Sonoma Wings Meeting Minutes

 

November 15, 2001

 

President Albert Branson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.  Those in attendance were: Leo Jones, Ernie Camacho, Jon James, Charley Warren, Scot Huber, John Blacet, Bob Storms, Matt Jagelka, Todd Robinson, Larry Roberts, Derk Steggewentz, Albert Branson, and Greg Sugg.

 

St. John Work Party

            It was announced that the U.S. Forest Service requested volunteers to attend a work detail to help restore the Davis Flat campground area which was burned out by the recent fire.  The information was forwarded to Sonoma Wings by members of the Bay Area Paragliding Association.  The work detail is to take place next Sunday, October 18th.  Several members said they would attend.

 

Rose Parade

            Charley announced that the Luther Burbank Rose Parade will be held next year on May 18th.  The theme of the parade will be “Stars and Stripes and Roses”.  We should start thinking of ideas for the club’s participation in the parade.  (Charley also offered a discount coupon for laser eye surgery, but there were no takers. ;-)

 

“Go For It”  Rule Changes

            There has been a discussion on the bulletin board started by Scot Huber regarding possible changes to the Go For It (GFI) rules.  Leo asked what we want from the competition and what we think about defined (declared) flights.  The members present were asked for their opinions:

 

Ernie:  GFI is okay as it is.  It has been a great incentive to fly XC.  Factoring or handicapping would be difficult to agree on.  He could prepare a spreadsheet to automatically factor in various handicapping schemes.

 

Larry:  Keep it simple.  Encourage local flying.

 

Matt:  To level the playing field, handicap each pilot based on a percentage of their previous year’s total.  That would automatically account for differences in gliders and equipment.  Have two contests: one for local flights and another for anywhere in the country.

 

Charley:  Think carefully before making changes.  Set up a committee to formulate rule changes.  Don’t handicap according to glider type.

 

Bob Storms:  It is about having fun, not who gets the trophy.  Rule changes should keep that in mind.  It’s good the way it is.

 

Jon:  There are many ways to level the playing field like possibly requiring some flights from certain sites.  We should wait until January or February to decide on rule changes.

 

Scot:  We should handicap by glider type as at King Mountain.  Rigids shouldn’t fly head to head with flex wings.  Start a new contest called the Red Tail for local sites only.  It should have a nice trophy.  Put all GFI issues up for a vote on the bulletin board.

 

Leo:  The purpose of the GFI is to encourage pilots to fly, improve their skills, and try new things.  That’s why we need to require defined flights.  Any handicap should be based on a pilot’s previous year’s performance.  Don’t require flights from specific sites.  The Red Tail comp idea is good.

 

Derk:  There should not be any handicapping.  The defined flights are good.

 

Greg:  We should start a Hull-only contest to accommodate those pilots who are not able to go elsewhere.  It could also be open to other pilots who are not in Sonoma Wings.  It would provide a basis to encourage Hull pilots to try new things and further explore the possibilities of Hull Mountain.

 

Albert:  A glider handicap would be good, but keep it simple.  A Hull-only comp sounds good.  The Red Tail comp sounds good.  We should meet at Charley’s house to work out the various rule changes and implement the two new comps.

 

Club Officer Election:

 

The election of club officers was held, and the results were as follows:

 

President      Larry Roberts

Vice President         Leo Jones

Safety Director        John DeAguiar

Site Director Jon James

Treasurer      Matt Jagelka

Secretary      Greg Sugg

 

Club Web Site:

            Ernie asked the members to look over the club web site and make suggestions for changes.

 

Next meeting - Club Christmas Party:

            The next club meeting will be the annual Club Christmas Party.  This year it will take place at Larry Roberts house.  Here are the details:

Address: 929 Hudis, Rohnert Park (Here’s a map)

Phone: 584-3050

Bring: pot luck meal item, your favorite drinks.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

 

Greg Sugg