Dear BRCM Members:
It is recommended that you do not use the club flying site during the Province wide lockdown. The club will not be liable for illness or possible fines resulting from the use of the facility.
BRCM Board of Directors
VIRTUAL GENERAL MEETING
will be holding a general meeting over Zoom.
Date: May 27, 2021
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
WEBSITE: https://mcmaster.zoom.us/j/97000055591
No password is required. You do not need to download Zoom to participate (although you can, for free)
Geoff Norman (norman@mcmaster.ca) is the webmaster for this.
Quarter 1 2021 Issue of Skywords now available.
BRCM Update December 2020 from club President, Mike Block
Dear BRCM Members,
This has certainly been a trying year for the club and many of us privately. The last General Meeting that we had was in February of this year. All meeting facilities have been closed to us since that time and government regulations currently mandate no more than 10 people to get together inside.
This presents some challenges for the club. We would normally elect a new BOD at our January 2021 meeting. As it stands, this meeting is not likely to take place.
Because of these circumstances, we are suggesting the current BOD remain in place to see us through 2021. There will be some changes necessitated and we will need some new board members as I will outline below:
I will be pleased to continue as President in the interim until we can run a proper election, which may not be until Jan. 2022. Dwayne Baldwin will remain as Vice President. We are in need of a new Treasurer and Secretary. Trevor Brum and Vic Wells, who have both been key people in running the club will be leaving the board. They will stay on as long as possible in order to transition new people into these roles. Please respond to me if you are interested.
Also, and this is critical to the club, we need a Chief Flight Officer to run the Wings Program. Barry Parkinson stepped in and did a phenomenal job filling this crucial role last year but, is unable to do it again next year.
Without a CFO, we will have no wings program. Without a wings program, we have no new members unless they can already fly. Every year the club gets about 40 new members and loses 40 existing members.
No CFO and we will be down in membership this year. We also expect to lose members due to Covid 19 and as many as 35 members who used to fly at Bronte field will no longer join BRCM. Combine it all and we could potentially be half the club we used to be. So, lets get a new CFO asap.
With respect to Bronte field…. you are aware that we have had some challenges with MAAC regarding operation of the Bronte field beginning with the removal of the Sanction by the MAAC Zone Director in August 2019.
Substantial efforts by myself, Vic Wells, Joe Trinidad and Tom Gwinnett have all failed to resolve this situation with MAAC. It has been an extremely disappointing and disillusioning process. Throughout, we have remained 100% confident in the safety of the Bronte field.
However; as MAAC will no longer sanction Bronte field, we cannot continue to operate there. Therefore, the Bronte field is no longer under management of BRCM.
Runway repairs at Bayview…the BRCM members overwhelmingly supported moving forward with the suggested improvements at Bayview and approved the $14,000 budget in our email vote.
Ashley and the team of fellows on the runway steering committee have shown great patience in dealing with the city. The plan is done, the contractors are in place but, the city had a lot of red tape to get through causing a delay long enough that the weather was no longer suitable this year. We will pick it up again and with luck, get it done in the spring.
Ken Sisler and Ross Gossling did a wonderful job of co-managing Bayview field this year under trying conditions. The field was mint! Both have agreed to manage it again next year. They need some more guys to volunteer for grass cutting duty. If you can, please help. The club needs members to step up and make a difference. Thank these guys for their efforts when you see them!
Because of the lack of meetings, we will be waving the late fee for club memberships this year.
Membership applications can be downloaded from the club website and cheques mailed to the club’s mailing address. Club Treasurer Trevor Brum will also accept E-transfers. Please pay asap as it will help keep the club solvent.. Remember, you MUST have valid MAAC to join and fly at the club.
We will resume our regularly scheduled meetings as soon as that is possible.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you and your families. Wishing you all the best for 2021.
Regards,
Michael Block
President BRCM
Middle Zone AZM and Election of ZD
The AZM for the Middle Zone, scheduled for October 30, did not take place. Many proxies were not accepted as the date of the meeting had been added by someone other than the originator of the proxy. As a result, there were not enough proxies or attendees at the meeting to establish a quorum. Roy Rymer remains ZD for the Middle Zone. The meeting will be rescheduled. Stay tuned for further information about the meeting and possible election.
Ontario Physical Distancing Guidlines
Please read this document. These guidelines should be used at both Bayview and Bronte.
REPORT ON BAYVIEW RUNWAY REPAIRS: by Ashley Armstrong
Friday 30 th October
The Runway committee , consisting of Ashley Armstrong, Brian Harrington , Bill Ayre, Barry Parkinson and Geoff Norman first started talking to The City Of Burlington on 4 th February 2020. We were able to set up a meeting with the City for 2 nd April. Unfortunately Covid 19 struck and this meeting was cancelled. Eventually another meeting was arranged for 23 rd July. The committee and representatives from the City met at Bayview Field. At this time Brian had 3 contractors all lined up for the work, all were approved to work for us by the City. The job consisted of an asphalt patch approximately 20 feet x 50 feet roughly 4 inches deep at the location of the dip in the runway some additional soil to even out the new edge of the runway. We were told at this meeting that this was a very simple job and we would have a reply within 2 weeks.
