APRIL '00 PRESIDENT's CORNER
By Ron Gibby

This past month we had an incident at our ORV Park field where a person who was neither a club member nor an AMA member was flying his plane at our field. None of those club members present were aware of the situation until Clee Childress approached this individual to introduce himself. At this time Clee found out the person was flying illegally, so he kindly asked him not to fly anymore. None of us like to be in a situation like this where we have to ask someone to pack up their R/C equipment and just watch, but that’s what we have to do if we want to preserve our flying field. Clee has a good suggestion which I think we should implement. For a small cost we can purchase some clear plastic name tag holders which can be used to hold our club membership cards. While we are at the field, the membership card can be worn where it is plainly visible. This will accomplish at least two important objectives: First, it will clearly identify current club members and second, it will help club members learn the names of other club members. It will be a little inconvenient at first but I think the benefits will far out weigh the inconvenience. The AMA membership card can be used on the frequency board to identify the user of a frequency pin. We will discuss this proposal at the monthly meeting.

Terry Hane informed me that he will be very busy with his job this year and thus not be able to care for the flying field as he has in the past. I thank Terry for all the work he has done at the field for the past several years. The field has never looked better and his expertise will be greatly missed. Terry has provided me with some lawn care instructions and a fertilizing schedule which he has used successfully. If there is anyone who would like to take the lead on this activity let me know, otherwise I will be contacting club members periodically for help with the fertilizing. Terry said he will continue to apply the weed and pest control, which doesn’t require as much time.

The new lock combinations for this year will be provided with this newsletter or by separate mail to all club members. Please do not provide the combination to anyone who is not a club member. The locked gates are the only way we have of assuring that only club members have access to the field, fulfilling our agreement with the City of Richland. When unlocking the gates never leave the combination on the lock. Always immediately scramble the numbers and reclose the lock so that someone cannot steal it. This happened once last year. The locks cost us $15 everytime they have to be replaced.

For comments or questions about the club please contact me by phone at 946-5356 or by Email at president@tcrcm.org.

Until next month, happy flying.

Vice President's Add-on

...Well, another meeting is over, and we managed to accomplish some things. It was proposed that we should wear our club membership cards in a clear plastic sleeve when at the field. This was changed to read "It is recommended that we wear some type of ID.", thus letting others know who we are in the Tri-Cities Radio Control Modelers Club. Ron Can get some ID holders if anyone wants one. Some members are already pinning a badge on their hats for the field. This is a great idea, since it gives us all a chance to get to know each other better and let others know how proud we are to be a part of such a great club.

We should use the trashcan instead of the butt can. The butt can is overflowing with trash, forcing some flyers to use the field to dispose of used cigarettes. This is not good at all! I wonder if we should put a sign on the butt can to use it only for extinguishing cigarettes!

It has been brought to my attention that some of the club members are using the benches more and more for their model airplane stuff. It must be noted they are there to SIT on, not store junk on. (Sorry, I know your plane is not really junk.) I know I like to eat my lunch on the benches, and the fuel does make the chips soggy and taste funny (and hard to hang on to... Ed.).

Well, there you have it. The butt can is used for trash, but the trashcan is overflowing, and the planes are on the benches, and since we have a lot of members that do not know others, we don’t even know who is doing this. WHAT A CHALLENGE— and you thought just FLYING was hard enough!

Have a wonderful time flying and enjoying this great sport... see you at the field!

Jerry Wallis, Vice President

vicepres@tcrcm.org or (509) 967-5046