Mentone 2004 FORUMS

[gyroplanes]

I volunteered to head up the forums / seminars at the PRA convention this July. I have done this several years in the past but got frustrated because the location is not real conducive to learning. I welcome any and all ideas.

If you would like to speak, let me know.

If there is a subject you would like covered, let me know.

[gyroplanes]

I can't believe the lack of response to my post. I thought seminars and forums were the backbone of the Convention.
Help me out here!

[CLS447]

Tom, I had a hard time hearing from the rear last year, so I skipped most. I would love to sit In on all of them(I ask alot of questions) but I think it should be in a quieter atmosphere(indoors) . I can't say much more than that.

[Dean_Dolph]

Tom, I can second Chris' observation. I wouldn't want to rain on the pilot's parade and close the field to flying while a forum was being presented so the only other possibility that I see is for the forums to be presented after flying hours. Probably not workable but thought I'd throw it out for consideration.

When Mentone gets a big as Oshkosh we can have a sound proof auditorium!

[Vance]

Hi Tom, I found the forums most valuable at Mentone and as much fun as the rest of it was, the forums were worth the trip from California. I very much apreciate your hard work on this. I am ignorant in so many ways it would be hard to find a subject that wouldn't be of benifit to me. Thank You, Vance

[Mike Hook]

Tom
I enjoyed the fourms from last year and you can expect to see me setting in the back row taking in all in. I did not have any problem with the area they were in

Mike

[StanFoster]

Tom: I really enjoyed the forums I sat in on last year.

The topics were different and any pilot should be able to find time to go fly and sit in on his/her favorite subject being discussed.

[docjon]

Tom. Have a couple of ideas.
1. Although the topic of bunt overs has been covered in the magazine I would
like to see it at the convention along with discussions.
2. Since I am not an instructor this might already be in place but here it is.
I would like to see a standardized set of topics covered by the instructors
each and every time they teach. Anotherwords, an extensive minimum list
of things that should or must be covered by the instructors both in the air
on the ground. I would also like to see all pilots contribute to this list.
3. I don't know whether this would open up PRA to liability or not but the
instructors should have an SOP for teaching. Things covered specific to
gyros. Not just the normal pilot stuff.
thanks, jon roberts

[Dean_Dolph]

Jon, we are slightly off topic with discussing training here. But there is an attempt in process to standardize training with several well known instructors on the team. The training system provides what you are suggesting and more.

[daveeisler]

Tom , As a new gyro pilot and builder and this being my first of any kind of gyro get together, I think that seminars are very important, I would like to see someone talk about Rotax engines , maybe you could get someone from CPS or Lockwood to talk and then set up a vendor booth, As well as other companies not the usual gyro factorys but Aircraft Spruce , who seems to not know that thier is a very large gyro community out there that they could tap into, How about the many avionics dealers found in trade a plane, they too are not aware of us, they could talk about upgrading from a hand held radio to an inexpensive panel mount as I have done.I would like to hear from an advanced pilot about mountain flying, Density altitude and what to do about it, how to re-jet a carb. And crosswind takeoff and landings with a field trip to the field for further talks.Does the EAA know about this convention, if not you should get someone to come over, How about finding an insurance co. that would send a rep over to talk and then maybe write a policy or two, I got a number from the EAA for gyro insurance. How about a bank rep to finance upgrades or new purchase. the point is to get people that you would most likely overlook but could be a big help to us.

[LGoodhind]

I'd like to second the comments of Chris and Dean about how hard it is to hear- both at the forums but also at the life member meeting .. maybe something as simple as a dozen framed screens (think stage "flats" for construction) with a styrofoam core could be used to close the tower end openings and deaden the sound. Something like that could also be used to pin reading material on but somebody may have a better idea. I'll kick in some $'s for materials on any workable solution if there's anybody local and not burned out that would want to take something like that on.

IMO the life member meeting should not be held in the middle of an open field- even without the thunderous doppler of Steve's "good morning Mentone" going by it's next to impossible to hear half of what gets said. I only have three meetings to go on but that's been my experience each time. An alternative to partially enclosing an area would be to mike the meeting and have somebody playing Jerry Springer with second/third group mikes but that wouldn't be very good for any real give 'n take .. mikes make it very difficult to avoid falling into serial soap boxing.

