Air Field Chit Chat

Hi Fellow Flyers,

Well it has been an eventful month or so and your executive has taken on board the feelings of the membership at large. Attached are copies of the minutes of the November 07 General Meeting and the Committee Meeting of 12^th December. You will see that, especially in the committee area  that we have started the process of getting on with the job.

Many thanks to Bob Moore for coming to our help in volunteering to do the mowing for the being.  Kerry Turton has accepted the position of CFI. Kerry was CFI previously for some eight years and I hope the membership will confirm Kerry’s appointment at the next general meeting. Also Dave Harper has agreed to put in his great effort and look after the “Air Waves” for us. We have addressed the problem of providing information for him to print and I for one am very great full for Dave again volunteering his time and expertise in providing this service to our Club.

From the Committee Minutes you will note that we have identified a number of jobs that need to be done at the field and I list them here again as well as two or three things that also need attention:-

1. Fence at end of Pit area –Must be 30m from the Cross Strip.

2. Restoration of the pit area.

3. Decision on Camping area for future events.       

4. Appoint a special committee to solve the Helicopter 3D flying area

5. Better coordination, promotion and running of the events calendar. Canteen requirements, Camping facilities, Prizes and so on.

6. Install the container 2.4m from the fuel container. This leaves 7.5 m from the new container to the fence line and 2.4 m to park the tractor. We will install this container in the first two weeks of 2008. We are in the process of getting quotes to extend the roof to protect the tractor from the elements and get this done asap. In the meantime we have covered the tractor and slasher with a tarp.

7. Appoint a sub committee to review the Constitution and By-Laws to present a new up to date workable document.

8. Consider a capping of membership. Tingalpa will close, may be to morrow maybe in 5 to 10 years. There is nothing like being prepared.

9. Complete the drains within the fenced area of our field and back fill to make the whole area flat.

10. Airshow organisation and promotion.

I am sure we will think of other things that need attention and we will deal with those as they arise

A great thing about human beings is that we all have “HOPE”. Our club has had a disruption or two over the past few months or so. However we have come to terms with what the membership wants and we look forward to smooth sailing ( or should I say flying) from now on. I HOPE we can put the past to rest and move on from here. I HOPE we can achieve all of the above items of improvements. I HOPE we can see the big picture re helicopters, fences, pit area and so on and once again be a happy club. I am working towards this and HOPE that serving our club in my appointed position will return to a position of happiness and satisfaction. This does not mean that if one has a problem or suggestion that they cannot bring it to the attention of the committee. But I HOPE members will do so in a considered way and in turn help the committee to rectify a problem or make a contribute to the execution of a new suggestion.

We all need HOPE, and I HOPE that PRAMS will return to being the “friendly, helpful and considerate club I joined about five years ago.

Well that is about all for this epistle, I shall try to put an article in every Airwave for the coming months. I wish all Members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Regards and good flying

Gordon Grant

Pine Rivers Aeronautical Society Inc.

Minutes of the General Meeting held on November 30^th 2007.

Meeting opened: President Warren Dunnell declared the meeting open at 8.03pm.

Attendance: 57 members as per the attendance book.

Apologies: Fran Sutherland.

Visitors: Peter Beverslvis (?)

Minutes:

The president advised the meeting that the minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated in  Airwaves and would be taken as read. This statement resulted in a number of objections expressing the view that there were no minutes taken at that meeting. Graham Tattersall asked the meeting if there was a problem in recording the minutes, and the secretary advised him that he was not present at the meeting, and that the notes provided to him were inadequate.

In view of these discussions Danny Hollis moved that “As there were no reliable minutes of any meeting after 31/8/07, including the Annual General Meeting, General Meetings and Committee Meetings, that all decisions and approvals at those meetings be considered null and void. Seconded by Graham Tattersall.

There was further general discussion with many members putting their point of view. Dave Harper moved that ‘the motion now be put’. Seconded by James McAllen. Members tried to voice further opinions on the matter, however the president ruled that these were out of order as the motion now had to be put. The motion was carried with 5 votes against and 9 abstentions.

Point of Order:

Kerry Turton raised a matter that a notice of motion concerning the amount of money the executive could spend without prior approval was amended at the last meeting. It was considered that in view of Danny Hollis’ motion that had just been passed that the matter was irrelevant.

New Members.

Chris Curren and Basil Dennison were admitted as members of the club. The treasurer advised the meeting that he had a receipt and cheque for a Dale Story but no application form, and asked if members knew this applicant. There was no response.

Correspondence In:       

PRSC re hall hire for the coming 12 months.

Darren Robinson re thanks to Bob Moore for his efforts in carrying out grounds maintenance for the past five and a half years.

Dave Harper re resignation from the position of newsletter editor and the reasons why he resigned.

The last two letters were read to the meeting.

Moved G Grant, seconded P Edmonds that the club give Bob Moore a vote of thanks for his efforts. Carried by acclamation.

G Kennedy suggested that a letter of thanks be written to Bob and the meeting approved this course of action.

Dave Mount asked that in view of the Danny Hollis motion making all decisions null and void as of 31/8/07, is now Bob Moore automatically reinstated as Grounds Maintenance director. Bob replied that he did not wish to hold the position for the time being.

D. Hollis moved that the club give a vote of thanks to Dave  Harper for his contribution to Airwaves. Seconded by G Grant and carried by acclamation.

D Hollis advised the meeting that he had prepared and distributed the last edition of Airwaves both electronically and by post.

G Grant asked the secretary if MAAQ had been advised of the new office bearers as Pat Benson was still getting correspondence from them. The secretary did not know but promised to investigate.

The secretary was asked if the annual return had been sent to the Dept of  Fair Trading and the treasurer advised that he had given all the information to George McLucas to send in, and that he would check with George.

Treasurer’s Report:

The treasurer gave a detailed written report of the club’s financial position. Generally the club is in very good financial state. Moved G Grant that the report be accepted, seconded D Harper. Carried.

CFI and Grounds:

Don Barber expressed his disappointment with the meeting’s attitude and motions, and resigned from both positions.

Library:

D Harper advised that some new DVDs had arrived and were in demand. He advised that members seemed to prefer DVDs over books currently. Dave also tabled a book entitled ‘Chairing and Running Meetings’.

Fuel:

Bob Moore advised the meeting that there was plenty of fuel and that Premix was available in 26 litre lots     for $135.00.

General Business:

Graham Kennedy suggested that Application  Fees be removed for new members joining the club. There was no agreement to this suggestion. Graham moved that the club return to monthly general meetings. Seconded John Roth. After some discussion the motion was withdrawn.

Closure: The meeting closed at 9.06pm.

Pine Rivers Aeronautical Society Inc.
The Minutes of the Executive Management Committee Meeting
Held on 12^th December 2007 at the Club House.

Meeting Opened:  19.32 hrs

Present: Danny Anderson; Gordon Grant,

Chairman: Gordon Grant agreed to chair the meeting

Apologies: Warren Dunnell; Andrew Holloway

In Attendance: Graham Ross (Catering); Neil Tyler (Minutes secretary)

Correspondence: Receipt of Email from Lawnton CC Hall from Esther George, confirming  continued use of Hall on last Friday in each month from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm excepting December and noting that Anzac Day is a public holiday and she has booked that date for our use. She requests we fill in the Hirer forms and return them to her  ASAP.

Minutes of Previous Meeting: There were no realistic minutes for the previous meetings

Business Arising: As the minutes of all previous meeting of the Management Committee and the General Meeting had been declared null and void by a motion at the General Meeting of 30^th November 2007, it was decided that certain items had to be attended to namely: -

1. Appointment of a new C.F.I.
   Danny Anderson reported that Fran Sutherland and Kerry Turton had both nominated for the position. As Kerry had 8 years experience in the position, it was decided to appoint him, subject to ratification by the members at the next General Meeting.
    
2. Fence:
   It was decided the fence at the end of the pit area be reinstated in 2008
    
3. Signs in Heli area:
   It was noted that the signs “Heli Parking only” had been removed
    
4. Parking in Heli Area:
   Parking to be inline with shed, that is, no parking of vehicles beyond end of strip. No signs are required at this stage.
    
5. Concreting of Pit Area:
   It was decided to put this item on hold
    
6. Warbirds Weekend:
   It was agreed there was some confusion during this event as there was no liaison between the organisers and the Management Committee.  It was decided that future events should have an organiser who shall liaise closely with the Management Committee.
    
7. Visitor Camping:
   This matter was discussed as it has been reported that camping on the Heli area had been carried out during the Warbirds event to the consternation of some members. It was agreed that camping on this area has been the norm in previous years, however as the area to the western fence has now been cleaned up, this area is closer to the showers and toilets and could be used. Matter to be put to members in 2008????
    
