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Clubs and Associations > Texas Renegade Rotorz

dougmc
Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

I've been a member of HCAM for about six years now. I started out with the standard glow trainer, then got a Zagi 400, and some other glow planes, more electrics, then I got into slope soaring and thermal gliding and most recently I've started flying electric helicopters. I haven't been at the HCAM field often lately, as I've mostly been flying gliders and helicopters, but I try to make it once in a while.

I met a few of y'all eight days ago (Sunday) -- I was the guy who flew a Blade CP for a few minutes, and then I couldn't get my Superfly (an 0.061 powered delta wing foamie plank) going (which is why I don't do much glow anymore ...)

In any event, I wanted to go out this last weekend, but work prevented it. I went out today (monday) after work, however, and there's signs up everywhere --

Guest flying priviledges suspended as of 07/17/2006 pending
clarification of guidelines by the Board of Governers.

Well, I don't think I'm right about the `pending clarification of guidelines' part (I didn't write it down), but I got the rest right. Obviously an impact was made on somebody.

Don't be too hard on the club. Most of the members are very nice guys and interested in any aspect of the hobby. But there are indeed a few people who give anybody doing anything `different' a hard time. I've had similar problems flying my Zagi 400 at the field (and this was even when I was known as a regular), various park fliers and my glow owered Butterfly glider (it's huge but incredibly slow, which annoyed some.) And recently the club just added a rule banning `park fliers' to the club rules -- I've yet to figure out how that's defined or even what prompted it. Obviously somebody got annoyed at something. (But not at me, at least not this time, not that I know of!)

As for having your channel number on your radio, that's just a good idea all around, no matter where or what you fly. I'd suggest doing that with any radio that you don't regularly change channels on, and
create some flags to stick on your radio for radios that are synthesized or you change modules/crystals often on. And in a pinch, a piece of paper, a pen and some tape are all you need to create a perfectly valid frequency flag. They'll look at you funny, but they won't say anything

Yes, many members of the club fly without frequency flags. Actually, several of the rules aren't enforced very well, at least not for the regulars. Maybe they'll start enforcing some of the rules more seriously/evenly after this `incident' (does it even qualify as an `incident'?) -- that could be a good thing.

In any event, when somebody says `You can't do X, it's against the rules!', `But he's doing it!' is never really a very good response, even if it's accurate. A better response would be to say `I'm sorry, I didn't realize that was the rule, I'll fix it.' and maybe add a `You might want to tell that guy over there about the rule too.' if you really have to throw it in there (but it rarely accomplishes anything.)

Next club meeting is 7PM, August 14th, at the Manchaca Firehall, 1310 F.M.1626, 1.5 miles South of Slaughter. They've always said that guests and prospective members are welcome ...

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

Frolin
Heliman
Location: San Antonio, Texas

Future Considerations

Good Evening,

I would like to ask a couple questions, that maybe would be considerations for future, non-formal Fun Flys or maybe call them, "Socials". So please consider these maybe newbie questions, and also a fresh different approach to asking how maybe to handle items that recent postings have questioned.

1) When there is a "Social" and using what might be normally a "airplane field", could considerations be asked for maybe the first 15 minutes of each hour to be open to "3D Stunt Flying" with zone limits and suspend the normal 'flight pattern'? Would mean that all at the field could expect, non-pattern flying the first 15 minutes of any hour, and could expect the normal maybe oval flight pattern the rest. Maybe a cheap sign to hang on the fence line to say "15 minute 3D window in effect".

All parties, planes and helicopters would respect this. Not saying you can't do 3D stuff during the other 45 minutes, only that you would do it clearly and safely outside and away from the normal flight pattern.

2) Should a formal email or letter (not verbal) be sent to at least two key club or group contacts, like the President and Vice President, and sent at least 2-3 weeks before hand. So its plenty of time for postings to go up at the field. Maybe at least the two weekends before hand, there could be a flyer posted about the event.

This may advise most/many about the planned event. And at least help to give some advance notice to the regulars that, there is some event gonna happen on an up coming date. So thus they can come to see and fly with, or do other things that date if not interested.

