I would like to take this opportunity to thank members who, at the last general meeting, had the confidence in me to vote me in as President.

My very first duty was to speak with Sid Bray, our landlord, after being told that there was a good chance that we could lose our flying field, as developers had been making offers to Sid for his land.

I spoke with Sid the next day, when he assured me that we would have at least three years tenure before any development of the area could commence.

During my discussions with Sid, we spoke about the helicopter area, which Sid is more than happy for the club to use and reversed his previous decision.

By the time you read this report this area should now be mowed and almost ready to use.

The air show is well in hand. Peter our P.R.O. has it all under control. There is always a lot of organising to do beforehand and lots to do on the day. So please speak with any of the committee if you are able to lend a hand and would like to know how.

Colin Parry

President, PRAMS

Hi Fellow Flyers,

The month of April has been very quiet. No dramas as far as I can see which is great and the weather has not been that good for flying.

The Friday BBQ’s are still well attended with between 12 and 20 members coming to exhibit their culinary skills. Next Friday is ANZAC day and there will still be a BBQ commencing at about 12.30 pm. Join in the fellowship, bring the family if you wish and a plane or two. Have a good lunch and do some flying. The BBQ is BYO so bring your food plastic plates and cutlery.

Recently I was talking to Rob Moore’s wife Carol. She told me that Rob was out at Steve Godbolds helping him to build a large model. Carol said this was good, at least Rob was not building one at home. Carol went on to say that she had to put her foot down and told Rob to take his eight models out of the lounge so that the lounge could be vacuum cleaned. ----Where are the models now Rob?

The last working bee was great again with just under 40 members attending. A lot of work was done including the first trial Pit Area restoration effort and the installation of drainage pipes in the culvert between the two landing strips on the northern end.of the field The pit area was paved and looks great but it appears that not many people use it. Next Working Bee we will install a turf restoration and see how that goes.

Heli flyers, remember that on Sunday 25^th May there is a Heli competition. I do not know what the format will be as yet but I am sure that it will cater for all levels of skill and there will be trophies. It should be a good day.

Regarding the Heli area we have re negotiated this area with Sid Bray and we will be developing this new area as soon as possible and re locating the Transmitter Compound to a convenient site to suit all members

We intend to use this as a trial and will make adjustments as needed when the new area is in use.

Well that is about all for now

Gordon Grant

FLYING HIGH

BY C.F.I.

Round 1 of the 2008 club championship was flown in perfect weather conditions on Sunday 30 March, 2008. A field of 16 members took part and all appeared to enjoy the competition. I was pleased to note that there were no models damaged during the competition. The task was to fly as many of one manoeuvre as possible in one minute.

Progressive points to date are as follows :-

No new purchases this month, but I’ve just had a major cleanup of the library shelves in the clubhouse – the cockroaches were taking over! So I’ve dumped about 200 old magazines and reduced the spare mags to three piles, two of our local magazines and one miscellaneous. Feel free to borrow any of these mags without needing to book them out. The magazines in the big library cupboard are there to read, please put them back when you’ve finished with them, or see me if you want to book any out. I’ve found some great solid plastic magazine holders and will replace the rest of the cardboard ones in due course. I’m happy for members to donate old magazines, but please limit them to aeromodelling or aviation titles! I’ll also be dumping any surplus more often in future…

Dave Harper

I would like to echo President Colin’s thanks on behalf of all the committee to the 38 members who turned out for the last working bee. Particularly to Charles Tonges and his team for painting the container, Jim Fagan and his team for finishing the fence, Col Parry and Graham Tattersall for the drainage on the field and Gordon Grant and his team for laying the pavers in the trial area of the pits.

Members are encouraged to use this area of the pits and let the committee know how they feel it works. We plan to lay more trial areas using different materials to find the best all round surface for members’ use.

Bob Moore

Weighing large models: Secretary Peter Somerfield will bring a set of scales to the field on Sunday mornings to check any large models to see if they exceed the 7Kg limit. We are looking for more large model inspectors, and their names will be posted when available.

It has been suggested that our General Meetings could start earlier, say at 7.30 pm. This would ensure that we can vacate the hall before 10pm which we are contracted to do. Member’s views on this will be sought at the next meeting.

A 36MHz frequency monitor has been purchased and will be kept in the instructor’s cabinet for use as required. See Kerry Turton if you feel the need…

A small safe is to be installed in the instructor’s cabinet to secure the monitor and the two-way radios recently purchased.

The purchase of pavers and sand for the trial area in the pits was approved.

Three club members attended the funeral of Alan Nolan’s wife Pat, and a spray of flowers was sent. Alan asked that his gratitude be passed to the club members for their concern.

