Hi all,
I would like to suggest a few things for next year...
1 - Fire Extinguisher
I've seen some posts here related to Lipo fire after a crash, Lipo getting on flames while charging.... I wonder if TEMAC can't "donate" one fire extinguisher to the field.... I think this is important to make sure we can minimize the damage. Imagine a crash right over the runway.... and the plane melting on a fireball... this could be a disaster.
I know there are challenges (i.e. no one is there at night, so someone can steal it), but I wonder if we can simply lock it to a pole and hide the key (make the key location available to the members).
2 - Runway marks
It would be really, really nice to have Runway marks (heading and center lines) that would make our field even more attractive
3 - Runway lights (Oscar is going to love this one)
Ok, this is funny. But I would LOVE to fly at night at ROGO. I think we can use LED lights to mark the runway and wire it to the frequency pole. Whoever wants to fly at night, brings his own battery (12V should work fine) to light up the runway. That would be really, really COOOOL!! 8)
Great idea. Instead of LED lights, how about this?
http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent/lanterns/patio-lantern (http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent/lanterns/patio-lantern)
Good point! ;D
Wow, great ideas Guys! Keep them coming.
Fire safety is definitely something we need to think about. Good suggestion.
As always with a not-for-profit organization we need to consider the cost/benefit of all expenditure. Especially the range of members something will benefit. So we may not be able to do everything.
But I'm sure Graham will love this input for his new role when planning 2015 work!
Locking up the fire extinguisher could be problematic, in that if the key goes missing or cannot be found by whoever is there, it would be of no use. What about painting one of the tables red and then attaching the extinguisher to the bottom of the table, out of sight , but easily accessible. Also keeps it out of the weather. The sides of the table could be extended if the current are not deep enough to hide it.
When TEMAC was started, I donated and installed a fire extinguisher, and installed it properly on one of the then tables.
It went missing within days.
I understand that items can go "missing" (avoiding "stealing" word), what about adding some dumb cameras to the field + some signs?
This might keep bad people away from our field.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FAKE-SECURITY-SURVEILLANCE-DOME-CAMERA-SIGN-STICKER-LOT-/120553385966?pt=US_Dummy_Cameras&hash=item1c118aafee (http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FAKE-SECURITY-SURVEILLANCE-DOME-CAMERA-SIGN-STICKER-LOT-/120553385966?pt=US_Dummy_Cameras&hash=item1c118aafee)
Keeping all the "bad people" away from our field may reduce our membership!!! Lol
We are working on some storage solutions that, although they may not be suitable for fire equipment, may allow us to store some club equipment at the field.
For fires I think we also tried a bucket of sand at one time, no?
From what I understand sand is the the only means of extinguishing LiPo's or at least keep them from burning everything around it. So I would think bringing back the sand bucket would be a good idea and they are unlikely to get stolen... unless by someone who has a kid and wants a sand pit in their backyard ;D
Although I carry a first aid kit in my car, with so many rotating knifes that we call props, it may be good to have a dedicated First Aid Kit on site, but again a major issue is to keep it replenished and clean.
Just food for thought.
I agree it would be great to have a storage bin at the field, also some bug zappers.
Not sure this is even possible but it would be great if we could have the field extend 100ft south and give back 100ft we have at the north, that way the power lines and road wouldn't be such an issue.
Anything you don't want, Andre?!
Regarding the extra 100' to the South, the Board did consider that when we made the first addition three years ago. The problem is drainage. That part is very low and the farmer is considering putting drainage in. However our parking lot that would be at the South end would be unusable for longer because it is so soft. Even where we are now we had a Port-a-Potty truck bog down and then the tow truck bogged down and finally a larger truck had to winch them both out. And that was late August.
Our runway was rutted and we had a terrible job filling in the ruts and growing grass. We are about as far South as we can safely go without major drainage operations.
The Hydro wires can be avoided just don't fly near them.
Jack.