3) It is fare to ask any "Visiting Pilot" to make some donation or payment to the club for use of their facilities. Good general concept is always be thankful and try to pay to play there. Even a small donation to the club, maybe $3-$5, id no Visitors Fee is asked.

Also have a 'donation jar' as well during events. Many who go to these meets or socials, me included at this stage, are not flying. But we are a presence and are a "guest". We take up parking space, put another body on the field, and use their bathroom. Why don't we all drop a couple bucks in a jar?

4) A sorta-formal set of "Flying Guidelines" to sign off on by all visiting pilots (I mean 'sign' the sign). A simple list of the do's and don'ts of the field. Where and when you can fly, and what kind of flying where and when.

If each pilot saw and signed of on a larger Poster Board size sign stuck up that day, everyone present would be able to clearly point to the sign and say "Hey Bob, it says no buzzing over the picnic tables".

5) Seems most transmitters have a good chance of clashing with another pilot's gear. Why not use the "Frequency Board" that most fields seem to have, and move it out to the taxi way instead of inside. And have a sign in list for everyone bringing a radio.

You could also have 'use clips', so that if Bob has the clip for Channel X, should mean Frank and Jack know its in use, if the clip is not on the Board it should be on the radio thats in use by teh guy flying at present.

Maybe we can move away from arguing over what went wrong Saturday, and consider talking about ways to improve future events? I'm not saying ignore the problems we saw, but seems a handful of guys are in the boxing ring now, let them do it off-line and turn the conversations here to positive and productive chatter.

HECK, lets just change gears and talk about all the FUN that people had Saturday. Talk about how Bob did that great inverted card-wheel thing and ask where Frank got that gidget you liked so much.

I was one of the early posters asking some questions. I apologize if that helped to start this fire. It was NOT my intention. I'm new and ask to learn. Please don't mix the words above with issues you saw Saturday. Maybe consider, are these items valid, no matter where a group gets together?

thank-you for your consideration,
Frolin

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

MJCleve
Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

Frolin

I am breaking my no more post on this. But I had to say your post was exactly what I meant by the respect and courtesy comments earier. The majority of the people that have spoken to me about this past Sat. were not so much upset about it being helis but the feeling that, the guest policy was taken advantage of to hold a fun-fly and circumvent the board and vote by the general membership. The sad thing is all the hard feeling could have been avoided and a hardy handshake given for getting that many pilots to attend a first time event

Thanks and Take Care
Matt

07-18-2006 Over year old.

Frolin
Heliman
Location: San Antonio, Texas

`
Matt,

Ok, thanks, I believe we gather that. Can we move away from the negative discussion? Maybe talk about things to do different at future events, no matter which is field used. Or even just start talking about the fun people had.

...it would be read have some fun messages again...

thanks for considering this,
Frolin
`

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

KennyS
Veteran
Location: Marble Falls, Tx

Frolin

Quote
HECK, lets just change gears and talk about all the FUN that people had Saturday.

Yep, it was a ball. I was so impressed with the field the other day I am going to join.

Quote
Can we move away from the negative discussion?

Absolutely: The purpose of this thread is to bring area pilots together and not to battle any indifference's.

Kenny

07-18-2006 Over year old.

SubSailor
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX.

Make no mistake, they are reading every single word we type here. I want to make this perfectly clear, I want this to go away. I DO NOT want to stir the pot. I DO NOT want to cause ANYONE any grief or heartache. I would LOVE IT if we could all "just get along". I'm not trying to slam this field, I LOVE this field and there are plenty of great people there. But, there is history here and there is alot going on behind the lines that many of you are not aware of.

I have spoken to Matt and I think he is a great guy with good intentions. I know he too wants this to "just go away" but that isn't going to happen. Matt, I respect you and your opinion but let me say this and I guess I'm done. I understand what some of you are saying about being positive and I agree, to a point. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to work with some of the "vocal few" at this club. I came into this club with an extremely positive attitude. They managed to destroy that in less than two months, as well as my 11yr old son and wife's attitude too. This, not even taking into account most of the other heli and even a few plane pilots that are extremely frustrated.