8. Airwaves:
   Dave Harper resigned from this position at the November 30^th meeting. Danny Anderson has since spoken to Dave and reported that Dave is willing to continue as Airwaves editor.
    
9. Ground Maintenance:
   As Don Barber and his team of Glen Hall and Andrew Carby had resigned there was an urgent need for appointment of a member to organise ground maintenance and mowing. Gordon Grant reported that Bob Moore has agreed to carry out the mowing on an interim basis if given keys to the sheds. It was agreed to arrange keys for Bob and grant him interim appointment as per his request. Letter of thanks to be sent to Don Barber and his team members.
    
10. Fuel Sales:
    Gordon Grant advised fuel sales were low, probably due to Hobby Garage now purchasing its fuel elsewhere. Also there seemed to be less members flying both during the week and at the week ends. Another factor is that there are more electric models being flown than in previous years.
     
11. Storage Container:
    Gordon Grant advised the container has been paid for, and the cheque presented. It was agreed that the new container be located 2.5 meters west of the fuel shed and that a tarp be purchased to create a temporary covering for the tractor, which is to be positioned between the sheds. It was further agreed that a roof could be fitted between the two sheds thus providing tractor cover, and that the area did not require flooring. Work to be organised in 2008.  Neil Tyler agreed to purchase low cost tarp from Supercheap.
     
12. Proxy Votes:
    Gordon Grant said he had looked into the proxy votes at the last General Meeting. It appears the Voting Papers were not in the form as prescribed by law and therefore were invalid and should be destroyed. It was agreed that the Voting Papers be destroyed.
     
13. Fencing Requirements as per MAAA and Insurance:
    It was agreed that fencing and all safety requirements as required by MAAA, Insurance and any other Authority should be complied with at all times and in this regard the Management Committee should act as expeditiously as required, to safeguard the Club. A plan shall be presented to the next general meeting
     
14. Common Comments:
    It has been reported that some club members seem to be disappointed in the way the Committee were operating and decisions being made. It was agreed that there were matters for which the Committee in their eagerness to perform had done without liaison with the general membership.  It was agreed that the Committee would do all things as transparently as possible and use its best endeavours to ensure it fulfilled its role as required by the club members with greater effort to ensure club harmony. It was further agreed that the Committee could do more for the comfort of members on the field and in the pits. The pit area still needs to be treated in some form or other and it was decided to put to the membership that the open culverts  drained with approximately 200mm Plastic pipes and then  back filled so that the whole fenced area is flat.
     
15. Membership:
    It was noted that Tingalpa Club may be forced to either disband or relocate from its present position due to the extension to Brisbane Airport and the current highway roads works extensions. The committee considered the influx that could occur to our Club membership and possible change. It was agreed that there may be a need to cap membership at some time.

Closure: Meeting closed at 9.40 pm.

Committee Bylines

The following subjects were discussed at the committee meeting on Wed 9/1/08:

Instructions for starting the generator and charging batteries are to be written up, laminated and displayed in the clubroom.

The existing generator is also on its last legs, and needs replacing. Quotes will be brought to the next meeting for a new unit.

We have plenty of nitro – now on sale at $20 per litre or $65 for 5lt.

The new container is due to be delivered to the field on Friday 18/1 – Warren to organise a side lift truck for the delivery.

Pine Rivers Shire Council to be contacted by letter re grading Elizabeth Rd. Some road base or deco granite to be sourced to fill potholes in the road.

A suggested number of 270 members for the cap on membership to be put to the general meeting.

Kerry Turton will stand down as CFI at the general meeting. A vote to be taken for the position – Kerry  Turton, Fran Sutherland and Patrick Hetherman have all indicated their willingness to take the position.

A plastic water tank has gone missing from behind the toilet block – we would like it returned!

Organisation for the Airshow (to be held on 27^th July) is under way – anyone wishing to help in any way please contact Peter Tompkins on 38822901 or email patcht@bigpond.com.

Members are reminded that parking in the heli area is NOT permitted – please stay behind the line of the containers.

P.R.A.M.S Junior Jets
Newsletter

Secretary: Josh Morrison

Newsletter Editors: Brenton Jory & Nadine Lindner

To start off we apologise for any inconvenience the later date of the issue of this newsletter has given.

