Evergreen Soaring

Evergreen Soaring
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Saturday, 01 November, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 9:46 AM in the ES Clubhouse by President Michael Moore. Present were voting members Fred Hermanspann, Marty Gibbins, Merel O'Rourke, Gary Paulin, Paul Sjoberg and Ron Bellamy. Non-voting board member Howard Glover was also present. Several other members were also present, among them: Pierre Parent; Keith McLean; Nick Constantine; Chris Murray; Noel Wade; Kevin Finke; Lynn Weller; and Mark Nyberg.

New Members:

Enrique Troconis is a current CFI, CFI-G, and Tow Pilot. Has some 2,400 hours accumulated. Just wants to fly. Usually, flies with someone else--may want to change that just a little. The Board accepted Enrique as a Special Member by acclamation.
Aaron Balog was also present at the meeting. He is a CFI with some 2,500 hours in power craft. Is also an A&P. The Board accepted Aaron as a Special Member by acclamation.
Eric Horton and members of his family personally petitioned for a Student Membership for Eric. He recently soloed a 2-22 as part of his CAP training. He also has logged hours in an L-13. The Board accepted Eric by acclamation.
Roger Axelson's application was revisited. He is an official member now. Welcome, one and all!

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS' REPORTS:

Secretary (Merel O'Rourke)

Passed.

Treasurer (Marty Gibbins)

We're in "the black!" Even taking the DG-1000 club-within-a-club into account, we're still solidly in "the black."

We're ahead, even with the surprise repairs this year, on the tow planes--we currently have something like a $3,000 surplus in that "fund."

The question of Al Greg's account came up (has surfaced briefly several times before). For those who don't know, Al Greg was an instructor with WSSA for many years. His health prevents him from flying other than as a passenger. He is a Life Member of ES. By acclamation, the Board decided to "zero" Al's account.

Kevin Belisle is, however, still a puzzle. Merel O will contact him (or try to) and solve the puzzle.

Fixed assets currently do not show on our books. Marty intends to have that fixed by the end of the calendar year.

Marty intends to compare the accounting categories created for the merger of WSSA and ES with the current QuickBooks categories. Michael has a copy of the merger categories and will provide Marty with one.

Operations Director (Paul Sjoberg)

The Evergreen Soaring Operations and Events Calendar (on line) will drop back to listing only one instructor and tow pilot.

We still need FOO's.

President Elect (Fred Hermanspann)

Fred announced the Willy Burhen Cup results: Ron Clark is the winner for the 2008 Season! Congratulations Ron! Celebratory festivities were held at the T. S. McHugh's Alehouse on Queen Ann in Seattle, something of a WBC tradition. Ron turned in a winning flight of 285 Km (177 miles). The WBC is tied to the On Line Contest (OLC) which runs from 14 October in the Northern Hemisphere--so the 2009 season has already begun.

This coming Saturday is the SGC Annual Banquet at the Salmon House on Lake Washington. Social Hour begins at 6:00 PM, Dinner and awards at 7 PM. Everyone intending to go should already have RSVP'ed Heinz, with a check included.

President (Michael Moore)

Michael has been talking with Tony Wiederkehr regarding the Grob lease. They have agreed to amend the agreement to $10/flight. Tony discovered that the craft was not properly registered by the original owner. Correcting that usually takes 3-4 months. In other words, it should be ours by Spring Soaring!

OTHER VOTING OFFICERS' REPORTS:

Chief Flight Instructor (Ron Bellamy)

Ron B. was in the back seat for the most-recent close encounter between one of our tow planes, gliders, and a helicopter. (This was about three weeks prior to this Board meeting.)

Our wing runners must be hyper-vigilant for helicopters. For the moment, we have no evidence of learning (at least as far as our existence at KAWO is concerned) on the part of the Phoenix Helicopters instructors or students.

Should there be yet another "near miss" between our ships and a rotor craft, do not engage in what Ron called "robot thinking." In his latest close encounter, landing the glider straight ahead would have necessitated his passing through the helicopter first ... . Not an indicated maneuver. You may have to turn across 16/34 to land in the ultralight area (or parallel to 11/29 in other cases). Think ahead; plan ahead; be prepared!

