THE HISTORY OF V.A.R.M.S The Annual Diary 1990 - 2009

54
1999 - 2000
The Committee
President Des Bayliss Secretary Ian Slack
Treasurer Richard Weil Editor Colin Smith
Contest Director Peter Cossins Ordinary Member Martin Hopper
*Co-opted Members: Ordinary Member Jim Robertson
*Registrar Geoff Moore *Sites Liaison Max Haysom
A.G.M. July "99 - Special AWARD to Maurie Watts for "Exemplary & Diligent Service to
VARMS", and also "Life Membership".
Also in July Aspectivity (313), the following initiative to improve the safety of operations at Briggs
Field, and also generally throughout the Association.
In the interest of safety, the Committee has determined that it has become necessary to
introduce a solo rating for Gliding, Power I/C, Electric and Helicopter operations at Brigg's
field. A panel of Flight Assessors will be appointed to facilitate this process and the new 99/2000
club members card will include the pilot's current rating(s).
All members will be required to obtain a rating for glider and power respectively,
although in cases where a pilot's expertise is well known and demonstrated, no flight test will be
required. It is understood that is impossible to police activities 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
but the Committee will implementing this policy in a very pro-active way.
To obtain a solo rating it will be necessary to demonstrate a knowledge of safety
requirements, local club rules and the possession of a prescribed range of basic flying skills.
(These solo requirements are contained on a later page).
October 1999 -Aspectivity 316 contained a "revised" set of Rules for the operation of ALL types of
aircraft at Brigg's Field and are shown at the end of this 1999/2000 segment.
14 November 1999 - OPEN DAY held at Brigg's Field to demonstrate to the local community the
operation of VARMS & the use of a wide range of R/C aircraft; Gliders (all types from basic entry
2 metre models to international class competition types), Power aircraft (Internal combustion) from
basic "40" size sports models to large scale & aero-tow models, Helicopters, Electric from Electric
power-assist for gliders and Electric powered "power" including high speed pylon racing aircraft -
this event was very successful. A special feature of the day was Ray Cooper's power model with
"Live Eye in the Sky". Ray mounted two miniature TV cameras in his model, one for pilot's view
of the world and a second for a straight down view. The mobile TV transmitter and ground receive
system were supplied by Peter Cossins and the remainder of the video gear courtesy of John Bird,
Martin Hopper and Terry Cornall (Monash Uni.). The TV link frequency was 1.25 Ghz (1250
Mhz) and was used under the privilege of Peter C's Amateur Radio callsign VK3BFG.
December 1999- a tractor & slasher purchased to replace existing ride-on mower, also a second
container to house the new equipment.
8 - 9 April 2000 - VARMS finishes equal 1st with P & DARCS (Best six events = 29 points each)
in the VMAA Trophy, and is relegated to 2nd on a countback (All events 33.5 to 37 points).
April/May 2000 was the timing for the 53rd (1999/2000) Nationals held at Nowra, NSW.:
F3B 1. Scott Lennon 2. Gerry Carter 3. Alan Mayhew
F3J 1. Gerry Carter 2. Bjorn Rudgley 3. Carl Strautins
Thermal 1. Alan Mayhew 2. Gerry Carter 3. Scott Lennon
HLG 1. Carl Strautins 2. Brad Harris 3. Scott Lennon
June 2000 - VARMS members; Gerry Carter & Alan Mayhew with Carl Strautins (NSW) depart for
F3J World Championships in Korfu, Greece. Results; Carl Strautins 14th, Alan Mayhew 33rd,
Gerry Carter 60th, Team 12th of 27 teams.
June 2000 - A "One Model" contest mooted for later in the year. The model selected was the
Southern Sailplanes Thermal Ricochet using only items provided in the kit, no modern
strengthening materials were allowed but a polyhedral wing design was to be permitted.