December 30th - 10:14 AM
I look forward to serving each of you in this club the best that I can in the forthcoming year.
As we prepare to ring in the New Year I hope and pray that each and everyone of you and your
family and loved ones stay safe, healthy, and that you prosper in all that you do in 2022.
Instead of new year's resolutions I just hope and pray that we soon see and end to this evil
pandemic virus that has plagued us for the past two years. However you chose to celebrate the
New Year please stay safe and healthy and have a Happy New Year!
Duane
KARCS - President
December 17th - 11:37 AM
With Christmas just around the corner I thought I would share my views for the year past
with all. Looking back at the past year in perspective we've accomplished much despite
the current health threat. We have been blessed to be able to have open flying once again.
We even managed, thanks to KC's diligence and the fantastic turn out of club members, to
get our runway resurfaced and renewed. Thanks to all involved with that.
I feel that we have been blessed this past year as all have stayed healthy despite the
COVID threat. I also feel I am blessed to have been allowed to be your president for
the past year and to also have been chosen to serve a second year.
It is my hopes and prayers that each and everyone of you and your families have a very Merry
Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous, and safe New Year. Looking forward to an even better 2022.
Merry Christmas to All!
Duane, KARCS President
November 23rd - 5:04 PM
As we prepare for this Thanksgiving Holiday— rather than just being a day where we eat
too much and strategize our Black Friday sales plan of attack — we should reflect back
on our historical and spiritual roots as we give thanks to Almighty God for all we have
and can be. We should follow Abraham Lincoln’s example by repenting and asking for God’s
forgiveness for our personal sins and our nation’s perverseness. It is a little bit hard
to read at times but here is President Lincoln's declaration made when he declared a day
of Thanksgiving for the nation:
"As a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.
And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for
such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our
national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have
become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which
we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand
to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the
Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union."
I believe that his declaration is still appropriate today.
We should seek to reconcile with others and apologize for the harm we have caused.
Our actions should reflect our grateful hearts. We should thank God for the people that
are in our lives, as we enjoy a meal with friends and family.
We can share the grace and the blessings that God has given us by serving the homeless
or inviting people who have no place to go on Thanksgiving.
I wish you all a "Blessed, bountiful and happy Thanksgiving in however you decide to celebrate it.
Stay safe, stay warm, and don't eat too much.
Duane
KARCS - President
November 8th - 8:20 AM
Veteran's Day, November 11, 2021
I AM A VETERAN
What Is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day occurs on November 11 every year in the United States in honor of the “eleventh hour
of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I, originally
known as Armistice Day.
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end
of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11
became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to
all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served
their country honorably during war or peacetime.
So, the next time you see a man or a woman in military uniform take a moment and say "Thank You"
to them for their service to our country and helping to keep it a "Free" country!
Duane, KARCS President
October 26th - 8:33 AM
Happy Halloween!
Can't believe it's already fall. The big wind and rain storm this last Sunday brings to mind
next Sunday. Next Sunday is Halloween and while not everyone celebrates it, many children do.
With darkness, wind and rain, I ask that you all please be very cautious if you have to be
out and about next Sunday evening, especially if you are driving somewhere. Be on the look out
for all the little ghost and goblins darting to and fro and be careful. Please protect our little
ones as well as yourself and enjoy the time with them, they grow up fast!
Happy Halloween,
Duane, KARCS President
October 13th - 1:41 PM
KARCS Field Gate Locks are being damaged due to forcing, either open or closing.
Combination locks (any lock for that matter) do not like pressure applied to the shackle while trying
to operate the tumblers. If you have trouble turning the tumblers reach down underneath and
lift slightly on the gate lock bar that the lock goes through while moving the tumblers. This
relieves the pressure on the shackle and let’s the lock operate properly. That lock bar is
quite heavy and is pulling down on the lock shackle causing the tumblers to jamb.
The lock must be on the combination to close, then hold closed and spin the numbers. Do NOT
try and force lock closed if it is not on the combination, this damages the lock internals.
Never force this kind of padlock. If you ever cannot lock the gate get in touch with myself,
KC Patton or Greg Tinius as soon as you can so we can get it corrected.
Duane Barrett
KARCS - President
Thank You
On behalf or the Kitsap Arcs Radio Control Society I would like to thank former member J.
Rowley and his wife for their generous gift to our members. All planes found loving homes.
We would wish the Rowley’s a safe and adventurous trip on their move to Arkansas after so
long in Kitsap county.
Duane Barrett, President,
Kitsap ARCS
September 5th
The installation of the new runway fabric was completed Saturday afternoon following a
Herculean four day work effort.
First, I would like to thank KC Patton for his diligence, fortitude, and just plain drive
that kept this project going for more than two years with set-back after set-back. He never
gave up! Also thanks to Greg T. for expertise and knowledge concerning past runway work.
