Bartons Point Model Flying Club – Minutes of August 2014
Meeting
The club meeting took place on Monday, 4th of August 2014 at the Harps Inn attended by 21 members and 3 new member applicants.
The meeting was chaired by Dave Cook.
Apologies for Absence
None.
Minutes from last meeting - Minutes from
the June 2014 meeting were provided for member’s last minute reading and were
accepted as correct.
New Membership Applications
New Membership Applications
Three new membership applications were reviewed; Raymond Hermitage
(fixed wing), Loretta Stringer (fixed wing needs training) and Stephen
Lines(fixed wing, ‘B’ cert). The members
present voted for all to be granted
membership and they were warmly welcomed to our club.
Correspondence
Emails have been received from Phil Fearn (Medway Club Chairman) who
reminded our club of their upcoming Boot Sale/Swap Meet on 17th of
August. We are invited to this
event. Also, there was an email from the
local District Beavers asking if we would hold flying buddy event for them at
our field similar to last year on 10th of September. Adrian Knowles offered to assist as
necessary.
Jan Bruce reminded members of the date of this year’s Love Sheppey event
on 23rd of August, which will include Have-a-Go from 12:00 to 14:00
hrs.
Matters
Arising
Dave Cook requested that Simon Psaila give an
interim update on the club accounts following the annual Club Spectacular. He confirmed that the accounts were healthy
and the balance now exceeds £13000.
Field Conditions
Dave Cook provided details of his investigation
on an effective and economical way to flatten and smooth our flying field. This would be done in the autumn at a time
that the contractor considered ideal estimated to be anytime from late
September. A large central section of
the field will be stripped, the soil worked, broken, tilled and rolled,
followed by seeding. The section will be
plastic net fenced and will not be useable until early spring 2015. Dave has obtained an estimate of around £2500
for the complete job and the members duly voted in favour of proceeding. All present felt that it was time this was
done as it was no longer possible to fly tricycle undercarriage planes or even
achieve no bounce take-offs and landings from the uneven field.
Flying Spectacular
Jan Bruce and Dave Cook, updated the members
on the very successful weekend during which the weather also behaved itself and
there was constant flying and crowds.
Jan confirmed that we achieved a surplus over costs. She thanked all those who gave their time to
do the various tasks especially the members selling raffle tickets. Dave Cook pointed out the importance of the
wrist bands which should only be issued to BMFA registered and insured flyers
with certificate A and above levels and to those members carrying out duties in
the pits such as the slot board. We will
increase our vigilance and observance of these conditions next year.
Members voted to hold the event again next
year. Members expressed their thanks to
Jan and Dave for so successfully organising it every year.
Scale Day
Simon Psaila provided a summary on the Club Scale Day held on Sunday 8th
of June. Turnout was terrific as anyone
watching Peter Bruce’s outstanding club blog video of the day will notice. This is definitely one for the records. Dave
Cook and the members expressed their thanks to Simon for the organisation.
After this, Dave Cook mentioned that next year
we could expand the day to include an inter-club Scale Day with Medway joining
in. He offered to organise next year’s
event himself much to the relief of Simon.
Field Licence
We are still waiting for a reply from the
Council regarding including gate and right-of-way access and camping in the car
park permission in the contract.
Any other business
Dave Cook briefed the members on some of the
subjects covered at a recent BMFA Examiners workshop which he attended
recently. This included BMFA draft
achievement scheme proposals for Multi-Rotor aircraft which will require to be
flown without stabilisation and to complete similar to helicopter manoeuvers.
Flying to music
The members discussed the practice of flying
to music. To ensure safe field practice,
which requires situational awareness and ability to hear cautions from others,
music should be listened to via speakers on the ground and not through headphones. The BMFA defines this as a risk.
Jan Bruce requested assistance from any member
who could show her how to create an email mailing list for her to send out the
Newsletter and other club communications.
Terry Young offered the assistance of someone who could do this. Peter Bruce requested that all members inform
Jan of changes to their email addresses.
Adrian Knowles has been co-opted to be the
Club Safety Officer and will seek confirmation at the December AGM.
Terry Young, mentioned holding a Fun Day at
the field and volunteered to organise it for the upcoming August Bank Holiday
weekend of 23rd and 24th.
There will be balloon popping and other fun flying activities. More details to follow on the Club Blog so
keep checking.
As another reminder: There are still members
performing wrong vehicle ingress and exit moves into and out of the field pits
area. Please keep to the inside North
access strip in and out, and proceed all the way to and turn at the West end
tightly. Special mention must be made that you are not to reverse in and
out. Also, when unloading and loading
please park considerately.
Next meeting will be held on Monday 6th of October, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. at the Harps Inn, Minster.
