Marshall L. Henley, SLRCFA Vice President

From our Mission and Values (adopted in 2016), our annual Vision & Goals is put together. This year, we had some interesting, but possibly premature goals. I say “premature” because we needed good folks to lead those efforts before we committed to the goals.

As part of the 2016 Vision, we wanted to create the following teams with associated leaders. A team lead could be a board member, and many teams are led by board members, but does not have to be led by a board member. The teams (and leaders) are:

Already in existence in 2016

• ·        Vision Team  (Marshall Henley)
• ·        Field Team (Mike Stellern)
• ·        Sound Team (Allan Main)
• ·        Safety Team (John DeLuca the younger)

New Teams with Assigned Leaders

• ·        Marketing & Communications Team – Marshall Henley
• ·        Youth Outreach Team – George Biderman
• ·        Training Team – Jonathan Hendrickson
• ·        Finance Team – Dennis Chivetta
• ·        501c7 & Taxes –Dennis Chivetta

However, we still need leaders for three teams, created and (hopefully) ready-to-go by the end of 2016:

• ·        FUN Team
• ·        Events Team
• ·        Future Field Purchase Team

If you feel like you can help us with some team leadership for one of these three teams, let us know by contacting Marshall Henley, webmaster@slrcfa.com. Some basic team / leaders descriptions follow to help you understand the roles:

FUN Team

The FUN Team is exactly what it sounds like: keep the club having fun and don’t get bogged down by the stuff we have to process on the board. The leader of the FUN team will…

• ·        Conceive, promote and implement fun activities that generate club enthusiasm and outreach to potential club members and RC flying enthusiasts.
• ·        Conduct various fun flying events (separate from the “big four”) that require less coordination, provide a lot of fun, and allow those to participate who are not our every-day flyers. CombatONE is an example.
• ·        Coordinate FUN at every club meeting: we want standing-room only at the club meetings. Think outside of the box, and NOT about club business. Leave that to the board.

EVENT Team

The EVENT Team leader will put together individual teams to run each of our major events. Right now, those consist of:

• ·        June Model Aviation Airshow and Fly-In
• ·        3D Fly-In
• ·        Warbirds over St. Louis
• ·        Toys-for-Tots / Chili Fly

We want our events to sparkle, and attract new members to SLRCFA and enthusiasts to the hobby. Each event should be well-run, with a volunteer / responsibility list, lesson-learned after each event, spectator and pilot surveys (when appropriate), pamphlets and hand-outs for the club, and more than anything else, LOTS of pilots from out of town and lots of St. Louis Community visitors.

We may need to break this up by event, but a single EVENT Team Leader could still oversee those guys running each individual event so we get continuity.

An important goal is to get the 2017 events on the calendar and get AMA sanctions by mid-December, and get publicizing and organizing them starting in January 2017. Find the right guys and delegate is the key! We had over 40 different event volunteers in 2016!

FUTURE FIELD Team

Whether we purchase the field we currently lease, look for another field for 10 years down the road, or make long-term field improvement plans for the current field, we need someone to lead the effort to consider our options. The FUTURE FIELD Team leader should have a good understanding of what it takes to do this sort of analysis, and be able to create presentations and speak before the board and the club.

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If you think you might be a good fit for one of these roles, contact marshallhenley@webmaster@slrcfa.com

Thanks!

Nominations are officially open for the 2017 SLRCFA board of directors.  To be eligible to serve as a director you must have been an “open” member for at least one year by the date of the election. Directors serve a term of ONE year.  We are also accepting nominations for two officer positions, Vice President and Treasurer.  To be eligible to serve in an officer you must have served on the board of directors for at least one year or be an “open” member with a ¾ majority vote of acceptance by the current board of directors. Officers serve a term of TWO years.

Nominations will be closed at 12am December 1^st.

Elections will be held at the December 15^th Club Meeting.

Current Nominations Include:

Vice President: Marshall Henley

Treasurer: Dennis Chivetta

Directors (8 needed): Jim Beerman, Geoff Biderman, John K. DeLuca, Barry Klussman, Allen Main, Mark Stellern, Mike Stellern, and Doug Thompson

Please make nominations in our members only Forum: https://slrcfa.wildapricot.org/page-18139/4304638

facebook

SLRCFA has an ACTIVE facebook page managed by Jonathon Hendrickson, Marshall Henley, and Geoff Biderman. Happenings at SLRCFA’s page are constantly being updated with up to the minute news and even LIVE streaming video.  Don’t miss out on what is happening at the field.  Be sure to check out our facebook page and “like” it if you are a facebook user. 

Many SLRCFA members have requested clarification regarding the rules pertaining to pilot’s stations.

Excerpt from the Operating Procedures:

“All pilots must fly from one of the 6 designated pilot stations for the given traffic pattern that is dictated by wind direction.  The established pattern must be followed.   Takeoffs and landings will all be in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern”

Excerpt from the Field Rules:

“7. Takeoffs and Landings are permitted on the paved or grass runways only.  Taxiing out onto the runways is permitted, provided it is past the white lines at either end or center of the taxiway. Pilots must stand at a pilot station when flying.”

ALL pilots must fly from a pilot’s station.  It is advised that if another pilot is already flying from a pilot’s station that you fly from the station nearest to them to improve communications.  If a member is handicapped and wishes to fly from the handicapped flight station, they should notify the other pilots that they are going to fly from the Handicapped flight station.

Call out your intentions or difficulties to others that are flying. Some examples are: “Taking off”, “Coming in/Landing”, “Touch and go”, “On the field”, “Off the field”, “Dead stick” or “Lost control”.  

by Jonathan Hendrickson

Many of us could use a little refresher on runway communications and protocol. This system keeps our pilots and aircraft safe and prioritizes runway use.

