May ’07 President’s Message:

This is first because I need to grab your undivided attention. Be vigilant about checking for AMA insurance. The other day (Sunday) I ran in to a fellow who has been out a number of times over the last couple months and bragged to me about being a “renegade” flyer. This selfish @&$)%^@ + a few more expletives I'd like use ... doesn't seem to care that this is in violation of the Corp of Engineers park use regulations. This was not an oversight, this was deliberate. The multitude of signs we have posted concerning the need for insurance didn't seem to bother this guy either. Folks, this is YOUR field and YOUR facility that this bozo is putting in jeopardy. Don't just stand around and watch or wait for “the other guy”. Do something about it! Let these sort of people know that they are not welcome.

We've been doing very well at working around the Paradise Cove wedding ceremonies thanks to Mark Haman staying on top of it. The only day we had a miss was Friday, April 27th. A few people were flying (don't know if they were members or not) but they grounded themselves with out hesitation when a representative came over. So it worked out OK but I'd still prefer that we be proactive on this matter rather than reactive.

Check the website “ticker” that Drew Hendrix got running for the latest wedding event schedule. It is subject to change so, on the weekends, take a quick peek before you go out to see if anything is scheduled. And, if it is, it would be great if you would hang around at the field during this time to make sure that we honor our commitment. As of today the May Paradise Cove schedule is not yet available so please check our website (www.114thrc.org) )before you head out.

Now, on a more positive note ... another Outdoor Kids Adventure Days is behind us and it was our most successful yet. Check out Daniel's excellent and comprehensive article. When he gets tired of flying he could be a writer ...

There are many of you to thank for this but I think Dewey Walker and Daniel Cole deserve special recognition. They put in countless hours preparing for and during the event. Other contributors that really went above and beyond were:

• BEST BUY for loaning us four computers and large LCD displays by way of Daniel Cole
• GEEK SQUAD for sending out Jackie to support the computer equipment
• PEPSICO for donating a pallet of Gatorade by way of member Larry Hilgert
• ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS for two Hobbico Superstar trainers complete with radios, engines, buddy boxes, cables and two Real Flight G3.5 simulators through the T.A.G. (Take off And Grow) program that Daniel Cole secured for us
  
• David Vilbig for all the food and drinks on Sunday that he donated
• Shane Allen for making a 360 degree panoramic photo of our field and loading it into G3.5 so that the simulators flew at our field. Very cool!
• Everyone that donated several hours to as much as both days to help with pits, simulators, frequency control, flying, food preparation, field preparations and just general support. We couldn't have done it without you!

All in all, an excellent job by all and I know first hand that the folks at the City of Grapevine were very impressed by what we had going on and the number of people that were taking part. Chris Smith,  City of Grapevine Recreation Superintendent, got in some “stick time” with his daughter and couldn't say enough about how much fun (and how tough!) it was.

Everyone that participated in any way should be very proud of the accomplishment. We look outstanding in the community and to model aviation, even at the national level. Mr. Jack Frost, AMA Education Coordinator in Muncie, told Daniel Cole that we were way above most groups when it comes to involvement and how we promote model aviation. He was not surprised that we received the (TAG) grant and although he accepted our thanks for the TAG award, he pointed out that the real thank you should go to the District VIII Vice President Jim Rice. Although all the applications were collected by the AMA in Muncie, they were grouped according to AMA district and forwarded to the respective District VP for the final selection. We should all feel honored to have gained the confidence of our national organization and to be one of the clubs chosen to promote our wonderful pastime to the community. We're, nay, YOU are doing something very right folks!

Next up is Grapevine Main Street Days on May 18 – 20.  Although we have to man our display for the three days, we can easily work with as little as one or two volunteers. The main focus will be to help visitors with the simulators and talk about model aviation. Easy! Any of you can do this. So ... if you have a couple free hours please sign up for a shift or two. We do need you help because we have a contractual obligation to man our booth for the entire time. And besides, I  guarantee that you'll have a good time.

See you at our next regular meeting Tuesday, May 8th at 7:00PM at the field. Come early and do some flying before. See you there!

Darrell ...