Lets take a look at their most recent action, there are now signs posted all over the field suspending Guest Privaleges. Why is that? Two reasons; number one because of our little "mini-FF" and number two, because of a nice college student. Just so happens both are helicopter related, huh, imagine that. Your all aware of the mini-FF event so no reason to rehash that one. The college student I would like to elaborate on. He used to be a member of the field and flew 3D airplanes, of course that was a problem. Words were exchanged and like just about any 20yr old male when they gave him some lip, he gave it back. That won't stand so he was an outcast. He let his membership lapse and joined the north field where he was welcomed with open arms. BUT, he still does have friends down here at this field so every once in a blue moon, usually on a Sunday afternoon when there are no more plane pilots at the field, he comes down to fly with us for a couple of hours. I've seen him there twice in the last 4-6 weeks. Both times he was there I witnessed Senior officers of the club call him on his cell phone and give him much grief for being at their field. This past Sunday they flat out told him "He WAS NOT allowed to fly until he paid his membership dues". Pay or get off our property. Our rules CLEARLY state that a member of another sactioned field can fly there as a guest, he was in perfect compliance with the club rules yet they forced him to pay up or leave. Sound fair? Nope. They have once again selectively enforced the rules to strike out at heli pilots. As just a side note; on the day of our little fun fly there were aiplane pilots at the field from S.A., they were there as guests.

There is absolutely no need to put up all those signs. For one, I explained, to several officers of the club, exactly what happened with our little get together on Saturday and how we did not realize that the turn out would be so large. They "claimed" they understood but not to let it happen again, and I agreed and apologized over and over again. I re-assured them that it would not happen again with out discussing it with the club officers and setting it up as it should be. Secondly, the college kid finally caved to them and paid the dues they were demanding from him on Sunday. So, the signs are absolutely unneccasary, yet, there they are.

On Monday morning I typed a sincere, humble letter of apology to ALL the officers of the club(I will post a copy below). In that letter I explained to them how the "little get-together" grew much larger than we realized it would and that my efforts were not meant to cause anyone grief but were meant to help our field/club. My intent, among others, was to hopefully gain new members for our club, promote our club, help expand the hobby, commradery, and also to try and prove to several prospective members that our field was indeed helicopter friendly, or at least trying to be so. I sent that letter to 14 officers and club members. I have yet to receive even a single response acknowledging said letter. Once again proving exactly what type of people we are dealing with here. They have no interest in solving this "problem", well actually they do, by banning us. Maybe I should say "they have no intentions of handling it in a civil manner". If they were "caring" and wanted to "promote the hobby" as they claim you would think they would be willing to at least make an attempt to meet us half way. Instead of raising all the hell that they are, instead of making an attempt at banning all helicopters from their field wouldn't it just have been easier to just say "Ok Guys, we realize it wasn't intentional and we know you didn't do it on purpose but PLEASE don't do that again without first setting it up with us so we can plan accordingly"??? That's all it would have taken. It's that simple. Done. But instead they have chosen a different path that will most certainly lead to disaster.

I keep hearing how it's not a helicopter vs airplane thing, well I hate to break it to you all but it is exactly that. Like I said before, if it had been all airplanes that day we would be heros not zeros. Right now they have called an "Emergency board meeting" and from what I hear their intentions are to BAN ALL HELICOPTERS from their field! Don't be surprised when Jan 1 rolls around and their charter is changed to Airplanes Only. Pretty much what Georgetown did to the glider pilots. By the way, where's Georgetown now??

Here is a copy of my letter of apology.

Dear Sirs,

I wanted to send this letter out to you all for several reasons, but my two most important reasons are first to offer an explanation of how this all came about and secondly to apologize. This little get together of heli pilots was by no means done out of spite or to try and stir the pot, actually my intentions were the exact opposite! As some of you may know a month or two back a Hirobo factory rep. had come down to our field to try and help me get my new helicopter set up and flying correctly. He was also coming down to our field to "scout it out" as he had several people from his area that were interested in joining our field but had heard nasty rumours about whether the field was "helicopter friendly" or not. Well to make a long story short, things didn't turn out to well that day and he left with a negative view of our club. So, I began to try and convince him and his friends to give us another chance and come try our field again. After some conversing back and forth they agreed to come back.

