Info And Updates

Thanks to the weather cooperating (finally) we had a great day for our annual picnic today. Many thanks to those who lent a hand, especially your VP, Dave L. If anyone has any pix send it to me and I'll pass them along to Lyle for publication on the web site.

1) We have had occasion to recheck our contract language with the County, and effective immediately, flying hours are from 10 AM to Dusk (as defined by Park Rangers) regardless of the day of the week, or what you are flying (electric or I/C).

2) Mike G. has had his stone successfully blasted, and thanks to a more normal weather pattern, has been saving the club gobs of money doing the mowing. Many thanks, Mike!

3) (Redux) The club will continue to allow 27m frequency use, in park flyer size (as defined by the AMA) equipment only. Current and projected use by club members was determined not to be a safety issue.

4) (Redux) Members reminded that any guest is their COMPLETE responsibility, and the member will be taken to task for any unacceptable behavior on the part of their guest.

5) (Redux) Size guidelines for electric planes flying at the field to conform to FAI specs. The original plan was to "match" power setups (battery-ESC-motor-prop) to an equivalent .90 size glow offering at a max of 2000 watts. Arnie Wile and Jay Bergman got together and offered this very workable alternative, and further info will be available before the next meeting. Thanks, guys!

6) (Redux) Reminder to mark your calendars- this year's Swap Shop is on and scheduled for Saturday, November 14th. We need as many volunteers as we can muster, due to a sizeable expansion of the space available to us, and additional events such as Indoor Flying and a Raffle. Save the date!


See you all on the 21st- Fred P.

Mystery Flyers

Now that the flying season is upon us, we are seeing an uptick in sightings of the "Mystery Flyer". I'm referring to the unrecognized individual who shows up at the field (unescorted) and tries to fly, who is NOT a MAAW member, and who- to make matters worse- is not an AMA member either. The worst of all possible scenarios! What do you do if you're at the field, and you spot a Mystery Flyer?

First off, all MAAW members are ambassadors for the club, and as such should present themselves to the "MF" in a friendly manner and inquire, point blank: "Are you a member of the MAAW?". If the individual says that he is not, then advise him that only MAAW members are authorized to fly at our field, per AMA and County regulations. Educate him about the MAAW, and invite him to join as soon as possible (assuming he can meet all of our membership criteria) if he wants to fly at our field.

If the individual is cooperative, and you want to take on the responsibility, you can opt to make him your guest for the day- ASSUMING THEY HAVE A VALID AMA CARD. Absolutely no exceptions to this point. Please note- at this point, you then become responsible for his actions, both in the air and on the ground. THINK TWICE before taking this step! An unknown entity may be a major problem both for you and club if you do.

If the person is uncooperative or abusive, do not turn into a "MAAW Policeman". Make a mental note of the individual (if a license plate is in evidence, take it down) and immediately contact the Park Office at the bottom of the hill. The number is posted inside the shed. Advise the Supervisor on duty that you're reporting an unauthorized individual on the premises, who is causing a disturbance. They will take it from there. Report the incident to a MAAW Officer or Director as soon as possible.

Every member should investigate ("challenge") all persons attempting to trespass onto the field and/or fly who are not recognizable as MAAW members, and who refuse to identify themselves and their purpose for being on the field, etc. If you don't feel up to the task by yourself, ask another MAAW member to accompany you in checking the individual out. Protect yourself, your fellow pilots and the club at all times.

If you have any questions on the above contact me, and we can discuss further. With other clubs closing down, and a general lack of places to fly, now more than ever our field is a magnet for this kind of problem- keep your guard up! Thanks- Fred P.

ATTENTION - 2009 NO FLYING/FIELD CLOSED DATES & ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFO

This information is repeated here from the web site, in case you missed it. The field will be closed for flight operations on the following dates. No exceptions- do not visit the field on these dates unless we advise a change in status for the particular day/days on the web site or blog.

Sunday, June 14th
> Hispanic Festival #1
Saturday & Sunday, June 20th/21st
> (Fathers' Day Weekend) > Clearwater Festival
Sunday, August 9th
> Hispanic Festival #2
Saturday & Sunday, August 22nd/23rd
> Reggae Festival
Sunday, September 13th
> IronMan Competition
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October 16th-18th
> Thunderbird Games (Boy Scouts)
Sunday, October 25th
> Suicide Prevention Walk > NOTE- FLYING ALLOWED AFTER 1 PM.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-

From May 1st through July 3rd, and again from October 1st through November 13th, commuter parking for the Metro-North train station will relocate- in part- to the main lot of the park and the area next to the field, due to construction and renovation. This will affect mainly those who are flying weekdays during that period, but regardless, BE MINDFUL OF OTHER VEHICLES AND PATRONS NEAR THE FIELD, and make allowances for the possible lack of parking spaces, depending on how early you arrive to fly- thanks. Fred P.

Add Your Two Cents, Etc.

If you want to use this blog, I will periodically put in a new "generic" post (such as this one) which will allow you to then click on "comments" and put your info, announcement, etc. for universal consumption. Sorry, only I can actually generate an actual posting- everyone else can generate a comment (under either a Google account, Open URL/ID, or Anonymously). Thanks!- Fred P,