Sledge-RCU

For those who aren't being hoodwinked by the ridiculous comments by Silver Wings, I must clarify my appointment to the Carroll County Airport Commission. I was elected and DID serve out the remaining Seven Months of the seven year term of Washington County Sheriff's Captain Lonnie Nichols. Lonnie resigned due to the micro managing and unjustified tampering with the commission's function by the county judge.

The micromanaging also resulted in the resignation of 5 of the seven airport commissioners. Due to this collapse of leadership the airport commission no longer sells fuel and the Airport is closed during winter snows. This is a deplorable state affairs for the only modern mode of travel or commerce for Carroll County. The county judge was re elected for a second two year term by 22 votes, but there appears to be 800 less votes counted than voters that signed to vote.
Can you say "DADE COUNTY FLORIDA" !
I feel strongly that this thread has gone on long enough and as flying season approaches, let's END THIS THREAD and get out there and start flying! Tom

Gordo-ProBro

Well done Sledge, Let's hit the air. Flew my PBF till I couldn't see it today, and thought, "why have I been spending so much time reading the AMA threads!"

Later

Gordon

PS _ Tom, if there is real news let us know!

klhoard

My Feedback: (10)

Been raining continuously here for the last two weeks. UGH. I have my pattern plane ready to go, but it's too cold and wet out. I have another one on the bench, but it's too wet to shoot the primer!!

Oh well, guess I'll be the only one sitting here stirring the pot!!

Gordo-ProBro

I feel for you Keith. Today was the 1st good day for a while. But there are other pots to stir! Check out the United moderlers thread.

Gordon

Sledge-RCU

I have contacted this field owner and instructed him HOW to draft up a solution.. which ONLY he need see and submit. when he does this his problem will be solved...
Sandy Frank ( This was done on Dec. 9th, 2002. Tom )

3/13/2003
As of this post I have not heard anything from AMA or Sandy Frank in regards to alleviating this situation. I am hopeful that AMA's Sandy Frank will reconsider his position on this matter and exercise his authority as the elected President of AMA Dist. 8 and order our full reinstatement. We always have and will continue to obey all AMA safety rules in all regards. The AMA was Immediately informed on Dec 9th 2002 by e mail of the following. On Dec. 9th 2002 the first day that AMA contacted me about this suspected safety issue, I issued a Special Rules Bulletin
to all HRFC members spelling out in detail the safety procedures in regard to Air Space Usage and Procedures. The penalty for disobeying these rules is suspension of flying privileges at Hammer Field. This Notice was Posted at the flying field on Dec. 9th 2002.
Just before the AMA EC meeting Sandy Frank informed me that e mail was not an acceptable means of communication with AMA and that I must state my case in writing to the AMA by US Mail. I complied with this order immediately by sending the information to AMA.

Respectfully submitted.

Tom Hammer AMA 9732 IMAA 23199
Owner, Hammer Field, IMAA Assistant Director D8
President, Hans Rudel Flying Circus, IMAA Chapter 695, AMA Charter 4129
1911 CR 207 Eureka Springs, AR

Subject: Fwd: Re: Hammers Field
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2003 16:15:35 +0000
From: "darnell bliss" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]

>From: "Dr. Sandy Frank" <[email protected]>
>To: darnell bliss <[email protected]>, Chief
><[email protected]>,"[email protected]" <[email protected]>,Joyce Hager
><[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: Hammers Field
>Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 14:45:46 -0600
>
>I have contacted this field owner and instructed him HOW to draft up a solution..
>which ONLY he need see and submit. when he does this his problem will be solved...
>
>PLEASE contact this field owner on this further...
>
>Dr. Frank
>
>darnell bliss wrote:
>
> > Sandy! Thank goodness for your advice on how to solve this now! May
> > we have it please at once? bliss
> >
> > >From: "Dr.Sandy Frank" <[email protected]>
> > >To: darnell bliss <[email protected]>
> > >CC: jay <[email protected]>, cm <[email protected]>, jh
> > ><[email protected]>
> > >Subject: Re: Re: Hammers Field
> > >Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 11:46:29 -0600
> > >
> > >Hello, darnell bliss,
> > >As stated Jay Mealy is the one at AMA in muncie overseeing this...
> > >Thus far I have been advising the parties just how to solve this problem...
>this advice can be taken and the problem solved post haste..
> > >
> > >======= At 2003-03-11, 16:44:00 you wrote: =======
> > >
> > > >Sandy: Thanks for your prompt reply. For your information I am now a
> > >member of The club in question. Regretfully I must report that you will
> > > >not represent the AMA general Membership as the D-8 AMA VP in charge
> > > >of this problem.(Did I say that correctly?) I can understand your
>wanting to get out of this deal, but very few ama members will see it that way.
>It is evident that you have not read the written agreement that Silver Wings
wants Hammer to sign stuck in the Safety Rules.
> > > >i.e. Land grab.
>We will not bother you further with this matter. And if WE are lucky
>the law suits now in progress with Silver Wings will conclude, before
>this smear gets any worse, as now,it is a lose,lose deal for the AMA
>and those that support AMA. Perhaps this would be the time for me to
>point out to all, That I am not an AMA officer, only a supportive
>member and to also get out of town! Darnell R.Bliss AMA and IMAA D-8
>Director