Well, as we all saw on Saturday it grew from there. I did not realize that that many people would show up, our orginal plan was that somewhere around 5-7 heli pilots would show up. Maybe a few family members etc but neither he nor I realized it would turn into what it did. I did mention to a club officer the previous weekend that I had invited "some" helicopter pilots back down but he(and I) didn't realize at the time it would have such a turn out. So, for that I offer my sincerest apologies, I had absolutely NO INTENTIONS of causing any ill feelings or "ruining any airplane pilot's day". I was just trying to prove to a few people that our field is friendly and was hopeing to gain the club some more new members. Again, I am very sorry if I caused anyone any harm or put them out, as that was not my intentions at all.

To be honest I had thought it went very well. I had several people, some being club members, come up to me and congratulate me on a "job well done" etc. Kevin Kelly, a member at HCAM for over two years came up to me and told me he was proud at what I had accomplished and said that I had done more for the club that day(in reference to heli pilots and plane pilots getting along) than he could have ever imagined. I was beaming, proud that I may have been able to help the club and fellow pilots. So, you can imagine my surprise when the "gossip" started getting back to me that "some" Club Officers were very unhappy! I heard that the President of our club was even talking in the LHS about banning all helicopters! I was floored as I had expected the exact opposite reaction. I thought you guys would be proud that so many heli pilots were interested in our field. Several of the visiting heli flyers had voiced to me that they now had every intention of joining our field as permanent members. All of the heli flyers wanted to offer their thanks to the club and it's officers and members for having them. Everyone of them came up to me and asked me to PLEASE thank the club, it's members and officers for "putting up with them". They said they had a wonderful time and would be back. Many of them wanted to donate "landing Fee's" to the club for their hospitality and for having them. I had planned on coming into work on Monday morning and forwarding all of their thoughts and Thank You's to you, the Senior Officers but looks like I'm now typing up a completely different letter this morning.

I realize there were a few "incidents" that day but I didn't think it was much out of the ordinary for a Fun Fly. If some others feel differently I again offer my sincerest apologies as most of us meant no harm and just wanted to have a good day and for everyone to have fun. Please understand that I had no idea that this "little get together" would have such a turn out. Had I known I would have gladly alerted the Senior Officers of the club and asked for "landing fee's" or donations to the club. I would like to take this time to make this offer to the club; I've been told that the standard "landing fee's" for a fun fly are somewhere around $10-15 per person. From a group photo I saw of the "event" I counted 13 heli pilots(if I'm off on my number let me know). I would like to make this right and would be willing to pay double the $10 landing fee for each heli pilot present that day. So far I'm looking at $260 or so, and I would be more than happy to pay that out of my own pocket to the club. Or if you would rather have me pay that towards the airplane pilots that feel they were inconvienenced that day I will gladly do that then.

Sirs, as I hope I have been able to convey, I nor anyone else that day meant to cause any animosity between any of the club members. Please offer my sincerest apologies to anyone that is upset over that day and please let them know that my intentions were good. I had my heart in the right place but turns out it didn't turn out that way I guess. I don't know what else to say except that I am sorry for what has happened, I meant no harm.

Sincerely,
John
HCAM club member

Note: I would like to point out that here, almost one year later I never received one single response from them on the above letter of apology.

I would also like to point out that out of the 13(wow, such a huge number of pilots) orginal heli pilots 6 of them were at the time of the so called "funfly" full official members of hcam. So, all this uproar was actually started over 7 guest pilots. SEVEN.

Fromeco Field Rep.
A day without sunshine is, well.., alot like night time.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

SubSailor
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX.

I wanted to add one more thing. As you can probably tell from my letter of apology, I am the type of person that has absolutely no problem admitting guilt, wrong doing or taking the blame, even when it's really not called for. I have been told by quite a few people, both club members and non-members, that I have nothing to apologize for and that instead I should be proud of what I accomplished.

My greatest wish right now is for all of this to smooth over and/or just go away. I want us ALL to be able to enjoy the nice field they have built there. I love watching the planes fly. I love looking at them in admiration. I like little planes and big ones. Slow ones and fast ones. RC cars and boats. Gliders, I love em all.

If they do decide to step up to the plate and handle this in a fair and civil matter I will be the first person to stand and applaud them. I will show support, delete posts, promote the field, walk around shaking hands and offering my sincerest apologies, whatever it takes. I have absolutely no problem in doing that. As a matter of fact, I want that. And to be honest, I think they as well as all of us need that. It would take nothing but a simple phone call or email.