Runway Communications  are verbal announcements required to be used between you and any other pilots anytime you or your aircraft enters the runway area (grass or paved). 

·        "Coming out" as you prepare to place your aircraft on the runway or taxing to the runway. 

·        "Taking Off" aircraft is on the runway and ready for takeoff roll.

·        "Setting up to land" as you begin your downwind leg gives others time to clear the area for you. 

·        "Landing" as you are on final approach. 

·        "On the runway" if your aircraft stops dead on the runway. 

·        "Off on the far side" if your aircraft veers off on the side away from the pilots'stations 

·        "Crossing the runway" Anytime you have to cross the runway (in either direction). 

·        "Runway clear" after you have retrieved your errant aircraft, or if it has been taxied off the runway on the pit side. 

·        "Dead stick" when your engine dies while in the air. Other pilots will pass this announcement down the line as it is a signal for everyone to immediate clear the runway. 

·        "Touch and go" or "Slow fly-by" (note that high speed low passes and acrobatics over the runway when other pilots are at stations are forbidden-these may only be performed out past the runway over the grass). 

·        “Low Pass” is a high or low speed pass a low altitude over the border between the asphalt and grass runways.

·        Aircraft down..... ''(followed by the general area). 

·        "Don’t have it" The pilot will announce that he has a problem as soon as possible, other observers may be able to get a fix on the plane if it goes down. If you do get a fix, such as a certain tree, etc., do not move.  Call for another person to stand beside you and show them the point you fixed on. Even turning around and back can lose the fix.

Most SLRCFA members are fluent in runway communication, but new members and guest may need a little help.

Runway Protocol/Priorities allow multiple aircraft operating in close airspace to land and/or maneuver on or over the runway in an orderly and safe manor.  This list below is in order of priority.

1.     Declared “dead stick” landing has priority over all other flight activities. The runway must be cleared for him. If more than one happens at the same time, generally, the first declared has the right-of -way, or he may yield to a lower other aircraft at his discretion. 

2.     Declared “equipment problem” and needing to land ASAP.

3.     Declared normal “landing.” 

4.     Declared “touch and go.” 

5.     Declared “take off.”

6.     Declared “slow fly-by.”

High speed low-passes over the paved runway are never allowed and must be performed past the far edge of the paved runway.

Hovering over the paved or grass runway is NEVER allowed while there is an established pattern. If there is no established pattern or you are the only pilot flying, you may hover no closer to the pilot’s stations than the paved runway center line. However, if you are the only pilot flying and all other pilots present approve, you may move from the pilot’s station to get closer to your aircraft.

If more than one pilot is flying, the established pattern must be followed.  Takeoffs and landings will be all in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern.

The SLRCFA Board of directors has approved an Amendment to the SLRCFA Constitution for the general membership to vote on.  This Amendment will be voted on at the August 18th Club meeting @ 7:30pm.  Officer positions use to be a permanent position and now are elected for 2 year terms.  This amendment was deemed necessary to outline when the officer elections would take place.

The proposed change is highlighted in yellow.  

ARTICLE 6 – ELECTIONS

Section 1. Election to the Board of Directors shall be conducted during the first regular meeting in December of each year.  Officer elections shall be held immediately following the Board of Directors’ election. The Newly Elected Board of Directors vote for officer positions.

SLRCFA has an ACTIVE facebook page managed by Jonathon Hendrickson, Marshall Henley, and Geoff Biderman. Happenings at SLRCFA’s page are constantly being updated with up to the minute news and even LIVE streaming video.  Don’t miss out on what is happening at the field.  Be sure to check out our facebook page and “like” it if you are a facebook user. 

SLRCFA is seeking volunteers for the RedwingRC Show Me 3d Fly In September 18-19^th. 

We need volunteers for:

·       Parking

·       Pilot Registration

·       MC / Announcements / Music

·       Greeting guests/Handing out club Information

·       Running RC Simulators

·       Running Raffles (50\50, Spectator)

If you are willing to volunteer for any of these positions, please contact Jonathon Hendrickson slrcfa.rotate@gmail.com

Many SLRCFA members have requested clarification regarding the rules pertaining to pilot’s stations. While the Safety Team is looking into possible future changes, for now these are our procedures and field rules:

Excerpt from the Operating Procedures:

“All pilots must fly from one of the 6 designated pilot stations for the given traffic pattern that is dictated by wind direction.  The established pattern must be followed.   Takeoffs and landings will all be in the same direction unless the wind changes and all pilots agree to reverse the pattern”

Excerpt from the Field Rules:

“7. Takeoffs and Landings are permitted on the paved or grass runways only.  Taxiing out onto the runways is permitted, provided it is past the white lines at either end or center of the taxiway. Pilots must stand at a pilot station when flying.”

ALL pilots must fly from a pilot’s station.  It is advised that if another pilot is already flying from a pilot’s station that you fly from the station nearest to them to improve communications.  If a member is handicapped and wishes to fly from the handicapped flight station, they should notify the other pilots that they are going to fly from the Handicapped flight station.

Call out your intentions or difficulties to others that are flying. Some examples are: “Taking off”, “Coming in/Landing”, “Touch and go”, “On the field”, “Off the field”, “Dead stick” or “Lost control”.  

Have you been out at the field and had a visitor ask you about the Club?  Sure we all have had this happen.  SLRCFA now has a New Flyer holder located under the pavilion near the Electrical Panel.  This container is filled with upcoming event flyers and club brochures, flyers, and Business Cards.  Please utilize this to give our guests information about our club.