Dick Hitt, President of the Association, opened the meeting with a greeting and a purpose statement for the Association. The purpose of the Association is: to promote safety and the safe usage of the Whiteplains Aiport; to promote camaraderie among the pilots; and to promote communication within the pilot community.

Dick then outlined an agenda for the meeting that was as follows:

Organization of the Association

Liability

Maintenance of the Runway

Safety

Organization:

It was determined the Association should not be too formal and have only two officers a President and a Secretary. Dick is the President and Terry Yon was appointed Secretary. There was a discussion concerning issuing membership cards and the possibility of trade discounts.

Liability:

There was a discussion of the liability of the runway. The Property Owners Association (POA) is attempting to secure liability insurance (John Gardner.) The Pilots Association deferred this issue to the POA.

Maintenance of the Runway:

There was a discussion of the runway maintenance. The current method is strictly voluntary. There were suggestions of ways to improve the maintenance, mostly mowing. John Gardner suggested the property owners might, as the development grows, attend the encroachment or easement property separating their property and the runway. Bill Como suggested the tractor could be used more often and is a better solution to mowing than the lawn tractors various people have been using. There was a discussion concerning the use and improper use of the community tractor for bush hogging and cutting of personal lots. Bill said in the past the tractor has been damaged, left without fuel, and generally not used properly, or as intended. Bill agreed to produce an operators guide and sign up sheet for the tractor. Plus, we will instruct the Pilots at the next meeting on the proper operation of the equipment. Ray Ackerman has volunteered to repair the damaged wheel on the mower. Bill Como further agreed to write an article for the Prevailing Winds, the Whiteplains Newsletter concerning use of the tractor and runway maintenance.

There was a discussion concerning the use of the runway lights. It seems some of the Pilots are not turning off the runway lights after they use them. Niel Bonacum indicated the timer on the light controller works sometimes, but is not reliable. He further said the controller has been worked on 11+ times and no one can seem to straighten it out. Bill Como agreed to write an article for the newsletter on the proper operation of the lights. Niel (Manus Construction) is paying the electricity for the runway lights, but they will eventually be transferred to the POA. The cost for running the lights routinely and all night could become expensive.

Safety:

Dick presented a safety presentation on runway incursion.

Open Discussion:

When departing to the east, Pilots should position their aircraft such as to use the berm at runway 9 as a backdrop so as not to "blast" the homes at the end of 9 during runup. It was suggested Pilots position their aircraft off the taxiway and off the runway during runup.

Several trees have been removed from 27. There is another cutting scheduled for June 23 - maybe. Dennis Perry and Ray Ackerman are hosting the "cutting." This date has not been confirmed.

The Pilots Association will conduct a 50 / 50 drawing at future meetings. Niel Bonacum volunteered to purchase tickets for the drawings. Attendees will purchase tickets for a set price. A drawing will be held and the winner will get 50% of the money collected. 50% will go into the Pilots Association's fund.

There will be a July 4^th celebration. The POA will sponsor the event, but the Pilots Association will participate by offering plane rides, providing grills, and other things / labor as needed.

The Pilots Association received a letter from Bruce Money a homeowner on Windy Road. Mr. Money asked the Pilots to be more considerate in departing to the east. He was complaining mostly about noise on departure. He outlined three items. The discussion revealed that the Airport Director of an airport can set the pattern for the runway. Niel Bonacum was appointed Airport Director. The Association agreed to alter the departure to the east by making a 20-degree turn to the south at 400 feet or the end of the runway. This should take the airplanes away from the houses on Windy Road. Plus, on the downwind, we should maintain 1500 feet elevation. Tim French suggested we fly the creek (tall green tree line) on approach to 27. This, too, would keep the aircraft away from the houses on Windy Road on approach. Tim and Niel are going to fly the route, check the aerial photographs and make a recommendation. Niel will write a response letter to Mr. Money, fax it to Dick and Dick will "officially" respond. Our intent is to defuse this problem without creating a more severe problem with the Moneys.

Niel Bonacum and others have been researching having fuel available at Whiteplains. Niel reported he has found two jobbers that sell and deliver 100LL. He further explained the pricing, housing, etc. of having fuel for sale. There was a further discussion about having Auto gas available. Currently, 4 airplanes use Auto gas and more are expected in the future. John Gardner has an Auto gas tank it maybe available. There was a further discussion about vending the tanks, pumps, hoses, etc. Niel is going to do more research and report back at a later date.

Terry Yon requested articles for the POA newsletter. Niel Bonacum volunteered a poem. Dick Hitt volunteered a safety article. We need articles for the Newsletter. Niel suggested a "Bit 'n Pieces" section. I think Jim Wheat volunteered to write the first "Pilot" article.

The next Pilots Association meeting will be July 10. 7:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Attendees: