The meeting was brought to order by club president Bill O’Donnell.
A motion to accept the January secretary’s report as stated in the February 2008 Yankee Flyer was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
... The treasurer’s report was read by Dave Seale. The income this month is primarily from dues and donations.

Balance $4,281.69... Income $2,120.00... Expense $137.43

The subject of bank fees and account interest was discussed. It is believed that the club can find a bank account that does not charge fees. Also, some of the money in the checking account should be moved to an interest bearing account. Dave will investigate both items. A motion to accept the treasurer’s report was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

New member Frank Krzciuk from Milford takes a few moments to introduce himself at the February club meeting.

Bill O’Donnell reported on his investigation into renting a porta-potty for the flying field during the summer months. The firm he has been talking to claims that the club will not be responsible if the porta-potty is damaged. Bill has not read a contract yet to be certain of this. A motion was made and seconded to purse renting a porta-potty with CRRC for five months (May thru September). The motion passed.
... Bill O’Donnell is still pursuing a tri-club fun fly with the South Shore and Wingbusters clubs. He is trying to negotiate a spring time date; preferably in the April May timeframe.
... Jim McCoy announced that the club was awarded AMA Leader Club Gold Status. He passed out pins to all who were present. Jim had also submitted an article announcing the award to the local newspaper. I will have pins at future meetings for those who did not get one.
... The flying field access road is flooded. It was also reported that the field needs some TLC this year to get it back into shape for the flying season. A field day has been scheduled for April 19th. If a lot of people show up, the work can be done in a couple of hours.
... A fun fly has been tentatively scheduled for mid to late June. Bill Costello will be the CD.
... The annual flying field gate lock key exchange took place at the end of the meeting.  Brad Kaye, club VP, is the keeper of the keys this year. If you have not exchanged your key please contact Brad. To get a new key you need to return your old key and be a club member in good standing.
... This is a reminder that the club is raffling a World Models Chipmunk 90-S ARF.  Tickets are 1 for $3 or 2 for $5. Contact Brad Kaye at 508-962-1230 or flyn3d@yahoo.com if you want to purchase tickets. The winner will be drawn at Winter Projects Night in April. The model has been generously donated to the club by Joe Candela at Creative Hobbies in Mendon (www.creativehobbies.net).
... The next meeting is March 25, 2008 @7:30 PM at the American Legion Hall in Millis.

Regards,
Roger Gilman
MMAC Secretary

Important News for
Futaba 2.4GHz Owners!

Club Safety Officer, Bill Lloyd, has brought to my attention a potential problem with Futaba FASST 2.4GHz radio systems. Apparently, the manufacturer has shipped units that are tuned in such a way to potentially conflict with other similar systems. According to the manufacturer:

"This service advisory affects only owners of the Futaba TM-7 module and 6EX and 7C FASST systems. Each FASST transmitter contains a unique identification code to identify the respective transmitter and to allow a receiver to be paired only to that radio's signal. Recently we have learned that a very small number of the TM-7 modules, and 6EX and 7C FASST systems were incorrectly coded with a common code number during the manufacturing process. These units were sold prior to our awareness of the situation.
... If two or more units utilizing this common identification code were to be in use simultaneously, they may cause interference with one another.
... We're confident that this is not a widespread problem. However, to catch any possible incorrectly coded units in the field and to give you peace of mind that your system is not affected, we have set up test stations at participating hobby shops throughout the country where you can determine if your transmitter is affected, at no charge to you."

Club members with Futaba 2.4 systems are encouraged to read the complete service advisory at the Futaba website (www.futaba-rc.com). You will also note that Bob Rice's Hobby USA in Ashland is listed as one of the test stations that will determine if your system is affected.

Club Logo Stickers

As you're putting the finishing touches on your Winter Project entry over the next few weeks, don't forget that MMAC offers high quality logo stickers that are perfect to place on your car, flight box, aircraft or spouse. Available in two sizes, the small size (3" x 1.875") is $1 and the large size (4.75" x 3") is $1.50. They can be purchased at club meetings or shipped to you by mail by contacting Jim McCoy at 508-478-6617 or email at mccoygroup@comcast.net.

February Fuel Winner!

Each club meeting ends with a raffle of miscellaneous model supplies. This can run from shop tools and building supplies to field needs such as glow plugs and assorted wrenches or drivers. It's been a MMAC tradition for as long as anyone can remember.
... The most coveted raffle prize each month is typically the gallon of glow fuel. This is mostly because it's the one thing that gets consumed in bulk...especially when the season is in full swing.
... Longtime member Bill Costello was the lucky winner of the first raffle ticket selected at the February meeting, and that meant that he had first pick of the prize selection. What did he choose...the fuel of course!

Congratulations, Bill!

Photo of the Month

New for the club website, I've decided to add a "Photo of the Month" feature
that will include shots from the hobby as well as images of full scale aircraft.
Club members are encouraged to email me photos to be considered.

This month's offering comes from MMAC member Ted Zaborski. I've heard of the "Water Skiing AT-6s" before, but I've never seen photos...and certainly not images of this quality. Ted's email included the following narrative:
... This was pretty daring. Just one little ripple or downdraft etc., and it would all be over! Early morning anglers are treated to the spectacle of four T6 Harvard Aircraft from The Flying Lions Aerobatic Team water-skiing across the Klipdrift Dam near Johannesburg South Africa.
... Arnie Meneghelli from Academy Brushware, owner of the aircraft, had this to say, 'What we did today I believe is a world first. It illustrates that South African air show pilots are amongst the best in the world.' This unusual act, approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and supported by Castrol Aviation, was meticulously planned and took place under the watchful eye of divers and paramedics that were on site.

Ted...thanks for the photos...and anyone else may submit their nominations to mccoygroup@comcast.net.