To cut a long story short it was not until 2 nd October that we received a 14 page legal document that when we would have signed it allowed us to START the job.
Between 23 rd July and 2 nd October we had reminded the City on several occasions that we were running out of time as it was becoming too cold and rainy to lay Asphalt , fill the cracks, seal the complete runway and paint a nice straight line down the centre.
As it stands right now, we are in a position to start this work early next year as all of the necessary documents such as Insurance certificates , WSIB documents construction schedule, original contractors are still in place. Hopefully there will be no additional demands. We will be contacting the City of Burlington early in the new year.
From Geoff Norman
Covid-19 —-F-18 Build:
Ted Pritlove has posted an article about his Covid19 F-18 build
See the Members page.
Attention BRCM members:
Burlington Radio Control Modelers Covid-19 Operations Plan
Introduction
Burlington Radio Control Modelers Covid-19 Operations Plan IntroductionBRCM is pleased to advise that we will be able to open the Bayview Flying Field as of May 27, 2020, subject to the appropriate COVID precautions/restrictions being put in place and strictly adhered to.
Hours of operation will be standard park hours of dawn to dusk.
City of Burlington advises that provincial guidelines should be followed, which includes social distancing, no public washrooms, appropriate sanitization to be available.
Face Coverings And Face Masks
The Ontario Government advises that the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is by staying home and avoiding close contact with others outside of your household.
You should consider using a face covering (non-medical mask such as a cloth mask or bandana) to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in areas where physical distancing may be challenging or not possible.
Medical masks (surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators like N95 masks) should be reserved for use by health care workers and first responders.
Face coverings will not protect you from getting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is to: stay home except for essential reasons.
Avoid close contact with others and keep at least two metres from others outside your household wash your hands regularly (or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available) Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette (for example, sneeze and cough into your sleeve and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth).
BRCM Covid-19 Rules of operation
The Burlington Radio Controlled Modelers have established the following additional COVID rules and policies:
1. If you are sick, or possibly have any of the symptoms of COVID, DO NOT come to the field.
2. IMPORTANT: The Department of Health requires that every member who enters the facility sign in on the daily sign in sheet. This is critical as should a member become ill with Covid- 19, the Health Department requires a list of those who may have been exposed to the virus.
3. No more than 10 people at the field at any time and properly (2m) distanced.
4. Display your 2020 BRCM Membership Badge… (If you are unable to show it when requested, you will be asked to leave.) We must be able to identify you as a current member.
5. No Guest Fliers
6. No visitors, spectators, or other guests.
7. The Club house will remain closed. Do not access the club house.
8. Gathering and sitting at the picnic tables under the Chickee is not permitted
9. The main gate is to be left unlocked to prevent repeated handling of the lock and chain.
10. Maintain physical distancing of 2m (7ft) from each other.
11. Come prepared with your own sanitizer, PPE (mask, gloves, eye protection) and your own lawn chair.
12. Use every other flight station to further separate pilots
13. Spacing between set up stands, and picnic tables, has been increased to 20 feet. Members may not move set up stands and picnic tables closer.
14. Bear in mind that a number of club members are in the high-risk group, and that if they become infected, it could very well could be fatal. Please be reminded that COVID has asymptomatic transmission, so you can infect others even if you are not yet showing any symptoms. As such, adherence to precautions to prevent the transmission of COVID is of the upmost importance.
15. Make sure that you do not share any equipment. E.g. transmitters, buddy boxes etc.
16. If you have been at the field for 2 hours and have 4-5 flights, and someone is waiting their turn, exercise courtesy and common sense and yield to other folks who want to also get some flights in.
If however there are only a couple of other pilots and no others waiting then you may stay longer if you wish.
17. Once you are finished your flying activity, please leave the field, do not linger or continue to socialize.
18. Be advised that the Porta-Potty at the field will remain locked for the time being. 19. Practice courtesy and common sense with your fellow club members at all times.
19. Practice courtesy and common sense with your fellow club members at all times.
Highlights of the February 27, 2020 meeting – Derived from the minutes
Present: 29 members and 1 guest.
The meeting was opened at 7:00 pm. Mike Block acted as Chair of the meeting and Vic Wells acted as Secretary.
Guest: Steve Wickers was welcomed to the meeting.
Minutes: Minutes of the meeting held on January 23, 2020 were approved as circulated on motion made and seconded.
