Details

Written by: Doug Pilcher

Category: Club Business

Published: 31 August 2019

Present:  Mike Karnes, Doug Pilcher, Phil Vance, Samantha McKinney, Primo Rivera, Toby Silhavy, Alex Dreiling, Brad Davy, Adi Kochav, Rich Whitlow, and Clark Hymas

Meeting began 9:03 pm. EST.

Amendments to By-Laws – Brad Davy

There are two amendments that need to be made in the By-Laws to proceed with the split of the International region.  Brad suggested that we revise the eligibility of the current IMAC organization from any AMA or AMA recognized organization in good standing to any person who wishes to further the purpose of the organization.  We also need to add affiliations per BOD may establish standards for non-voting affiliate countries that wish to maintain their independent organizations for IMAC contest using IMAC standards.  There needs to be a discussion opened in the forums to discuss this By-Law change.

IMAC Affiliations – Adi Kochav

The BOD has been in discussion for a while to split the International region into three different regions: Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.  There needs to be a global standard that the entire IMAC organization adheres to.

There will be two choices for each country to choose from.  They can choose to pay an affiliation fee and they wouldn’t need to register their members.  The second choice is mandatory registration.

Currently, the standardization is already in the rules.  Mike stated that the IMAC website has not used fully by the International region.  They don’t register their contests and there are no contest descriptions.  Adi would like to have all the International countries the same as the domestic regions.  Adi has already spoken to all the representatives of the countries and have informed them that they must abide by the guidelines in order to be in IMAC.  They will start using the website, the regional points system, etc.

The question was asked about the penalty to the countries that do not adhere to the IMAC standards and guidelines.  Brad suggested a warning for the first time.  If it occurs again, the entire country could be removed from the organization.  The International countries must list their contests on the website.  Each contest must have a flyer, with details, location, etc. to inform the potential pilots.  Rich told Adi that he does not approve a contest without all this information.  IMAC has Contest Standards and Guidelines already in place for all regions.

Doug informed the BOD that we will run into the same problem that we ran into in the beginning with the International, getting the webmaster to incorporate International with the IRPS system on the website.  The webmaster will split the International region into three separate regions for the regional pages.  Mike and Doug will approach our webmaster and inform him that the BOD has split the International region into three separate regions and that all regions, domestic and foreign, all need the same access to everything, including IRPS.

Discussion of International Split – Adi Kochav and Brad Davy

Adi has posted a current map of the proposed split of the International region into three separate regions:  Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.  This map is in the BOD forum for review.

Adi informed the BOD of the membership numbers that each region would bring to the organization.  One of the concerns was the European region being so big that the guys won’t feel a part of the region.

Australia will be having a regional contest in November.  It is listed in their brochure that you must have an IMAC membership to participate.

The By-Laws allow the BOD to define the regions.  If we want to split the regions, we have the authority to do it per the By-Laws.  We need to make a plan that specifically defines the region split, the Interim RDs, etc.  After all of this put into motion, we can have a special election that will establish the RD.  Adi has already spoken to the potential Interim RD’s.

FAI has stopped the activity of F3M.  IMAC is the sole scale aerobatic discipline in the world.

A motion was made to split current International region into three separate regions:  Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, by Adi Kochav and seconded by Alex Dreiling.  Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report – Phil Vance

The current balance in the General Operating account as of tonight is:

Checking          $14,035.80

PayPal              $18,607.38

Total                  $32,643.18

We have not received our funds from the 2019 NATs.  Phil asked Mike and Doug for the split of the shipping costs between the IMAC Swag Store and mailing of the membership cards.  They will get with Phil and get him those numbers.

Regional Issues – All RDs

The NW region just had a contest last weekend.  Three Canadians came down to the contest.  Clark reported that the Canadian contests have shut down due to weather. Regionals is the weekend after Labor Day.  The region has not had many basic pilots and the pilot count is down for the year.

The SW region is currently down right now due to the summer heat.  There was a contest in California, but there was a low turnout due to the heat.

Rich reported that the SC region has a contest in Abilene coming up.  Several will be at Clover Creek next weekend for the invitational.  Regionals are the first weekend of November.  There is a good buzz and good pilot count at contests.  Many of the basic pilots are looking to move up.  There have been a couple of successes with the Novice class.  Out of the 4 pilots, three of them asked to be moved into the Basic class to complete for the remainder of the contest.

