tim Bangle who was nominated by Greg Marken and was seconded by Grant Smith. Tim has been very faithful in being the one who keeps our restroom facility at the flying field "fresh as a daisy" with that blue stuff.

Business Meeting Closed 7:30 pm.

Program: Jim Cook gave a very interesting talk about electrics. He had helpful visual aids and a Q and A time.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S HOBBY SHOP

Nothing from El Jeffe this month.

AROUND THE CLUB

J Thanks to Bob Kampmann for this one:

J Thanks to Jim Cook for this follow-up on his program:

NEW MEMBERS

I hope to obtain a brief bio and a picture of our new members to enhance their introduction to the membership. This is voluntary on the part of the newbie, but it should be beneficial for all.

HINTS, KINKS, AND STUFF

JUST PLANE FUN

J Thanks to Bob Kampmann for this gem:

LOOKING BACK—The AMA Nationals

The AMA Nationals used to rotate around the country on an annual basis. Not long after I won my first contest the Nationals came to Grand Prairie NAS between Dallas and Fort Worth, TX. A contingent from our local club (The Duncan Balsa Bugs) was going for the whole 9 days, and I was allowed to go with them. A huge hangar with temporary work tables was set up for repairs, maintenance, and even building models. There was a really big, well stocked hobby shop in one corner of the hangar. We contestants (I did not compete, but had all the benefits) were housed in barracks on base, and were bused over to the adjacent manufacturing facility (Chance Vought I think) to eat in their cafeteria. In addition, there were food vendors scattered around the flying fields.

The action was non-stop all day every day with free flights falling like rain, speed models screaming around the circles—including Dynajets honking their weird sound. I spent a lot of time watching the U-control stunt event and even saw Don Still fly his beautiful Stuka through a breathtaking performance that included pullouts 2 feet off the concrete runway as the norm.

I saw Jim Walker trying to get his RC plane to work right. He also put on impromptu shows with the little gliders he manufactured, and he always gave away a bunch of them. I also saw him fly 3 (that is not a typo) Firebabies at the same time—1 handle in each hand and one attached to the pith helment he usually wore.

One day I went to the indoor meet and was delighted with the slow moving microfilm planes and high performance gliders—all trimmed to stay out of the building structure. It is an aspect of the hobby that I have always enjoyed watching.

The action did not stop when it was too dark to fly. The nearby lighted baseball diamond was available for U-control stunt practice, and the speed guys had their screamers going most of the night trying to get just a little more RPM out of their engine/fuel mix.

I guess I slept a little once in a while, but there was so much going on in this modeler’s paradise that I had no time for such mundane activities! Showers? Maybe 1 just before heading home so I would not get yelled at.

Years later I was able to attend a couple of days at another Nationals and the fascination and excitement were still the same. If you ever get to go to a Nationals make sure you take advantage of the opportunity—you’ll be glad you did!

FIELD MAINTENANCE

Pete Bruce has signed up to "fly" the club mower in hopes of not collecting another COTM (Crash of the Month) recognition. Many thanks, Pete.

EDITORIAL—Editor Whining

Now maybe I can get back to some flying!

FOR SALE OR TRADE

If you want to list an item, just send me the details including your name, phone number, and asking price or trade-for item. Low pixel count digital (JPEG) pictures are also acceptable.

MONTHLY MEETING—July 14 at 7:00 in the SKP Clubhouse

I guess the officers should show up for a private meeting about 6:45 so they will not be distracted by all the goodies being brought in for our annual swap meet. That’s right, this is the special night where junk becomes treasure at bargain prices. Bring tools, hardware, kits, hangar queens, and anything else you want to get rid of (mothers-in-law excepted).

Pete Granger

granger@olypen.com