April 26, 2001

Sonoma Wings Meeting Minutes

Before the meeting started we had pizza and beer and watched various speed gliding and old Telluride videos. New Sonoma Wings caps were available for $15.00 each. The caps embroidered with the club name and logo are very nice. Kurt provided more details of his fine 50 mile flight from Elk mountain to Arbuckle on interstate 5.

The meeting was called to order at 8:04 p.m. by president Albert Branson. Those present at the meeting were: Albert Branson, Donna Mathais, Bob Storms, Ernie Camacho, Scot Huber, Kurt Bainum, Derk Steggewentz, Duane Taylor, Brian Sharp, Charley Warren, Steve Acton, Justin Miller, Karen Warinelias, Larry Roberts, Peter and Denise Lindquist, Anthony Abate, John DeAguiar, Jon James, Matt Jagelka, Leo Jones, and Greg Sugg.

Bulletin Board: The first item discussed was the club web site bulletin board. The bulletin board server is starting a program of aggressive pop-up ads to help finance the site. For a fee we can avoid the annoyance of the pop-up ads. There is some confusion about the exact price to avoid the ads; it is somewhere between fifteen and sixty dollars per year. It was noted that the bulletin board is of great value to the club. A preliminary vote by hands indicated that most members present felt that the cost was reasonable. Ernie will check further to determine the exact cost and the matter of whether or not to pay to avoid the pop-up ads will be decided at the next meeting.

Owens Valley Flying: Some members have expressed interest in flying the Owens Valley more often this year. In order to coordinate trip dates, sharing of rides and possible retrieval, Ernie will place this information in the “News and Event/Trip Calendar” section of the our web site. Those interested in Owens Valley trips should contact Ernie with information about dates, vehicle room, drivers, etc. so he can post it to the web site.

Club Competition Rules: Cross country pilots should be sure to read the rules for the Go-For-It and the Coffee Can competitions. Among other things the Go-For-It requires that a $5.00 entry fee be paid and that all flights be reported within thirty days of the flight. The Coffee Can requires that a $5.00 bill with the pilot’s name on it be placed in the Coffee Can prior to any flights. Unfortunately, Kurt had not entered the Coffee Can competition before he made his great flight from Elk to Arbuckle. Although there was some sentiment in favor of allowing Kurt’s flight into the Coffee Can competition, Kurt decided against it in order to be fair to the others and preserve the integrity of the coveted Coffee Can.

Cinco de Mayo Fly-In: Leo has contacted and received permission from Jane Campbell to use her land for this year’s Cinco de Mayo fly-in and party. Leo suggested that we should give Mrs. Campbell a thank you gift for her generosity. Denise Lindquist donated some very nice hand made bees wax candles which she made herself for Mrs. Campbell on behalf of the club. Because the field we used last year is currently occupied by a clan of ambulatory pot roasts, we will be partying and landing in a field further to the west. At the field all are requested to not park vehicles under the oak tree because that is where we will be eating. A person is needed to pickup the catered food from the catering company the day of the fly-in so that Ernie can actually fly this year. We will be strictly observing all St. Helena site rules. Most important among the rules are: 20 pilots maximum; 3 vehicles only allowed on the mountain at a time, therefore the first vehicles up the mountain must unload and immediately drive back down; do not remove any brush or plants; remove all wind streamers before the last vehicle goes down the mountain.

King Mountain Fly-In: The event will be held on July 7, 8, and 9 this year. Many club pilots are planning to attend, and some will be going up several days early. Email Ernie with your King Mountain dates and plans so that he can post them and arrange car pooling and the like. Ernie has volunteered to pick up and bring oxygen to refill pilot’s O2 systems.

Coyote Howl Fly-In: Kurt announced that the Lake McClure flying site is currently closed due to a dispute with the Merced Irrigation District. However, the Mother Lode Sky Riders are still planning to host the annual Coyote Howl fly-in. See our web site for dates and links.

St. John fly-In T-shirt Designs: Designs are due by June 20^th. Any club member can submit their design for the St. John fly-in T-shirts.

As the meeting began to deteriorate Anthony Abate showed a video of his and Peter Hume’s blown tandem paragliding launch at the south launch at Goat Rock several weeks back. He said that due to other law enforcement activity in the area rescue personnel were there within a very few minutes as he and Peter dangled precariously on the cliff face. No one was injured, and the park personnel were pleased and content that the pilots had abided by all of the park rules and regulations. Accidents happen.

Finally, we held a raffle and awarded handmade candles by Denise Lindquist to Albert Branson, helmet and gear bags to Scot Huber, and a mighty comfortable folding chair with leg rest to Bob Storms, and the meeting was adjourned.

Submitted by Greg Sugg, Secretary