It is felt that communications in the pilot area needs to improve – let people know what you are doing for safety’s sake!

Gordon Grant gave notice that he may not be available to be treasurer next year. This means we have to find a now treasurer! If anybody feels they have the time and ability to do this most important job, please come forward! Familiarity with the use of MYOB software would be useful…At the least we would like someone to come on board as Assistant Treasurer to take some of the load from Gordon – this could be a useful training time for someone to take over the full job eventually…

Kerry Turton will be bringing a party of old folks to the field on Tuesday 22^nd April between 10 and 11.30 am. Any helpers would be appreciated.

Graham and Therese Ross are going away so the canteen will be closed between 9 July and 22 September – we will miss you! Have a great trip, anyway..

Peter Tompkins and George Joyner are going full steam ahead with publicity and sponsorship for the Airshow – this will be on Sunday 27 July – please contact Peter on 38822901 or email him  if you would like to help in any way.

Meeting Opened: 20.05 hrs

Present: As per attendance book

Chairman: Peter Somerfield

Apologies: P. Sommerfeldt; Trevor Mills; J. McAllen; D. Wherrit; E. Pond

In Attendance: As per attendance book

The Chairman reported that the Vice President had resigned his position.

Moved: D. Harper Seconded: Dave Anderson Carried.

1. Welcome to Fran Sutherland as Deputy CFI.
2. Honor Photos: Matter in hand pending report from sub committee
3. Road Repairs: In progress by working bee, weather permitting. It was decided that a letter be sent to Council regarding the state of Elizabeth Street
4. Generator: Gordon Grant working on laminated instruction sheet. Generator needs repairs
5. Runway Drainage: Report by Col Parry Bobcat not required as trenching can be done by hand or with tractor. 5 m³ of topsoil required. Permission granted to obtain soil from Mango Hill Nursery
6. Reinstatement of Fence where it was: Jim Fagan reported the fence will be finished at the working bee on 13th April 08
7. Mosquito Spraying: Report that spraying helicopters now signaling when work is finished
8. Tee Shirts: Graham Tattersall collecting orders
9. UHF Transmitter/Receivers: Now at Canteen. Members going into scrub to retrieve lost planes to use them and sign out for the use of them in the exercise book.

President’s Report: Nothing to report.

1. P. O. Box will be available at Strathpine in about 3 weeks time.
2. Changes to Constitution & Bylaws: Reminder submissions from members required by 30^th June 2008. Gordon Grant said committee looking at the "Justice Department Draft Constitution" and amending By-laws.
3. It was noted that the Morton Bay Regional Councillor for our area is now David Dwyer, and that the Councillors have offices at the Pine Shire Council Administration Building, and that all sub shires would be working as in the past.

Outward Correspondence: Letters sent to: C. Jones; F. Sutherland; K. Turton; D. Anderson; G. Grant (Airshow)

New Members: Charles Edwards: Brian Thompson (Associate Membership); Ronald Ahern; Mark Steele Field were welcomed to membership of the Club.

Moved: G. Grant Seconded: D. Harper Carried

Treasurer’s Report: Gordon Grant circulated and read his report, which is attached to these minutes.

Moved: G. Grant Seconded: G. Kennedy Carried
Library & Airwaves: Nothing to report. Kerry Turton asked about very late outstanding library items to which Dave Harper replied that the books were quite old, and the borrower had shifted house and Dave had no address for him. He intends to write them off the inventory.

Moved: D. Harper Seconded: K Turton Carried.

1. Kerry reported he is resurrecting the Club Membership Award which will be held over 6 events on a points handicap system and requested Club provide sufficient funds for reasonable awards. It was moved the club approach major Distributors and Wholesales to obtain awards. Danny Hollis said he could contact Model Engines and Mike O’Reilly. Suggested prize money would be around the $200.00 mark.
2. Kerry said he also intended to upgrade the current Instructor List. He also listed his concerns regarding helicopter instruction as the club has no qualified helicopter instructors or anyone for proficiency testing. It was agreed the secretary write to MAAQ regarding club problems in instruction & proficiency testing.
3. Kerry raised the issue of Rules of Flight for Helicopters and should helicopters be subjected to the same rules as fixed wing aircraft. It was agreed this matter be looked at by the Constitution & By-laws sub- committee.
4. Helicopter flying and 3D area. Kerry said he had received conflicting reports as to if the club could obtain an extra leased area of land to the west of the clubhouse. Gordon Grant replied that the Lessor's had written a letter to the club advising they were not prepared to let the club use this area, however he would personally talk to Sid & Noelene Bray with in the hope he may be able to change their minds.

