Reading and District Model Aircraft Club

Minutes of Committee Meeting 19th July 2007

The meeting was moved to Ron’s house as the David Lloyd centre had a dance on in the area where the meeting is normally held.  The Committee thanked Ron for accommodating the meeting and providing refreshments.

Apologies for absence

Martin Dance

Minutes of meeting of 12th April 2007

Agreed with one amendment.  In paragraph referring to disposable cups, add that we are looking at handles for the disposable cups.

Matters arising not elsewhere on the agenda

The chairman had been trying to contact Deluxe Materials to confirm visit to club meeting.  This should now be considered for the autumn programme of events.

Action: Chairman

Flying Field Matters

1.      Additional times for Park Flyers.  The secretary had spoken to the site management who had agreed that a trial should go ahead pending final agreement from the landlords.  This had commenced according to the criteria previously agreed.  It was agreed that the times and details of the criteria should be posted to the website. Dave Belcher agreed to provide details to Paul Joslyn.
                                                                                      Action: Dave Belcher/Paul Joslyn

2.      It was stated that the new river crossing was now back on the agenda and the 2012 Olympics may have an impact on this as the rowing lake may be used for practice.  The club would need to ensure that it made representations at the earliest possible opportunity should the crossing become a real possibility as it the current flying site would not be suitable.  Joe Dray offered to speak to the Highways Department of Wokingham District Council to see what was known.

Action: Joe Dray

3.      There was further 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.  There was discussion about the practicality of testing for noise but agreed this would not be possible. It was to remind members to act responsibly and to make clear that times for silent flight did not necessarily include all electric models. It was agreed that for the time being no further action, apart from publicising the concern, was needed but that the committee would monitor the situation and take action if a problem does arise.

4.      The secretary confirmed that the individual who had planned to fly at Sonning had now informed him that the landlord had withdrawn permission for all forms of flying and therefore he no longer needed channel 90.  The channel was therefore available for use at Dreadnought.  The Secretary confirmed that he had written to the individual thanking him for letting the club know the position.

5.      It was repoted that the Bracknell Club have a new site.  Wings and Rotors who lost their site at Grazeley are still looking for an alternative site.

Membership Advertisements

Tony Roberts reported that on a recent visit to Hobbystores in Reading he had discovered that the current staff were unaware of the club and what it could offer.  It would be useful if they had something that could be handed out to people who were in the shop looking to take up the hobby.

It was agreed that this was a good idea and that the club should pursue this.  Tony Roberts thought it best to approach the shop through their senior management as the local shop may not have the authority to take this on.  Tony has contacts with the company and agreed to pursue.  He had also contacted the BMFA for advice on the sort of information that might be provided.  The BMFA was sending him some information.

Action: Tony Roberts

BMFA Approved Instructors

This remained on going.  Contact had been made with the necessary person, but the date arranged had been cancelled due to adverse weather.

Action: Chairman

Cholsey and Beale Park Events

These events will be taking place and requests were made for assistance from members with the organisation etc

Programme of Events

There is an open invitation to Enstone on September 29th.  This will be a fly in which will be run by Dave Grey.

First meeting of at St Barnabus Hall will be 18th September and will be an open forum.

It is hoped to arrange guest speakers for a number of the meetings.  This would include Puffin Models and Deluxe materials.  It was agreed also to ask John Soper to do a vintage evening.

Details of club meetings and guest speakers will appear on the club website.

4th December is the AGM and 18th December is the Christmas Party.  Arrangements for the latter will be discussed on 8th November.

 

AOB

It was reported that the schools day at Old Warden had been a success although the recently refurbished club trainer had been destroyed in a mid air collision in the final flight of the day.  However a club member has donated the club a replacement model.

Enstone had also turned out a good day and had been enjoyed by many of the membership.  It was agreed that the club would pay the BMFA membership fee for the son of the owner who had also passed his A test at the event.

Tony reported on his trip to Slovakia which had been a great success.  He agreed to write an article for the club newsletter.  He had flown at the event using the new 2.4GHz radio equipment and had been able to fly whenever he wanted.  He made the point that it is worth promoting the 2.4GHz equipment for new modellers as it removes the problems of frequencies.  With more of the equipment now becoming available this seems a sensible way to go.

Oracle have now been paid

The club’s mower remains for sale and a buyer is needed.

Date and time of next Committee meeting

The next meeting will be on 8th November at the David Lloyd centre commencing at 20:00.

The meeting closed at 22:00