Editor: RMR 	Contact Editor

WHAT'S NEW FOR THIS MONTH: Updated 12/03/02

NEXT MEETING:

	Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting
	Sunday 
	Dec 8
	2:00 PM
	Lakeside Airpark

GRCF IN AMA MODEL AVIATION:

We got a little press coverage in the Jan 2003 issue. Check it out on page 167.

LAST REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES:

We had a very nice flying session on Sunday afternoon. Looks like we may have interested several local people to our hobby. See meeting minutes

GRCF HATS AND SHIRTS for CHRISTMAS?

We have hats and polo shirts with GRCF logo embroirdered on them. They are light grey and display our logo nicely. Also some patches of the logo that can be sewn onto anything but these will not be available until later this month. As Zack noted in the Sept meeting minutes Shirts are $30 and hats $15. Patches are $10. Contact Glenda at Zack's offices (549-0436) to arrange for pick up or can do at a regular meeting. Note that it is cash on delivery.

Urgent Message from Dr Franks

Dr. Sandy Frank 
Vice President 
District VIII 
Academy of Model Aeronautics 

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


From: Carl Maroney: AMA Special Services Dir. 
E_mail: cmaroney@modelaircraft.org 
Phone: 765.287.1256 Ext. 250 
Direct: 888.435.9262 Ext. 250 
Fax: 765.289.4248 
Cell: 765.749.2277 
WEB Site: http://www.modelaircraft.org 
Organization: Academy of Model Aeronautics 
Location: Muncie, Indiana 


AMA Official Notice 

To: All Modelers Worldwide
It is of vital importance to the future of our sport that you are made aware that the Torrey Pines Gliderport in San Diego, California has been closed to radio-controlled sailplanes, despite the fact that this gliderport is listed on the City, State, and National Registers of Historic Sites for all forms of motorless flight.

By decision of the for-profit lessee (Air California Adventures/David Jebb), the site was closed on August 7, 2002. This closure was based on Jebb's misinterpretation of the AMA Safety Code and conclusion that insurance coverage does not apply. The safety issues he mentioned were stipulated in vague and incomplete terms.

It would appear that the City of San Diego has given exclusive power to the lessee regarding flight operations at this public park. The August 7 notice stated that closure was by ordinance of the City of San Diego. When an inquiry was made to the city, Christian Anderson, Property Agent, stated, "The City of San Diego has not ordered the termination of RC soaring at Torrey Pines." Apparently the question of authority remains up for grabs.

AMA has engaged a fellow modeler and Torrey Pines Gliderport pilot as legal counsel. He is currently working with a task force of local modelers. Additional information on this task force is available on the Torrey Pines Gulls web page at www.torreypinesgulls.org . A meeting between this task force, Air California Adventure and the City of San Diego was held on September 5, 2002. Despite this meeting being called by the City, there was no neutral mediator. As a result the meeting was one-sided and very little was accomplished.

As an interested modeler we know you value this sport of aeromodeling. This effort demands and now solicits your support. Since this action to exclude radio controlled soaring at this world-famous institution was apparently based on misinformation, not facts, we believe the voice of the modeler needs to be heard. Ask for the opportunity to be heard in favor of model aviation and its unrestricted continuance at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Also ask for an acknowledgement and request a meeting with principal officials involved, along with meeting notification. Request that the City of San Diego maintains operation of model aviation at the Torrey Pines Gliderport. Send your letter to the San Diego City Manager, Michael T. Uberuaga. Also, at the end of this official notice is a list of other key officials to consider when sending a copy of your letter.

Tell Mr. Uberuaga what model aviation means to you! Help the City appreciate that model aviation is educational, constructive, career building, and an alternative to drugs for youth! There are no physical barriers, and it's open to people of all ages. Our sport encourages an early interest in the field of aviation. Model aviation promotes better-educated youth for research and the development of future technology.

Join our efforts and support this with a short letter and do it now!

If time is a constraint then at least send a note to the effect:

"I, [your name], as a model aircraft enthusiast, request that the City of San Diego upholds Resolution R-290676, adopted September 8, 1998, that the Torrey Pines Gliderport be operated for non-powered flight as has been since 1930 and that the "use continues on this property to serve the general public." That the Torrey Pines Gliderport be managed by a City of San Diego employee and not leased to any party with a conflict of interest by operating a for-profit business and serving as overall Flight Director simultaneously."

Sign and date your letter and don't forget to add your address. Please forward a copy to: 

The Academy of Model Aeronautics 
Attn. Torrey Pines Gliderport 
5161 East Memorial Drive 
Muncie, IN 47302 
"http://www.ama-dist-8.org/">AMA District 8 (Includes Texas)

City of San Diego Officials 

City Manager 
Michael T. Uberuaga 
202 "C" Street, MS 9 A 
San Diego, CA92101 
manager@sdcity.sannet.gov  

Mayor 
Dick Murphy 
202 "C" Street, 11th Floor 
San Diego, CA 92101 
DickMurphy@sandiego.gov  

Council Member 
Scott Peters 
202 "C" Street, MS #10A 
San Diego, CA 92101 
ScottPeters@sandiego.gov  

Assistant City Manager 
P. Lamont Ewell 
202 "C" Street, MS #9A 
San Diego, CA 92101 

City Attorney 
Casey Gwinn 
Civic Center Plaza 
1200 Third Avenue, Suite 1200 
San Diego, CA 92101 
reception@sandiego.gov  

Deputy City Attorney 
Priscilla Dugard 
Civic Center Plaza 
1200 Third Avenue, Suite 1200 
San Diego, CA 92101 
reception@sandiego.gov

MEMBER WEB PAGES:

Brad's Place
Dick's RC Planes

OLD NEWS LETTERS


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