Page 1 Volume 33, Number 1
VOLUME 33, NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2008
AVTI SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS
JAN 2008 26 (11:30am)
Board Meeting (Field)
FEB 2008 7 (7:30pm) 25 (11:30am)
Monthly Meeting at Fox Airfield Lobby Board meeting (Field)
MAR 2008 6 (7:30pm)
Monthly Meeting at Fox Airfield Lobby
APR 2008 3 (7:30pm)
Monthly Meeting at Fox Airfield Lobby
MAY 2008 1 (7:30pm)
Monthly Meeting at Fox Airfield Lobby
Check out other clubs’ events by visiting the following websites: www.deserthawksrc.com; www.cvrcsoaring.com
www.vccomets.com; www.sbrcm.org.
Remember to check the bulletin board at the field for an up-to-date calendar of events. Member’s contributions to the Newsletter are welcomed. EDITOR’S NOTE: Members: Send your ‘For Sale’ items (with a photo) to me and I’ll post them in our Newslet-ter for free!
Joe D. and his “Navy-fied” Top Flight Contender
MODEL OF THE MONTH WINNER
The AVTI Board: Tony, Terry, Jean, and Joe
Page 2 Volume 33, Number 1
Antelope Valley Tailwinds Inc. AMA Charter #114
P.O. Box 302, Lancaster, CA 93584
A.V.T.I. Roster of Current Officers (2008-2009)
President: Tony Frackowiak; 256-1147; [email protected]
Vice-President: Terry Hemmis; 256-4748; [email protected]
Treasurer: Joe Dagata; 943-8881; [email protected]
Secretary: Jean Greear; 944-3881; [email protected]
Board Members:
Jerry Budd; 943-4970; [email protected]
Preston Knepper; 886-0272; [email protected]
Field Marshal: Rick Suggett; 818-652-5691; [email protected]
Safety Officer: Rick Suggett; 818-652-5691; [email protected]
WebMaster: Paul Burke; 273-3953; [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Roger Counts; 945-4639; [email protected]
Flight Instructors:
Kenneth Beck; 942-0532
Peter Carbin; 723-4830
Daniel Garrabrant; 945-3789
* Membership Meeting * February 7, 2008
Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Fox Airfield Lobby
4555 West Avenue G Lancaster, CA 93534
Visitors and guests are welcome.
* Board of Directors Meeting * January 26, 2008
Saturday 11:30 a.m. at the Field
A.V.T.I. Airpark
Challenger Way (10th Street East) between Avenues F and G
Lancaster, CA 93535
Tailwinds Tails is a monthly newsletter of the Antelope Valley Tailwinds Inc., R/C Model Air-
craft Club.
Visit our web page at www.avti.org.
Send submissions for the Tailwinds Tails by the 10th of each month to the Newsletter Editor, c/o A.V.Tailwinds Inc., P.O. Box 302, Lancas-
ter, CA 93584 or by email to [email protected]
Page 3 Volume 33, Number 1
President’s Message
Hello fellow AVTI members!
I hope everyone had a great Holiday Season and I wish eve-ryone a happy 2008!
We accomplished quite a bit in 2007. The new helicopter area has been installed with the help
of many, mainly Bob Campbell. We are going to in-stall a permanent shade structure to complete the area, and we should see a lot of use at this site. I know we have gained many new members because of our new attitude towards helicopter flying, and this addition will just make that even better.
Mike and Jean Greear have continued their great help to the club, with the donation and installation of the parking bumpers, the installation of the new bul-letin board and the completion of the starting tables. Many others have helped with this work, and it has been great to see all those who have come out and helped. Guys like Tim Williams, Joe Dagata, Roger Counts, Mario Gonzales and many others have really helped out this year. I know I probably missed someone so I apologize now!
The Christmas Air Show was blessed with perfect weather and we had a great turnout. It was really nice to see the club get together for such a great cause. Jerry Budd got some great advertisement and has built a relationship with others that will just improve this next year. Thanks again to all involved.
It was great to see Terry Hemmis out at the field last Sunday flying her new Brio! After a long period away from flying I was glad to see her having some fun again!
At the last meeting we were supposed to vote on the new Bylaws changes regarding membership dues. But due to a last minute discussion of an error in the text, it has been shelved until the March meet-ing. A correction and addition have been made and is published in this newsletter (page 6) and it will be voted on in March. Please read the proposed change and submit any objections to the BOD be-fore the March meeting.
With all the good stuff this year I am sorry to have to say the following. Several months ago the club Board of Directors was forced to take action against a club member. That member’s actions were very detrimental to the club and could not be tolerated. After giving that member plenty of opportunities to solve the situation, he continued to escalate it to a non-tolerance point. The BOD was forced to vote to
Tony Frackowiak
Vice-President’s Message
Our Toy Drive for the Kids Charities of the Antelope Valley, was a great success with the help of Ron Emard and his group from the Harley Davidson Club who were gracious enough to bring in over 60 toys, helping to make our total of toy dona-
tions worth over $2,500!
