Jan. '02 MEETING MINUTES
By Doug Larson

January 2002 started out with a double whammy. The annual banquet was first followed the next week with a history making special session of TCRCM policy making meeting.

First the Banquet (Jan. 12, 2002):
Roy's Western Smorgy in Richland was the place for the gathering of TCRCM members and family. The event was lead by our president Gordon Anderson who did a great job of reviewing the past year. He graciously recognized those who have contributed in special ways to the continued operation of the club this past year and from years past and presented some certificates of appreciation, which he made himself. The recipients appreciated the certificates. Solo certificates were given by the instructors to those who accomplished that milestone last year.

The Clyde, Crash Cup award was introduced in a unique way by our own creative Steve Sterling, master of the TCRCM website and computer nerd extraordinaire. He brought his computer and projector and shared with us a years worth of TCRCM pictures to music, what a treat! Everyone enjoyed the introduction and we then learned that Ron Gibby had earned the dubious honor of master of crash, wizard of nose dive and Clyde of crash cup fame. Ron was very gracious in accepting the award and is now scheming to find a worthy recipient for the Clyde Cup at the next banquet.

The gift exchange was next and the drawing for the door prize finished off the evening. Everyone went home with most of what they came with except those who bought raffle tickets for the great airplane Charlie Main donated to the club. They went home a little lighter in the wallet but with visions of a new airplane for their collection.

Club Meeting (Jan. 15, 2002):
A special club meeting was held January 16, 2002 at the Country Squire Clubhouse to refine the existing rules and policies related to helicopter flying at t he club ORV Park field.

President Gordon Anderson called the meeting of the Tri-City R/C Modelers Club to order at 1900 hours. Two visitors from a Kennewick school were acknowledged who were in attendance to observe for a school project.

President Gordon Anderson announced the appointment of three field marshals, Ted Tanasse, Val Ballard and Ted Curran. Field safety rules are posted at the bulletin board. When there are current safety incidents or pending incidents at the flying field the field marshals are to be the point of contact for those observing the safety compromise. If a field marshal is not present the members present are to resolve the issue.

The rules of conduct for the remainder of the meeting were reviewed by the club president before proceeding to the issue of discussion e.g. how flying of model helicopters is to be integrated or not integrated with the flying of fixed wing model aircraft. Several written proposals relating to this subject were on hand. Club secretary Doug Larson read a written proposal by George Vargo who was not able to attend. A proposal written up by Rich Roland was read later by club president Gordon Anderson. The next hour or so was spent in discussion of the issue of how to integrate the flying of model helicopters with fixed wing model aircraft.

Discussion Points:
1. Present club rules do not allow flying of model helicopters at the same time as model fixed wing aircraft.
2. Helicopters can fly with fixed wing if they do not linger on/over the runway preventing fixed wing from landing safely or taking off.
3. An area can be designated for helicopter hover practice that is not on or immediately bordering the runway.
4. Flying helicopters over the unused portion of the parking lot or parking lot area is possible but somewhat undesirable because crashing in the dirt is much more damaging to the machines. Crashing in the dirt is also damaging to fixed wing aircraft and fixed wing can't fly over the grass area very much.
5. Helicopters can be distracting to fixed wing pilots if flown near the pilot stations or runway for any more than landing and takeoff. 6. Helicopter pilots generally do not fly the same pattern as airplanes; they are more often flown close to the runway.
7. Even though helicopters are flown closer to the runway they should stay away from the immediate runway zone as much as possible when flying with fixed wing.
8. Heli flying needs to have an instructor program and certification of those who are safe to solo fly for the general safety of those at the field.
9. Frequency sharing is the same for all who use the field with a 20 minute time limit per channel when it must be shared with other pilots.
10. Possible expansion of grass area for heli flying. Decided not necessary at this point and there is no additional water available for expansion of irrigation.
11. When the field is busy a spotter is a very useful function for the safety of all in the vicinity and is encouraged.
12. Those who had made such observations gave reports of successful integration of helis and fixed wing at other club fields.
13. Field markings could be established to show designated helicopter hover practice area or area for general helicopter flight departures and arrivals. The east end of the pit area fence could be turned 90 degrees to the existing fence to provide a barrier to remind spectators not to enter the pilot station area.

Motions:
1. It was proposed that the helicopter flying group should establish an instructor program and solo certification. Bart Andrist to be the head instructor. Motion carried with 1 opposing vote.
2. A motion was presented to accept the plan for integration of helicopter flying as proposed by Rich Roland with the addition of the instructor and student certification program. The motion was carried with 28 voting for and 4 opposing votes.

Summary
1. The accepted proposal cancels the club rule which disallowed concurrent flying of model helicopters and fixed wing model aircraft.
2. The accepted proposal will be published at the club website.

The meeting was adjourned at about 2000 hrs.

Doug Larson, club secretary