Minutes of MRCSS meeting 7p.m. January 17, 2008
Edina Public Library, Ethel Berry Room 26 members present.
NEXT MEETING: 7 p.m. May 17, same location
The pre-meeting conversations were so many and so energetic that President Dave Engleson seemed almost reluctant to call the meeting to order. He welcomed two new members, ran through a list of matters on the agenda, then called our attention to the excellent website Mike Glaser has created for MRCSS. After a hearty round of applause, Mike said the site was still a work in progress and invited each member to think about an article or photo that might be properly included.
Larry Sorenson and a six other courageous participants described the New Year’s Day fun fly. Despite frigid weather and snow-covered ice, several of our guys spent two hours flying various planes on the frozen Lake Harriet.
Larry also reported on the club’s building project: 16 kits of the SLR “Gambler” were distributed to the participants, and the group construction of this plane will begin at our usual venue, Washburn High School, for three hours on each of these dates -- Jan. 30, Feb. 27, Apr. 9 Bring your building board and CA glue.
Treasurer Jack Perecman reported our bank account is still quite healthy.
Paul Johnson reported the 2008 membership dues were coming in on schedule. He also reminded us that he is the 08 librarian and pointed out the large box of model aircraft reading materials and a few newly-arrived video discs.
New MRCSS tee shirts were the next topic, and Dave Engleson displayed one prototype with a seductive sailplane image. Bob Waldridge reminded us that he still has several large-sized shirts with the current logo. Several purchases were arranged.
Our active slope flyers reminded us of their forthcoming events on May 15 & June 15 the two or three day slope soaring will again be held at their world-class location in South Dakota.
Bailey distributed copies of an info. sheet explaining that recruiting new club members works best when connected with a small-plane competition. We might successfully recruit younger guys if we provide a “hands on” example and let them feel the fun of launching and controlling small gliders. The first competition of 08, The Spring Tune Up, will focus on such an event and likely employ our “Gamblers” in a separate competition. Several members mentioned the pleasure of the “small plane” competition managed by Al Nephew last summer and urged a repeat in 2008.
Show-And-Tell provided us with a first look at Larry’s elegant two-cylinder, 150 cc, wet-fuel engine that will provide the muscle needed to towing both large scale and competition sailplanes.
Mike Trutwin described the sleek Supra he is building. We saw the fuselage, stab, rudder of Drella’s design. Mike explained the delicate work it takes to meet the design weights. He’ll show us his progress next month.
And the final item in this informative meeting: Ed Berris brought out a display of all the parts needed for successful “bagging “ of composite models. He explained in detail and showed us the functions of the pump, tubing, plastic bag and all other items necessary for inexpensive, do-it-yourself bag construction. Members thanked Ed and expressed an interest in more such demonstrations at forthcoming meetings.
Vern Bailey
Secretary
