President’s Report for September 2006 

Ann Sasaki 

Several of my friends said recently that the flying season is winding down.  I guess that’s true in terms of thermal strength and warm weather, but to take an optimistic view, the season is never over.  From now on, we may spend more time looking for the small soarable windows whether in the mountains or at the coast.  Usually there is some flying to be had somewhere.  And when things get really bad, then many people flock South to warmer climes.  

Looking ahead, there is an Elk Mountain Fall fly-in on the BAPA calendar for the weekend of October 21-22.   Please contact Gregg Hackett for more information.  Wayne Clingingsmith is putting together the 2007 BAPA calendar – Wayne hopes to allow each member to vote on the selection of calendar photos.  If all goes according to schedule, the calendars will be available at the BAPA holiday party.

Kurt flies at Hat Creek - photo by Tom Bair

 

 Speaking of which, the annual BAPA Holiday Party will be held on Saturday, December 9 at Tom Moock’s house in San Leandro.  Tom has hosted the party there for the past two years and it is a very comfortable place where guests can spread out among the rooms.  BAPA will provide some of the main dishes and members will contribute appetizers, salads, side dishes, desserts and drinks.  RSVP information and directions to come in the next Ridge Dancer.  The party is always a fun event – last year about 80 people attended. 

BAPA hats are still in the works – Julie says the information, photos and order form will soon be on the BAPA website.  And, if you haven’t already registered on the new BAPA website, please do so.  (www.sfbapa.org)  If you don’t register, you will stop receiving BAPA announcements and the Ridge Dancer.  The new software we are using will allow members to update their own contact information, submit Ridge Dancer articles and calendar events online and more.   

I hope that everyone has a good Fall season and that you find some flying when you go looking for it. 

Dave and the Canadian Rockies - photo by Tom Bair

Abbreviated issue this time around. However Jérôme Daoust has graciously agreed to an interview discussing the use of speedbar. 

Look for it in the October - November issue.

Enjoy the Fall!

Fly High and Safely!

Rich 

Officer reports

Rolf Bienert – Vice President

• Mt. Diablo road construction – the road to launch is closed. Before going, check their webpage to see if it’s open – there’s a 925-area code number for inquiries.

Wally Anderson – Safety Director

• There was 7th blow-back this Saturday. We need to take action. Issue warnings, mandatory site intros, introduce helmet stickers, publish more articles, and display graphs showing the potential dangers for visiting pilots.
• Discussion followed regarding the incidents and what we members can do about it. Importance of right approach to visiting pilots was also discussed.

Atta Pilram - Treasurer

• Balance as of end of June was $5016.47
• Balance as of today is $4600. Coming payments are $300 to the IRS, $200 for donation and $200 goes to John Van Meter’s family (plus $100 in individual member contribution).

Ann Sasaki – the President

• It might make sense to publish Ridge Dancer bimonthly to lessen the load on the editors.
• New recruitment: Susan Kent mailed approximately 250 recruitment letters to Region 2 USHGA members who are not BAPA members.
• Ann reminded all members to register on BAPA new website. Julie Spiegler answered members’ questions about the new site and the registration process.
• Ann talked about more BAPA exposure needed in local community. She proposed to come up with some ideas about volunteering and contributing to Daly City. We may need to find the county’s volunteer coordinator.

Old Business

• Wayne notified members that website for photo submissions is up and running.

New Business

• Paul notified members of the coming USHGA BOD in October. If there’s anything we want the BOD to know this one is a good opportunity, because San Francisco is expensive and unlikely to be chosen again soon by USHGA. This meeting is going to be coordinated with pilot summit.
• Ann encouraged pilots to attend pilot summit.
• Nova proposed BAPA to start oxygen renting program. Cost of a system is around $700 or $450 for a simpler continuous-flow system. BAPA is likely to recoup that investment in around 10 rentals per system. Eric volunteered to administer such a program. Members voted in favor of researching this possibility. Nova will come back with a specific proposal including dollar amount needed.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:06PM. 

Entertainment 

Rolf Bienert gave an informative presentation on asymmetric collapses and how to recover from them.

Officer reports.

Atta Pilram - Treasurer

• BAPA just became a nonprofit corporation and got IRS taxpayer’s id. We need to appoint a person responsible for service of process. Members suggested talking to Lorie Teichert-Smythe who is a lawyer.

Ann Sasaki – the President

• Ann reminded members of the Coastal Cleanup day this Saturday the 16th at 9:00AM. Bring gloves and your gear.
• This year’s Christmas party will be held on December 9th either at Tom’s house in San Leandro.
• BAPA hats can soon be ordered on the BAPA website (www.sfbapa.org), priced at $15 plus $2 shipping. Three colors available – navy, khaki and hunter green. Payment can be made with a personal check or PayPal.
• September 24th is the last day for photo submissions for the BAPA 2007 calendar. So far 40 photos submitted. Wayne to send email reminders for members to vote.  (Editor’s note – the photo submission deadline was extended to 9/30/06.)
• We are hoping to schedule a First Responder course led by Craig Gamma later in the year, and a Basic First Aid course before that.
• October 6 is the USHPA board meeting and the pilot summit. Buffet is $35 per person.
• Ann encouraged pilots to submit detailed accident reports. Such reports are anonymous and do not stay on pilot’s record.  Witnesses can also submit a report.  We need the data in order to be able to analyze it on a quarterly or yearly basis.

Old Business

• Motion to approve June and July meeting minutes. Motion PASSED.

New Business

• Mark (visiting WOR member) raised a question of whether BAPA and WOR duplicate each other’s work and whether it would make sense for the two to merge. After some discussion members agreed we might hold some meetings jointly with WOR. Ann to contact WOR president to discuss such possibility.
• Atta proposed donating a bigger trash can for the Mussel Rock parking lot. Also, wooden boards are needed to help cover the ditch at Ed Levin.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:06PM. 

Entertainment 

Chip Sheppard showed Anne and Enleau O’Connor’s video on acrobatics.