Dave Belcher, Martin Dance, Joe Dray, Kevin Mercer, Paul Joslyn.
Agreed
The chairman had been trying to contact Deluxe Materials to confirm visit to club meeting. When he had previously spoken they had indicated they were happy to come along. Confirmation was still awaited. Secretary to follow up with Chairman
Action: Secretary
A trial of disposable cups had now commenced. The promised cupboard for storage was now available.
Tony Roberts reported that the air ambulance has now moved to RAF Benson. Because of site security visits may now be difficult, but the situation is fluid. Tony will keep in touch about the possibilities of a future visit.
1. There had been no further news concerning the individual flying at Sonning. In accordance with the agreement with the individual, channel 90 remains out of use at Dreadnought.
2.
Additional times for Park Flyers. The secretary had written to the site managers in November but
was still waiting for a response. He
agreed to chase up. This had been
raised at previous committee, but action was still outstanding.
Action: Secretary
3.
The chairman had made contact with the relevant people
concerning a possible site at Christmas Common. Permission for change of use had become more complex recently due
to changes in the way farmers receive grants.
This would be raised with the BMFA for guidance. The particular site was deemed not to be
suitable.
4.
The chairman was pursuing the possibility of a site in
Reading.
5.
A further issue about the Dreadnought site and the possible
river crossing was raised. With the
changes to the IDR likely to go ahead despite opposition from Wokingham, the river
crossing may be seen as more essential.
This could threaten the club site which would have to be relocated. At this stage it was not known whether there
would be any compulsion on the parties involved with the crossing to provide
alternative facilities. The club would
need to ensure that it made representations at the earliest possible
opportunity should the crossing become a real possibility.
6.
There was discussion about the noise levels from some of the
electric models now being flown. In
particular there was concern about the noise from electric ducted fan models
and some of the high powered pusher models.
Whilst it is a high pitched sound which may not travel as far as a lower
pitched sound, it is in the octave band which causes greatest irritation. It was agreed that this concern be brought
to the attention of all members and the committee would monitor the situation.
There was discussion about the website manifesto.com which had published a report on implementation of child protection legislation and had quoted from the club’s policy. The chairman had picked this up from some discussions on the BMFA forum and had responded to the forum to make clear that the club encouraged youngsters.
The club’s policy had been written to ensure that the club complied with the current guidelines and to provide protection both for children and club members who may be dealing with them. The committee expressed its thanks to the secretary for all his work in drawing up the policy.
The chairman was attempting to make arrangements for those wishing to become approved instructors to be examined for this role. There had been some difficulty in contacting a qualified examiner and the chairman was seeking further information from the BMFA Area Scheme Coordinator.
Action: Chairman
From 9th May club evenings revert to the flying field. Dates of particular note are
July 14 Enstone
July 29 Cholsey
Dave Grey reported that the club would be supporting the Old Warden Schools day again assuming the BMFA were involved.
Cholsey was becoming more difficult for flying due to the increase in size of trees surrounding it, but smaller models were possible. It was hoped for a better turn out this year.
The treasurer reported the club had received its Employers’ Liability Insurance Certificate from the BMFA and the club currently had 79 paid up members. Some money had been transferred from the current account to the savings account.
Dave Grey reported that training was relatively quiet at the moment with a total of about 7 trainees. It was anticipated that when the evening sessions start there will be more trainees.
It was agreed to remind members that when flying all pilots should stand together some distance back from the edge of the strip but roughly in line with the mid point. Standing at the end of the strip when flying is an unsafe practice.
The next meeting will be on 19 July at the David Lloyd centre commencing at 20:00.
The meeting closed at 21:35