FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK
Arising from the events surrounding the flight of the Lolly Bomber at the Christmas Party, a special meting of the Committee was held. At the commencement of the deliberations it was agreed that the meeting should aim to define:  "What can we learn and pass on from this incident"
A "Board of Enquiry" of 3 pilots of Gold Wings standard who were not present at the field at the time of the flight was appointed, all written statements (including the statement of the pilot) were considered by the Board and their findings and recommendations were made availlable. 

The Enquiry's recommendations were: 
* Pilots should not overestimate their skills in difficult conditions
* Extra precautions and safety margins should be exercised when non participatory spectators are present.
* Pilots flying at a public display must have a dedicated observer/caller familiar with the local field and safety requirements.
* Following third party incidents the airframe and associated radio equipment including TX should be impounded subject to inspection by suitably qualified expert.
* Pilot involved should be grounded pending finalization of any inquiry.
* Pilots should receive some effective training in handling emergency situations (including safely sacrificing model)
* All models should be able to cut the engine reliably from the TX
 

Accordingly, the Committee resolved to add the following to the Rules of WRCS effective immediately: 1.     If a “serious incident” occurs then the transmitter, key and aircraft are to be impounded immediately, and the Club flying privileges of the pilot suspended pending the outcome of a “Board of Enquiry”.  (A “serious incident” that will trigger a Board of Enquiry is defined as one which injures or had the potential to injure a third party and may require an MOP Incident Report.) 2.     A “Board of Enquiry” is to be appointed consisting of three Gold Wing standard members not present at the incident site as soon as possible and all witness statements, including a statement from the pilot should be invited and be considered and the findings and recommendations of the Board are to be provided to the Committee for such action as the Committee may determine.

There was no great rush of captions for the new Caption Competition. Are all the Members receiving the Mag?  Surely many more of you can do better than your humourless Editor?

Emma and Dean Schuback are expecting, congratulations to both. Baby is expected in July. 

We don't know where he found the time, but Dean also successfully completed the Instructors course late last year so it's all happening for “the shoe”. He and the other successful candidate, Grant Furzer, will receive their wings and certificates at the February Club meeting. 

Barrie Quartermain has been in North Shore Hospital for about 11 weeks and still has some operations to face. George Ward is the contact. We all wish Barrie a successful outcome and a speedy recovery. 

We are reliably informed that the Richter scale readings around the lower North Shore are the result of weight falling off two of our larger than life senior and well loved members following a bit of nip & tuck! They follow in the footprints of another member who has intentionally lost over 45 kg (more than 1/3 of his starting bodyweight) in less than 2 years!

David Cotton upgraded to the new Great Planes G3 simulator but anyone buying it should be aware that you need a lot of computer “Grunt” to drive it. David had the G2 program before and thought the old computer would handle it, but no, $1300 later (for a new computer) he has found the G3 is great.