Many spectators stayed to enjoy the flying talents of Ron Shuler, who put on a terrific, top-notch show! People were out of their chairs to enjoy the display!
Thanks Ron for helping to entertain our visitors throughout the day!
AVTI had a great turnout of spectators, donators, and pilots to provide flying demonstrations. Thank
terminate his membership, but only after he quit the club by tearing up his membership card and throw-ing it at me. He has since decided to mount an at-tack on me by having himself and others write and call my sponsors and make accusations against me. I have resolved these issues, but it is very sad to see how the situation continues to degrade.
The current BOD and myself have donated our time, and in many cases materials and money, just to help improve the AVTI. As has been done in the past, we do not take free membership, so every year that is $400 the club did not receive before. I hope that the majority of the club can appreciate what has been done for the benefit of the club, and will let those who continue to attack us know they do not appreciate that sort of action.
I have no problem with someone having a difference of opinion with me. I am always open to discussing those differences and reaching common ground. But to make the sort of attacks I have had to endure is just plain sad. I will not just sit back and take it. I will act to protect myself and any other AVTI mem-ber subjected to the same.
I’m sorry to have to discuss this, but in my opinion the club membership needs to be aware of the situation.
I hope everyone has a great 2008!
See you at the field!
Page 4 Volume 33, Number 1
Treasurer’s Report
Checking Account Balance is $4,019.39
AVTI Flying Field Facility Re-serve Fund in Savings Account is $17,334.40
Financial Assets Total $21,353.79
To determine how we are doing financially, I com-pared income and expenses for the past year (Jan 2006-2007). The income from membership dues was about the same as it was this time last year,
Secretary’s Report (Minutes of General Meeting on January 3, 2008)
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Tony. A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as printed in the newsletter (even though there were no minutes). Treasurer’s report was given by
Joe D. 73 members had renewed their member-ship. 14 members present and 1 guest Mark Molder. Newsletter: If you have anything you would like to be in the newsletter mail it or e-mail it to Roger Counts by the 10th of each month. Old Business: The board has agreed to have a permanent shade structure installed at the heli area. Bob C. is getting the info. The new starting tables were finally completed at the last work party. Thanks to all who participated. A big thank you to all who were involved in making the Christmas Air Show/ Toy drive a successful event. We had a great day weather wise and the flying was excellent. There was a good turnout of spectators and a collected a good amount of toys as well as cash to donate to the local charity. If you are interested in being a board member or safety officer let one of the BOD members know. New Business: The By-law change was tabled until the February general meeting due the need for more clarification in the wording. There was some discussion from the members about the membership renewal time. They felt that the wording should be changed to state that if dues are not paid by June 30th then that person in not a member.
Joe Dagata
Terry Hemmis
you Ken Beck for putting folks up on the buddy-box to get the thrill of flying an RC model plane!
Thank you Jeff Tolemeo for the Jet demo, you did a wonderful job of getting the crowd to appreciate speed and style!
Overall, the AVTI Toy Drive to benefit the Kids Charity of the Antelope Valley was a huge success and we look forward to next year, and building upon this success! Our club members with the Easy Star demo was quite fun! Thanks to all who participated!
Many club members spent the day at the AMA Show in Ontario on Saturday. Good deals were found by most, with the added pleasure of watching some of the best pilots around with their Eflight demonstrations: Mark Leesburg, Andrew Jesky, and our local Ron Shuler! It was a lot of fun and it was great to see so many friends out enjoying the day!
Jerry Budd did a great job of getting the Toy Drive put together! Thanks Jerry for all your advertising, organization and effort! Thanks to Tony Frakowiak for getting the pilots lined up! Thanks go to Roger Counts and Paul Burke for the photos taken of the day. Please check the last page of the December newsletter for photos!
Wings level,
approximately $5100. Net income (income less ex-penses) gained $612 including the Facility Reserve Fund. The Facility Reserve fund should increase $1322 (25% of dues) before July 1, 2008. The cost of the helicopter pad was the main reason for this loss.
