August 12, 2014

The field is now open, subject to the following.

• The field area is wet in areas so gumboots or similar are recommended. The strip may or may not be mowed this week.
• With the permission of the landowner, access is via the road to the old Homestead.
• From the highway entrance, travel 1.2km where you will pass the normal turn off to the clubhouse.
• Observe the 20kph speed limit
• Continue 1.2km and take a right hand turn and drive 700m past the old homestead.

You will see a cottage on the left.

• Take a right hand turn and travel a further 1.3km where you should reach the road to the clubhouse on your left. (I hope my measurements are close).

The cattle grid will be completed by the end of next week and the usual route must then be observed.

On Arrival

• The car park was accessible today for my wagon. More dry days will see things improve dramatically.
• No access for cars via the front of the clubhouse until further notice.
  Overall, the area looks pretty good and a few drier days will see a dramatic improvement. The next mow will reveal all.

February 2014

The owners have provided us with a 40mm supply of water currently terminated behind the clubhouse. We have permission to take water from there to provide –

• Water to top up the urinal tank and for hosing down. 
• Irrigation to the strip, including pop up sprinklers.

The club will supply the necessary materials and the owners will lay the pipe using their pipe laying equipment. Materials are currently being priced. The proposed topdressing will be reviewed in Autumn so we can see what, if anything, is necessary. Possibly another roll with the heavy roller when the ground is soft will be enough.

September 2013

The continued rain has forced us to defer the refurbishment of the strip until Autumn 2014 (late March/April). The access to the strip is too soft to run trucks with 10m of soil loaded and by the time the ground is solid enough, we’ll be near summer, with hotter and drier conditions and in our best flying season. The new mower with lower blades will allow lower grass cutting and help improve the ground for taking off smaller models. It will do nothing to improve the pilots’ skills in this area

July 2013

For those that were not at the field on Saturday 13th, the flightline now has some hay bales along the pilot line that will give some protection to pilots from any wayward models on landing or takeoff. So for your own safety please stand behind the bales. There is still a lot to be done but progress is underway.

• The electric charging station has beed costed and approved and materials are being purchased. Thanks to all those that donated to this (and there were many) that has almost halved the total cost to the club and provided a real benefit for all members.
  Mike H and Geoff H will commence construction of the bench inside the machinery shed soon.
• A new plan of the field layout has been placed on the notice board. Please observe the taxi areas, which means no taxiing in the pits. A copy of the plan is here
• Please no parking on the northern and southern ends to allow cars to drive around in front of the club house to permit the unloading and loading of models.
• 2 tables will be constructed for use near the taxiways for members to start their IC models prior to flight.
• A line marker has been approved for purchase to ensure designated parking, taxiing and pit areas are all well defined.
• The big decision is to do some major work on the strip which will involve some downtime from flying but the result will be a first class surface that any model should be able to fly from. With the help of the landowner this is expected to commence at the end of August. regular updates will be posted.

April 25, 2013

• They have sown the wheat crop – It is sown in all the areas they cropped last season, including the area behind and to the north of the clubhouse.
• We’ve seen the last of the sheep until winter. The sheep will be on the wheat around July.
• The crop will be harvested in 2014 and after that will be sown to pasture.
• The water will be available at the clubhouse soon (within the next two weeks) giving us high pressure water for washing down etc.
• The sowing along the roadway is for grass.

April 5, 2013

As advised in our update below, the strip is flyable for some models. We notice that there are models that are having trouble with undercarriages due to the corrugations from the seed drilling. PLEASE evaluate the suitability of the strip for your own model before using the strip. We will be doing more work on the strip but this cannot happen until we get sufficient rain and moisture retention in the soil to ensure that rolling of the strip will have a real effect. We are confident that the strip will be a first class one but it will take time so please be patient.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – February 8, 2013

The Committee is pleased to advise that the relocation to our new site is well underway however there is still much to be done. We recognise that members are keen to fly their models again and for this reason the new strip is available for flying, subject to the following.

• The strip still requires a lot of preparation and work to be at a standard that we would deem ideal however, it is flyable for many models (one member flew a 40 size electric model off the strip with no problems).
• The usual demarcation lines (flight line, pilot lines, spectator restricted areas etc.) are not marked but it is incumbent on anyone who wishes to fly that they observe all the rules as set out in our By-Laws. PLease show common sense and responsibility during the relocation phase.
• The clubhouse and associated facilities are still under construction. This is well underway thanks to the dedicated volunteer efforts of a few members but again a lot more work has to be done so please be patient. If you are willing to help. please contact a committee member. The more that help, the quicker things may happen.
• As the clubhouse and associated buildings are still under construction, please ensure you provide your own food, drink, shade and any other needs.
• A temporary toilet has been established but it is only temporary so if you can, use your own facilities before you go to the field.
• The old strip is now closed and will no longer be used. 

 VERY IMPORTANT

Furthermore, your committee has considered the current fire danger situation and has resolved the following.

• Until further notice, if a TOTAL FIRE BAN exists for our area (Northern Midlands) then NO FLYING WILL BE PERMITTED.
• It is important for members to make themselves aware of the existence of a fire ban.
• This link provides up to date advice  – It is your responsibility to check before you travel to Symmons Plains.
• The site referred to usually gives 48 hours advice. Members should check the day before they intend to go flying to ensure a ban is not in place.
• Ignorance will be no excuse.
• Please see this as a proactive and responsible approach to our tenancy at Symmons Plains.

By the good nature of our landlords at Symmons Plains, we have been given a new life at Symmons Plains. Some may have seen the fire that was caused by a harvester operating in a paddock south of our strip. If a fire was to occur due to the actions of a member of our club, the effect on our tenure may well be unfortunate, so let us not test the boundaries and show our respect for what we have. The reality is that when there is a fire ban, the weather will be hot and probably windy so we may not be sacrificing anything not to fly on these fire ban days.

The online By-Laws will be updated in due course to reflect these changes.
Should you have ANY questions or concerns, please contact a member of the committee.Furthermore, when you read this please pass this information to other members in case they may not have read it.

LMAC Committee