Hi Joe,
Yes, it was quite a mess and many members are really upset at the damage. A lot of work by a lot of people to make the new field what it is, and this happened.
I wasn't there, if I was I can assure none of this would have happened. I just wish that Erick and the guests had thought about the ramifications of what they were doing and realize all the work that went into the field, only to be undone by their actions.
Most people don't know the layout of the new field, but for those that do, I always setup under the tree to the left when you come in. It's away from the main pit area, a safer location as far as I'm concerned. I also use a blast deflector made out of a piece of galvanized sheetmetal with a hinge at each end, and a piece of rod welded to the hinge-simple and easy to setup and transport. There's a club rule requiring the use of a blast deflector; I'm sure none were in use on the day of the incident.
Turbine's are going to be discussed at the next meeting, and I'm going to try to go, even though it's on a Thursday night, and it'll be a long haul with traffic, but I want to be there to represent turbine modelers.
I wrote Jon, the President, a letter with several suggestions regarding turbine operation that can be implemented so they're not banned altogether and hopefully this will blow over.
When my son and I go to the field, we try to be considerate of other modelers and act in a safe manner when flying the FACET, knowing we're in the minority and the club could ban turbine's at any time.
Since I have no interest in prop jobs anymore, it would really put a crimp into my modeling if they are banned.
BRG,
Jon