OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BUTLER AIRCRAFT
MODELERS SOCIETY

Volume 34      May, 2006

First Official Work Day
We had our first official work day on April 15th. and there was a very good turn out. We painted the pavilion and got the new sound system installed. There was enough hands that we even got the ties around the perimeter of the parking lot painted. All the signs are hung and the field has been fertilized for the new season. A couple of new pads were poured for large scale planes and Tom Fisher will be adding several more over the next few weeks.

With all the help we had for this first work day (everybody trying to collect those 5 points now required), the work went quickly and smoothly and was completed by about noon. To all of those who came out to help, THANKS! The field looks good and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Field Maintenance
The weekly mowing of the field began at the end of April. So far the field has been rolled twice. It would be helpful if the teams that goes up to mow after a rain to soften up the ground would take the time to roll the field again - if the roller is still up there. If the roller is gone, the field could stand to be aerated a few times. To date, the field has been too dry to try and aerate so if we get some rain, the field needs to be aerated.

Also, with the addition of the push mower that Roy Scott donated to the club, mowing now takes less time. By utilizing the push mower, there is almost no need for the weedeater except where the push mower can't get. Two people can know out the mowing in about 2-3 hours. So when you have your day to mow, be sure to take your plane so you can get some flying in after the field work is done.

What's New
New pilot training has begun. Bob Costello, Roy Scott and Jerry Rudish are ready to help any and all new pilots learn to fly and earn their wings. Our trainers do ask that, due to the current high cost of gasoline, if you trainees commit to be at the field on training nights, please be there or call your trainer with enough time for him to schedule someone else or to make other plans. We do not want to see the trainers having to drive up to the field just to sit around and wait for someone who doesn't show. Please be considerate of the time and expense our trainers have in making sure those who want to learn to fly can.

Plans for the upcoming First Annual fun Fly set for June 24th are coming together. We still need volunteers for different assignments. If you can help your club out, please contact one of the club officers and let them know you are available.

BAM Member Nearly Looses A Digit
During a recent training night, Obie King nearly amputated one of his fingers will trying to hand start the 4-stroke engine on his Slo-Poke. If not for the quick thinking of Club Vice President, Bob Costello, who performed emergency first-aid on Obie, the results could have been grim.

Now for the truth.

Obie was trying to hand-start his Slo-Poke and he did cut his finger on the sharp edge of the blade. Bob's emergency first-aid consisted of getting a band-aide from the first-aid kit for Obie.

This particular situation, while blown completely out of proportion, could very easily have gone in a different direction. With the beginning of the new flying season, now is a good time to remind each and every member of the club to keep safety your primary concern when at the field. Keep in mind that, no matter how careful you are, it only take a second for an accident to happen. We would love nothing more than to have another flying season without any injuries. Remember that with our planes, the potential for a disastrous accident is very real.

A Couple of Reminders
The club is having it's next meeting on May 29th. It will be a breakfast meeting at Eat n Park in the Clearview Mall beginning at 8 a.m. For those of you who don't know where the mall is, it's at the north end of Butler, on Route 8, a mile or so north of 422.

Don't forget the annual yard sale coming up on Jume 3rd. If you have things that you would like to get rid of while helping the club, now is the time to start gather them up. Please do not take yard sale items to the Hemphill's until maybe the day before the sale and we will need volunteers to help out with this money making event.

Also, don't forget that we are having our First Annual Fun-Fly on June 24th at the field. We still need some volunteers if we want to make this another sucessful money-making event. If you can help out, even for a short period of time, the club would appreciate your help.

The new mowing schedule changes for the 2006 flying season are posted to the Mowing Schedule page of our website. You can also review the 2006 AMA Safety Rules here.

You Could Be A Winner!
The club is raffling a ready-to-fly Park Zone F-27B Stryker electric airplane. You can see all the details here. Get your tickets now and help support your club! Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5 and the drawing will be held during the Memorial Day Breakfast Meeting on May 29, 2006.   GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

If you have any ideas that would improve your clubs' newsletter, we would love to hear them. If you have an article or something of interest to share with the club, you can feel free to talk to one of the club officers or email them to the Windsock Editor. This is your newsletter so we welcome any input (good or bad) along with ideas and suggestions.

For the 2006 Schedule of Events, click here

For past issues of the BAMS Windsock, click here