Thinking Inside The Box
It has come to our attention that some planes have been spotted over the Rangers house just beyond the trees on the west end of the field. This area is outside of the "box" and should be avoided! We have been advised that the Park Rangers will issue citations for violations of this rule.
Training Program
by (name withheld to protect the innocent pilot!)
Web Editor's Note: Much of this lengthy letter was snipped because it contained too much whining. I tried to save some of it. The next two issues of this newsletter contain flaming rebuttals.
A number of years ago, I was a member of the club but had to drop out. Recently, I re-upped so I had to take flight training again.
<snip><snip>
It seems to me that consideration should be given to have some sort of documented training program that is based on accomplishing certain maneuvers before passing on to the next level of training. The student should at least have a broad outline of what steps have to be accomplished to fly solo, and I think those things should include more than just landing the plane safely. In training to get a private pilots license, one of the requirements is to demonstrate the ability to restore the plane safely to straight and level flight, with instruments only, after the instructor has put it to various "unusual attitudes." A lot is learned about flying technique and the planes response from that exercise and a variation of it should have some application to models also. In a real plane, dead stick landings are pretty uncommon, but simulated power failures and deadstick landings are a required part of the curriculum. In models, dead stick landings are certainly not unusual, but to the best of my knowledge, that is not covered in any of the instruction. Using different maneuvers would also add some interest to the instruction instead of just flying a rectangular pattern.
<snip><snip>
(Editors Note: Please see the September issue of R/C Modeler for a related article - it starts on page 5)
B.O.G. REVIEW
By Sam Andreas, Secretary
The August meeting of the V.F.S.S Board of Governors was called to order at 7:50 PM on August, 15 1995. Present were: the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 5 B.O.G. Members, Chief Field Marshall, Chief Helicopter Instructor and 2 General Members.
Topics discussed were as follows:
1- The proposed safety rule addendum which incorporates a heli-circle onto the existing runway was voted on and passed by the board.
2- The topic of adopting an S.F.A. club charter was further discussed. The Vice-President noted that the S.F.A. also provides liability coverage for the club officers whereas our existing coverage does not. It was noted that a law suit could possibly be brought against the club officers as well as the club in the event of an accident. Although a suit of this type would be unlikely to succeed, under our A.M.A. Charter the cost of legal defense would have to be paid by the individual officers. This aspect is being explored and will be discussed when additional information is obtained.
3- The Treasurer reported the clubs financial status.
4- The Port-a-Potty is in place and liability coverage in the event of damage is being provided by the rental company. Documentation to this effect is forthcoming.
5- The subject of holding our Annual Club auction on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday was raised by the treasurer. Whether or not this occurs will depend on the availability of the school auditorium and auction chairman. It was noted that an Auction Chairman is needed. Anyone wishing to volunteer for this function should call Walt Pierzchala. (Please see the announcement in the back of this issue regarding the auction location and date)
6- An incident at the field which occurred on a recent Sunday afternoon was brought to the boards attention. It seems that an individual insisted on hand lauching his glider from the center of the field after 2PM. When this individual was reminded that except for the period between 9AM and 2PM on Sundays during which time gliders and electrics have exclusive use of the field all pilots must stand behind the flightline the glider pilot became belligerent and refused to abide by this most basic safety rule.
If any club member encounters someone who is not flying in accordance with club safety rules you should point this fact out to the individual in a reasonable manner. However if the person in question becomes belligerent, simply call the park rangers who will escort him off the field, at no personal risk to yourself.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45
General Announcement
By Joseph Pasquini, Raffle Chairman.
The turnout for the August General Meeting was very good as were sales of raffle tickets and the number of prizes received. Following are the four major prize winners and the
prizes they won:
Rob Caso - an OS40 FP engine
Gwen Szczur - a Midwest AeroStar kit
George Bond - a heat sealing iron
James Meidinger - a trim sealing iron
In addition, 2 gallons of fuel, 2 rolls of monokote and epoxy and several other assorted prizes were won by other members who entered the raffle. Prizes for the September raffle will be valued at over $180.00 and will include another 40 engine, kit and many other accessories. Come and buy some raffle tickets, if you happen to win something that you don't really need, exchanges can be made at the contributing hobby shop.
VFSS is Surfin'!
by Price Dempler
The VFSS page on the Internet is getting quite a bit of attention. The last time I looked at the page, there had been nearly 300 visitors! Michael Myers has done a remarkable job with the page and has forwarded some comments that were left - I have reproduced them below. If you are interested in getting to the page or leaving either Michael or myself an E-Mail, see the table below for the appropriate addresses. See you in cyberspace!
The Hear Ye! Home Page:
http://www.mhmyers.com/Hear_Ye/hearye.html
Michael Myers:
mhmyers@netaxs.com
Price Dempler:
GeeBeeR1@aol.com
Great home page! Greetings from the Pacific Northwest--fly sailplanes
and am trying to hover a Shuttle. Black magic, I say! Moved out here in
'82, from Bucks County, and am glad to see the Signal Seekers are doing
so well. You guys are a class act! Keep up the good work, and you have
a fan on the 'net.
Mike,
What a suprise to see VFSS on the net. I used to be a member before I
moved to Phoenix in 1990. It's great to see that the club is doing well.
You really deserve some credit for a first class job with the Web pages.
I think it goes to show what a cutting edge club VFSS is.
I do miss flying off of grass, but I don't miss flying off of snow!
See ya,
Brian
Hi Price
In the July issue of Here Ye you said:
> First, my sincere apologies for no Hear Ye! last month. Since there
> was no BOG Meeting, I didn't get my usual monthly wake-up call from
> Sam Andreas,
So this means its Sam Andreas fault? =:0
sorry, thats a bit of California humor.
Reallly enjoyed your newsletter, keep up the great work!
Walter
You know I just thought about it and unless you are a geologist or live
in southern CA you probably don't know that the earthquake line that we
live on is called the San Andreas Fault. Still pretty bad huh?
Walter
Hi Mike,
I serendipitously found the Web site for VFSS. I have been out to your
VF flying site a few times and would like to join the club. I have
a Cub flying right now, and I'm finishing a pattern ship for use next.
I have a Corsair kit which is qued next. Maybe I'll meet you at a meeting.
Talk to you later.
GeorgeH.
Just found your web page, never knew it existed. The main reason I'm
writing is I was wondering how Dave Hyatt is doing ? Hope you know him
and he is still flying. Tell him if you can, Fred Steiner from NJ said hello.
Haven't seen him since his store closed.