Next meeting and flyin

[Ernie Martin]

I thing someone raised the issue for us to start thinking of our next meeting. I endorse that. Weather interfered with attendance at this year's Nashville meet, but if weather co-operates, our next meeting could be the best.

I recognize that for two years in a row it's been on the East side of the country, so maybe it's time to go west. Or Central, like in Oklahoma City, so we can tour Don Nieser's large inventory of Skymaster parts at Commodore Aerospace. Or (sorry West Coasters) something in the Bahamas like we did last year, perhaps with some island hopping.

If it's in the eastern half of the country I'm willing to dedicate considerable time and coordinate, or help others.

Ignore my views of location. I hope this thread will start a dialog that will lead to a meeting. So share your ideas of where it should be. Let me float two suggested dates: April 22-25 or April 29 to May 2 to start the discussion.

One other thing. If we lock in a location and date, we can include it in the mailing that's been considered.

Ernie

[hharney]

I THINK IF WE WANT A GOOD TURN OUT FOR OUR GROUP THE MEETING SHOULD BE IN CONJUCTION WITH AN EVENT. I AM ALL FOR THE WEST AND SUGGEST ...... RENO, NV

AIR RACES ARE SEPT 16 - 19

GOOD TIME TO FLY AND ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS MONEY CAN BUY.

http://www.airrace.org/

[WebMaster]

1. a corp would give us some viability, as opposed to a bunch of folks all sharing a message board. When we talk to people about being guest speakers, we can say we are with the skymaster organization, as opposed to saying there is a bunch of folks who all share a message board.

2. Next meeting should be planning now.

3. Next meeting needs to charge, well in advance, for attendance. Get commitments, time, so we can work on guest speakers. In fact, I suggest we ask for commitments, and then figure out where to go.

4. Suggestions have been made for Memphis, TN and Charleston, SC.

5. East Coast, West Coast, the last 2 gatherings have all been organized by folks who live east coast. There was talk of a west coast, LasVegas, but no one picked up the ball and ran with it. Jerry did this year for Nashville, Bob Cook, and Ernie did the same for the preceding year. Distance is important, but I recall Brian flying from Nevada.

6. If it is done in conjunction with another event, it tends to be well diluted, witness the efforts last 2 years for OSH. To get folks in a place to talk about our aircraft, when there are lots of things going on, I would think dilutes the effectiveness.

7. Plan it 2 weeks after sun and fun, or early May.

8. The most important thing, regardless of where it is, is to contact every registered skymaster owner, well in advance, and invite them. Guy is correct, without the mailing that was done for Bahamas, many of the people who showed up, wouldn't have made it, and wouldn't know about this message board.

Even if they don't attend, they will be able to participate, and plan for the next big event. Perhaps at that point, we can do an east coast and a west coast event. Some folks are just not real computer literate, or do not have good web access, or just don't take the time. I recall the dentist from GA?? who had the purple skymaster in the bahamas, who's only computer was at work, and had a 56K modem.

So, location, mailing, contributions, because it isn't cheap, not necessarily in that order. Keven, cash the check, please.

[Dale Campbell]

I agree with the folks that want to give the cash to Kevin, to keep this site alive, or to get out the mailing to all Skymaster owners to join our great group. The more input we have the more we all will benefit. I will go along with what ever you decide on the Corp. idea, but I do not think it is the best thing at this time. On the next meeting. I would like to see it in the Central US states. I would not be able to fly to the West Coast. Just to far and with my business cant get away that long. Just my 2 cents. Dale

[hewilson]

Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas. All fun towns and the first two rather centrally located. Springtime before it heats up too much. Getting further west and into the mountains, consider the Lake Tahoe area. Perhaps Truckee (TRK). 5900'. Rwy 10/28 is 7000' and the prevailing winds are typically WNW. Plenty of ski resorts nearby with ample space after peak ski season. Casinos a very short drive away on the Nevada side at Incline Village.

Hugh

[Frank Benvin]

Reno sounds good to me. Its a 4.5hr flight

Frank

[hharney]

I AGREE WITH LARRY THAT WE GET LOST IN THE EXCITEMENT WHEN WE HAVE TRIED TO MEET AT OSHKOSH. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE OUR MEETING THE DAY BEFORE THE RACES IN RENO AND THEN THOSE THAT WANT TO STAY FOR THE EVENTS CAN STAY. WE CAN PLAN SOME OTHER GATHERINGS IN THE EVENING FOR THOSE THAT STAY.

DID YOU GET CHANCE TO BREEZE THROUGH THE PICTURES ON THE AIRRACE.ORG SITE? THIS IS REAL STUFF GUYS. AT IT'S BEST!

