When I saw how well the Interim Board was working last year I casually mentioned I would be willing to help out in any way I could. Little did I know that it would happen so fast but it did and I’m enjoying every minute.
This has been a period of growth for me, as I learn this job, and for the club as we cope with increased membership and success. We started the year with a couple of well attended work parties to drain the field and over seed the grass. We also rolled the field in the spring resulting in a nice smooth field. However the unusually dry Summer played havoc with the ground and the runway was not quite as smooth as the previous year. We intend to have it rolled next Spring with a commercial heavy roller which should result in improvements.
The removal of the old fence and replacement with Pilot Stations was well received. Thank you to all the volunteers who participated. The extension of the runway is coming along nicely and has saved many models. We had some assistance from MAAC and extended the gravel up to the parking lot. Next year once the ground has stabilized we will gravel the parking lot. We are also looking into the purchase and maintenance of a Portable Toilet for the field.
Flight Instruction is a mainstay of the club and one of the prime attractions for new members, particularly new Junior Members. This year there was a transition from Clair Murray to Mike Hazelton in the Position of Chief Flying Instructor. Mike was inundated with student applications toward the end of the year but coped admirably with it. He is appealing for more instructors so if you are interested give Mike a call. He is working on an improved schedule for next year including basic aerobatic training for experienced pilots.
I look forward to an even better year in 2013 and want to thank Mike and the Board for their support and encouragement as I get up to speed.
Greg Cadez
Forum discussion of this report: http://temac.ca/smf/index.php?topic=3609.0