We can fly at Tacoma Narrows Airport!!!!!

Thanks to Skyraider President Mike Potter, the airport manager has granted us permission to fly control-line models at a currently unused portion of the airport. This is a large asphalt ramp area at the So. end of the line of hangers....but just North of the most Southerly hangers, as I read the map (assuming that N. is the top of the page). Emails indicate that Howard Rush and John Leidle will be painting circles on the asphalt, which was ok'd by the airport manager!
There are some restrictions on our use:
1. We must have AMA insurance for flying site owners. (An application has been sent to the AMA. As soon as the airport manager has the policy in hand, we can begin using the site.)
2. NW Skyraiders members and guests only.
3. All flyers and pit crew members must have valid AMA licences.
4. Site is fenced with controlled-access coded electronic gate. The club has been entrusted with the code.
5. Maps and links and stuff will be added soon.
6. The bad news is that this airport is on the West side of the Tacoma Narrows, so there's probably a $3 bridge toll to get there, and the traffic isn't ever good....
7. "Tacoma Narrows Airport Map"

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Nov. 28, 2007. Much NEWS...not all is good, but some IS!

First & worst, Bill Darkow, our new Newletter Editor Emeritus, had a "cardiac event", followed by stents, and hospital stay. As a result, there will be no newletter this week. Maybe next month, we'll see. Until the newsletters resume, or the beatings continue, you are directed to check HERE for club news.

Elections will be held at the next meeting, Dec. 13, per the announcements on the home page and events page. Be there! Pay dues! Pay for the banquet! VOTE!

River View Park...rejoice, the Army Corps of Engineers funding has yet again been pulled, so we'll still be flying there next summer, and maybe longer. The folks in New Orleans will have bigger, better, dikes and levees, thanks to our tax dollars at work. Bless 'em all!

Meanwhile, out at Flaming Geyser Park...initial organizational & planning meetings have been held, regarding putting at least two CL circles out there, one paved, one grass, maybe two. Times and days are somewhat restricted, as are noise standards, but it's something. If you're looking for a nice house with a view, please consider the one overlooking the flying site! That would solve 99% of the issues....

Clover Park (Lakewood)...we have a new map on the map page, courtesy of Mike Potter. That should 'splain where and what you can fly there, since the runway/taxiway has been closed. Mike also has a line on the old Clover Park golf course groundskeeper training facility, near I-5 & McChord, if you're close and want a place to fly...it needs mowing, weeding, mole killing, etc.

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We can fly at Centralia-Chehalis Municipal Airport!!!!!

Thanks to Skyraider participation in the Centralia-Chehalis Air Fair, the airport board has granted us permission to fly control-line models at a currently unused portion of the airport. It's the 150-ft. wide concrete-surfaced landing apron of an abandoned runway along with a 180-ft. wide coarse grass strip next to it.
There are some restrictions on our use:
1. We must have AMA insurance for flying site owners. (An application has been sent to the AMA. As soon as the airport manager has the policy in hand, we can begin using the site.)
2. NW Skyraiders members and guests only.
3. All flyers and pit crew members must have valid AMA licences.
4. No parking near the S-1 hangar close to the flying site. (Site is south of that hangar.)
5. Call the airport office 24 hours before using the site to be sure no other activity is scheduled there. (360) 748-1230.
6. Site is fenced with controlled-access coded electronic gate. The board has entrusted Walt Russell (Auburn)(253) 833-3988, Bill Darkow (Tenino) (360) 273-0320, and Doug Oertli (Centralia) (360) 330-5774 with the code.
7. The airport web site address is: www.flycls.com
8. Maps and links and stuff will be added soon.
9. NOTE THAT YOU MUST ARRANGE TO BE CHAPERONED BY ONE OF THE THREE WITH THE GATE CODE!

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The Centralia-Chehalis Air Fair Control Line Demo was GREAT!

Skyraiders Doug Oertli, Bill Darkow, Walt Russell, Ron Canaan, Ben Jones and his wife, Gary DuBois and his wife participated as well as Jim Cameron and Leo Mehl from the NW Fireballs. 30 models were on display and over 60 flights were put up during the two-day show - July 28-29. Flights included Precision Aerobatics, banner towing, throttle flying, twin-engine models, smoke trails, etc. The site is excellent - part of the old runway and taxiway with concrete apron. Many positive comments from the airport staff. The show team - Ringmasters Flying Circus - has been invited to participate again next year. We are now looking into the possibility of using the site for CL flying during the rest of the year. Bill Darkow

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NOMINATIONS FOR '07/'08 OFFICERS

At the monthly meeting today, some nominations were made. Rod Claus was nominated for President. Steve Helmick and Chris Gomez were both nominated for Vice President. Thadd Faussett allowed himself to be nominated for Secretary/Treasurer, and Dave Gardner was leaned upon to take over the Newsletter job again, as well as Safety Coordinator. Steve Helmick will continue to do the website. If YOU would like to be nominated for club service (and you should), give Steve a call (or email), and he'll see to it that you're nominated! ALSO: Dues ($25) are due!

