Big Sky RC Meeting Minutes
6 May 2025
President Dan Woods brought the meeting to order at 7:05 PM at the Pitstop with 16 members in attendance.
Secretary Don Gilles read April’s meeting minutes and they were accepted as read.
Treasurer Darrell Anderson read the Treasurer’s report and it was accepted as read.
Old business:
Dan Woods opened old business with an update on the new outhouse. Dan brought the plans he drew up and briefed us on his visit with Fagenstroms. Don Woods is ordering the seat risers (for $556 shipped) and once they arrive Fagenstroms will pour the vault. Fagenstroms will set the anchor bolts for the building after they pour the concrete and additionally pour us two 65″ by 48″ slabs for the front of the outhouse. Fagenstroms provided a quote of $2585 for the vault, slabs and delivery. The logistics of excavating the hole are still to be worked out as we may or may not have a no-cost solution.
Dan Woods continued old business requesting any updates on a shipping container. Someone stated there was a used 40′ for $3850 but it only has a door on one end. This is from the dealer Jeff Thill on 10th Ave South and 50th Street. Jason Naranjo stated that the racers seem to prefer putting the shipping container on the east side of the track. John Weinzettel voiced building an additional driver’s stand on top to include the race announcer. Members seemed to agree to this in principle but until it can be put to a vote, a plan needs to be drawn up on how it’s going to be built, who’s building it and how much it’s going to cost. For now, it was agreed we would put the container on the east side of the track, leave the existing driver’s stand on the west side and move the water containers to the south side of the track. For now, the new driver’s stand proposal & plan is TBD.
Jason Naranjo briefed the group on Spring Thaw track preparation and changes that were made. The track is mostly ready and will only require some minor tweaks.
Don Gilles closed old business with an update on the field table repairs. The uprights on 10 tables were replaced, four tables received new grass and two tables received new plywood decks. We have two remaining particle board tables that will be replaced next spring and get new uprights. The trex table is holding strong but will get a new set of uprights next year.
New business:
Don Gilles briefed that the club received a notice from the FAA via the AMA we now have a 700′ AGL flight ceiling at the BSRC field. This new ceiling is in effect at most FRIA’s in class G airspace. Some clubs received a 1200′ AGL ceiling if they were in less restricted airspace.
Jason Naranjo proposed that the club purchase a generator for use at the track and field. After a quick discussion, Tony Stinger made a motion to approve $800 for the generator but we wait till after Spring Thaw for the Memorial Day weekend sales, Jason Naranjo 2nd, motion passed. The most likely model will be the Harbor Freight Predator 3500.
Thanks to all attendees, the meeting was adjourned at 8:07 pm.
Donald Gilles
BSRC Secretary
AMA Club 400
FYI:
Club meetings are the first Tuesday night of the month at the Pitstop, 7pm.
Club lunch is every Friday, noon at Hardees.
Wednesday night is our designated “get-together” night for club flying.
Upcoming Events:
– May 17-18, Spring Thaw R/C Off Road Racing, Great Falls, MT, BSRC Track
– June 7, Club Fly, Great Falls, MT, BSRC Field
– June Wednesday Night League Racing, BSRC Track
– June 21, Float-Fly, Wadsworth Park, Great Falls, MT
– July 12, Open House, Great Falls, MT (Full RC Complex will be open to the public), BSRC Field
– July 26-27, Summer Heat R/C Off Road Racing, Great Falls, MT (one day event), BSRC Track
– August 9, Float-Fly, Missouri River, Great Falls, MT, across from Elks Riverside Park
– August 23-24, Steve Woodhouse Invitational Fly-In, Woodhouse farm
– August 30, Scale Fly-In, Great Falls, MT, BSRC Field
– September 13-14, Fall Fury R/C Off Road Racing, Great Falls, MT, BSRC Track
– October 4, Leo Sommerfeld Memorial Fly-In, location TBD