[daveeisler]

I'm sure you use a PA system, but just incase you do not or the one you have is not doing the job, try this, I got a PA system from radio shack that was used in a 125' X 75' indoor horse arena and all the people could hear without a problem. you could also rent a proffesional system. If you go with the radio shack and it still does not work it can be returned.

[Mike Hook]

On the thought of styrofoam partions, one thing to think about is that styrofoam is very flamable. What ever you use to close in the forum area should have a fire rating. ((( Guess it;s just the fire chief coming out in me.)))
We dont need to created a hazard here but I am sure the idea is a good one.

Mike Hook

[KenSandyEggo]

So cardboard soaked in gasoline to help absorb the sound wouldn't be any good?

[le-wardy]

Could start a 'flame war' on some topics, Ken ;)

[gyroplanes]

I'm 99% sure we will have a mobile office set up for the forums and the meetings (except the general membership meeting)(size!) This should help with the noise problem and provide a classroom setting.

Good news, bad news....
First the bad news. Glenn & Pam Bundy lost the contents of their home during a fire on May 11(?)A storm knocked down a tree, shorting some wires and starting an electrical fire while they were away at work. The modular home was heavily smoke & water damaged. Glen & Pam are in good spirits (unless you mention pets, they lost several in the smoky blaze)and will get their home replaced.

The good news is that they are going to try to donate the shell of their home to the PRA. A few volunteers have offered to gut and rebuild the inside as a permanent meeting room.
See you at Mentone.

[rehler]

What are the dates of the PRA convention in Mentone?

[Madewooden]

Here you go, Ken!

42nd Annual PRA International Convention
07/21/04 - 07/24/04

[rehler]

Tim,

Thanks very much!

[GeneWeber]

Hi Tom,

You probably don’t have all the specific forums/seminars arranged yet, but is there an overall schedule for the convention. I’m trying to see if I can fly out for a couple days, and was curious as to when the life member meeting and other events were going to be held.

Thanks & Regards,

Gene


BTW: How long does it take from Chicago to Mentone? It’s one heck of a lot cheaper for me to fly from Phila to Ohare, then from Phila to South Bend. Yahoo Maps says 2 hours 40 minutes, but I don’t trust those estimates.

[Kevin_Richey]

Gene:

I trust the estimates of Mapquest. Their's was spot on with mine when it showed something around 122 miles and a couple of hours' driving time from Chicago (Midway airport) to Mentone when I was there last summer at the convention.

Since O'Hare is quite a bit further away and over in the NW Chicago suburbs than Midway, that estimate sounds about right...

[Dean_Dolph]

Gene, did you get a price into Indianapolis? It is about 100 - 110 miles to Rochester where most people stay. And about 12 - 15 miles to the airport from there.

[Mike Hook]

Just make sure you have a reservation, mine got messed up last year and there was a convention in town, Noooooooo place to stay.

Mike

[Dean_Dolph]

Mike, I had that happen in Warsaw one year when I decided to go at the last minute. That was before the Super 8 and the Comfort Inn was built in Rochester.

[GeneWeber]

Thanks Kevin, Dean, Mike,

I’ll check fares to Indianapolis. USAir has a $179 round trip Phila to O’Hare special that will be hard to beat. I promised my 7 year old son that I would take him, so it’s double the cost. Of course a 1hr 25min drive to Phila and a 2hr 45min drive from O’Hare with my impatient son costs too. :D

Dean, do they typically hold the life members meeting on a particular day?

Best Regards,

Gene

[Dean_Dolph]

Gene, I don't believe there is a set day for the life members meeting. Last year it was on a Friday and in Texas in '02 it was on a Thursday. However it seems to always be held in the morning about 9:00.

[GeneWeber]

Never mind. It just isn’t going to work out this year. :( Too bad I was hoping meet some of you. Oh well, I’m planning on next year, and I WILL have a plane to fly by then. :cool:

Best Regards,

Gene