Rich asked the BOD if we could take an IMAC flag to Clover Creek and Tucson for the invitationals, along with providing swag for their give-aways/raffles.  Rich is receiving a lot of responses on the articles.  He reminded the BOD to get their articles turned in as soon as they can.

The NC region is doing good.  In the month of August, there has been a contest every weekend.  We are starting to attract the Canadians back to our contests.  Next year, the regionals will be held in Saranac, Michigan for the Canadians don’t have as far to travel.  Currently, all scores are up-to-date and things are going well.

The NE region has one more contest, which is the regional finals at the end of September.  Brad is working on putting new contests on the calendar for 2020.  He is tossing around the idea of moving regionals around his region each year.

The SE region is doing good.  The 11th contest of the season is next weekend.  There have been some good turnouts at some of the contests.  The weather has been a problem.  At some events, the pilots are speaking with judges after each flight, just to slow things done.  This approach has been very welcomed by the lower classes.  This is done possibly for the first two rounds.

Meeting adjourned 10:34 p.m. EST.

Details

Written by: Doug Pilcher

Category: Club Business

Published: 31 July 2019

No Meeting Held

Details

Written by: Doug Pilcher

Category: Club Business

Published: 30 June 2019

Present:  Mike Karnes, Doug Pilcher, Phil Vance, Samantha McKinney, Primo Rivera, Toby Silhavy, Alex Dreiling, Brad Davy, Adi Kochav, and Clark Hymas

Absent: Rich Whitlow

Meeting began 9:01 p.m. EST.

Follow-Up Annual Meeting Poll – Brad Davy

The annual meeting forum poll was closed 3-4 days ago.  The vote was in favor of changing the amendment.  Brad says we need to get this change in our By-Laws on the website.  After this change has been made, we can proceed with some of the other By-Laws that need revised.

Brad suggested that our next amendment to the By-Laws should be the membership eligibility statement.  Currently, our By-Laws that the member must be an AMA member or member of an affiliate organization to be an IMAC member.  This currently pertains to mainly the United States and Canada.  Brad believes that to whoever wants to be an IMAC members can be without being affiliated to another organization, such as the AMA.  Mike informed the BOD currently we are one of the only sig of AMA that doesn’t have the open membership.

Brad recommends drafting the next proposed amendment for discussion on the BOD forum and wait to discuss it at the July BOD Meeting.

Continued Discussion of 10% Rule – Adi Kochav

Adi has posted the plane listing on the 10% rule on the BOD forum of the website.  While on some International contests, they are definitely not up to standards on the 10% rule.  Adi says many of the planes are designed to F3A standards, and not IMAC.  It is the CDs responsibility to request proof of scale.  The pilots don’t need to be the judge of what is correct according to the rules.

Adi says we need to use the measurements of the wingspan and the fuselage.  He says the problem is that the rules are not clearly defined in regards to specific measurements.

Primo asked Adi about who has been complaining about the 10% rule.  Many International pilots have spoken to Adi about this issue.  Adi would like to propose a rule change for the 2020-2021 rules cycle to have the rule be more specific about the measurements.

Brad says that we need to take a different approach.  He believes that it is not up to us on what planes are legal.  We need to give them enough information to have them make the determination if a plane is legal or not.

Adi has reviewed a few blueprints on different airplanes.  The blueprint does list the fuselage length, wingspan, and the heights of different sections of the airplanes.  When compared to the plane after building, it is different than the blueprints.  One of the issues the even though a plane is built to its’ blueprints, many pilots customize their airplane for them.

Adi wants to help the manufacturers make more precise and accurate airplanes for IMAC based on the 10% rule.  Rule 6.4 is fine, it defines the overall scale appearance of the model form a 3 meter distance.  Rule 6.5 talks about scale with just the wingspan; nothing is mentioned of fuselage length.  Adi would like to make Rule 6.5 simpler to understand.  Primo believes that the manufacturers would go for this.

Adi believes that we should provided a mathematical equation to the pilots to make sure that their plane is following the 10% rule.  A suggestion was made to make a full scale list with the equation and use the equation to measure the airplane.  We can create a database of full scale airplanes in IMAC and provide the reference measurements.  The consensus of the BOD is to not make reference to any IMAC planes, whether they are legal or illegal.  If the airplane matches the numbers, then the pilot is good.  If not, the pilot might need to present proof of scale.

NC and Moving NATS – Toby Silhavy

Toby has been asked on why we don’t move the NATS.  Some CDs in his region wants to change contest dates to have their contest the weekend before the NATS.  There has been talk of moving the NATS to a different location.  Toby would like to be able to give this information to his CDs for they can get their contests scheduled for next year.