The Junior Jets would like to thank all those who donated to us including:

• Mr Toys, Toy World
• The RC Warehouse
 

And any others that have contributed to get the Junior aeromodelling club up and running.

The Junior Jets would also like to thank the donation of models from:

• Neil Tyler
• Fran Sutherland
 

Another that we would like to thank is Pat Benson for the kind lending of his land and garage for our counter rotator helicopter flying day we greatly appreciated it!

Coming Events:
Juniors Competition Day Round 1 Sat 19th Jan. starts 9.00am
Juniors Meeting
Juniors Competition Day Round 2 Sat 9th Aug.
 

The Upcoming Juniors event will consist of the following events,

1. Aerobatics comp: which will consist of freestyle and compulsory aerobatics are to be announced
2. Landing Competition: the flyer will have to take off then land their plane as close as they can to a marked spot on the strip!
3. A Taxi Competition: where the plane will have to be taxied through a obstacle course!
4. Take-off Loop and Landing in a set time!

For those who are underprivileged e.g. (still learning) we will have a buddy system and instructor at hand.
Afterwards we will have a Barbeque then a meeting (the first juniors meeting of 2008!)!

Any contributions or topics for the newsletter will be kindly appreciated, also we could be putting in a “Anything Interesting” column so if you know of any events coming up around the next newsletter, e.g. a fly in of some sort, or a new movie coming out or some sort of new concert or something? Just send a subject & date or a brief on the “thing” to lindnern@bigpond.net.au ……..Thanks!

Please reply on whether your coming to the Juniors Competition thankyou!

• Tip: Anyone with long hair should have it restrained so it doesn’t get caught in the propeller etc.

• Cool Website: Try RC Universe - www.rcuniverse.com It has heaps of tips and reviews from people that have tried it before you. Great for selecting that next plane etc. It's free to sign up.

Our member profile of the month is on Brenton Jory!! ?Have Fun :-)

The SR71 –excerpted from TRCC Noise newsletter.

Scores of significant aircraft have been produced in the 100 years of flight, following the achievements of the Wright brothers, which we celebrated in December 2003. Aircraft such as the Boeing 707, the F-86 Sabre Jet, and the P-51 Mustang are among the important machines that have flown our skies. But the SR-71, also known as the Blackbird, stands alone as a significant contributor to Cold War victory and as the fastest plane ever – and only 93 Air Force pilots ever steered the “sled,” as we called our aircraft.

As inconceivable as it may sound, I once discarded the plane. Literally. My first encounter with the SR-71 came when I was 10 years old in the form of molded black plastic in a Revell kit. Cementing together the long fuselage parts proved tricky, and my finished product looked less than menacing. Glue, oozing from the seams, discolored the black plastic. It seemed ungainly alongside the fighter planes in my collection, and I threw it away.

Twenty-nine years later, I stood awe-struck in a Beale Air Force Base hangar, staring at the very real SR-71 before me. I had applied to fly the world’s fastest jet and was receiving my first walk-around of our nation’s most prestigious aircraft. In my previous 13 years as an Air Force fighter pilot, I had never seen an aircraft with such presence. At 107 feet long, it appeared big, but far from ungainly. Ironically, the plane was dripping, much like the misshapen model I had assembled in my youth. Fuel was seeping through the joints, raining down on the hangar floor. At Mach 3, the plane would expand several inches because of the severe temperature, which could heat the leading edge of the wing to 1,100 degrees. To prevent cracking, expansion joints had been built into the plane. Sealant resembling rubber glue covered the seams, but when the plan was subsonic, fuel would leak through the joints.

The SR-71 was the brainchild of Kelly Johnson, the famed Lockheed designer who created the P-38, the F-104 Starfighter, and the U-2. After the Soviets shot down Gary Power’s U-2 in 1960, Johnson began to develop an aircraft that would fly three miles higher and five times faster than the spy plane – and still be capable of photographing your license plate. However, flying at 2,000 mph would create intense heat on the aircraft’s skin. Lockheed engineers used a titanium alloy to construct more than 90 percent of the SR-71, creating special tools and manufacturing procedures to hand-build each of the 40 planes. Special heat-resistant fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluids that would function at 85,000 feet and higher also had to be developed.
In 1962, the first Blackbird successfully flew, and in 1966, the same year I graduated from high school, the Air Force began flying operational SR-71 missions. I came to the program in 1983 with a sterling record and a recommendation from my commander, completing the week-long interview and meeting Walter, my partner for the next four years. He would ride four feet behind me, working all the cameras, radios, and electronic jamming equipment. I joked that if we were ever captured, he was the spy and I was just the driver. He told me to keep the pointy end forward.

