GMA Family Day
This year's event held on July 16 was simply fantastic.  Mike Kinsey and Rex Briant supplied the meat.  Rex and Stan Erwin provided the firepower to get the meat prepared with Mike's mobile smoker.  Linda Carnes did a fantastic job providing the side dishes, drinks, etc., assisted by Craig Collins in preparing and coordinating the various events of the day.  

We had several great prizes from hobby shops and other individuals.  The items from the hobby shops were either donated or provided for promotional consideration.  Thanks to Atlanta Hobby, Extreme Flight R/C, Hobby Town USA, Hodges Hobbies, Lanier R/C.  The raffle winners are:

Extreme Flight R/C DVD Video - Kansas Dover
Lanier R/C Tuffy 540 - Bill Daugherty
Lanier R/C Dominator 200 - Frank Littleton
Lanier R/C Double Trouble - Dick Kohl
Lanier R/C Flight Box - Randy Strang
Extreme Flight R/C Torque Motor - Don Mann
Extreme Flight R/C Torque Motor - Jeff Littleton
Hobby Town USA Ultra Stik - Curtis Mees
GMA & Atlanta Hobby Saito 180 - Slick Larsen
GMA/Rex Briant & Hodges Hobbies  Extra 260/ZDZ 50 Engine - Richard Schwenk

Be Safe
Always call out your intentions for takeoff, landing or low fly-by when other pilots are present.  Never takeoff or land when other people are between you and your airplane.

Runway Extension
During the first week of July, we added 50 feet of bermuda on each end of the asphalt runway in order to provide an over-run for any aircraft that might make an extended run after landing.  Also, the 400 foot bermuda runway was extended on each end to match the asphalt runway, including the 50 feet on each end.  In essence, the bermuda runway is now 800 feet.  Stan Erwin did a great job in getting this project organized.  Thanks to Stan and to all members who pitched in to help either with labor or money.

As part of this project, additional underground sprinkler pipe was installed and Bruce Tarleton masterminded the repair and upgrade to our pumping system.

To avoid damage to this underground sprinkler system or to the asphalt, if ever necessary to drive a vehicle beyond the runway, please do not cross the bermuda or asphalt runway.  Go around either end.

Sprinkler & Pump Management
The pumping system associated with the sprinkler system is a pretty complex operation and is programmed to perform according to what is considered optimum output.  Basically, it is geared to water the entire area during the evening hours when there is no activity at the field.  Should we detect any malfunction or unexpected operation of the system, Bruce Tarleton should be contacted.  Please do not make any adjustments to the system without first contacting Bruce.

Bartow County Club
Around the first of June the Bartow club recognized that due to some noise complaints their field may be in jeopardy of closing in the near future.  The GMA welcomed about a dozen new members around that time from the Bartow Club.

September War Bird Fly-In September 10 - 11
(Stan Erwin)

CD'd by  Dave Hasler with co-coordinators Mike Kinsey and Stan Erwin.

The event will begin officially at 9:04 on Saturday and go till 3:00 or 4:00 on Sunday.
The fly-in is open to war birds of all sizes. The focus is large scale models primarily from WW 2 and WW 1 era, however, Jets are welcome and encouraged. 

There will be judging by the registered pilots in two categories. The first category will most likely be ARF's..... Judges will be looking for any extra's you've added to make to model a little more custom. The second Category would be Pilot built, either from a kit or scratch. Everybody knows what the judges are looking for here!?!?....or do they? Guess we'll have to wait and see. There will be fine scale modelers attending that might share some of techniques and give pointers to the less experienced. Naturally there will be awards presented to the top 3 positions of each category. Special consideration will be given to some that are not comfortable flying in "crowded skies"

Landing fee's will apply for this event. The landing fee is $15 one day or $20 for both days. The funds collected will go towards the Bermuda run way extension.....

I hear some are planning on camping out,....others will be bringing the RV with all of the comforts of home.

Saturday evening will be highlighted with a Bar-B-Q , bon fire and everything else that goes with Bar-B-Q and bon fires. There might be a few "War Stories" being told around the fire.  We will grill burgers and dogs around noon Saturday and Sunday.

Details and discussion can be found at http://www.gmarc.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=222

Lost & Found
Occasionally some of us have something called senior moments, or brain fades, or brain f_rts... and forget to pack up all our items when we leave the field.  For a short period of time, these items become classified as Lost items.  And a short time later, these items become classified as found items.  Since we really don't have a secure area where these found items could be stored to be claimed by their original owner, it is probably best that the finder take the item home for safe keeping.  The finder can attempt to locate the original owner by posting a note on the frequency board or the message board, or by contacting Stan or Earl so that a broadcast e-mail can be sent to other members in an effort to find that original owner.

New Frequency Board
Thanks to Mike Nemesh for the new board, and to Chris & Mike Smith for dressing it up.  And thanks to Pedro Sanchez for the installation.

Helicopter Area
Our safety rules and guidelines indicate that helicopters should use the areas to the left or right of the pit area for hovering and when over the main runways, when other aircraft are in the air, should fly in accordance with the fixed wing pattern. These areas are not to be used for vehicle parking except whenever so designated for major events.

Safety Officer
Chris Dover has agreed to be the club's Safety Officer.  Any safety issues any member encounters should be funneled through Chris.  Chris will either attempt to resolve the issue or bring the issue before the board for consideration.  Also, Chris is available to assist if you have questions, and he will also offer gentle reminders of any flagrant violations observed.

Rules and Guidelines
The rules and guidelines contained in the new member application have been revised and updated.  These rules and guidelines are effective for all GMA members immediately.  Please take a few minutes to review these rules here.