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SEMAC NEwS JAN-FEB 2024
NoTES FROM THE SEMAC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 6/2/2024
Chair: Simon Bole-Brown
Apologies: Rob B, Geoff M, Rod C, Paul D, Simon H, Peter H
1. Welcome Simon welcomed the members & thanked them for coming. 14 members were present & 1 prospective member.
2. President’s Report - Simon Bole-Brown
Simon reported that currently the field is looking very good for this time of year. Runways and pits are still looking green. Rod C has mowed the SE runway outfield quadrant. Well done to all involved in maintaining the field.
Simon and David reported that work is progressing on the roof between the containers. The footings for the posts have been completed and items from the material list that need to be purchased have been ordered. Chris, the contractor, will supply what he can free of charge, however he is currently very busy & we won’t see any further activity until the end of the month. David advised that the cost should be around the $4.5K mark including the digger hire and concrete for the footings. This is around half of what the carport construction suppliers quoted when DW was obtaining quotes.
Simon and David reported that the mid-week guys will commence work on the urinal toilet this week. It will be located at the Eastern edge of the car park. When the dunnys have been filled & emptied they will be relocated & positioned beside the urinal toilet (as at Jakupi).
Simon mentioned that there was a safety issue about starting IC aircraft on the pallet stacks & them being properly restrained when starting. There was some general discussion as to relocating one pallet stack closer to the NS safety fence so members would not be able to walk in front of aircraft being started. Note, electric aircraft should only be armed on the yellow tables on the runway side of the safety fences. Simon also mentioned that aircraft should NOT be left unattended between the starting poles & that the tables & starting poles are for everyone to use & are not for the exclusive use of some members.
Simon presented the digital lock to the group to familiarize those present with its use. The digi lock will come into play in the near future to enable one of the key locks to be used on our field gate.
3. Treasurer’s Report - Simon Bole-Brown
The report is as at January 2024 & covers the financials for two months since the last meeting. Membership currently sits at 41.
Income was $87 (ATO refund). Expenditure for the two month was $854 ($542 field maintenance, $30 hall hire, $283 on fuel)
4. Secretary’s Report - David Wheeler
David reported that the majority of correspondence this past two month period was from the VMAA/MAAA, mostly regular correspondence, but one to note was regarding CASA area approvals and the time CASA are taking for renewals. Our CASA area approval, granting our 1000’ height limit, was renewed when we relocated from Jakupi to MX and is current until 25th March 2026. VMAA recommend that new applications be commenced 6 months prior to expiry (CASA say allow 90 days?!) Members would have received correspondence on the ‘Festival of Flight’.
There was some correspondence regarding the Dingley Hall hire application requirements which has been sorted and an invoice for hall hire and some correspondence regarding rejoining member Alex E.
5. General Discussion
There was a general discussion regarding watering of the runways, etc. Namely around access to the club generator & hoses. The question was raised about watering from the dam & from our water tanks and /or water availability from MX’s dam using the water cart (1000 litre cube). Questions asked regarding how much water would be required, etc. Basically, as we have no irrigation system, we are reliant on rainfall to water the runways. More information/discussion required??
6. Show & Tell
Dino brought along a model that he is currently building called a Fire Arrow. He obtained the plans from a web site called Outer Zone. Apparently, there are hundreds of plans available on the site. A large model that resembles a crop duster, it’s currently at the ‘bare bones’ stage (not covered) and displayed Dino’s fabulous building techniques for all to admire.
Chris C had a Seagull Shoestring for sale which was quickly snapped up by Eddie. Gary Curtis had a ‘Bixler’ type foamie to give away which Ben F was happy to receive, so hopefully we might see Ben and his son Bryce at the field giving it a go.
7. Supper - Chris C provided the usual excellent supper which was enjoyed by all present.
8. Next Meeting - 2nd April the Dingley Hall, 7.30pm start.