In the ensuing discussion, it was repeated that our grass is not an official FAA-recognized runway. Ron added that he didn't: " ... see any problem with calling it: glider grass, glider strip, or even glider runway. The main point is that it is only for gliders and is not a power aircraft runway ... . The "glider grass" is only for gliders taking off and landing and tow planes taking off with a glider in tow or simulated during checkouts. I think that is the essence of what we want people to understand."

Also as a part of that ensuing discussion, the idea came up to extend the earlier Board decision to offer a free glider ride to the Chief CFI-H at Phoenix. The offer would extend to one free glider ride for all CFI-H's at Phoenix Helicopters. Passage by acclamation was thunderous. (Enrique T. later extended the offer personally as a part of a follow-up contact at Phoenix.)

At this point the discussion began to become somewhat circular. Bottom line: hyper-vigilance is indicated.

Equipment Manager (Gary Paulin)

The electric cart is once again non-functional. Heavy corrosion on some terminals; at least one lead is consumed. We really need Paul Adriance to look at it and either fix it our ... something. Howard G. and Chris M. volunteered to look at it today and a second time if required.

Gary wants to reinstate the Glider Captain program. Look for an email spelling out the details of that, along with the benefits.

The claim on 029 is in the process of settling. AIG has offered $13,500. With the Board's expressed permission, Gary will try to negotiate that up to $14,500 on the condition that we keep the wreckage. We are assuming that the last thing AIG wants at the moment is any sort of distractions--like collecting and disposing of wrecked aircraft. We are betting that they will "pay" us to take care of all that. Also, there are perhaps $3,000 in parts on the wreck--definitely in our interest to part it out if we can do so expeditiously and in a cost-effective manner.

We have a new printer/copier on the PC in the Clubhouse!

Tony Puglisi has agreed to stand in for Gary until he returns in April. He is already working with Gary. The Board will ratify this change at the December meeting.

Gary and others are working feverishly to finalize the aircraft registrations. All related correspondence should go or otherwise point to, the locked mailbox here at the airport.

Gary wants a "Job Jar" built into the Web site. Needs to be dynamic to include sign-up/sign-off for jobs as well as to potentially track work credits (to be determined later).

Similarly, we need a "Squawk Sheet" on the site where people can post issues with ships. On-line ship status follows directly from that ... .

Regarding the painting of the L-23's. Gary let four bids and received two responses. Paul N. wants $8,900 to manage the jobs (he would farm out some of the work); Ron P. in Moses Lake wants $5,500--recovering the control surfaces would total another $2,000. After some discussion, the Board authorized Gary to proceed with Ron P. and one of the L-23's. We are expecting the job to take 2-3 months; Tony P. will monitor.

The SGS 1-36 is sold! We received the check! Gary will trailer it to Colorado Springs in the coming weeks.

Gary summarized the information that has been circulating in email regarding the possible purchase by the Club of a second Blanik L-33 Solo. Ron Reese owns it, a 2000 model, has put a total of 68 hours on it, and wants $20K for it, with the trailer and the required annual. He is also throwing in a current iPaq, a GPS unit, and a parachute! (He sort of wants the club to have this glider ... .)

There were, as in email, serious reservations expressed regarding the purchase of a new single-ship.

Noel W. wants the SGS 1-34 sold in order to help defray the cost of the L-33;
Kevin F. pointed out that this purchase does not fit with the Fleet Plan, which clearly needs revisiting and perhaps revising;
Marty G. wants formal participation by the Glider Committee.

On the other side of the issue several members mentioned that:

A second L-33 would allow team training in essentially identical single-ships, something the club sorely needs;
The L-33 would actually make the club money by freeing up two seaters for instruction and paying rides (a number of the members have been flying the L-13 and L-23's solo because single ships were not available).

