Persons Present
David Lloyd-Jones Chairman & Delegate/CCMAA
Mike Colling FSMAE Vice Chairman / Wigan
Derek Gilbert Secretary & Treasurer/Sale MFC
Keith Barker PRO/Webmaster/ Rochdale MAC
Roy Allam Achievement Sch Co-ord/FCMFA
John O'Donnell Timperley MF
Tom Anyon Fylde Coast MFA
Gerry Ferer Timperley MF
Jim Radcliffe Timperley &DMFC
Wayne Pendleton CCMAA
Titch Little Lancaster AMMAC
Phil Owens N W Free Flight Group
Frank Fletcher RAF Shawbury MAC
W Sherman Bury Metro FC
Rob Tomlin Bury Metro FC
Dave Wilson Bury Metro FC
10 voting
The meeting started at 8.06pm
Apologies for absence
None
The Chairman informed the meeting of the recent sad loss of Syd Bostock-Lawton and that he had attended the funeral on behalf of the area. In recent years Syd had regularly attended this area's meetings, indoor meetings at Rochdale and in past years had held posts with the SMAE/BMFA. He will be missed by many flyers in the North West.
Correspondence.
Max Lloyd from the Lleyn club asked via E Mail to explain why we needed an isolating
switch in electric models as referred to by the Tech Sec in the club bulletin.
The explanation prompted a lengthy discussion and in particular concern that
with many models now having separate receiver batteries it was easy to switch
this off when retrieving the model and forgetting to unplug the main power battery.
Minutes of the meetings held on 6th October 2009 and 1st December 2009.
Corrections
None
The meeting approved the minutes with 2 abstentions.
Matters Arising.
Frank Fletcher thanked the meeting on behalf of the Shawbury Club for the cheque
received to cover the area scale fly in costs.
Gery Ferer asked if the Chairman had written to the BMFA Chairman and CEO regarding the continuing concerns about office staff being involved assisting clubs in the area without notice to us. He was informed that he had not written, but had spoken to them and would continue to raise the topic.
The "late" publishing of contest rules was discussed again. It was not clear why the old rules should'nt be used until the revised ones were published. The Chairman suggested that if this topic was to be continued it should be raised with the Free Flight Tec Committee.
Officers' Reports.
The Chairman noted that there had been little flying done recently and was not
able to attend the last Council meeting due to the weather.
Keith Barker reported that the last indoor meeting had been well attended with 38 flyers booked in. Gerry Ferer thanked Keith for the inclusion of society minutes on the N W web site.
Roy Allam raised the point that from 1 January there was a minimum weight limit of 1 kg for models taking the A and B tests. This lead to some discussion mainly that this was too low as this weight would not give enough experience if the new flyer moved swiftly to a large or powerful model. Tom Anyon was of the opinion that it was better left to the discretion of the examiner.
Council Agendas
The Agenda for the Area Council Meeting 30th January was reviewed.
It was assumed that the proposed Indoor A & B tests would be discussed again,
the consensus of the meeting was that they were not wanted, needed and were
a waste of time. It was particularly noted that if the "A" was not
to be used as a "Safe flyer test" and not to be used as a condition
to fly - what was it for?
It was felt that the council members should have a copy of the constitution
for the ASRC to consider before they are asked to vote on its adoption.
The meeting could not understand the need for the "A" to be passed
before the "B" and the Chairman was asked to vote against this proposal.
Area Fly-ins
Keith Barker confirmed that the Rochdale indoor events were being well supported.
Rob Tomlinson from Bury Metro informed the meeting that they were considering
organising an indoor event, R/C only and allowing helicopters, and asked if
the area would support them financially.
He also had some concerns over insurance and was advised to speak to Manny Williamson.
The Treasurer stated that it may well be possible for the area to assist to
get the event off the ground, as we had offered to assist a group of heli pilots
from the same club a few years ago for an indoor heli event, but would not be
able to make this a ongoing permanent support. It was suggested that when they
were certain of the location and costs they submit a budget detailing the financial
support they might need for the area to consider.
AOB
John O'Donnell asked what had happened to the trophies he gave to the area about
5 years ago and where are they now? The Secretary agreed to research the minutes
and report at the next meeting.
Frank Fletcher reported that a date for the Shawbury Scale Fly-in had not been
confirmed, but will be either 11 July or 15 August.
Frank showed the meeting an example of an embroidered badge and informed the
meeting that his wife was now able to produce these at a competative price and
if any club in the area needed any embroidery work doing please give him a ring
on 01939 233712
The meeting closed at 10.27pm.
These minutes are provisional until approved at the next area meeting.