In this issue...
Congratulations
Helicopter Fun Fly
WRAM, Smithsonian
Raffle Winners
Rebuttals
From The Editor
by Price Dempler
Wow, what a month! This issue has a lot of stuff in it, so make sure you check out the whole thing!
Just a quick note about last month's training program article. As the editor, I chose not to print the name of the author of the article - the letter to me was, in fact, signed. I simply did not feel that there was any real benefit by printing the name (for either the trainee or the instructor) for what is apparently an unresolved issue. Nor did I feel that the Hear Ye was the appropriate avenue for the resolution of this issue. Perhaps it was an error in judgment - I have to admit that I wasn't quite sure what to do with the whole issue. Maybe someone with an editorial background can help me out with some general guidelines. After reading the letter, I was confident that there would be quite a response and that did turn out to be the case - I have put them in this issue (with names).
That issue aside, there are a number of timely announcements that you should be aware of, so please enjoy this issue!
Congratulations!
by Rom Boutin
(Editor's Note: Due to unknown difficulties, this article, originally sent for inclusion in last monthís Hear Ye, is one month behind. Sorry Rom!)
Congratulations RON (Low Pass) STROBEL and to GEORGE (Oh Oh) SPRENKLE. I am sure that flying without the umbilical cord, which got in the way on occasion, feels pretty good. Ron soloed in April, 1995 and George in July, 1995. Both have been extremely active as of late. Ron has been flying gliders, both electric and winch launch. George will be trying his hand with a newly acquired Ugly Stik and then on to his beautifully built, very well balanced Bi-Plane. You guys were a pleasure to work with and remember all instructors are available for all kinds of HELP. FLY OFTEN, FLY SAFE!
Helicopter Fun Fly!
from Dave Schlie
The Annual Helicopter Fun Fly will be held on Sunday, October 15 at the field. The event will start at 2:00pm and end at dusk. The field will be closed during that time. In the event of rain, the Fun Fly will happen the following Sunday (October 22nd) at the same time.
WRAM, Smithsonian, For Sale...
from Joe Weiser
Joe Weiser is trying to assess interest in a couple of field trips (no pun intended).
The first is the annual trek to the WRAM show. This will happen on a Saturday in February and will cost $30.00 per person. As is the custom, there will be a bus to and from the show along with refreshments. This outing fills up fast, so call Joe now to reserve your spot!
The second trip is to the Smithsonian's Garber Restoration Center in Silver Hill, MD. No date has been set as Joe is still trying to determine if there is enough interest to make the trip worthwhile. Again, if you are interested, see Joe at one of the meetings or call him.
Last, Joe is selling a 1/4 scale Mr. Mulligan with a Zenoah G-38 and a radio. He will sell all as a package or piecemeal.
If you are interested in any of the above, see Joe at one of the meetings or use e-mail.
Raffle Winners!
Joe Pasquini
At the September meeting, at least $200.00 worth of prizes were taken by the winners. Three of the top prizes and winners were:
News from the Internet...
compiled by Price Dempler
(Here is a letter that was in my E-Mail box...)
Subj: Hear Ye! International readers
Date: 95-09-18 20:03:03 EDT
From: staffan.ahlstrom@mailbox.swipnet.se (Staffan Ahlstrom)
To: GeeBeeR1@aol.com
Hello from way across big pond!
Just want to make you aware of the fact that your mag has readers from all over the world. I can see that your club from time to time meet exactly the same problems with basic rules not being abided by etc. Happy landings ! (Perfect 3-pointer: One wheel,one wingtip ,one prop tip)
Staffan Ahlstrom
R/C since 1977
Hollviken ,(Southern Sweden)
B.O.G. Elections
by Sam Andreas
Elections will be held at the December general meeting for the 1996 Board of Governors. Nominations for the 13 openings will be made at both the October and November general meetings. In order to function we need a minimum of 6 people to replace those B.O.G. members whose terms end as of 1/96. Mail-in ballots will be placed in the December issue of Hear-Ye and as nominations are made, the candidates names will appear in the October, November and December issues.
B.O.G. REVIEW
By Sam Andreas, Secretary
The September meeting of the V.F.S.S. Board of Governors was called to order by the President on 9/19/95 at 7:40 PM. Present were the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, 8 BOG Members, The Safety Officer and one general member.Topics discussed were as follows:
1- The Treasurer reported the clubs financial status as of 8/31/95.
2 - Since the Annual Club Auction is being held on a Saturday this year, the November general meeting will be held as usual.
3- The details of the upcoming elections for the B.O.G. were discussed. The elections will be held at the December general meeting. Nominations will be taken during the October and November general meetings. Mail-in ballots will be printed in the December issue of Hear Ye.
4- Nominations for the Doug Davison and Special Achievement awards will be taken at the December general meeting.
5- The Membership Chairman noted that as of 9/19 there are 305 currently active club members.
6- Procedures for enforcement of club safety rules were discussed in an effort to reduce the number of overflights of the ex-Superintendants house and Rt. 252. It was noted that a Field Marshall, who having warned an individual about a rule infraction, can ban the individual for the day if the offense is repeated. In addition, any two club members can suspend a flier who blatantly disregards club safety rules. The suspension would remain in effect until the individual appears before the B.O.G. at a regularly scheduled meeting. The above are pre-existing club rules and although they have never had to be used, they can if necessary. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
The next scheduled meeting of the B.O.G. is on 10/17/95 at 7:30.
Training Program Rebuttal
(Editor's Note: a great article for this section was submitted by Chuck Karr. Due to technical difficulties, however, I was not able to include it in this issue. Look for it in the November issue!)
(from Rom Boutin)
As an instructor for VFSS, I take strong objection to our anonymous club member article in the September Hear Ye regarding the training program. Your course of action for such criticism and resolution of problems (if any) should have been discussed with:
1 - your last Instructor, 2 - The Chief Instructor and then if you are not satisfied, 3 - The Club Officers.
Evidently, you did not acquaint yourself with the contents of the student folder given to you at the start of your instruction.
(from Harry I. Charnock)
After having attended almost every session of the VFSS club's training program since the spring of this year, my impressions are quite different than those stated by an unsigned letter writer in last month's issue.
When I made my first appearance at the flying field and reported to the chief instructor, he directed members of his staff to pre-flight my plane and make any necessary adjustments. He then flight tested the plane and the staff made more adjustments. It was quite a thrill watching my first plane become airborne.
I have found the entire staff to be highly skilled, conscientious, and caring. The members of the staff showed up without fail for all of the training sessions of this intensely hot summer. More than once, the skill and fast actions of the instructor saved my plane from certain destruction.
The members of the teaching staff are to be commended for so willingly giving their time and energy in order that the art of model flying can be passed on to others.
Other Rebuttal
(from Martin Albion)
It was with great dismay that I read article 6 of the BOG Review in the September issue of the Hear Ye. No attempt was made by the BOG to contact me and check the validity of this grossly misleading representation of events. By any standards, this reporting is biased and irresponsible and compromises the integrity of the Hear Ye. The members of VFSS are owed a public apology for this misuse of our public forum. Your immediate action is expected.