Dale Davis with fence etiquette

President, Jim Snyder, convened the meeting 7PM, May 14, 2009. The minutes are as follows:

1. Through Dale Davis’ coordination we purchased and have installed a new and beautiful fence for our flight line and pit area.
2. The big tractor is running good and has already been used to cut the tall grass.
3. The field is in excellent shape.
4. Steve Snyder will get the tents, Jim Snyder will get the food and Bob Walker will be the chef at our Open House.
5. Park and Recs requested that we not fly 11-12 AM during the Open House in respect for a wedding taking place at the farm house.
6. Bruce Ginn, our pattern flyer, asked if the Club would be interested in sponsoring a pattern fly-in sometime next year. It would be an AMA sanctioned event and has national implications. The concept was warmly received.
7. There have been a number of annoying issues regarding dogs and children on the field, control of 2.4gHz transmitters and other safety matters. Please read Bob Walker’s Safety Report later in this issue.
8. Ron Lazzeri says our membership stands at 75.

If you have any questions regarding the minutes or contents of this Newsletter, please direct them to Achille Silvestri, Ph 410-838-6261 or e-mail axsilvestri@verizon.net
 

And did you see the field?…it was beautiful…like a golf course everything was so neat and well manicured. I never heard so many nice comments from visitors and even our members on how great everything looked.  Jim Snyder, Marvin Tedrow, Dan Bowman, Dale Davis, Tom Smith really deserve a lot of credit for maintaining such a beautiful facility.

We saw a lot of our traditional great flyers and planes. Gary Hershberger had his smoker going and Tom Moyer and Sean Ellis were doing their crazy inside outside loops. Gary Gunter was flying a nice looking Trojan T-28, Stanley Dill was flying the Hobbico Electric Star, one of the biggest electrics we’ve seen at the field and Tom Obringer was flying his “Ugly Stick”.

One of the most interesting planes, that captured a lot of attention, was Kenneth Luke’s BJ Special. It was not a copy of a real plane but had all the classic lines of a 30s style racer. It was powered with a Quadra 41 and had a 90 inch wingspan. Ken said he scratch built it from plans. Excellent work. Steve Snyder and Ron Lazzeri helped him get in the air.

A great day for fliers and spectators . Thanks to everyone who participated.

Bob Walker presents the Chef's Special  to Herman Reichart

The Flying Team of Kenneth Luke, Ron Lazzeri and Steve Snyder with Ken's BJ Special

A Fine Day for Flying.

Stanley Dill and Bruce Ginn with Samantha Dill on the trainer box

Jim Snyder Get's ready to go with help from Steve Snyder and Tom Obringer

We have been amazingly lucky at the field.  Part of it is the fencing, part is the high use of the airplane hold downs, etc.  But let’s review some of the areas where there have  been lapses.

There has been at least one large plane crashing in the pit area this year and a few other close calls.  Anyone not flying or working on their plane should not be in the pit area.  Children especially should not be in the area.  The only exception is when they are flying with a pilot or are a pilot themselves.  I do not know why any parent would want to expose their children to this danger.  

I have heard stories of dogs roaming the pit area this year, while people are flying.  This brings up another issue.  Per county ordinance, dogs must be on a leash at all time at Swan Harbor.  This is the second sign when you enter on the road.

One other area to note:  with the advent of 2.4 gHz, many of us are getting lax with frequency pins.  Per our agreement with the county, all flyers MUST be members of AMA for the insurance coverage.  Putting the AMA card in the slot let’s us know that the pilot is indeed an AMA member.  Everyone does not know everyone and there are often guest pilots.  Also, I have been told that some people on the numbered frequencies are so used to just turning on a 2.4 that they are not getting a pin first.  If this is happening, it is a disaster waiting to happen.  Not only is a crash with injury possible, but do you want to owe a pile of money to someone flying a thousand dollar plane that you just shot down?  So, please put your card in the slot and get a pin, even if you are flying on 2.4.

Safety is not a fun issue, but we all need to look out for each other.  Feel free to send your comments to the newsletter editor

 

Tom Obringer with the Ugliest Stick

Gary Gunter and the Trojan T-28

Swan Harbor RC meets 7PM the second Thursday of the month.  In the Fall and Winter we meet at the Churchville Rec Center located on Glenville Road in Churchville.  Otherwise we meet at our flying field at Swan Harbor Farm.  The public is welcome to the meetings. To fly with us at Swan Harbor flying field take Oakington Road off US 40 (between Aberdeen and Havre de Grace) and follow the signs for Swan Harbor Farm.  Be sure to have your 2009 AMA membership because you need it to fly. A SWAN HARBOR RC 2009 Membership Applications  is available on line or additional information can be obtained from Ron Lazzeri, 410-256-4210, ronlazzeri@verizon.net.  To learn more about Swan Harbor RC (formerly MAOA); go to www.harfordvista.com/rcnews/  and click onto January 2001