New Years Day Chili Fly

Lucas and I arrived at the field at about 11am. Bob Kovacs, Dave Jamrog and Jim Hartman were already there and had the coffee brewing and the tarp on the west side of the shelter pulled down. Shortly after we arrived Jim Tibits, Justin Rutkauskas, Ray Weller and George Keefe showed up.

The Flying; Of the nine of us three flew. Justin flew his HMB-235 fpv quad, John flew his WMPF Liberty XL and Bob flew a low wing plane that we on skis, twice! The 15/20mph wind made it very challenging to fly. With the wind blowing I was able to do a backwards rolling harrier for a few seconds. Bob did a great job flying in the wind, His little yellow plane didn’t seem to care about the wind at all. It was enjoyable flying and watching.

The Food; Bob brought a pot of chili, coffee and some peanut butter and fudge squares and Dave brought some corn bread muffins. Everything tasted great and helped warm us up. It was fun spending time with each other reminising about the past year and about about the year to come.

We had a great time hanging out at the field today. A couple guys commented that we should do this again this winter and forsure New Years Day 2017. If you were not able to make it today watch your email for possible Winter Chili Fly in the near future. Thank you to all the guys that did come out.

John Russcher

 

Guidance on Submitting Comments to the FAA

The AMA has recommended that our members hold off on registering their model aircraft with the FAA until advised by the AMA or until the FAA’s legal deadline of February 19. Holding off on registration will allow time for AMA to fully consider all possible legal and political options for alleviating this unnecessary regulatory burden on our members.
In the meantime, you can help by making your voice heard with the FAA. Specifically we are asking all AMA members to submit comments on the FAA’s interim rule on registration. The deadline to submit comments is January 15, 2016. All comments can be submitted at http://1.usa.gov/1Jegj0C.
Below are recommended messages to convey in your comments:

  • Express your disappointment with the registration rule. As a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), I am disappointed with the new rule for UAS registration. I am a long time model aircraft flyer, who has operated under the guidance of the largest community-based organization (CBO) in the world for many years.
  • Highlight AMA’s history and safety record. Since 1936, AMA has published safety standards and offered training programs for our members – more than 20 years before the FAA was created. Our National Model Aircraft Safety Code has been recognized by Congress as well as by state legislatures as a safe and effective means of managing model aircraft enthusiasts like me
    .
  • Note that you already register with AMA. Additionally, AMA’s safety program already instructs me to place my AMA number or name and address on or within my model aircraft(s), effectively accomplishing the safety and accountability objectives of the interim rule.
  • Make it clear this rule is contrary to the intent of Congress. The new rule is contrary to the intent of Congress in Section 336 of the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act. Section 336, also referred to as the “Special Rule for Model Aircraft,” clearly prohibits the FAA from promulgating any new rules for recreational users operating within the safety guidelines of a CBO. In addition, the FAA’s contention that model aircraft should be considered aircraft is currently the subject of pending litigation.
  • Affirm that as an AMA member you should be exempt from federal registration. The registration process is an unnecessary burden for me and the more than 185,000 other AMA members. AMA members should not be required to register with the FAA.

Thank you,
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs Team
amagov

Meeting Minutes – November 2015

Meeting called to order:

  • 7:04 in Dave’s absence

Secretary’s Report:

  • Approved by member vote

Treasurers Report:

  • Current balance $3027.50
  • Three people paid dues so far this year for next
  • Port-O-Jon for $35 paid but it wasn’t winterized (no worries)
  • Dues are due
  • 32 paid members for last year

Safety Report/Field Maintenance:

  • Nothing
  • Sign by street has note been removed yet
  • Sign from building is in rafters wrapped in plastic (birds?) (concerns?)

New Members:

  • None

Visitors:

  • None

Announcements:

  • Pot-O-Gold Swap Meet is this coming Saturday 11/7
  • Civic Center flying is going well unless Dave V. (AKA Capt Crash) is flying

Old Business:

  • They’re all old…
  • Dave contact AMA that we have an agreement with West Michigan Regional Airport – They are happy with that

New Business:

Events:

  • None

Comments and Questions:

  • Not much flying activity going on at the field

Next Meeting

  • March 7, 2016 7:00pm at Cobblestone

Meeting adjourned:

  • 7:26 by member vote

Meeting attendees:
Dave V, Mike T, Scott S, John R, Bill P, Larry W, Bob K, Jim H, Lucas R