We trained for a year, flying out of Beale AFB in California, Kadena Airbase in Okinawa, and RAF Mildenhall in England. On a typical training mission, we would take off near Sacramento, refuel over Nevada, accelerate into Montana, obtain high Mach over Colorado, turn right over New Mexico, speed across the Los Angeles Basin, run up the West Coast, turn right at Seattle, then return to Beale. Total flight time: two hours and 40 minutes.

One day, high above Arizona, we were monitoring the radio traffic of all the mortal airplanes below us. First, a Cessna pilot asked the air traffic controllers to check his ground speed. “Ninety knots,” ATC replied.

A twin Bonanza soon made the same request. “One-twenty on the ground,” was the reply.

To our surprise, a Navy F-18 came over the radio with a ground speed check. I knew exactly what he was doing. Of course, he had a ground speed indicator in his cockpit, but he wanted to let all the bugsmashers in the valley know what real speed was. “Dusty 52, we show you at 620 on the ground,” ATC responded.

The situation was too ripe. I heard the click of Walter’s mike button in the rear seat. In his most innocent voice, Walter startled the controller by asking for a ground speed check from 81,000 feet, clearly above controlled airspace. In a cool, professional voice, the controller replied, “Aspen 20, I show you at 1,982 knots on the ground.” We did not hear another transmission on that frequency all the way to the coast.

One moonless night, while flying a routine training mission over the Pacific, I wondered what the sky would look like from 84,000 feet if the cockpit lighting were dark. While heading home on a straight course, I slowly turned down all of the lighting, reducing the glare and revealing the night sky. Within seconds, I turned the lights back up, fearful that the jet would know and somehow punish me. But my desire to see the sky overruled my caution, I dimmed the lighting again.

To my amazement, I saw a bright light outside my window. As my eyes adjusted to the view, I realized that the brilliance was the broad expanse of the Milky Way, now a gleaming stripe across the sky. Where dark spaces in the sky had usually existed, there were now dense clusters of sparkling stars. Shooting stars flashed across the canvas every few seconds. It was like a fireworks display with no sound.

I knew I had to get my eyes back on the instruments, and reluctantly I brought my attention back inside. To my surprise, with the cockpit lighting still off, I could see every gauge, lit by starlight. In the plane’s mirrors, I could see the eerie shine of my gold spacesuit incandescently illuminated in a celestial glow. I stole one last glance out the window. Despite our speed, we seemed still before the heavens humbled in the radiance of a much greater power. For those few moments, I felt a part of something far more significant than anything we were doing in the plane. The sharp sound of Walt’s voice on the radio brought me back to the tasks at hand as I prepared for our descent.

Reproduced with permission from Chuck Brooks, editor of Tucson RCC newsletter Noise. There’s more where that came from!

P.R.A.M.S Junior Member Profile of the Month

Name: Brenton Jory

Nick Name: B.J

Age: 13

School attending: Padua

Year: 9

Hobbies / Interest: Rugby League, Cricket, Listening music

Favourite food: Indian (butter chicken)

Favourite movie: 300 and Gladiator

How long have you been flying?

I have been a PRAMS member and flying for about 2 years. I went Gold wings about a year ago.

What was your first plane?

An F1 High Wing trainer (pictured).

Do you still have it?

No – crashed one and dad sold the other on ebay when I graduated to a low wing Calmato.

How did you get into flying?

My grand-father brought me an electric park flyer. My dad still regrets it.

What flying style do / would you like to fly?

I just like having fun carving up the sky. I don’t have a favourite flying style but I would like to try IMAC now I’m moving into bigger gas planes. I’ve tried scale – very boring. My Cessna failed snap rolls.

Have you ever crashed?

Once or twice but never my fault (Not). I don’t know how many planes my dad and I have had – but he crashes more than me.

What is / would be your favourite plane?

At the moment it’s my little magic extra 3D with a .46 Force engine. It allows me to unwind and go ballistic. Other than that I like my 1.8Mtr Extra 260 with a 40CC Gas engine. It’s not as radical but it flies like it’s on rails.

What job would you like to do when you finish school?

Go to ADFA or Duntroon as an Army officer or take up a trade.