Newsletter February 2008

As this is the first Newsletter for 2008 may we wish everyone a successful and safe flying year.

This time we are sending paper copies only to those who are not “connected” which is about half of the membership. The other half will get a copy attached to an Email and also a copy will be viewable on our web site. If any one has any problems in receiving a readable copy or your know of any one who is having difficulties please let me know.

Unfortunately we are in the midst of the caravan site closed season so I have not been flying at Penrhos for several weeks and will not be there until March. From what I have heard about the weather on the Lleyn to date not many days have been ideal for power models so I assume that not much flying has been done. It has not been too bad Wigan way so I have managed to fly some weekends and I have also done a lot of mending to all those airframes lost in the back of the garage.

Sorry there are no pictures this time.

Membership

The Club membership has reached 40 which is good for so early in the year. Please remember that until you have paid Malcolm you are not insured to fly. (Country members excepted, but we would still like your Club subscriptions).

There was confusion about BMFA fees for 2008 with some members who joined the Club in late October and November. These members received 15 months Club membership but only membership of the BMFA and insurance cover until the end of 2007. They also received a credit note from the BMFA towards the subscription for 2008. If you are one of these new members will you please make sure that you attach the credit note to your renewal application form when you send it to Malcolm. If you did not fly in the last two months of last year and feel that you were misinformed about the BMFA fees please let me, Max the secretary know.

Also if you have mislaid the credit note let me know.

Penrhos Landing Strip

No grass cutting is done during the winter months so the grass in the take off and landing area tends to become overgrown and the circle disappears. If the weather stays mild and cutting starts again in March you will find an oval cut instead of the circle. The farmer has agreed to the change in shape so long as the area cut does not increase. As we discussed at the AGM the new shape should give a longer run for some of the larger models we are now flying. I for one will have to learn how to take off cross wind but at least this may help me to avoid the dead air space towards the parked cars and the caravan.

War Birds and Swap Meet March 29th. and 30th.

We have advertised the event in several magazines and on various Web sites but as this is the first event of this type that we have hosted we are not sure how many will come. If you have, or you know a man who has, a suitable aircraft please bring it along and join in the flying. We are not putting posters and signs up locally as we do for the September Fly In but visitors are welcome.

Penrhos Convenience

For the convenience of ladies and children we will have a chemical toilet in the shed near to the caravan. During the season the toilet block on the caravan site is open so if possible please us this and keep the chemical for emergencies. Also so that we do not over fill our new convenience will the male members continue to use the facilities they have used for the last twenty years.