Mike informed the BOD that IMAC does not set the dates for the NATS, AMA sets them.  At the National Judging School, we approached the SW and SC about hosting the NATS.  Many of them asked why the BOD is against moving the NATS.  The BOD is not against moving the NATS.  The problem is that the discussion to move the NATS is always discussed in April or May, just a month or two before the NATS.  The planning for the NATS needs to be started in September of the prior year.  This allows time to inform the IMAC BOD and to let AMA know in enough time for them to plan accordingly.  It is unfair to AMA to move the location in April of the same year, because they already have the dates set and if we weren’t coming, they could put someone else in our date.

As of right now, no one has stepped forward to discuss the 2020 NATS.  Mike has heard that they cannot find a location to host the NATS.  This location must have the facilities to fly, pilot accommodations, etc. for this type of event.

Currently, we only have 8 registered pilots with the AMA.  The IMAC website lists around 20 pilots.  Some people are no longer willing to travel for this event.  One of the problems is having it around the 4th of July interferes with family vacations.  Mike has mentioned to the AMA about moving our NATS to the actual end of their AMA NATS.  This is a complication question with no easy solution.

Adi suggested doing an open contest in America.  With the NATS, anyone can fly, not just IMAC pilots.  Anymore the NATS are no different than any other contest that one attends on the weekends and we need to change that.  Primo suggested contacting pilots to see why they don’t attend the NATS.

Treasurer’s Report – Phil Vance

At the end of May 2019, the General IMAC Operating account is as follows:

Checking      $21,700.30

PayPal          $16,522.72

Total            $38,223.02

As of tonight, June 17, 2019, the General IMAC Operating account is as follows:

Checking     $21,758.53

PayPal         $17,062.82

Total            $38,821.35

Another PayPal account was opened just to handle the IMAC Swag Store.  This was due to keep it separate from the IMAC General Operating Account.

Phil asked the BOD if they wanted the shipping costs separate, such as the shipping from the Swag Store versus membership cards, etc.  The BOD agreed to keep these items separate expenses.

Regional Issues – All RDs

The SW region currently has 10 contests in the books.  Alex says that this is the region’s break until fall.

The SE had 6 contest in the books, with 8 more to go.  Primo informed the BOD that the Piedmont contest was cancelled, but got it moved to Mocksville.  Many pilots are excited that there will still be a contest that weekend.  They currently have 17 pilots signed up.  The Youth Masters is coming up and they are looking for volunteers.

The NE region is doing well.  Brad reported that they have a couple of new contests coming up.

The NC region has 3 contests in the books.  Toby informed the BOD that the region has been on many weather delays.  Most of the contests have been one-day or only flown just a few rounds due to the weather.  Toby has been posting several updated and items on the region’s page on the website.  He wants to get more people to use the IMAC site for resources.

The NW has it’s biggest contest of the year this coming weekend.  There are 3 pilots from Canada that will be attending the contest.  Currently, there are around 17-18 pilots signed up.  Clark informed the BOD that they have not had a Basic pilot at a contest this year.

The International region has been very busy.  Adi reported that the Italian Open just wrapped up.  There were 70 some pilots from 15 different countries.  Out of those pilots, 85% were IMAC members.  Some countries in attendance were South Africa, India, and Kuwait.  the next contest is in the Czech Republic and they are currently looking at more than 45 pilots.  Currently, the region has held 25 contests.  Adi asked if the RD can also be sent the unknowns, just in case an issue arises.  This can only be done if the RD is not flying in a contest that weekend.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. EST.

Details

Written by: Doug Pilcher

Category: Club Business

Published: 31 May 2019

Present:  Mike Karnes, Doug Pilcher, Phil Vance, Samantha McKinney, Primo Rivera, Toby Silhavy, Adi Kochav, Rich Whitlow, and Alex Dreiling

Absent: Clark Hymas

Guest: Rick Crow

Meeting began 9:00 p.m. EST.

The BOD approved for Rick to sit in on the BOD Meeting to give the region report for the SW.

Annual Meeting – Brad Davy

On May 1st, the annual meeting was opened and the agenda was posted.  The meeting was opened for discussion.  On June 1st, the current thread can be locked or a new one created.  Doug says that the poll should be on a separate forum thread.  This thread will emphasize that the annual meeting is open and the proposed amendment to the By-Laws will be announced.  This thread will include a poll of three options:  Option 1 – For the proposed amendment; Option 2 – Against the proposed amendment; or Option 3 – Abstain from the vote.  Option 3 is available for those who want to be counted present at the annual meeting, but did not want to cast a vote on the proposed amendment.  There must be a 2/3 vote of members present for the amendment to pass.  We are not amending the proposed amendment.