Sincerely,
John

Fromeco Field Rep.
A day without sunshine is, well.., alot like night time.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

jperch
Senior Heliman
Location: Round Rock, Tx USA

John,
I support and applaud your efforts in this. You definitely sound like the bigger man in all this. For me personally, I am going to hold off on making the offer to join that club at the moment. I understand your intent and applaud it as well. I also have some very good friends who have announced that they will be joining your club in support. For me however, I have already taken on a fight similar to yours. I am afraid to say that at this moment I am feeling quite defeated in my battle. As a result I have no energy or motivation to help you with yours. I am sorry, I wish I could. I just don't have it in me.

I hope you are successful in your endeavor. I really believe that your's is the just cause with the potential to do the most for the field and the hobby.

I just have one thing more to say. I am afraid that I do not agree with you on one minor point. You state that this is most definitely a battle against heli's. I agree that it is a battle against heli's right now. But once this has passed, they will be doing battle with the next group that isn't them. Just like your example of the college student. He started out as a fixed wing pilot. They didn't like the way he flew and they drove him out. That was a battle between them and him. Now it is a battle between them and heli pilots. Some time in the future it will be a battle between them and who knows. So, ultimately it is not just a battle between fixed wing and rotary. It is a battle between those cranky, old, washed up, failing health, memory lapsing, Geritol taking, flying planes to recapture their youth, geriatric patients and whoever is not in their clique.

Again, I wish you the best. Perhaps in a short span of time my attitude will change and I can play a more supportive role to help you.

regards,
Joe

07-18-2006 Over year old.

LaptopZZ
Heliman
Location: Greenwood, IN / Austin, TX

As a side note...

The officials were having an impromptu meeting the other week and a good portion was spent complaining about the lack of pilots recently when there used to be long lines of planes. They eventually blamed it on the economy, which in their defense is probably a piece, but I wouldn't say it solves the puzzle.

~Matt

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

SubSailor
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX.

Joe,
Thank you for the kind response. Sorry to hear about your ongoing "battle", I wish you the best. I understand how you feel and I hope that one day, if this all works out, that you too will become a member of HCAM and fly with us at this great field.

I realize that at this moment the "battle" is only until we either go away, they force us to go away or some other new fangled flying machine shows up that bugs them more than we do.(Could someone PLEASE invent a flying machine that bugs them more than heli's!!) But it just so happens that that is all I have to fly right now so I guess I must either defend or retreat. I think you know which side of the fence I'm on there.

Sincerely,
John

Fromeco Field Rep.
A day without sunshine is, well.., alot like night time.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

SteveH
rrProfessor
Location: Texas

Guys,

I certainly understand the situation up there and wish I could help in any way, but I do have a request...please stop talking about

Quote
cranky, old, washed up

flyers, as some of us heli pilots if not already, soon will fit those discriptions!

SteveH
Magnum Fuel
AMA76186

07-18-2006 Over year old.

SubSailor
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX.

Quote
The officials were having an impromptu meeting the other week and a good portion was spent complaining about the lack of pilots recently when there used to be long lines of planes. They eventually blamed it on the economy,

Wow. And to think I had the nerve to try and gain membership for them.

Fromeco Field Rep.
A day without sunshine is, well.., alot like night time.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

KennyS
Veteran
Location: Marble Falls, Tx

Quote
I certainly understand the situation up there and wish I could help in any way, but I do have a request...please stop talking about cranky, old, washed up flyers, as some of us heli pilots if not already, soon will fit those discriptions

Steve, you don't fit that description! Just consider your self seasoned. At least that's what my wife say's to me all the time

Kenny

07-18-2006 Over year old.

SubSailor
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX.

Oh yeah, I forgot to post this. A few people asked me where I got my new, fancy, super duper canopy painted. Got it done at Ricko's Place. He's a great guy, has great prices, does great work and best of all you don't have to wait four months to get it back! Here's his website: www.rickosplace.com If you should decide to have him paint your canopy please let him know that I sent ya. Thanks!