@sihinch , some massage chairs, gazebos, and of course, a computer loaded with RealFlight 7 or Poenix 5 8)
How about a solar charging station?
We looked at them and they are very expensive and easily purloined.
jack.
Rubbermaid bin chained to the sign to put "parts" found in the beans.. something to collect the lost items.
Here is another suggestion, although I appreciate the work involved, but would it be possible to move the ROGO sign at the front gates? It blocks traffic coming from the west and I have a hard time seeing around it. Even if moved to the other side of drive way to the east should be OK? Just a suggestion. Also maybe some refective things to mark the enterence.. a few tiems I came in a bit too hot and missed it.. lol!
I would suggest that we spend our limited funds on repairing/ replacing some of the work tables. Some of the older ones are due for retirement.
Agree, the tables need to be refurbished.
What about the plastic chairs? it would be nice to have a few new ones too.
Someone brought up about a white line on the approach, on the grass. Got to thinking, what about chalk like that used in a baseball diamond? Might have to be reapplied every week or two, but if we could find one of the little chalk machines they use, that might work. Could start where the beans and grass meet and end at the button of the runway.
We have the marking cans, the problem is they have to be applied after every mowing and that means every week. It's not really the most practical solution. We @gmcnic could move the cones from centre field to centre runway and try that for a while.
jack.
I agree the lawn markings would be troublesome and perhaps not that easy to see from the pilot stations.
Instead of moving the existing cones, how about adding 2 new ones with different markings?
Solid orange for the corners and centre flight line, orange-and-white cones for the runway centre line, for example.
How about a full size cone at the edge of the beans and 5 or 6 mini cones in a line from the large cone. Maybe 15 or 20 feet so landings won't be interfered with.
jack.
Would rather not put any cones on the grass "runway" but I guess 10 ft either end from the beans would be OK.
Would they get lost though if they are moved everytime the grass is cut. Could be a pain for the mower operator.
Just to be devils advocate - do we really need them? A cone at the end by the beans would be enough, no? It's just practice required! ;)
There seems to be a constant request for something so I think we should try something. If it doesn't work well we can always return to where we are starting.
Jack.
What about some of that yellow tape they use around construction areas (and crime scenes) anchored at the edge at one end by the beans/grass border, and the other end at the button of the runway. A couple of spikes would hold it. When the grass was going to be cut, pull the spike on the beans end and coil it up on the button. When the grass is cut, stretch it back out. Would take 5 minutes tops. Simon is right I think, that all that is required is practice, but for those of us still honing our landing skills, the line might be a nice guide.
I am in favour of Simon's suggestion.
Let's not add FOD material onto the field when we should be keeping the entire flight surface clear. Differently marked cones where the grass meets the beans should provide some visual aid for runway alignment. As Simon says, "practice".
We have the hydro poles to the north and the tree line to the south for visual clues already.
What happens if we fly at a different field?
Just my opinion, but;
Stopped by the field today and added/adjusted some of the pylons:
Looking out to the east coming towards the pilot stations will be the far corners (large orange-white pylons), centre field flight line (smaller orange pylons), and Geotex runway extended centreline (new orange-white pylons).
Please give it a try.
I am hoping this might be helpful.
Graham
I would like to suggest that the field be moved a little east.
How about Ottawa?
It's amazing how Ed always seems to come up with the very best ideas!
We miss you Ed!
Andy
Here's some photos of the pylon set up.
Coincidently, the white post of the "for sale" sign on the road lines up nicely.
Just my 2 cents worth as well. Move the Rogo sign to the other side of the driveway. Turning left out of the driveway (blocks part of the sight line for oncoming traffic) the sign is in the way. On the other side would inconvenience no one.
Thank you Jim and Greg H.
I agree this issue needs to be addressed.
It was probably fine before the road construction but now needs to be relocated to provide proper/safer vision of the oncoming traffic.
Will keep you posted on our progress.
Graham