Member News: Mike reported that Geoff Norman was in isolation in McMaster hospital with pneumonia. Visitors would not be admitted at this time.
Meeting presentation: Colin Tyrell led an excellent presentation on the restoration of a Harvard, currently under way. With several slides, he discussed the work done by the restoration team. Several questions were addressed. Visitors are always welcome to visit the restoration site near the Tillsonburg airport.
Membership: Trevor reported that paid-up membership stands at 123 which is slightly less than the number of members at this time last year. He forecasts membership to be 145 to 150 by the summer, which is also less than the yearly total for 2019.
Wings Programme: The Club needs a volunteer to manage the Wings programme. The programme is an important tool for recruiting new members. Interested members are asked to speak to Mike.
Field Improvement: On behalf of the Committee, Brian Harrington presented 5 options for improvement of the runway at Bayview that are under consideration. Options range from doing nothing (zero cost) to a modified repair (of the depression) and crack repair/sealing/painting at an estimated cost of $14,330. Estimated time frame for the work is 5 to 7 days, which may not be sequential as several contractors are involved. The Committee is working to develop more complete estimates. Several questions were addressed satisfactorily. Brian confirmed that the Committee will report back to the Club after the next meeting with the City of Burlington.
Bronte Field: Mike reported that the status of the Bronte field matter has not changed. Tom continues to communicate with Roy Rymer (ZD) and is waiting for a response. Mike is still hopeful that the issues concerning the field will be satisfactorily resolved. Several questions were address satisfactorily.
Next meeting: To be held March 26. Mike reminded all members that the May meeting will be held on May 21 and not the usual 4th Thursday of the month.
Frost Fly 2020
About 20 intrepid souls ventured out into the icy blasts to celebrate our annual fun fly. Truth be known, while it was certainly blasting, it wasn’t too icy. As a result most of the planes were left in the car, while we huddled in the hut knocking back hot chili, greasy donuts and endless cups of coffee and hot chocolate, courtesy of Ashley.
However for the few who ventured out from time to time, aerial entertainment was provided by Trevor Blum, bundled up in fur hat, for coat, fur mukluks and, for all I know, fur knickers. He flew a Bushmaster masterfully, making it do things that defied laws of aerodynamics. One stunt, which I witnessed, was true STOL. The thing was seen to take off after less than six inches of ground roll. (When Ashley saw this, he decided to disband the runway committee as superfluous!). The plane hovered, almost flew backwards in the wind, and gyrated all over the place. Not to be outdone, Don Larkin got his Bell chopper out to show what true hovering looked like. Additional entertainment was provided by Brian Harrington, with his F4 EDF and Ian Brown, with a Luftwaffe flying wing. Despite the weather, a very good time was had by all. Special thanks to Ashley, for providing the coffee, donuts and chili.
New membership form posted. Available here.
Please note fee increased by $20 as motioned and passed with majority vote by the membership at February 2019 General Meeting
Warbirds 2019 event at Bayview was a great success! The weather was fantastic! hot and dry. We had to deal with some heavy winds on Saturday gusting almost 50 km an hour! But the flying went on to the delight of all the spectators. Sunday was the perfect day for Flying! Trevor Brum flew his 1/3 scale Stearman and his Alpha jet. What a great show he put on! I must say that all of the pilots at our club we’re flying at their best, Peter Foto, Tim Bidwell, to mention a few. We also had a few pilots from other clubs, Mississauga, and the Niagara region. The prize for best in show went to Brian Harrington for his beautiful Lysander, and he did a wonderful job of flying it to scale. I also want to thank Barry and Bob for running our barbeque and planning all food, drinks and ice purchasing leading up to the weekend they did a great job.We should all thank the members and volunteers who helped plan and execute Warbirds over the bay! Months and weeks before the event, members were cleaning barbeques checking equipment and getting ready for this event. Tony Madage and I arrived at Bayview field Friday morning before the event to find this great group cutting the grass setting up PA systems and making sure everything was going to run smooth for the weekend. Tim Bidwell, Ian Brown, Scott McGregor, Peter Foto, Tony Madage, Ashley Armstrong, Barry Parkinson, Bob Fowler, Geoff Norm and many more! It was a job well done by all! I hope we can do this event again in 2020 and make it even better.
Warbird 2019 Photos
You have to see this:
Maidenfest May 4th
About a dozen fliers and another dozen BRCM members braved the miserable weather on May 7 – cold, damp, and grey – to participate in Maidenfest, an opportunity to display the fruits of a winter’s labour. The diversity was amazing. Ashley Armstrong brought out his astonishing Me323 transport, powered by 6 nitro engines. Assembly took longer that than the build time of an average ARF. It didn’t fly, but the fact he got all 6 engines going is a cause for celebration. Trevor Blum dazzled us with his turbo F-16 at high speed.