WINTONBURY FLYING CLUB
DEBRIEFING - JUNE, 2006, MEETING
DEBRIEFING - JUNE, 2006, MEETING
The June meeting was twice delayed because of foul weather,
but the evening of June 15 proved to be nearly ideal. Attendance was less
than might have been hoped for, but those who did attend enjoyed an evening
of great fun and good flying.
As usual for meetings at the field, the emphasis was on flying and having fun. Among the highlights was the maiden flight of George Cirish’s brand new e-powered Flatana. Before its first flight, observers marveled at the control surfaces sizes and throws. At full deflection the elevators and flaps resembled dive breaks and the rudder resembled that old barn door. George got it in the air and managed a successful flight, but it was a handful. Once he gets more familiar with it, however, his Flatana promises to be a great little 3-D ship.
We all met Warren Clark, a new member of the Club who said that he had a new Next Star, but had not brought it to the field. After some vigorous “encouragement” and two quick trips back to his house, Warren’s plane was on the starting bench. From there on the friendliness and helpfulness that characterize the members of WFC almost overwhelmed Warren and his plane. First, there was one person helping him get the new motor started and adjusted. Then a second helper appeared. Then there was a very short initial flight followed by a hairy dead-stick landing that Tim pulled off with aplomb. The plane went back on the bench and three, then four, then six people were there pitching in to determine the cause of the flame-out and cure it. The motor run was finally sorted out and Warren did a great job on several good training flights. Welcome to the Club, Warren.
At about 7:00 Tim assembled the crew for the formal meeting. Tim introduced Warren to the assembled throng and also introduced two prospective members, Joe Tata and Bill Caniglio, both of whom are eager to become active members. The Secretary’s and the Treasurer’s reports were given and a final 2005 budget was handed out to show how well the Club’s finances are being handled. Glen Drake/Dave McElligot reported on preparations for the Electric Fly-In scheduled for July 29 and solicited additional volunteers. Similarly, Chris DeConti gave an update on preparations for the IMAA Fly-In scheduled for the Labor Day weekend. And, Roger Misiaszek described the hard work contributed by a lot of members in effecting field improvements and the need for some additional work on the west end of the E-W runway.
There followed a comprehensive review of the safety rules. Almost all of the safety rules - - which, by the way, are included in full in the blue notebooks - - were well covered. However, emphasis was placed on those regarding use of frequency pins and the transmitter impound area; starting motors facing away from the pits and either on the starting stands (not work benches) or on the ground with a proper restraint; keeping visitors behind the work benches and staying out of the prop arc area; always flying from the flight stations and making the first turn after take-off away from the pit area; maximum number of planes in the air; and confining flying to permitted areas and reducing noise. It was emphasized that safety is everybody’s concern and that everyone is responsible for seeing that the safety rules are observed, but doing so in a manner that is consistent with the camaraderie that makes our Club so special.
Finally, the much discussed issue of flying helicopters at the field was resolved by announcing the Board’s decision that questions of when, how, by whom, and by how many would continue to be governed by the existing provisions of the By-Laws that address the subject. [Those of you who have received the blue notebooks that have been handed out to existing and new members over the last couple of years already have the By-Laws. Those of you who have not received a blue notebook should let Tim know for purposes of sizing a second printing. For those of you who have “misplaced” your blue notebook, a full copy of the By-Laws will be emailed to all members in the very near future.]
All in all, a great evening was had by all. We can only hope that the rest of this year’s field meetings will be equally fun and productive.
As usual for meetings at the field, the emphasis was on flying and having fun. Among the highlights was the maiden flight of George Cirish’s brand new e-powered Flatana. Before its first flight, observers marveled at the control surfaces sizes and throws. At full deflection the elevators and flaps resembled dive breaks and the rudder resembled that old barn door. George got it in the air and managed a successful flight, but it was a handful. Once he gets more familiar with it, however, his Flatana promises to be a great little 3-D ship.
We all met Warren Clark, a new member of the Club who said that he had a new Next Star, but had not brought it to the field. After some vigorous “encouragement” and two quick trips back to his house, Warren’s plane was on the starting bench. From there on the friendliness and helpfulness that characterize the members of WFC almost overwhelmed Warren and his plane. First, there was one person helping him get the new motor started and adjusted. Then a second helper appeared. Then there was a very short initial flight followed by a hairy dead-stick landing that Tim pulled off with aplomb. The plane went back on the bench and three, then four, then six people were there pitching in to determine the cause of the flame-out and cure it. The motor run was finally sorted out and Warren did a great job on several good training flights. Welcome to the Club, Warren.
At about 7:00 Tim assembled the crew for the formal meeting. Tim introduced Warren to the assembled throng and also introduced two prospective members, Joe Tata and Bill Caniglio, both of whom are eager to become active members. The Secretary’s and the Treasurer’s reports were given and a final 2005 budget was handed out to show how well the Club’s finances are being handled. Glen Drake/Dave McElligot reported on preparations for the Electric Fly-In scheduled for July 29 and solicited additional volunteers. Similarly, Chris DeConti gave an update on preparations for the IMAA Fly-In scheduled for the Labor Day weekend. And, Roger Misiaszek described the hard work contributed by a lot of members in effecting field improvements and the need for some additional work on the west end of the E-W runway.
There followed a comprehensive review of the safety rules. Almost all of the safety rules - - which, by the way, are included in full in the blue notebooks - - were well covered. However, emphasis was placed on those regarding use of frequency pins and the transmitter impound area; starting motors facing away from the pits and either on the starting stands (not work benches) or on the ground with a proper restraint; keeping visitors behind the work benches and staying out of the prop arc area; always flying from the flight stations and making the first turn after take-off away from the pit area; maximum number of planes in the air; and confining flying to permitted areas and reducing noise. It was emphasized that safety is everybody’s concern and that everyone is responsible for seeing that the safety rules are observed, but doing so in a manner that is consistent with the camaraderie that makes our Club so special.
Finally, the much discussed issue of flying helicopters at the field was resolved by announcing the Board’s decision that questions of when, how, by whom, and by how many would continue to be governed by the existing provisions of the By-Laws that address the subject. [Those of you who have received the blue notebooks that have been handed out to existing and new members over the last couple of years already have the By-Laws. Those of you who have not received a blue notebook should let Tim know for purposes of sizing a second printing. For those of you who have “misplaced” your blue notebook, a full copy of the By-Laws will be emailed to all members in the very near future.]
All in all, a great evening was had by all. We can only hope that the rest of this year’s field meetings will be equally fun and productive.
THINK SAFETY – FLY SAFELY