Moved: K. Turton Seconded: G. Grant Carried

Field & Ground Maintenance:

1. Bob Moore said he has found the Sign-in-book and noted that 36 members attended the last working bee. The next working Bee would be on the 13^th April not the 6^{th April} as advertised, however, it was agreed that if members turned up to work on the 6^th he could find work for them
2. Stephen Godbold said the cost of the roof over the tractor was quoted at $3,000.00 and he believed he could get the work done for around half that price. It was agreed to let Stephen handle this matter
3. Fencing: Is now nearly finished all materials are on hand at the fence should be finished next working bee.
4. Painting of new Container: Materials on hand and work to start next working bee.

Moved: R. Moore Seconded: D. Anderson Carried

Fuel Report: Sales are down and Bob asked that a note be printed in Airwaves asking club members to support their club by purchasing fuel from the club.

Moved: K. Turton Seconded: G. Grant Carried

Catering: Nothing further to add to last report

Moved: G. Ross Seconded: N. Tyler Carried.

1. Air show: Displays arranged by George Joyner at North Lakes and Morayfield shopping centres Hills Retrovision will be a major sponsor whilst other large stores such as Bunnings and Amart will be approached. The editor of the Westerner Newspaper is prepared to do an item on the club and the show. Member assistance for the event is required. Neil Tyler said that there were over 10,000 people at the recent Redcliffe Festival of Sails event, which is held every Good Friday on Suttons Beach. It could be worth looking at having a stall next year. To be diarised for next year.
2. Events:
   S& B Electric Fly-in coming up as scheduled on May 4^th. With a closed field for non-electric planes. Heli hovering area will also be closed.
   
   Warbirds date change to 23^rd November 2008.

Moved: P. Tompkins Seconded: D Harper Carried.

1. Refurbishment of Pit area: Committee decision to create five trial areas of refurbishment of the pit areas. The five suggestions are:- 1) Turf--buffalo grass or the like. 2) Shade Cloth in a timber surround. 3) Pavers 4) Peter Tompkins Rubber mats and 5) Plastic Drainage material. To supply & install clay pavers to 10 pit bays would cost around $1070.00, plus bedding sand $200.00; hire of vibrator $100.00 and cement to concrete edging about another $100.00. Total costs would be in the order of $1,500.00. Grass would be cheaper but requires more maintenance. It was agreed to continue with the trial area and authorize spending of around $200.00 for items required.

   Moved: Gordon Grant Seconded: Neil Tyler Carried.
    

2. Fuel card or account: Bob Moore & Gordon Grant investigated close petrol stations and cold not obtain an account without a high monthly account-keeping fee. It was agreed that the convener be given a float of $100.00

   Moved: Gordon Grant Seconded: Neil Tyler Carried.
    

3. Tarpaulin: Gordon Grant reported that the committee had authorized the purchase a large tarpaulin with poles, ropes & pegs from Gordon Thompson at a total cost of $200.00
    
4. Canteen: Canteen will be empty from 13^th July 08 to 13^th September 08.
    
5. Pest eradication: Canteen & Club house to be sprayed for vermin.
    
6. Key Register: Register to be reinstated: Report by Secretary

Further Business:

1. Airflow Advertising: Danny Hollis reported he was asked by S& B Models to enquire as to why MAAQ had refused to allow S&B Models to place an advertisement of a non-commercial nature only advertising the Event at Prams in the Airflow Magazine. It was agreed that the Club as a member of MAAQ should be allowed to insert an event in the magazine and that Danny Hollis be authorized to follow this matter up with MAAQ.
2. Alan & Pat Nolan: It was brought to the attention of the club that Pat Nolan has suffered a bad stroke, is hospitalized and not expected to live. Alan is very distressed. It was agreed club send condolences to the family and all club members requested to watch for notices in Airwaves & Newspaper classifieds.
3. CFI Storage Locker: Kerry Turton requested permission to supply at his expense a metal storage locker for him to keep club & his own instruction planes & equipment within the clubhouse. It was moved that permission be granted.

   Moved: George Grant Seconded: Neil Tyler Carried. Carried

4. Instructors Course: Jeff Henninch reported that MAAQ would be holding an instruction seminar at the club on the 18^th May 2008 for any persons interested in becoming an instructor.
5. Frequency Scanner: Neil Tyler said that members were getting glitches by interference on various 36 MHz bands; his Multiplex scanner has evidenced spikes right across the frequency. Kerry Turton said there was a motion on the books that the club purchases a scanner and that Mark Kyle had agreed to supply one. Fran Sutherland and other members agreed that there definitely was interference at some times. It was agreed that Danny Hollis be authorized to purchase a low cost scanner.

Closure: The meeting closed at 22.15 hours