> > > >>From: "Dr. Sandy Frank" <[email protected]>
> > > >>To: darnell bliss <[email protected]>,jay
> > ><[email protected]>,Joyce
> > > >>Hager <[email protected]>,Carl Maroney
> > > >><[email protected]>,"[email protected]"
> > > >><[email protected]>,Chief <[email protected]>,
>"[email protected]"
> > > >><[email protected]>
> > > >>Subject: Re: Hammers Field
> > > >>Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 06:26:14 -0600
> > > >>
>Darnell you are the D8 BOD rep for IMAA incase others do not know you..
as to the term LAND GRAB..

>I do not at all comprehend what you infer...
>all inquiries as to this by those not members of this club are referred to
>AMA in Muncie and to JAY MEALY for any further comments please contact him..

>Dr. Frank
darnell bliss wrote:
Greetings: Things are getting a little warm up this way, Many fliers
in D-8 and Mo. and Ks. are doing a lot of AMA bad mouth on the
perceived land grab by Silver Wings using the AMA "Safety Rules"
as a complaint and leverage. Warm weather and flying are just around
the corner and then there will be lots of unrest. D-8 is your prime interest
but the people in Mo. and Ks. are also AMA Members.
I do not know how in the world we got into this mess, but we need
to cool it,.....if possible!
> > > >> >
> A statement from you as our AMA rep is requested that we may
>present the
> TRUE FACTS, there are perhaps 400/500 ama members involving their
selves in this issue at this time. I/we all support the AMA safety
requirements, but the "land grab" is what is taking the AMA GLUE Apart.

AMA leadership is required big time now, looking forward to your assistance
and reply.

> > > >> > Darnell R.Bliss AMA/IMAA D-8
> > >Best regards.
> > >Dr.Sandy Frank
> > >[email protected]
> > >2003-03-11

raistlin12

My Feedback: (1)

Perhaps you should re-send the notice to Mr. Jay Mealy, to whom Dr. Frank has abdicated his responsibility, and send it registered, return receipt requested. Then, when they claim you have not complied, you can present them with the receipt, and they can track down whoever signed for it. Apparently, they are claiming they never received your snail-mail to them

Good luck!

Hossfly

>>>>>>>>>>
Perhaps you should re-send the notice to Mr. Jay Mealy, to whom Dr. Frank has abdicated his responsibility, and send it ........

KenR

My Feedback: (17)

Sledge, are we to assume that the AMA has not allowed renewal of your club charter for this year as Dr. Frank had suggested in earlier comunications?

Ken

Sledge-RCU

3/14/03
My feeling is that Mr. Jay Mealy has a personal vendetta against our Club i.e. Me for messing with his former Navy flying buddy with the boot leg airport. And that is why Jay is using his AMA power to attempt to force me to sign an agreement that effectively gives use of my 300 acres to this friend of Mealy's.
Jay will not respond to me. For a while Sandy Frank acted like he was going to do the right thing and abate the problem. But it looks like internal pressure at AMA headquarters has dampened Sandy's resolve to do the right thing.
Anyone who has flown at Hammer Field realizes that no safety issue exists between this little airport and the RC flying. The FAA has us in the NOTAM's for this little airport. And so far only 2 light fixed wing airplanes have used this short field.
I am a full scale pilot commercial instrument rated, and a former
commissioner of the Carroll County Airport. So my full scale friends will occasionally fly over to see what we are up to. Of course you know what all aviation enthusiasts do, we wave and exchange wing wags and we all enjoy each others company. They all know us and we all know them. We were all living
in harmony until this new player thought of a way to do a Land Grab using the AMA as a tool.