John

Fromeco Field Rep.
A day without sunshine is, well.., alot like night time.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

averen
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX

Quote
Could someone PLEASE invent a flying machine that bugs them more than heli's!!

Those are called gliders

Jared

Knowledge is Power, Power Corrupts, Study Hard...Be EVIL!

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

dougmc
Heliman
Location: Austin, TX

Quote
could considerations be asked for maybe the first 15 minutes of each hour to be open to "3D Stunt Flying" with zone limits and suspend the normal 'flight pattern'?

Of course it could. But you're the guest, so are you really in a position to ask them to change their rules to accomodate you? You'll need to fly within the rules established.

The `pattern' is more of a courtesy to the other fliers than anything else. If you're up by yourself, you can fly any way and any where you want (well, short of the no-fly zones, of course.) If there's more than one person up, you're supposed to either fly in the pattern, or fly way outside of the pattern so you're not interfering with the people in the pattern. And of course, if everybody flying agrees on something, you can do that instead of the pattern.

Several regular club members tend to not fly in the pattern, even when they're not alone. Perhaps it's not fair, perhaps it's not right, but it's the way it is, and it's easiest to just stay out of their way. Certainly, telling them that they're not staying in the pattern isn't going to be very productive. And it is mostly an airplane club, so that's what the rules are aimed at -- helicopters are mostly an afterthought. More helicopter-flying members and more helicopter flying could change this ...

Quote
Should a formal email or letter (not verbal) be sent to at least two key club or group contacts, like the President and Vice President, and sent at least 2-3 weeks before hand.

For a formal event, they'll want more warning than that, and it'll probably be discussed at a meeting and voted on and such. (And to be fair, if it's something that most members, especially the people who are at the field every weekend) can't/won't participate in, it probably will be voted down.)

For an informal event, with just a bunch of friends flying, I'm not sure any sort of warning is needed or even appropriate. (Though it should be interesting to see what sort of rules come out of this to require such notifications.)

Quote
It is fare to ask any "Visiting Pilot" to make some donation or payment to the club for use of their facilities.

It's fair, but HCAM has never (or not in a very long time) charged guests a fee (though some formal events have had an entry fee.) Nobody is really set up to take your money, and they won't know what to do with it. My advice? If you're going to fly there once, just introduce yourself and say `thanks!'. If you're going to fly there several times, join. (And the club could certainly use more helicopter pilots!)

Offers to pay a landing fee will probably just be seen as an attempt to fly without joining. It sounds wierd, but offering to pay will probably make you be seen as more of a `freeloader' than just saying `thanks!'.

Quote
Why not use the "Frequency Board" that most fields seem to have, and move it out to the taxi way instead of inside

You absolutely must use the frequency board while you're there (or at any other club that has one), but as for moving it, well, that's up to the club. Having to move it suggests that there's more going on than just a bunch of friends flying ...

Personally, if you want to go as a large group to some field, even if it's not some sort of formal thing, I'd suggest at least going over the field rules beforehand and making sure everybody knows about them and that everybody is in compliance with them, with every little detail. Then when you're there, introduce yourself, chat a bit with the regulars, complement their airplanes and/or flying, and if they do give you some grief, remember that you're the guest ...

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

ChopperDude
Senior Heliman
Location: Round Rock , TX

Well, I was amazed when I logged in and found this long thread about our little funfly. Here are my observations on the event:

1. As a member of Hill Country Radio Control in the 80's, the attitude towards others of certain senior members has not changed. The focus has just changed to helos from whatever bothered them in the past.

2. It is not the guests fault that the proper internal procedures were not followed to organize this event but it sounds like it did get alot bigger than anticipated. For someone to get on this board and rip us for ruining helo flying at their field was uncalled for.

3. There were a few occasions of improper flying by helos's, which included setting up at the upwind side of the field and flying 3D over the center of the runway. Most helo pilots are not used to following the rules of a plank field. There should have been a safety briefing explaining the field rules prior to the start of the event.

4. The plankers had their own violations of their own rules. On multiple occasions, planks flew over the top of the helo field at the far end of the runway. I have seen other cases of trying to fly helos off the end of a runway and it never works.