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Mowing River View Park Circles

Hey All NW Skyraiders! I'm losing my job at the end of Aug., and have no idea what future employment will bring to my schedule. I'm looking for a new job, have some good leads, but need the time to go to interviews and tests.

I need to step down at this time, from mowing the field. This is a good task for two buddies to tackle, as sometimes a little extra grunt is needed to put the mower back on the trailer. At this time Steve Helmick has the keys to the mower, and the gate codes to the storage yard. If you see that the field needs mowing, get with Steve and get it mowed!

If we could get guys to sign up on a mowing schedule this would make this much easier. The schedule would go like every two weeks and someone else would take over or whatever would fit your schedule. We can work this out at the montly meetings.

Thank You,
Christopher Gomez, NW Skyraiders President

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Flying Site News...it ain't good.....

Things have taken a few turns as of late as regarding our club site at River View park. First we finally got a new tire on the riding mower thanks to Mike Haverly. Mike, Vern Bryant, Gary DuBois and his wife and Steve Helmick cut the grass at Riverview last week end and they plan to do it again this Saturday morning. It really looks good, also the City cut the rest of the field and did not drive on our circles as we asked them not to do.

Earlier this week Mike Potter noticed a white pick up city truck parked on the road and 3 guys with hard hats walking around in the park. When he talked to them they told him that the city is going to develop the park next summer, I guess they have to use a grant with in a certain time or loose it. They also told Mike that there has been 2 public hearing on the development and that they were posted in the paper.

I went to Kent Parks today and talked with the new assistant Parks Director and complained that we were not notified of the meetings. She is not certain there will be anymore hearings for the public, the final draft of the plan is to be submitted to the city council shortly.

I was able to get copies of the last two meetings, basically we are going to be out of there by next summer. The plan is to put in a boat launch for roof type boats, 2 restrooms parking for 75 cars picnic tables, river access for kids to fish, asphalt or crushed rock trails.

In the Feb 15, 2006 meeting under Comments / Suggestion/ issues it says "Model plane noise has chased away the barn owls and waterfowl, Transient population near bridge and newspaper facility." In the Thursday, April 13, 2006, meeting minutes was a very interesting note as follows: "Comments: Historically, Green River was used for transportation. Would like to see a boat launch usable by motorized shallow drift boats to boat into Seattle to eat at local restaurants (Anthony's). Would require dredging. Good tour boat opportunity."

Sounds like someone with a commercial interest is involved here doesn't it?

Anyway the reason for this speeded up time line is the city has applied for and has been approved for funding to build the park in the summer of 2007. The grant is from Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account a state funded program to be used only for rebuilding Aquatic land next to NAVIGABLE WATERS/SALMON HABITAT. If forbids any type of recreation of any type other than fishing, picnics, walking.

However during the conversation that Mike had with the three city engineers they suggested that we might want to use Van Dorens Landing Park, a 10 acre park on the Green River just off 212th and near the KOA camp ground. The site is rarely used by anyone other than the occasional corporate picnic. The play ground is flat and is completely open. The flying area is 215ft by 185ft. Not enough room for 2 circles but better than nothing. There is parking for 8 cars at the North end and 20 or so at the South end. 2 restrooms and a number of table and benches, 2 water fountain's, horse shoe pits ect. No ball fields. If you use this site PLEASE use mufflers as there is some new housing going in just across the river. I know they will bitch sometime but at the moment I am NOT going to ask permission to use the site. All they will say is "No!". If were told to get out at some later date then I will address it.

Anyway if you want to fly there go east on 212th to the green river bridge, take the first road to you right (Russell Road), after you cross the bridge. Go south on Russell Road about 6 blocks the park will be on your right. (218th). PLEASE lets put up cones around our area so they can't complain about safety.

On another note I am working with the Puyuallup Indian Nation to see if we can use the parking area at the old River Boat Casino. (This request has been turned down, Web'ster.) Ron Canaan, Flying Site Committee Chairman

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Marymoor Park proposal - Control Line Model Airplane Flying

Dear Mr. Pellerin:

Thank you for your proposal of November 22, 2005, to re-establish a control line model airplane flying area at King County’s Marymoor Park. Your club members’ enthusiasm for the sport and dedication to finding a home for a new facility is very evident from the well documented presentation of your proposal.

King County Parks and Recreation Division staff has reviewed your proposal. Upon evaluation of space and impacts to other activities at Marymoor Park, it has been determined that the Parks and Recreation Division is unable to provide a permanent control-line facility at Marymoor Park at this time.

However, special events such as control-line flying may be possible in the near future using the Marymoor Park Recreation and Event Area now under construction. Upon completion in spring of 2006, King County looks forward to hosting many exciting events, such as your competition or exhibition events and we would be happy to look at scheduling opportunities for those activities.