WE CAN CONTACT SIERRA AIR CENTER OR RENO FLYING SERVICE FOR BEST HOSPITALITY FBO. RENO HAS GREAT ROOM RATES AND FOOD. LAKE TAHOE IS JUST UP THE MT AND SPECTACULAR. YOU CAN GO INTO TRUCKEE OR SOUTHLAKE FOR A DAY TRIP.

JUST SOME THOUGHTS

[Rickskymaster]

The first thing I feel we need to do is be set on the dates as soon as possible. By setting the dates, regardless of the location, guys can at least start to work on seeing how the dates work with their calendar.

I also think that the dates should be the same every year. Just like all of the other organizations set their events, we set our dates and everyone knows accordingly how to plan.

The second thing is that once we have dates we can start advertising it to current and potential members to this board.

The third and biggest is to charge some portion of the cost at time of sign up. As a individual who did sign up and who did not attend last year, I would feel this is no different than guaranteeing your hotel reservation when you travel.

Last, I want to put my two cents in for a location in the mid-west.
As much as I would prefer East Coast, it just does not seem fair based off of the last two years.

I will not go to the west coast, it is just to far, as I am sure alot of the West Coast guys feel the same about coming out here.

Just as a thought AOPA rotates East and West on a bi-yearly basis.

In closing, we need dates asap and can someone make a decision as to location.

One of things I like best about the board is the freedom to speak your mind, the thing I like least is the time it takes to do so.

[Ernie Martin]

I agree dates should come first. In the message that started this thread I floated two suggested dates: April 22-25 or April 29 to May. I also agree that a central U.S. location would be best. I floated Oklahoma City, in part so we can tour Don Nieser's large inventory of Skymaster parts.

Ernie

hi all, it would be nice if we set up to meet at sun-n-fun. the dates are already set and most of us will be going anyway. we could call and let them know how many 337's are going to be there and set aside a spot for all to park togather. we could all meet at cross city or ocala and fly down togather. just a thought.

thanks rick

[Jerry De Santis]

The things that must happen to make it work.

1, Someone must take charge and do the leg work. This
person should have help from a committee.

2, Establish a fee for the meeting. (Everyone will not be happy no matter how little or how much the fee is.)

3, Set the location and dates. (Everyone will not be happy no matter what date is picked or location)

The fact is, the person in charge just has to do it without worrying about how to please everone. It just can't be don.

My Two Cents:

Paul already did a lot of leg work for location and possible dates. Let's run with it. I will be willing to again plan the details of the meeting with some help. To be honest, with out a fee so things can be planned the right way, I will not be interested in doing it.

It is a lot of work and commitment. Too many people last year said they were coming and did not. Left those that did shown up in a bit of a bind. With a fee being charged, the planner will know who will really be there and be able to deal with the hotel, plan the dinners etc.

I agee with Larry, If we incorporate, we will have a much better chance of getting good speakers etc.

I also agree, the meeting should be stand alone. That is not at another large event.

My two cents.
Jerry
N34EC

[Don Nieser]

I will again offer to host a meeting at Wiley Post Airport (PWA) Oklahoma City OK. There is ample aircraft parking space and a building for meetings. There are motels and resturants within about 1-1/2 miles. The FBO, Million Air has hosted other fly-ins. I suggest June or Sept/Oct as the best months here.
Don Nieser
Commodore Aerospace Corp
6221 Commodore Lane
Oklahoma city OK 73162
405-722-4079 phone and FAX
405-503-4686 hangar cell phone

[Don Hickman]

I'll weigh in with a vote for PWA and Don's place in June. I've purchased so many parts from him my plane will think it's homecoming.

As for the corporate structure, if there's a consensus to do so and anyone asks me, I can form the corp here in Indiana. I'll even kick in the filing fee. Then we can have our first shareholder meeting in June in OKC.

But, having made the above offer, I'm off the hook as far as corporate officers are concerned. I'll post my list of suggested officeholders later.

[Ernie Martin]

I also endorse PWA in Oklahoma City. Would love to see Don's inventory. Only problem I have is with dates. My kid is out of school in June, so earlier is better for me (I had suggested April 22-25 or April 29 to May 2). Do others have this problem, or just me? Who prefers Spring versus Summer?

Ernie

[Rickskymaster]

I put my pick in for Spring.
We do need to pick dates as soon as possible, so that current and new potential skymaster owner's can make plans.

I also would vote to see Don's operation and would second the choice.

I do think we need some formal legal entity, especially if we can even think that their will be money involved.

My thoughts

Rick Galvin