Newsletter of the Kitsap Aircraft Radio Control Society (KARCS), JULY, 2006
 

FROM THE LEFT SEAT

We recently had a misunderstanding with a former member at the field regarding our dues structure and allocation of club funds.

This particular individual who was flying at the time and had not yet paid his 2006 dues, ( I had personally called him in early February to remind him of the Feb.15th deadline), thought that the annual dues were too high and the initiation fee is excessive. Also, since the flying site is on Kitsap Parks land, why should any one have to pay to fly here, let alone him.

Let me set the record straight.  Yes, we are on Kitsap County Parks Dept. property and entrance to the flying site is free.  You are even welcome to sit in the bleachers (which the club owns) at no charge and watch all of us having fun.  While in the bleachers, look around; Everything that you see, the canopy, the flight benches and the gravel under them, the runway surface, the fencing, and the 40' container, which is loaded with club-owned items, were bought and paid for through club dues.  Incidentally, this is the second container the club has bought, the first having been destroyed along with its contents by an arsonist.  On top of all of this, there is maintenance, which although is mostly volunteer labor, there are still some minor costs involved.

Of the $60.00 annual dues, $40.00 goes into our annual working budget and the remaining $20.00 goes into the land acquisition fund or the "rainy day" fund. The goal of this fund is that if some time in the future we have to relocate, the money will be available for that. We also have the ability to borrow from this fund if for some reason our working capitol is inadequate at that time. We look at the $100.00 initiation fee a means of those coming into the club to help with the expenses that those who are already members have had to bear. This is a common practice in most organizations.

 In a nutshell, our dues cover all of our expenses, but we don't have a "fat" balance sheet. We also have to look at the future. The runway is due for replacement within the next year or so and that will be no small expense. Farther down the line, the canopy will need to have the fabric replaced.

As a matter of comparison, I'll list some of the dues structures of other clubs that I know about;

Mount Rainier R/C Society [Tacoma] .................$ 100.00 yr.  +  $20.00 late fee

Cascade Fun Flyers [Monroe]............................ $ 250.00 yr.

Sanderson Field Flyers [Shelton].........................$ 40.00 [I think]

They have NO facilities other than a nice runway and there are a lot days they can't use the field because of other activities going on.

Cascade Min. A/C Assoc....................................  $ 250.00 yr

Seattle Radio Aero Club....................................  $ 125.00 yr + $ 25.00 late fee.

At $ 60.00 a year the Kitsap ARCS are a relative bargain!  Also, our late fee is less than most.

Back to the individual that triggered all of this. I don't recall ever having seen him at any of the meetings nor has he ever participated in a work party. Whether or not he reads the news letter, I'm not sure. But the point is, nearly all of the things that go on in or about the club are discussed at the monthly meetings and or appear in the newsletter. Your membership gives you a voice in the functions and destiny of the club. If you don't care to join [or re-join] you are still welcome to sit in our bleachers.

Al                                                         

 

 

1700 S.E. Mile Hill Drive, Suite 101

(Inside Rose Crafts)

Port Orchard, WA 98366

360-874-0971

hobbyoutlet@wavecable.com

 

Store Hours:

 

9 - 8 Monday - Friday

9 - 8 Saturday

10 - 6 Sunday

 

COME VISIT OUR REALLY NICE LOCAL HOBBY SUPPLIER AND MEET

 

 GARY ROSE

 

 

President Al needs help on Committees and with new ideas for events.

WHEN AT THE FIELD….. THINK SAFETY

 

ARCS MEETING MINUTES

June 13, 2006

Meeting called to order by Vice-President Les bishop at 7:00 pm

New members: Fred Rutan

Treasures report: Read and accepted

Minutes: Accepted as presented on the Website

Field Maintenance: Work party was a great success. Much was accomplished such as repairs to the gate, patching the runway, lawns care. There is still more to be done, further work parties will be scheduled. Times and dates to be determined later

County/Field committee: Bob Brusa reported that Asplunth Corp only has a contract with the county for tree trimming and will not be involved in future field upgrades.

