NEXT MEETING: March Meeting: Sat, 11 March 9:30 coffee, bagels
Muffins etc. 10 AM Business meeting Bookland’s coffee shop
conference room @ Cook’s Corner Shopping Center
MEETING MINUTES OF 12 February
2000 DSC MEETING
Secretary’s Report: Secretary Larry Smith reported the club had received a flyer from the Salem Barnstormers, Salem New Hampshire. They are having their Annual Auction, Sunday March 19, 2000 1 P.M. – 6 P.M. FMI 1-603-898-9241.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Ken Mac Donald provided the Treasurer’s report.
OLD BUSINESS
No Host - Pot luck thermos Winter
Fly:
Jim mentioned that the following day the BAM Club was going to have a No Host - Potluck thermos Winter Flys. Jim said he was sending e-mails to everyone in the BAM (Brunswick Area Modelers) and DSC that wanted to be notified when the No Host - Pot luck thermos Winter Flys would be held this winter. At least one a month is to be planned. Everyone in the DSC is also invited to attend and fly as quests. BAM has a very liberal policy as far as allowing other Club members to fly at their field without having to join their Club. Only restrictions are that the flyer must have AMA insurance and are a member of another Club. Picture is of BAM/DSC member Sandy Schmidt taking off at the event the day after this meeting. Another one was held on 2/27/00. Both were well attended.
Safety officer:
As was said
in the last newsletter, Rick Hallett had a lot of good ideas on safety so he
was coerced into taking the Club Safety Officer position. Rick said he would start a page on glider
safety. Something we can use for new
members and for old timer refresher training.
Rick provided 5 copies of another Glider Club’s safety plan. It is provided below for our use to come up
with one for our Club.
From: "Richard
Hallett" <happl@mint.net
To: "James
Armstrong" <jamesIII@blazenetme.net
Sent: Saturday,
February 12, 2000 5:15 PM
Subject: the field
safety file
At the January meting
it was suggested that we have a safety officer. Prime thought being to point out the areas in which we commonly
make safety mistakes. With this in mind
I picked this list of rules up from a new Scottish web site. It is hoped that they will spur your
interest and thoughts. It is obvious
that the flying is different - multiple winches; and some of the sites quite
populated- spotter at the slope for landing through the public. It is hoped though that your thoughts will
be stirred to think of the common mistakes that we should have on paper for our
own review and particularly for new comers.
-- The first part suggests that we need
to be sure that everyone is an AMA or MAAC member. (We have Canadian friends and their MAAC is accepted by AMA.)
-- Next we need to check to make sure we have
a clear frequency.
-- The landing areas needs to be
designated and in addition at many slope sites the technique must come from
instruction from previous flyers.
-- If we have problems during flying we
need to be very vocal about it so other people in our area can take the
necessary safety steps to duck.
-- We need to designate the no fly
zones - the launch area, the cars, the objecting neighbors, the audience.
-- Look after the property- gates
litter etc.- it is only our privilege to be there.
-- If you are going flying by yourself
make sure you tell someone in advance so we or someone will know where to look
for you. Be careful about this -
remember your wife says going flying again "yes" but may not pay
attention
to the site.
Now this briefly is how I would
summarize what I see in this set. But
we started in our thoughts with some of the following.
1. Don't pull back any line with your
finger "in" the ring instead pull by the cloth of the chute. Charlie brought us a handle for pulling the
monster that we use for the catapult.
2. In addition for this catapult flying
it was felt that the launcher if he is holding the plane (that was not really
felt to be good) should have safety goggles on.
3. When using the winch the pedal needs
to be disengaged if you are working on the line probably better yet the
battery.
4. The pedal for the winch should be
fluorescent and covered to prevent accidental stepping on the pedal.
5. Using the winch and rewind should
only be attempted under the verbal assistance of someone very familiar with the
equipment. (Oft times what you think
you see is not what you see)
NOW PLEASE REWORK AND ADD till we come
up with all the safety aspects that should be brought to the attention of the
new comer.
Attempting to be a safety officer.
Rick
…End Message…
Fife Soarers is a club specifically for the pursuance of silent flight.
To ensure the continued availability and use of the Mossmorran and other flying sites, the following guidance notes for members/ fliers and users have been drawn up.
The prime aim of the suggestions is to ensure field safety. Accidents can and do happen all to easily so ALL users must follow the codes of practice indicated in this document.
The following suggestions for field etiquette have been discussed by active fliers within Fife Soarers. Their implementation is strongly recommended by all participating individuals.
GENERAL
All users must be fully insured and it is recommended that they be members of the Scottish Aeromodellers Association. (S.A.A.)
All the S.A.A. recommendations for safety must be adhered to with no exceptions. (See S.A.A. safety code).
LOCAL RULES
The North most limit for flying from this site is the South side of the A92. Please note that this main thoroughfare is only ¼ mile from the boundaries of the flying site and that an accident on this busy road would be catastrophic.