The poll will be open till June 12.  After the vote is closed, the results will be verified and we will announce the results of the vote on June 14 and close the annual meeting.

Newsletter Article Sharing – Rich Whitlow

Rich was approached at a Pattern contest this past weekend.  The pattern “K Factor” newsletter has been opened up to non-members.  They are currently bringing in other disciplines as introductory articles.  Rich was asked if we could share each other’s links and newsletters.  Rich is interested in doing this.  Currently, you don’t have to be a member to access our “Download” tab.

One of Pattern’s initiatives is to start mixing into the other disciplines.  Rich will write an article on how to get into IMAC and include an introductory article.  Rich will be doing a forum post, which will include a link to the “K Factor” Newsletter.  Pattern will be doing the same for IMAC.  Several of our IMAC members are members of both disciplines. 

2019 SA NATS – Doug Pilcher

The NATS are coming along.  The NATS team is in place.  Rick Crow is coming to be line boss, along with Alan Batts.  Rich is coming and will be wearing many hats.  The shirts are ordered.  We have received a commitment from a sponsor, but haven’t heard anything back from them.

Doug is printing the unknowns.  Phil has the banquet and meeting rooms reserved.  Rosie has been in contact with the banquet caterer from last year.  They are changing the meal up just a bit.  As or right now, there aren’t many pilots, but several pilots signed up through the last month last year.

Guidelines for IMAC International – Adi Kochav

Adi would like to establish a set of global standards and guidelines for all the countries.  He doesn’t believe we can have a separation of standards per region, due to the possible misinterpretation between countries that want to fly IMAC.  Should IMAC split the International region into three separate regions, IMAC will have 9 regions in total.  He believes that we need a set of unified standards for all the regions.  These rules are already being applied in the contest guidelines.  These guidelines can then be given to a country that wants to affiliate with IMAC.

The second thing that Adi suggested was to make it mandatory for all International pilots to become a member of IMAC to fly in a contest.  He wants to use a mandatory registration for the members of the International region.

Brad says that we can’t have a dual standard for IMAC membership.  Brad’s recommendation is that we establish were a country can become an affiliate.  One thought being they would become an affiliate member by paying a flat fee from their country based on the number of IMAC participant’s.  Second thought, having a certain percentage of their pilots that are competing in an IMAC contest must be IMAC members.  After the initial first year, if one of the standards is met, you can continue your affiliation membership with IMAC.  To validate that they have complied, the countries must provided us with the contest, the contest results, and the IMAC numbers for those people.  We would establish a process that their first year they would request affiliation, so they commit to meet the one of the standards.  Next year, we will review your performance in the prior year.  If you did not meet the standards, the second year you do not get to affiliate.  To receive unknowns, they must be affiliated with IMAC.  Any country that doesn’t meet the standards of flat fee or membership performance standards, you don’t get to affiliate the second year.  Then, to receive the unknowns, the country must be affiliated with IMAC.

Adi doesn’t care much for the flat fee idea to affiliate; he wants the membership to be mandatory because we need the human factor, i.e., the pilots.  Brad says that any individual can join IMAC at any time.  Brad said that in years past it was stated that as long as you had a certain number of members in IMAC you could use the resources available, including the unknowns.  Brad says that this was never voted on by the BOD and never made official policy.  Brad says that we need to establish an official policy that creates standards for affiliation by country for the International region.  If people of that region become members, they get to vote for RDs and enjoy all the benefits of the IMAC organization.  If they don’t want to join IMAC and still want the benefits, the country will have to affiliate with IMAC.  Brad has heard complaints that they are enjoying the benefits without providing the resources.  We make it more advantageous to join individually, not as a group.

Adi is with the membership percentage standard and this is where the resources are.  Brad says that we need to give them two options, and let the country decide what they are doing.  Mike agrees with Brad’s recommendations.  Adi and Mike agreed that for the next Worlds to possibly require that they must be an IMAC member to participate not at IMAC’s expense this time.

Manrico and Adi said to fly in the IMAC Europeans, the pilots must be IMAC members.  The United States required the pilots that flew in the World Qualifiers to be IMAC members.