The county is continuing to develop proposals and map out future strategies for the land. Eventually, there will be public meetings to get inputs, No dates or times as of this date.

Safety: The club was reminded to always be extremely careful in starting engines. Jim McEdwards suffered a nasty accident on his arm that required 24 stitches and much pain to close up!!! Be careful of those spinning props and watch how you reach around running engines.

Verlyn Grange presented and article that discussed the dangers of CYA glues

Events:

Swap meet was held prior to and after the meeting. Some deals were made, some have new toys to play with and some have some extra bucks for those other projects

Electric Fun-Fly will be held on July 23.

Float Fly-June 17 @ Crocker Lake

Combat doing well, Sam Hovey in the lead, however, it was pointed out that the "Electrics" are currently in third place.

The spring opener was a great success, 35 entries and free hot dogs!!

The Board of Directors is in the early planning stages of the annual Air show.

For further information on upcoming events see the club website.

Instruction:

Brandon Woyshnis was presented his Flight Qualification certificate.

Dan Mason discussed the Flight qualification program. Due to the fact that the program hasn’t been well controlled, it was decided by the Board Of Directors, that all current members as of the June meeting would be considered and Flight qualified. All new members from the date of the June 06 meeting will have to meet the Flight Qualification requirements. Flight qualification checklist can be obtained by calling Dan Mason at 360-876-9378

Old Business:

Jim McEdward discussed the Fathoms of Fun Parade parade. He requested those who were supplying airplanes for the float bring them to the parade staging area located on Port Orchard Blvd, June 24 by 4pm.

Lorin Miller discussed the "Kids Flight Program". He needs volunteers to help. (Instructors, pit crew members etc) The program will start at 9 AM July 31, 2006 and will be held on each Monday through August.

Dan Mason presented two options for the club hats, one was to have patches that would be sewn on the hats, second was to have the club logo embroidered on the hats. After some discussion about cost, design etc. A motion was made and seconded that the club purchase 50 embroidered hats in Navy blue. Dan Mason will order hats.

Monty is still in discussion with the land owners about the possible new float fly site. The proposal was to be brought up for discussion at the next land owners meeting. More information at the next meeting.

New Business/Members concerns:

Subject of a possible "Red Flag" time during flying days to allow those who are in training have some free air space was brought up. Discussion centered on the fact that some individuals may not feel comfortable flying on the buddy box with other aircraft in the air. Some members felt there was a need for this time and others felt that good communications and a simple request would do. It was decided to shelve this idea until it could be discussed by the Board of Directors.

Lorin Miller and Jim McEdwards wanted to know why there were plans to do away with the printed version of the newsletter. It was noted by Monty Foust-Editor that there are only 14 members who recieve the newsletter by mail and it takes a great deal of time to print each page of the newsletter. It was suggested that one full copy of the newsletter be posted on the bulletin board for those who don’t have computer access. As it didn’t seem to be a matter that could be solved during the meeting, it was decided that this matter should be forwarded to the President for discussion with the parties involved.

Bud Arnold stated he would donate a new windsock for the field.

Drawings and prizes.

The quarter drawing was won by Bill Power, but as he was not at the meeting he couldn’t collect his prize, Sorry Bill!!!!!!! Funds will be carried over to the next meeting.

Not enough tickets sold to give away the raffle plane. Need about $30.00 more to meet the cost. Tickets will be available at the next meeting.

Show and Tell:

Bruce Loughridge had a twin cylinder engine and held it up for all to see. He wants to know what his prize will be!

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. Next Meeting, July 10, 2006. 7:00 PM at the Flying site.

 

 

combat anyone?

 

Standings and pictures.

Click to see pictures of the 2006 Combat Season.

 

 

EDITORS NOTE

 

Hi ARCS,

 

 

I HAVE RECENTLY INSTALLED A SECTION CALLED MEMBER PROJECTS. IF YOU HAVE PICTURES OR A DESCRIPTION OF A CURRENT PROJECT, SEND THEM TO ME.

 

THANKS

 

MONTE FOUST 

 

 

 

!! NEXT MEETING Tuesday, July 11, 2006 "7pm"

 "AT THE FLYING FIELD"