Please contact Norah Gaynor, Marymoor Park Manager at 206-296-0673 if you have additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Kevin Brown

Director

King County Parks and Recreation Division

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EMERALD DOWNS

(Just before Memorial Day, we were thrown out of Emerald Downs parking lots #'s 10, 11 & 12. Don't go there! Web'ster)

Good news from the Seattle area, I have just completed an agreement with Emerald Downs, the race track in Auburn, to use the paved parking lots #10,11,12. The folks who were leasing them have moved out and we can use them anytime we wish for day to day flying. These parking lots are at the far north end of the complex. They are flat and smooth with no seams and about 200'X200.'

The restrictions are:
1 Leave if the police want to use the lots for practice pursuit driving.
2 Move to another lot if the fire dept. uses the same lot your on to lay out their hoses.
3 Please use a piece of carpet or such so as to not leave a fuel spot on the pavement.
4 Use a muffler. This may be overkill as we did noise tests with the man from Emerald Downs, but lets not take a chance on losing this site over noise, just in case.
5 NW Skyraiders Only. Sorry, that's the agreement with Emerald Downs. Membership is open to all AMA members.

RESTORING C/L MODEL AVIATION TO MARYMOORE PARK

Dave Pellerin, Howard Rush and I met with Nora Gaynor the park director for Marymoore park to discuss allowing C/L flying back into Marymoore after loosing our original circles in the early 1980s when the park was reconfigured. To our surprise Nora and her deceased husband were both heavy into model aviation for many years. She has flown C/L at Marymoore for many years before the sites were lost. Her husband was a member of Sam 8 the free flight club and she spent many hours flying at Ft Lewis.

Dave made a great personation booklet with facts and lots of color pictures to leave with the parks dept. There are several sites that will work but for only one circle, so this will not be a contest site if we get it. The meeting lasted two and a quarter hrs and was very positive, as R/C flying is all ready established at this park. We meet again around the middle of Oct to go over our request and questionnaire that the Park has us fill out.

JOINT FLYING SITE IN SUMNER.

The joint flying site with the RAMS in Sumner is on hold for about a year. The city council may relocate a new sewer plant to this site. John Seager site rep for the Rams has worked very hard and attended many meetings to get this project to this stage. The city planner Bill Shoemaker has talked to me about the use of the large field across the road from the proposed site. It is in rough condition and would require a lot of work to make it usable, but would make a good site when finished , 3 or more circles and parking. I don't know if we can have it for long term use is the only question at present.

RIVERVIEW PARK

Looks like the Corps of Engineers didn't get the money again this year to develop Riverview so we are good to stay another year. This site has 2 grass circles that Chris Gomez cuts and maintains for the club whenever he can. Riverview has been the clubs home field for almost 7 years now and we are no closer to having a permeant site here than we were 7 years ago. Even with friends on the city council we are still stuck on the issue of PASSIVE USE ONLY, that the city planner keeps bring up.

CARKEEK PARK

This site has a carrier deck and paved center circle and is maintained by the City of Seattle for our use. Granted it is only one circle and can't be expanded because of the hills around it and the shore birds nesting areas, but, it is still usable. Well, it is if you fly on 60' lines. The City refuses to cut the trees back that are inching closer into our flying space all the time.

AUBURN GOOD OL DAYS

What a great event this was again this year. We fly right downtown on Main Street and on the parade route in the playground of Washington Elementary School. This year was even better than last year as Vern Bryant and Chis Gomez gave 57 kids a chance to fly on this 2 days event. Each kid got a really nice first flight CERT and a pair of gold wings thanks to Royce Childress of the RAMS club. We only busted up 2 Cox PT 19. The rest of the clubs members had a great time just flying and talking to the many spectators that came by. Our club works closely with the city for many months to put on Auburn Good Ol Days. We have members on the steering committee who meet twice a month for 8 moths during the year.

A MODEL MUSEUM IN AUBURN?

During Auburn Good Ol Days the city of Auburn gave Gil Coughlin, a local well known model collector, a store front right down town on main street to display some of his wonderful collection of models that date back to the mid 1930. City officials have been so impressed that they are talking about establishing a permeant model museum at the airport for Gil and his huge collection. The Masonic lodge may offer him space in their building until the city builds the new addition to the airport. They even made Gil the Grand Marshal of the parade. The only bad thing to happen was the stores resident kitty decided to eat one of Gill's micro planes. However he was able to restore it to flying condition the next day. So between the City and the Masons the event was a great success as many folks stopped by and watched Gil fly his indoor planes and talk about when they used to build and fly models.

WHO SAYS CL. FLYING IS DEAD, WELL NOT HERE IN THE SEATTLE AREA.

Ron Canaan
Site Rep
Northwest Skyraiders
ama256041@aol.com