Older News - 2008

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12/31/08:

A Message from the President

I'd like to open this last letter by showing my appreciation to the officers, board members, club members, and picnic crew that supported the positive changes that have been made over the six years of my presidency.

Six years ago we started with a budget that caused us to cancel 2 of the 3 picnics. We, as a club just didn't have the funds .Not only have those picnics come back full force but even more events have been added . A training program was instituted yielding many competent fliers you can trust in the air next to you. An emergency fund was established along with guidelines in the event of a field or club catastrophe. Many club raffles and 50/50's were held. Club airplane benches were constructed, spools and tents brought in. New fence was installed in the pit area and by the farmer side. A big new grill was purchased. Positive Bylaw changes were made as well as bringing back the holiday party. We not only added a heli area but welcomed within our airplane club new heli pilots and bylaws pertaining to the heli's. We also established an IMAA chapter within our club and successfully held our first event. All this was done while the field year by year was expanded 30% across, completely cleared on the corn side as well as the incredible change by the factory side.

I used words like we, us and the club. These are the many people it took to accomplish all this. I always tried my best to make recommendations that were fair to the interests of club, the whole club not just my group of friends or myself. To all my friends that stood by me, that believed in the changes and direction we took the club - be proud of yourselves. I thank you.

The Five officers coming in are all good men. I've worked with all of them in one way or another and their past records speak for themselves .You can trust they will do a fine job. To all at the East Coast Swamp Flyers, have a great new year we'll see you on the flight line.

Mark ECSF Pres.

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12/14/08:

Swamp Flyers 2008 Christmas Party - 7pm - Bobby's Pizza, North Branford

We will be holding our annual Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17th at 7pm, at Bobby's Pizza in North Branford. There will be a ton of free pizza, beverages, and a lot of RC talk. Also as a reminder, dues for the 2009 flying year are due by December 30th. Joe Malec, our current Treasurer and President Elect will be at the Christmas Party and will be collecting dues if you would like to bring it.

Directions to the Bobby's Apizza are as follows:

Bobby's Apizza
1179 Foxon Rd.
North Branford, CT 06471

91S to Exit 8. At the end of the ramp turn Left onto 80. Follow 80 aka. "Foxon Blvd / Rd" for approximately 6 miles to Bobby's Pizza. It is approximately 3 miles past the Foxon Community Center and Fire Station.

91N to Exit 8. At the end of the ramp turn Right onto 80. Follow 80 aka. "Foxon Blvd / Rd" for approximately 6 miles to Bobby's Pizza. It is approximately 3 miles past the Foxon Community Center and Fire Station.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.

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12/3/08:

New club officers voted in:

The new club officers and board members are as follows:

President: Joe Malec
Vice President: Ed Berlin
Secretary: Adam Martin
Safety Officer: Chris Petriccione
Treasurer: Dennis Keegan
Board of Directors: Charlie Doane, Jim Cyr, Dave Teer

Congratulations to all the new Officers and Board Members!!!

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12/3/08:

The motion for the By-Law addition concerning helicopters was discussed thoroughly and passed unanimously. This new By-Law is an addition to the current By-laws pertaining to helicopters that passed at the October Meeting.

The new By-Law reads as follows:

In order for two helicopters to fly in the fixed wing airspace at the same time, the below conditions and rules must be followed:

• There must be no fixed wing aircraft with the intent to fly. "Intent" means that a fixed wing pilots AMA Card must be in their designated frequency slot on the frequency board, and their plane must be ready for flight.
• One of the two helicopter pilots must utilize the far left pilot station and the other helicopter pilot must utilize the far right pilot station.
• The helicopter pilot utilizing the far right pilot station must physically place their helicopter on the designated helicopter take-off and landing pad which is located (25' to the right & 10' forward) of the far-right pilot station. The Helicopter pilot must then return to the far-right pilot station, call out "take-off", and enter the pattern of flight.
• When landing, helicopter pilots must land their helicopters on the same take-off and landing pad.
• As soon as there is a fixed wing aircraft with the intent to fly, helicopters may only be flown from the far left pilot station when flying in the fixed wing airspace.

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12/3/08

The flying field has unfortunately been torn up again, and this time it appears to have been a full size vehicle that did the damage. The club members decided to put a new lock on the gate. Chris Petriccione (Safety Officer) will be using his torch to open up the viewing port and cutting a hole in the top for more light. This will allow members to see the lock and enter the new combination.