Brad will work with Adi and get a proposal together that will state the two recommendations and will post to the BOD forum to review.  The goal is to have this ready to go by August or September.

Treasurer’s Report – Phil Vance

The balance of the IMAC General Operating account as of May 20, 2019 is:

Checking       $21,914.30

PayPal           $15,651.56

Total             $37,565.86

We have been having issues with the website on updating renewal dates.  Phil has spoken with the webmaster and has gotten this fixed.  PayPal sent them an receipt, but the website still sends an email saying their membership is about to expire.  If the RDs have been having any issues with this problem, please let Phil known for this can be fixed.

Impact software is now being debited from the IMAC General Checking, instead of the PayPal account.

Mike and Doug has been ordering stamps and sending packages through Stamps.com.  Phil asked the BOD if we should get another credit card for Mike and Doug to use to purchase stamps through the website.  The card is assigned to the Stamps.com website.  Some of the BOD members thought this was a good idea.

We haven’t decided what we are doing with the 2014 and 2018 profits from the World Championships as of yet and still needs to be discussed.

Phil asked why not all the staff was being paid for the 2019 NATS.  A budget was approved for the NATS.  Mike says that there is no reason to pay a bunch of people for a 25 pilot contest.  Rich says this is short- side if you want to keep the NATS.  If you want to keep the staff, they will need to be paid.  A lot of guys will have to pay to come to fill the spots that are vacant, but we need to keep the NATS financially supported.

Regional Issues – All RDs

The NE region has started with the season opener at the end of April.  Brad had the region’s first contest in Pennsylvania.  As of right now, he hasn’t heard of any problems with the FAA.

The NC region had their first contest of the year.  There were 12 pilots.  Toby says he has hit the ground running and thanked Ray for his time as RD.  Doug has spent a couple of days of training Toby on the software.  Toby reported that the next contest is this weekend in Columbus, Ohio and there will be a judging seminar in Canada.  Toby encouraged everyone to use their region’s page for promoting contests/events in their region.

Rick Crow reported that the NW region has had three contests this year.  Boise had to complete their contest in one day.  Canada will be hosting the next contest.  Rick reported that they are struggling to get Basic and Novice pilots to attend the contests.  They have been using Facebook to promote these classes.

The SC region has held their El Paso and Odessa contests.  Rich reported that next week is the Mississippi contest.  After that, their contests are every other week.  The region is running good.  There have been no other issued except with some renewal issues.  Rich reported that he is getting good feedback from their region’s Facebook page.

Rich reminded everyone that they have till the end of May to submit their articles for the next newsletter.  Rich has been posting pictures of contests, along with the results, and many seem to like this.

Alex reported that the SW region is doing well.  There is another contest this weekend and will be moving north for the summer.

The SE region is doing very well.  Primo says that they have 4 contests, and have had 18 basic pilots from these contests.  Some of the pilots have tried the Novice class and have enjoyed it.  The clinic that was held prior to the contest had a very high success.  Primo would like to continue to do the clinics on Fridays before the contest.  There are several contests on the schedule.  We just need to promote them and see if we can get more participation.  At Joe Nall, IMAC had some exposure.  An IMAC pilot did a noon-time demo.

The International region had four contests last weekend.  Within the next week, there is four more contests.  The region is getting ready for the IMAC Italian Open, being held in Venice.  They are expecting around 18 pilots from 16 different countries.  The contest in Venice will host all classes, except for Basic.  Most of the pilots are in the Unlimited and Intermediate classes.  Adi will see if Manrico can get some live feeds posted on Facebook.  There was a contest held where the 2022 Worlds will be hosted.  There are pictures on Facebook for everyone to view the field.  The IMAC European Cup is expecting around 160 pilots.

Rich asked should the IMAC Worlds be made official with the sanction through FAI.  Adi says that once you make FAI do the IMAC Worlds, according to their standards, you will only be able to use the Unlimited class.  Rich wants to post that we are the Official IMAC Worlds.  Phil says that the purpose of the IMAC Worlds was that every class could participate, except for Basic.  The question raised on the website with the FAI is that FAI is the recognized organization for aerobatic competition.  The forum is saying that we cannot call it a World Championship or conducting a World Championship without the FAI sanction.  It says that if it isn’t with FAI, it is not a recognized international competition for aerobatics.  Toby also mentioned that if the FAI was to be included, a representative would have to attend their annual meeting and present this to the FAI Board.  There are several things that must be done for FAI.

Meeting adjourned at 10:32 p.m. EST.