Minutes of MRCSS meeting February 18, 2007
Meeting Agenda for Feb. 15, 2007 7 p.m.
Edina Public Library, Ethel Berry Room
20 members present
NEXT MEETING: MARCH 15, 7 P.M. EDINA LIBRARY
CURRENT BUSINESS
President Ib Jensen called the meeting to order and began what was to become another lively and informative gathering.
First item was the PAYMENT OF CLUB DUES for 2007. Kevin Kavaney urged members to pay before the March 1st cost increase, and reminded all that payment should be sent to Paul Johnson, our membership chairman. At present the club has 72-74 members.
The suggestion was made that money collected for the increased membership cost paid after March 1st be added to the “in gratitude” money we give property owners at our flying sites. Members unanimously agreed.
The issue of MAXIMUM LEGAL ALTITUDE allowed gliders by AMA rules was addressed next. Adam Koller reported the AMA documents he read had pegged 400 ft. for any site within three miles of an airport. The discussion that followed revealed the general uncertainty of altitude limits for unmanned aircraft by either the AMA, the State of Minnesota, or the Federal Government. We eased out of the discussion accepting the old saw, “where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.” In other words, fly carefully, especially at Mounds Park, our closest site to the big planes traffic.
Getting set-up for some practice CROSS COUNTRY flights was the next topic. Bill Rakozy described the 5/6 mile course he has plotted in the Elk River area. Special techniques and equipment needed were discussed, and the consensus was – it is clearly a team task. The pattern: launch to find lift that takes a large sailpane to 2,000 ft., jump into an open-top vehicle that holds pilot, spotter(s) and driver, then head down the course. Since only a few members have gliders large and fit for the task, we might want to begin forming a team or two to give it a try. Bill also suggested we could encourage the event by including a crosscountry task tin our summer competition schedule.
Talk then shifted to FORTH-COMING EVENTS: May 17th is the next scheduled trip to
the So. Dakota slope site. Make your reservations ASAP. Labor Day weekend will
see the annual sailplane events hosted by Jack Hooper in Lake Wilson, Kansas.
This is not connected to the racing events, but is always great fun.
Dave Engleson delicately approached the subject of a CHANGE IN THE CLUB’S NAME. Both our present MRCSS initials or the long name when spelled out seem a bit clumsy and sometimes may sometimes obscure sense of what our club really is. Would anyone object to a proposal that we modify the club name? Dave asked. Member response was supportive but guarded -- depends upon the new name/initials proposed. Dave said he would ponder the possibilities and hopefully propose a change at the next meeting.
SHOW AND TELL
With formalities over, we enjoyed the show and tell.
Ib showed and explained a Sharon fuselage he is repairing, and passed around the amazing tools he found at Ax-Man surplus.
Ed Berris introduced us to a new vendor, LiteFlite, and showed inexpensive batteries and a tiny but solid receiver from that source.
Bert showed his unique technique for repairing a broken wing spar.
Kevin explained how he devised a fuselage mold for a large, aerial-tow plane in the works.
Dave Engleson explained a technique for making custom lead nose weights.
Jeff Thompson exhibited the really-large scale Boeing 757 (complete with two gas engines) that he bought at an auction.
With a dozen conversations underway, we officially concluded another enjoyable, laughter-filled evening.
Respectfully submitted,
Vern Bailey, Secretary
