August 21, 22 3D Event

Jay Richardson coordinated this event and it brought out a lot of great airplanes and a lot of great flying.

September 11, Warbird Event
Dave Hasler and Mike Kinsey did a great job in getting folks out for this event.  Even though there was another similar event at a nearby club, the GMA drew about 24 participants.  Lou Melancon made it more realistic with his outstanding narration.  Neil Roth won the raffle of the Saito 100 engine.

Grass Cutting
It appears that Stan's selection of grass cutters is working out just fine.  We're getting the grass cut every week and he does an outstanding job.

Shelter Improvements
An enclosure has been constructed in the center section and our coke machine and refrigerator have been put to use.  Unfortunately, the rains from hurricane Ivan The Terrible dumped more water into the Etowah River than it could handle.  The water mark measured 5½ feet of water under the shelter.  The coke machine was partly under water but kept on ticking for a couple weeks before giving up.  That machine has been replaced with a refurbished cold drink machine.

Ivan also washed everything from under the shelter.  About half the tables wound up on the other side of the road and the other half were along the fence on our side of the road.  It appears that we have recovered everything except perhaps one or two tables.  For future flood forecasts, we have prepared some six foot cables (stored in the storage room) that can quickly be clipped to a table leg and a shelter post.  Eye-Bolts have been positioned on a table leg and a post... near the bottom.  All other equipment should be secured to a post or inside the storage room.

Guidelines Revisited
With both the asphalt runway and the bermuda runway in use, most pilots using the asphalt need, or prefer to be closer to that runway for takeoff and landing.  After takeoff or landing, they then should return to the designated flight stations.  It is important that we call out our intentions... On The Runway whenever advancing beyond those flight stations.

And, even though there is no sign posted that states Do Not Taxi This Side Of Fence, for safety purposes, we should all restrain our aircraft while on the pit side of the safety fence.

Club Events
Whenever the club schedules an event, unless specifically noted, the field is reserved for participants in that scheduled event for the date/times specified.

Renewal Notices
GMA club membership runs for 12 months from the date a member joins.  Renewal notices are mailed around the 15th of the month prior to a member's renewal month.

Senior Discount
The GMA has implemented a small discount for our senior members.  If your birth date is not on file and you want to have this discount applied be sure to inform Earl of your birth date.  The minimum age for this discount is 70.

Combat Event November 27
(Lou Melancon)
Radio Control Combat is one of the most exciting spectator events in modeling.  Six to ten swirling airplanes simulating WWII combat fly with thirty foot crepe paper streamers trailing behind them.  Each pilot tries to
position his model to cut the streamer of his opponents while trying to save his own.  After a five minute match each pilot is scored for the number of cuts he got the other planes in the round. At the end of the day the pilot with the most cuts wins.

On November 27th, (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) RC combat returns to the GMA Flying field.  The "Thanksgiving Classic" is in its fourth year and regularly attracts pilots from Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio and
Kentucky.  GMA member Larry Killingsworth is ranked in the top ten in the nation and Lou Melancon and Wayne Voyles are in the top 15.

The class of combat to be flown at the event is known as SSC which stands for Slow and Survivable Combat.  The airplanes restricted to engines of .15 displacement or less, and must all run the same propeller.  The airplanes are large with wingspans typically in the 60-64" range.

We hope you come out to watch, and if you want to participate give Lou Melancon a call to get a plane to fly.  He can be reached at 770-521-1889.

Lost Aircraft Across The River
There appears to be a hunting club of sorts that use the property across the river.  We have been asked to stay off that property unless we obtain authorization from the club/property manager.  If ever necessary to access that property, please contact one of the GMA board members who will arrange with their manager.  The board member contacts are posted on the frequency board.

50/50 Drawing
There is over $800 in the drawing fund that will be split with a lucky member.  If we stay below 60 participants, the drawing will be done on December 31st.  If the number of participants reaches 59 before December 31st, the drawing will be held on the next date of the Mega Millions Georgia Lottery drawing, using the Mega Ball to determine the winning number.  Either way, whether done on December 31st or earlier, a new drawing will be started immediately after.  All members have an opportunity to participate with their renewal notice. 

Gas Grill
Thanks to Bob Williams for donating a replacement gas grill for use when we want to do a hurry-up job of cooking a few burgers or dogs.

CB Channel Cards
With more members starting to fly those electric park flyers that come with radios in the 27 mhz range, those specific frequencies have been added to those channel cards used by the ham band flyers.  Also, new channel cards for the entire board should be available soon.

2005 Events
Events for 2005 have not been finalized yet.  Events being considered include a pattern event in April, some type of racing event, a combat event and perhaps a fun fly to get everyone involved.  As plans are completed, the 2005 schedule will be published.