Roll Call of Officers:
Chuck Hill, President, Maurice Lieberman, Secretary, Dennis Romano, Past President
Members Present: 7
Treasurer’s Report: Chuck reported CME’s bank account balance is $453.54 to date.
Meeting was called to order 6:07 PM at Just Trains New Location
Old Business:
Read last month’s Minutes report. The Minutes were accepted as written. Per Lonnie, the baseball diamond at Hillcrest Park is ours to use. He reached out to Tyce Dekker (with the City of Concord.) Tyce indicated we may have to share use of it predicated on the needs of those that use the baseball diamond for games and/or other purposes. That being said it is anticipated we will have no problems accessing it when needed for our flying events.
The baseball diamond will have to be prepared for use in a 3-stage process. The first step is to cut the grass and thatch all the weeds. Secondly, the ground needs to be leveled and lastly, repacked so the ground will stay relatively level.
New Business:
It was proposed that a new sign be erected at the park’s diamond location, stating “New Home of the Concord Model Engineers founded 1953.” Lonnie and Chuck will follow up on initiating that. Chuck will offer the City of Concord advice about the proper use of drones. This information based on FAA model flight rules on where and how to fly them safely and legally. It was further proposed a “No Drones ” sign be erected at our flying site at Hillcrest Park. Chuck will clarify with Tyce Dekker to see if he and the City of Concord will allow us to do this.
In order for anyone to fly model aircraft in a CME sanctioned club event and/or at our proposed model airfield, the FAA requires all pilots to be members of AMA and through membership carry AMA liability insurance. It was proposed that members of CME who are actively flying model aircraft, or operating model boats at the lake join AMA or rejoin if their membership has expired. It was further proposed CME renew our club membership as an organization. Chuck will be in charge of the administration of that duty.
It was further proposed that proof of AMA membership will need to be produced on demand before a model pilot will be allowed use of our CME flying field. The information required will include the name and address of the AMA member, and membership number. This area of Hillcrest Park will also double as our picnic site in conjunction to scheduled flying events. It was also proposed a sign be posted “AMA Membership Required” at our model airfield site. The costs of these signs will be assumed by the CME club.
Further clarification is needed regarding the City’s rule about the use of internal combustion model engines, and the noise levels connected to their use. So far standards of enforcement are arbitrary regarding when and where these engines can be used applicable to model planes and boats. It was unanimously agreed the use of electric motors is strongly encouraged due to the potential problems and excess noise caused by internal combustion engines.
Jerry and Maurice are still trying to plan an appropriate time to hold an impromptu model boat regatta, time and date to be determined at the lake.
We can start publishing our events in either a newsletter or post a notice to members online on upcoming events once we establish a calendar of planned activities. That is why it is so important for members to come and actively participate in our monthly meetings. Wes, the manager of Just Trains offered to allow us to post notices of CME events in his store. It was unanimously agreed by all members present it would be a great idea to follow up with him on this.
It was confirmed and agreed upon by those members and officers present that no CME membership dues will be charged for the 2025 membership year at this time. This status might change in the future depending on interest, activities and operational costs (if any) to the club.
Parade of Planes and Boats:
Chuck brought his new Sky Cruiser model RC plane. It has a 56″ wingspan and costs $160.00. It comes with servos but no receiver.
Maurice brought his childhood Corgi car collection (or what’s left of it.) He started collecting from the age of 5, so some of these cars are 65 years old.
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Next Meeting:
Our next monthly meeting will be held on January 15th, 2025, at Just Trains at their new location; 1170 Burnett Avenue, Suite L, Concord, Ca., 04520 at 6:00 PM. Phone 925-685-6566.
Chuck adjourned the meeting at 7:02 PM, December 18th, 2024.
Respectfully submitted,
Maurice Lieberman, Club Secretary, Concord Model Engineers
concordmodelengineers.org 