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

72
March 2003 sees the VMAA issuing Policy statements on the following subjects;
1. Frequency Synthesised Equipment. Radio equipment using this process can now select from
within itself, any frequency from the entire range and is permitted to be used.
2. 27 Mhz Equipment. The use of 27 Mhz has been reinstated but only on 5 channels NOT used by
C.B. Also, models using these frequencies must not weigh more than 500G, or have a power source
greater than 9 Volts. The use of 27 is OPTIONAL for each club.
3. Frequency Directive - 10kHz separation. It is now legal to operate equipment on a separation of
10kHz, however, extremely stringent testing criteria must be adhered to, including specific
placement of pilots on the flight line. This directive is OPTIONAL for each club, however, if clubs
choose to follow this path, a new Metric Silvertone keyboard must be used. Frequency keys used
with this new board will not fit into the older style boards.
April 2003 Aspectivity - front cover features a photograph taken at Camperdown over the Labour
Day weekend, of 9 of the Schweizer 1-26's that were build as part of a club/scale project, another
Colin Collyer enterprise.
May 23 2003 - an incident occurred at Brigg's Field that was reported to the Australian Transport
Safety Commission..
This incident involved a model being flown by a VARMS member and a Bell Jet Ranger
helicopter carrying out survey work along the line of the proposed Scoresby Freeway (Eastern
border of the Brigg's Field flying site).
. The helicopter pilot reported that, while flying at 1,000 feet, a red coloured model approached to
within 200-300 metres of the helicopter, at the same altitude.
It is known who was involved and there are several members and independent witnesses
who state that the helicopter was at a much lower altitude, and at a safe distance from the model at
the time of the incident. A response to VMAA/MAAA for ATSC has been made.
Irrespective of the outcome of this incident/report, the club must take this matter very
seriously, this being the first reportable incident in 20 odd years of flying in these environs.
Notwithstanding that a response has not been received by the club after making its report,
the following procedures are to come into effect immediately:
NO aerotowing is to take place without an appropriate observer for Tug and Glider pilots,
No power model operations above 400 feet,
All competition type gliders are not to be launched to full height unless an observer is present
for each pilot actually flying, in case of a competition a Timer qualifies as an observer.
This incident was subsequently "closed out" by the VMAA.
Aspectivity 356 of June 2003 reports the attendance of the VMAA "Executive" at the General
Meeting in response to a VARMS' letter expressing concern with the current insurance situation
and that they were investigating obtaining their own insurance.
Also in the magazine and article demonstrating the strength of the scale environment with the
following report.
Anzac Weekend 15-27 April 2003 - Scale Rally - Swan Hill
Those who Went and What they flew:-
Brian Spencer Airspeed Tern Greg Potter ASW 27
Colin Collyer ASK 18, ASK 14 elect., Martin Simons PWS 101,Weihe,
ASK 8, Swift, Zefir
Condor
Chris Carpenter Wilga Tug Gary Whithead ?
Danny Malcman Schweitzer 1.26, Discus Tony Grieger Eindeker Tug
David Whitten Kestrel Trevor Barnes Kirby Kite
Murray Wills Jantar, Swift Theo Arvantakis DG 300, Ugly Tug
Kyle Walker DG 600 Terry Clayton L33
David Down Kestrel, DG 600, Schweitzer Mark Hunt Fox, Cub Tug
Andy Smith ASK 15 elect., Kestrel, Neville Leo 1:1 Scale motor
L Spatz Tug
para glider
John Gottschalk Corbin Baby Ace Tug Vernon Gibson DC660 & Tug