2006 Jet Nats

Results and photos on the SAMJA web page.

(So come on Ehlers, what about one of your celebrated reports?)

2006 Helicopter Masters

Link to scores

(And I'm trying to get Johan to come up with a report and photos)

...and let's be very careful out there -- Lez reminds us.

I don't want to be alarmist but Mike Warren recounted a particularly harrowing experience at Switchblade yesterday afternoon. He apparently surprised a mob of car thieves who were striping a couple of cars on top of the hill. Mike had passed the water reservoir and as he drove down into the dip he surprised the mob, their initial reaction was to flee but when they realized that the odds where in their favour they went on the offensive. Mike was able to execute a u-turn and beat a hasty retreat, at least one the bandits' vehicles set off in pursuit of him. A fair amount of time had passed when Mike recounted the incident to us but he was understandably still more than a little stirred, he fortunately remained calm when he needed to be.

One can only wonder how the scenario would have unraveled if there where a few more potential victims, we are going to have to seriously re-think our approach to visiting Switchblade, I know I've foolishly pushed on and flown alone, unbelievably stupid in retrospect. It would be a great shame to abandon Switchblade but if we offer ourselves as "sucker targets" this will only serve to embolden the bandits.

Best regards

Les

SAMAA Insurance

From time to time members ask if the SAMAA insurance scheme is good value for money. Here's an update from the managment committee:

Dear all

This message was received from Jason Grove at Roxsure. He has been
investigating the insurance options with other insurers/re-insurers, and
it would appear that our present policy is the best that is available,
for our particular situation/needs.

The insurance sub-committee will of course continue to strive to bring
the members the best possible insurance solution.

Best regards

Bob

-------------------

I Regret to tell you I have explored all avenues in order to place this
policy and I am afraid the insurers Just don’t want to do this Kind of
cover.

The company below was the last place that I could try.

If I can be of further help please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards

Jason Grove


-----Original Message-----
From: Dianne H. Kirk [mailto:KirkD@sha.co.za]
Sent: 09 October 2006 12:23
To: Jason Grove
Subject: SAMAA - ENQUIRY NUMBER 21384


Dear Jason,

We have had a chance to look at your request and advise that we would
prefer not to offer a quotation as we feel that the premium currently
being paid by the Insured is reasonable and we would not be able to
match or better this premium.


Kind regards
Dianne Kirk
Stalker Hutchison & Ass
Switchboard Tel (011) 731 3600
Direct Tel : (011) 731 3650
Fax : (011) 447 0082
Cell : 083 647 0356
E-mail address: KirkD@sha.co.za

A visit to the SAMAA Office, aka Bob Skinner's home

I visited Bob Skinner today. As usual he was busily dealing with membership matters. He gave me details of the formal relationship with the CAA. You can find a composite document here.

Amongst other things it protects legally SAMAA registered flying sites. The protection is spelled out on the last page under 101.01.3 paragraph 1(d). This is a substantial benefit.

2006 Fun Fly Masters -- report scrounged from Warren Gardiner, photo from "Deathbunny007"

2006 funfly masters happened again this weekend, tons of fun. It sure is quite a change from the usual with the sportsman class now. Started off with cloud cover and some drizzle and remained overcast most of the weekend, keeping the weather at a nice comfortable level, and for a change not much wind. The flying was at it's usual high standard again this year with Chris Harris taking first with some really spectacular flying including a spot of afterhours hovering and torque-rolling inside the club house.

Congrats to the organisers, as usual a truly enjoyable experience. I only managed a ninth with my muskiet, and if it were'nt for some genius's idea to have an F3A event thrown in I would've done a little better, muskiet got no fus, can't do 4 point rolls.;-p

We had a bit of an interesting time with the limbo, the wool limbo line just would not break for anyone, with the end result being some impromptu prophangs and sudden stops. Most made it through though. Gotta feel sorry for the guys who hurt their planes on this one, Hennis de Klerk for one, 90size ultrastick got stuck on the line and had to ditch to prevent going into the crowd, ouch.

Anyhow, I can't remember the exact final placings, but in open class it was:
1st: Chris Harris
2nd: Shaun Fraser
3rd: Matt Hirst

Cheers,
Warren.

Oudtshoorn 2006 -- Morne sets the record straight

I didn't attend but by all accounts Oudtshoorn this year was as good as ever. There was a comment on SARFLY, can't remember from whom, that flying safety may not have been up to "Airshow Standards".

Here is Morne's reply:

Neville is correct! This is not an air show. Just a get together of scale RC pilots. Just as difficult as implementing SAMAA book of safety, just as difficult will it be to implement proficiency! The insurance company will always find a loop hole! I can not remember 1 time that a SAMAA (committee) representative has actually visited the Oudtshoorn event. Even now that we have representation in the WC!

We, CFC, have always played by the rules of SAMAA and enforced strict flying discipline and safety standards. Yes some will argue that all are not up to standard. But we can state that in 35 years no loss of life or injury was reported. Last year's after hour incedent was the closest!

I think most people attending Oudtshoorn are disciplined pilots. Most of them know the rules and stick to them. Some pilots do not like flying in a circuit all the time and like to "show off". We have found these pilots will not attend Oudtshoorn or change there style to fit in with the crowd.

The event is bigger than individuals and this is the success story. We never want to have an air show or commercialize the event.

We thank all loyal supporters and hope that all modelers will go to there workshop and start building a good scale model for next year. We will try and bring some international friends to Oudtshoorn next year.

Thanks again and safe flying...

Morne
Chairman CFC

(Well said Morne)