FLIGHT PREPARATION AND FLYING RECOMMENDATIONS
· Ensure frequencies do not clash prior to launch. Check verbally, physically and use the pegboard.
· When more than one pilot/ flier is present, a pre arranged landing area must be decided. This will be dictated by the wind and weather conditions on the day. It is suggested that the landing area should be to the side off the launching area, at least 100 ft clear of the nearest winch. The landing approach area should be clear of all hazards, pilots, parked cars etc.
· All landings should be carried out in this area.
· The only exceptions being in the case off emergency when there is insufficient time to reach the designated area.
· In this case adequate verbal warning must be given to all the field
users of the problem you are encountering and your imminent landing.
· The pit area should not be behind the winches, no matter how convenient this may seem. It should be to the side of the launching area, opposite from the designated landing area.
· Ensure adequate spacing between winches. (30 ft minimum).
· Ensure that winch lines are not left lying across other members/ fliers’ equipment and lines.
· If lines are crossed clear them immediately, either by yourself or ask for assistance. It is your responsibility to clear your line, not other people's.
· Do not wind your own line in, if it is lying across other field users
equipment, clear it first.
· When group flying ensure that you do not cause an obstruction with your equipment, winch line, towline or bungee, clear the ground immediately so that others may launch and fly at the same time as you. This is your responsibility.
· Under no circumstance should any model be flown over areas that have been pre-designated for car parking, spectating or general public access. Whilst this may be difficult to ensure, prior consideration to the positioning of these areas should be given by the pilot.
· Under no circumstance should any pilot overly or circle in the winch/ launching area.
· Under no circumstance should any pilot endanger other users by flying low around other transmitters/ pilots or other members of the public who may be present.
CAR PARKING
· No vehicles allowed into the field.
· No vehicular access will be allowed in to the field, either for delivery or pick up of equipment.
· Car parking areas to be decided on the day, ensuring clear access to gates/ thoroughfares etc. for the farmer and other land users.
· It is vital that we follow the Country Code.
· Leave no litter.
· Leave gates as you found them or ask the other users for specific instructions.
· Do not climb fences to retrieve lines, models etc.
· Use the gates, they are not too far to walk.
· Remember we are on someone else's private land, and we wish to keep using it for our own pleasure.
· It does not take much thought to ensure our continued usage of the fields, please be considerate to all our needs.
· Any member or guest on the field who continually displays unsafe, inconsiderate practices will be dealt with accordingly.
SLOPE RULES.
· There are a few additional points applying to slope flying. Generally we can count on there being members of the general public around and so we must take particular care not to injure or alarm them. This means:
· No low passes unless you KNOW it's clear.
· If you are flying alone always check round before attempting a landing, make sure it's clear of bodies first.
· Before you set off up the hill have a good look round to see that there is not already flying underway, if there is then you must go to check frequencies before you turn on your equipment.
· Flying off the very top of East Lomond is for experienced pilots only. Do NOT fly of the top on your own under any circumstances, you really do need a "Spotter" to make sure that the landing area is clear of the public.
· Please do tell someone that you are going flying (In case you fall or injure yourself) then at least someone will know roughly where to look for you if you fail to return.
. Please get your input on topics to Rick
Hallett (i.e., call 207-487-3958, write 65 Somerset Ave, Pittsfield, ME 04967,
or e-mail happl@mint.net,).
2000 events:
Previously
Club members selected Saturday for Fun Fly and Sunday for the HLG event. Talked about what weekend to schedule
them. Only date people said to stay
away from was 4 July 2000. Jim is
talking with the BAM officers to get permission to use the BAM field for the
FUN FLY. Once BAM sets the date for
their Powered Plane FF weekend we will be able to select a date. Need to firm up these two dates and send in
Sanction paperwork soon. Also Club
members wanted NO Host Soaring Lobster festivals to be scheduled a much as
possible. Jim said he schedules Soaring
Lobster Festivals and summer meetings at Clark Cove when low tide is between 11
AM and 3 PM. The web sites he has
looked at only forecast 6 months in advance.
He said he was getting a tide program for his PALM IIIX that will give
you the tide for any date selected.
Clark cove is great.
Club GROWTH:
Treasurer
Ken Mac Donald checked his records and reported that the Club had twenty-five
paid members for 2000. Historically
small groups of past members sign up in the spring and at contests. Forrest Sumner brought a friend, “Brad
Danse”, to the meeting. Brad joined the
Club. Welcome Brad. Rumor has it that after Brad saw the EPP
planes fly at the sandpit he ordered one.
DYNAMIC SOARING:
Forrest
Sumner returned the dynamic soaring video donated by Dennis Phelan. Larry Smith checked it out. Don’t miss this one. Reports keep coming it that it is
fantastic. Larry Smith: “This is the best video I have seen on slope
soaring so far.” > Also please note my change in e-mail address. > Old address = soarlarry@aol.com> New address = soarlarry@mail.ttlc.net
Bungee
launcher:
Show
and Tell
