Club Meeting Report for February 4th, 2023
Meeting opened 7:30 pm – President Marecellino presiding
Attendance: (18) members & (2) guests
Announcements:
1. Club dues are due, $35. Don’t forget AMA and FAA renewal as applicable.
2. President Marcellino is still working on the Club Events calendar. Marcellino will email out to membership when completed.
3. Bowling Night Event is planned for April 13, Brian D. to verify.
4. Gun Range Event is planned for April 16, Gregg Ross to verify.
6. Winter Fun Fly is planned for February 26th or March. Gregg Ross and Ed Kamm are organizing event.
7. Marcellino stated that there is no new update on the field. Marcellino is working a a quote to scrape the asphalt field and then put a 2-inch topcoat of asphalt on top of it. Marcellino t present to the Forest Preserve when he has solid cost numbers.
Minutes of January 6th meeting read by Mike Celli and accepted.
Treasury Report: Given by Vice President Jim Collins and accepted ($6,869.60 Total).
Guests: 1) New member Bob Berkley. Actually a past member from the 70’s and 80’s. Welcome back Bob !! 2) Gianna, Tyler’s niece. Thanks for keeping us company Gianna ! 🙂
Committee Reports: None.
Old Business: Please read the following from the January 6th Club Meeting:
**VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL CLUB MEMBERS**
President Marcellino was contacted by David Panitch with the Cook County Forest Preserve regarding the club asphalt field.
The following was discussed with Mr. Panitch:
1. Cook County Forest Preserve (CCFP) is scheduled to have pavement work done summer of 2023.
2. Current CCFP budgets will not support replacement of the runway at its current size, estimate to replace asphalt 200’x200′ @ $100k.
3. CCFP is recommending the current field be torn out and replaced with just grass while contractors are on site.
4. CRCM is requesting if a smaller asphalt runway can be put in, 50’x100′ in lieu of grass.
5. CRCM is requesting if a smaller asphalt runway cannot be budgeted, that CCFP leave the damaged asphalt field as-is for now.
6. CRCM is requesting that the grass runway alternative be the VERY LAST option if the current asphalt field cannot be left as-is.
** If ANY club member wants to provide their opinion about what will potentially happen to the flying field due to the wishes of the CCFP, please contact President Marcellino. The danger is that the Club Field could be removed permanently severely restricting the type of aircraft that can be used at the field. **
As a side conversation, Vice President Jim Collins spoke at length about the proposed taking over of ALL airspace from 5,000 feet to ground level for use by future air taxis and drones by the likes of Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc. AMA is not currently actively trying to stop this takeover by applying for club FRIA zones (Recognized Identification Areas) of the airspace which could lead to the eventual elimination of Aeromodeling hobby all together. All AMA members should contact the AMA regarding this issue.
Tips and Tricks: None.
Model of the Month: 1) Brian D. – Presented foam and wood floats for his airplanes that he is working on, 2) Tyler – Showed Club his super racer airplane that he bought used. Was scratch built to be FAST, 3) Al Brose-Showed off his modified Smith Special / Diamond T. aircraft.
Raffle: Conducted by Jim Collins; White Ticket $80.00 prize: Ed. Kamm, Transmitter: Bob Carroll.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.