In the end, the Board voted to purchase the L-33. Paul N. will perform the annual this coming week. The Board also acknowledges that the Fleet Plan does indeed need revisiting, including the form/fit/function of the SGS 1-34, the unexpected loss of 029, and the equally unexpected inclusion of the Grob.

NON-VOTING OFFICERS' REPORTS:

Scheduler (Dan Teifke)

Not present.

GlidePath Editor (Position Vacant)

John Gilbert had expressed an interest in taking on the GlidePath Editorship. He was not present to confirm that or to volunteer to the Board.

Chief Tow Pilot (Howard Glover)

Pierre P. reported that we need two checks, one as a deposit on the process and an second to secure the replacement engine. The price of the new engine is now fixed at $35,156. The Board had previously authorized all this--Marty G. and Pierre P. worked out the process flow.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Glider Committee (Gary Paulin, Chair)

No report.

Airport Committee (Position Open)

Chris Murray volunteered to take the chair of this committee. He is already on the Condo Association. The Board confirmed this change by acclamation.

Constitution and By-Laws Committee (Merel O'Rourke, Chair)

No report.

New Membership (Glenn Chouinard, Chair)

Not present.

OLD BUSINESS:

The Meeting minutes from Saturday 04 October were accepted, as submitted, by acclamation.

Pending Action Items from the July Board Meeting

Noel W. will correct the Web site to reflect the By-Laws in that Special Members pay no initiation fee.

Action Items from the August Board Meeting

Create a place on the ES Web site for posting of the Safety Review Board Report. (Noel W.)
Create a place on the ES Web site for posting the Board Meeting Minutes. (Noel W.)

Action Items from the September Board Meeting

Review of club rules and responsibilities for cross-country flights and sign-offs. (Fred H. & Ron B)
Progress report on the preparations for the engine swap on 17Z. (Pierre P.) See Chief Tow Pilot report, above.
Membership mailer. (Merel O.) Merel designed a postcard which will mail this coming week. Announces Annual Meeting & Banquet.
Status of the SGS 1-36 sale. (Gary P.) It is Sold! See Equip. Mgr. report above.
Status of the insurance settlement for 029. (Marty G.)
Update on tow-pilot meeting and/or requirements for tow pilots. (Howard G.)
Progress report on getting ES corporate status reinstated. (Merel O.) Paperwork is in the hands of the Sec. of State, WA.
Progress on Annual Meeting preparations. (Fred H. et al.)

Action Items from the October Board Meeting

Michael will reply to SGC regarding 18 Meter Contest

NEW BUSINESS:

   Pierre P. wants a card at a store where he can buy tow-plane engine oil at discount by the case. Handed Marty an application. The Board authorized this arrangement by acclamation.

Nick Constantine reported that club parachutes #7 and #8 are past their 20-year anniversaries. Not a good idea to keep using them. Gary P moved that parachutes beyond 20 years of age be disabled as parachutes and be disposed of. Paul S. seconded. Passed by acclamation. Incidentally, this leaves us with six existing parachutes. The DG-1000 Club-within-a-Club also has two 'chutes. The new L-33 comes with a 'chute as well.

Fred H. reported that preparations are well along for our Annual Meeting & Banquet at the Museum of Flight Restoration Center (Paine Field). As it stands, we will charge $26/person if the checks are postmarked to Mark Nyberg by Midnight Sunday 09 November. After that we will charge $30 "at the door." Drinks have shifted from a bar to BYOB. The door will open at 6PM. Business will begin at 7. Dinner and entertainment will begin at 8. After-dinner activities include the hugely-popular guided tours of the restoration facility. Paul N. has agreed to provide Amerindian flute music again this year. Again: this is slated for Saturday 15 November. Merel will mail a postcard to all members. Further details (whatever cannot be crammed into a postcard) will be posted on a special page on the club Web site.


NEWS:

Passed over in the interests of time management.

SETTING OF THE NEXT BOARD MEETING:

The December Board meeting will take place at 9AM, Saturday 06 December in the Clubhouse.

President Michael Moore gaveled the meeting closed at 12:40PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Merel R O'Rourke, ES Secretary
merelo@merelo.cnc.net
503-320-7059