Tom Hammer, Owner and president of Hammer Field.

klhoard

My Feedback: (10)

Hang in there, Hammer. Have you put the flagpole back up?? I hope that you've gotten with the other neighbor and build one on their land also. That would send quite a message to that jerk!!

Charley

My Feedback: (2)

Sledge,

When Sandy Frank did a bugout on me, I went over his head to Dave Brown. Dave asked me for documentation, which I was happy to provide. If you can do the same, you'll find Sandy on your side at the EC meetings, if not in print, as soon as he sees which way the wind is blowing. I don't think Sandy ever saw a fence he couldn't get firmly astride of.

The problem you have, as I see it, is that the AMA EC has been preoccupied with insurance issues ever since they had to make a big payout maybe 20 years ago. They've been running scared ever since. They probably fear a model vs full scal collision over your field. and a resultant lawsuit. So, you need a longer lever than that, if you're gonna move them to your side.

CR

Sledge-RCU

I will be in Muncie, IN next week and will review all policies
and regulations which "you" have submitted to AMA - Muncie HQ.
Sandy Frank

I received the above e mail from Sandy Frank today after he was notified that our Club had filed and sent a check for our 2003 charter and insurance.
I am still hoping that Sandy will support our Club's continued operation as a AMA Charted Club. I believe strongly in the need for AMA's role in assisting Clubs to hold their flying sites.
Half of our club members were not AMA before I created the Best Flying Site in NW Arkansas. I have eliminated the need for what I call "Boot Leg Flyers" Flying on their own on unregulated flying sites though out the Eureka Springs area.

Tom Hammer, owner Hammer Field.
Free Safe Flying for All AMA Members.

raistlin12

My Feedback: (1)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Hossfly
[B]>>>>>>>>>>
Perhaps you should re-send the notice to Mr. Jay Mealy, to whom Dr. Frank has abdicated his responsibility, and send it ........

Sledge-RCU

The AMA sent a two man team to make a review of the Hammer Field situation.

Don't know what happened when the ama boys went to interview the neighbor, but there was a 180 turn around.
When they returned they apologized. First to me and my wife Sue, and then to the rest of my representatives, for all that was said earlier in the day and for the last 5 mounts.

One of the first things they noticed is that SWF isn't paved. Next probably that it really isn't a City or County Airport like had been reported. And that a 1400 ft rock pile isn't a logical landing site for war birds. Also probably they noticed the remote location as they had just driven the 50 miles on twisty county roads to get here. I really would like to know what really went down over
there, but whatever did I hope it is finally resolved as far as the AMA is concerned.

Thanks for your support ALL 7,208 THOUSAND OF YOU!

Tom Hammer- Owner Hammer Field
Free Flying for all AMA members.

Hossfly

Great Newss.

Hope their turn-around doesn't start a spin..

Best of luck.

Charley

My Feedback: (2)

Sledge,

Who were the AMA reps? Was Sandy among them?

Keep us posted on how the matter is resolved.

CR

Dave Bowles

My Feedback: (7)

I had a feeling someone was not getting the entire and/or correct information, hope things get worked out ASAP.

Sledge-RCU

Charley

No! Sandy was not one of them.

They were from AMA HQ Muncie.

Mike Moss is running for AMA VP in Dist. 8

Tom

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Hope everything comes out O.K. for you!

Jerry

Charley

My Feedback: (2)

Hay Tailskid,

Regarding your trailer question: When the prop comes to a stop, all becomes clear, grasshopper. ;^)

CR

Charley

My Feedback: (2)

Sledge,

Sandy should have got on his horse and come out there to see for himself what was what. Instead he junkets to San Antonio after sending you Emails.

This is what we get when a club charter is at stake?
I think it's time for a change. Tell me more about Mike Moss.

Thanks,

CR

Msaint

My Feedback: (5)

Well then what about a private airport. I have the end of a runway about 900 feet outside my front door. It is a private airport. does this in turn mean I can stop them from flying over my property to land on it ?

This is just a matter of debate and not generally related to the thread more or less heh it dont bother me to have planes flying over my roof at 30 feet.

klhoard

My Feedback: (10)

Please read my earlier posts in this thread. Just because someone builds a private airport on their land, doesn't prevent you from building a 75 foot flagpole on your land.

Enough said??

P-51B

My Feedback: (5)

So, is safe to assume you have your charter firmly in hand and the AMA's backing?

Glad to hear things are getting resolved...FINALLY!

Hossfly

>>>>>>>>>>>>
This is what we get when a club charter is at stake?
I think it's time for a change. Tell me more about Mike Moss.

Thanks,

CR