Page 5 Volume 33, Number 1
Jean Greear
Pattern Contest will be Feb. 9th &10th. Next Board meeting: TBA Model of the Month: Tony F. brought in 3 models to show. First was the Sobre Foamie powered by a Hacker. 2nd was a Divo Foamie powered by the Eflite 300 park flyer motor, and then he showed off his T-Rex heli night flyer. He flew this on the grass area and it looked very impressive and easy to see. Ron G. showed off his Mini Ultra Stick with an E-Flite 450 motor. He also has a video camera mounted in it. Joe D. brought in his US Contender w/ flaps pow-ered by the OS 65. Raffle Drawings: Model of the Month – Joe D. Attendance – Harvey G. Meeting was adjourned at 8:50
ONE OF THE WORLD’S STRANGEST AIRCRAFT
Bachem BA 349 Natter (Adder) Built of wood, this rocket powered interceptor was launched vertically with solid rocket boosters under auto-pilot control, then pushed over into a shallow dive, where it jettisoned its nose, revealing a bank of air-to-air un-guided rockets, its only armament. Once these were fired into the attacking bombers, the aircraft was disassembled in mid-air, the pilot and rear fuselage recovering by para-chute. It killed its first and only pilot, lawn darting from 5,000 feet. This bird was world-class bad. First Flight: February 1945.
Tony and his T-Rex helicopter night flyer
Tony F. and his Sobre (above) and Divo foamies
Ron G. & his Mini Ultra Stik (note the video camera)
Page 6 Volume 33, Number 1
ARTICLE V – METHOD OF FINANCE
Section 1 Annual Dues
CURRENT
A. Annual dues, which will include the AMA Club Charter fee, shall be as follows:
B. Classification
Renewal dues
New member or partial year renewal
Revised wording: An applicant who has never been a member or a former member who has been absent for 1 year or more.
PROPOSED REWORDING OF PARAGRAPH C: C. Renewal club dues shall be due on June 1 of each year. Memberships paid in June will be current through the end of May of the next year. Renewal dues must be paid in full not later than June 30 each year. Renewal dues not paid by June 30 shall be assessed a late pay-ment penalty of $10.00. A Partial year payment of dues is available for new mem-bers only. A new member is defined as an applicant who has never been a member or a former member who has been absent for 1 year or more. After a one-year lapse in paid membership, a former member will now be con-sidered a new member. A member may apply for a dis-pensation of these measures by submitting a case to the Board of Directors. Cause for this case would be finan-cial hardship, job requirements, etc. Such cases will be reviewed by the BOD and decided upon on a case-by-case basis.
CURRENT METHOD PROPOSED METHOD
Open Member (Age 18-
64)
Jul 1-Sep 30 $100.00 Oct 1-Dec 31 $75.00 Jan 1-Mar 30 $50.00 Apr 1-Jun 30 $25.00
Jun 1-Dec 31: $100.00 (new and renewing mem-ber) Jan 1-May 31: $50.00 (new member only)
Senior Member (Age 65 or older)
Jul 1-Sep 30 $75.00 Oct 1-Dec 31 $56.25 Jan 1-Mar 30 $37.50 Apr 1-Jun 30 $18.75
Jun 1-Dec 31: $75.00 (new and renewing mem-ber) Jan 1-May 31: $37.50 (new member only)
Junior Member (Age 17
or younger)
Jul 1-Sep 30 $50.00 Oct 1-Dec 31 $37.50 Jan 1-Mar 30 $25.00 Apr 1-Jun 30 $12.50
Jun 1-Dec 31: $50.00 (new and renewing mem-ber) Jan 1-May 31: $25.00 (new member only)
PROPOSED REVISION TO ARTICLE V OF THE AVTI CONSTITUTION
The “Big Wheel” in the Club!
Dick and his flying fuel tank!
Looks like one of Joe D.’s water landings!
Page 7 Volume 33, Number 1
Support Your Local Hobby Shops
Smith Brothers Hobbies 1223 West Avenue I Lancaster, CA 93534 Phone: 661-942-6984 Palmdale Hobbies 2117 East Palmdale Boulevard Palmdale, CA 93550 Phone: 661-273-6229 Dr. J’s Helicopters and JR Radios Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 661-949-3586, ext. 205 Ask for Doug. Distributor for Horizon Hobbies
NOTICE
The red clothespins on the frequency board are for use by those flyers using the south flying area
(circle).
~~~~ Special Thanks ~~~~ Our Thanks to the following businesses that
made generous donations to A.V.T.I. Please support them when you can.
A Very Special Thanks
~~~~ Waste Management
Company
600 East Avenue F
Lancaster, CA 93535
What’s the weather at the field?
Don’t forget you can view the weather at the field
through the A.V.T.I. web-site (www.avti.org) or at
www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Lancaster.html
REMINDER
A current AMA membership is a requirement for membership in A.V.T.I. Please make sure your
AMA membership is current for 2007.
ADVERTISEMENTS / FOR SALE
We’ll publish your “For Sale” items at no charge!
Page 8 Volume 33, Number 1
“I told you the CG was critical!”
“Now that’s a stretch A328!”
“Wow, that sure was a quick stop!” “Standby to launch torpedoes!”
SOME PHOTOS FROM THE ‘FAR SIDE’
Who knows what aircraft instrument panel this replicates? “Better get out of the way!”
“Pretty hard landing, Tony!” “Mayday, Mayday, we lost an engine!”