I had my AMA card and flew pattern. I have nothing to apologize for. As to this club trying to ban helos, get the AMA and the City of Austin involved. This has been tried at many fields across the country with mixed results. The City might be a better avenue since they are providing the field at minimal costs and Helos are a sanctioned aircraft according to the AMA.

Finally, it will be a cold day in Hell before I would join this field. Good luck, Bill

07-18-2006 Over year old.

dougmc

Heliman - Location: Austin, TX -

Quote
As to this club trying to ban helos, get the AMA and the City of Austin involved.

The AMA won't care. As far as the AMA is concerned, the club can run their club and field as they see fit.

The City of Austin might care, but probably won't care in the way you want them to. ANYTHING that puts the hobby into a bad light, even simple internal squabbling, will just make R/C look `bad' to the city. In response, they could decide not to renew the HCAM lease (which seems extreme, but it's a possiblity if something bad happened) and the city could even go so far as banning all R/C flying in the city limits except for fields like HCAM. Other cities have done precisely this already. Many members of the club might welcome this, but as somebody who does most of his R/C flying outside of the club field, I most certainly do NOT want this, and you probably don't either. Don't bother the City of Austin or the Parks and Recreation department! (And the PARD really does like the HCAM, so they're not likely to interfere, at least not in any way that will help your cause.)

If you want to do something useful about it, show up at the club meeting August 15th. Joining the club first would add additional weight to your arguments, but I can certainly understand not wanting to join a club with a history of not being terribly friendly to helicopters. The Board of Directors has meetings every sunday at the field itself, but these meetings aren't really intended for `outsiders'.

In any event, I suspect that people will suggest/have already suggested banning helicopters completely, but I don't see the club actually doing it. Instead, they'll probably make some new rules (or adjust old rules) regarding the use of the fields by guests, and perhaps some more rules regarding helicopter flight, and I suspect that they'll be worked out by the board of directors, and discussed/announced (and perhaps voted upon, but the votes almost never fail) at the August 15th meeting.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

HOMEPAGE

RCtaz
Veteran
Location: Leander, TX

I want to say that I had a great time saturday again. I loved the fact that we all got together and had a wonderful day. It bothers me that we upset folks doing so. I told Matt that I would like to come to the board meeting and address the board to let them know we ment no harm in showing up at there field.

With that said, I think that we have veared off course on this thread and would like to get back to where this thread was ment to be heading and that is to be bringing us together for the good of the hobby.

As I told Matt when I talked to him on the phone and said in my post I think this should have never been brought to light on this thread until some sort of measure was taken by HCMA with the club members involved with our social. John Im not saying you should get in trouble by any means but even if Matt didnt mean it to sound like he was jumping down the throats of the guest of members for showing up at your field they should have talked to you first.

I reopened this thread from another thread that had lost its way and dont want this thread to look like a bitch session of any sorts. I also dont want folks getting the ideal that the Texas Renegade Rotorz (or the folks that want to be involved with this group) are trouble makers by any means.

With this being said I hope we can drop this and get back to planning on another get together in the future and keep having fun with the hobby we all love.

~Texas Renegade Rotorz~

07-18-2006 Over year old.

SubSailor
Veteran
Location: Austin, TX.

RCTaz,
Man I'm with you. No matter what has been said in here, I had a blast with you all Saturday! I'm sorry Mike that we have hijacked your thread, didn't mean to do that. I'm also very sorry that now there is fighting going on here and at the field. I can't help but feel responsible for that, all of it. The ongoing problems at the club, between members, heli fliers, plane fliers etc. If I could go back in time I would definitely do it differently, the good old saying "hind sight is 20/20 suddenly pops into my mind.

I still had a ton of fun with you guys. It was great meeting all of you and seeing your heli's. I hope that maybe someday we can all do it again, of course under different circumstances and some advance warning etc.

So, I just wanted to say Thanks to all of you for showing up. You guys were all guests at this field and you bear no responsibility for what has happened. That would be my fault and mine alone. So please, do not feel guilty or any such thing. I did this and I'll pay the price. Been there, done that.

Had a blast,
John

Fromeco Field Rep.
A day without sunshine is, well.., alot like night time.

07-18-2006 Over year old.

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Clubs and Associations > Texas Renegade Rotorz

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