Second, the club has responded like a well-oiled machine should, everyone stepping up and
helping in some manner. From the awesome turnout the first day it just kept getting better.
Without all the hard work that all of you put forth this project would have taken much
longer. A HUGE, HUGE, Thank You to each and everyone of you who showed up and helped with
this project. Club spirit really showed forth during this gargantuan work. The hard part is over,
there are a few final cosmetic touches left to be done, but the field is now open for flying again.
If you weren’t able to come out and participate, come on out and take a look at the new runway.
It looks great. Come out and try out the new runway and enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Again, a HUGE thank you to all!
Duane, KARCS President
August
25th - 5:15 PM
With the County being in Phase III, the time has finally come for us to put down
new runway fabric. We have purchased new fabric and it is being delivered to the field.
On Wednesday, September 1st, we’ll close down the field for flying. I (Duane) will meet you at
9:00 am to coordinate removing the spikes (large headed nails and washers). We need as many
helpers as we can get. Bring claw hammers, crow bars, pry bars, cat's claws, pads to kneel on,
etc., a small piece of thin 1/4 in plywood or something similar to protect the fabric when
pulling spikes, and maybe some good pliers or vice grips to help pull the spikes as most are
longer than a hammer will pull completely.
It is the consensus that we pull the spikes (they are potential wear spots) and leave all of
the staples in the fabric to hold it in place while we lay the new fabric over the top.
We’ll start initially in the center portion that is frayed so badly. We’re planning to put
a piece of new fabric over the frayed portion in the center, as well as the Northwest corner
that’s also badly frayed, as an underlayment before we lay the entire new strips. We need to
remove all of the spikes in the two center seams. We’re leaving the spikes in place around
the outer edge (they are currently underground) to hold the old fabric in place.
Time permitting, we’ll also start carefully removing some of the sod around the parameter
to find the edges of the existing fabric. We need flat blade spades for this, NOT pointed
shovels. We do NOT want to damage existing fabric if possible. This will give us a good
gauge of how far out we’ll need to trench around the existing fabric so we can paint a line
for the trencher to follow. Please remember to bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks (water).
On Thursday, KC is planning to rent the trencher and will be out at the field about 9 am to
start that work. After the trench is dug, we can start removing all of the sod around the
edge of the existing runway. This can begin as soon as KC as started the trenching and
follow him around. For sod removal we need helpers with flat blade spades, NOT
pointed shovels, to carefully peel back the remaining sod without damage to the existing
fabric. Also, if you have trenching shovels, they would be nice for cleaning the trench
further if needed. Please remember to bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks (water).
On Friday, we’ll finish all of the preparations for installing the new fabric. Please remember
to bring your own lunch, snacks and drinks (Water).
On Saturday we’ll need ALL available people at the field about 9 am to start laying down
the new fabric. These rolls are heavy and will need many to move and roll. Also there we be
many new staples and spikes to install in the new fabric seams. If you have a staple
installation tool please bring that as well as a healthy hammer and knee pads or cushions.
Since it’s a 3 day weekend, hopefully we can get it all done during that time. If not the
field will remain closed until ALL runway work is completed. Remember this is your field;
we need everyone’s help. The more help we have the sooner we can complete this major project.
Many hands lighten the toil,
Duane
July 3rd - 2:33 PM
Why do we celebrate July 4th in America? The vision for the tradition dates all the way back
to 1776, when John Adams imagined that a sparkling sky would honor the soon-to-be independent
thirteen colonies each year in a July 3rd letter to his wife, Abigail.
While it has long been tradition to set off fireworks to celebrate America's independence
from British rule, I think a word of caution is appropriate this year. This has been the
driest start of summer on record for many years. There are already many forest fires burning
across the states. This year I ask you all to consider the weather conditions before you go out
and set off any fireworks of your own. Why not let the pros do this for you and go watch a
pro fireworks show some where. Our state's Firefighters and Land Management are asking this
on their behalf and for all of us also.
Please have a safe and enjoyable July 4th and always remember our freedom came with a great
cost of American and British lives,
Duane, KARCS - President
June
25th - 11:04 AM
Well Club members it has finally happened. The FAA now requires all recreational "Drone" operators
to pass on-line "The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)". Note that the FAA's definition of "Drone"
includes any unmanned aircraft system. That includes our aircraft and helicopters as well as the
quads. If it flies and we control it remotely, this applies. You will note the test is really
directed at quads, but still applies to ALL UAS.
This on-line test cannot be failed. If you answer wrong, it will tell you why and prompt you
to answer again until you give the correct answer.
Once completed you must save and print the certificate it produces. Your on-line information
disappears and can not be re-printed from the site. Once printed it never expires, but if you
lose it you must take the test all over again. The certificate must be available on demand by the
FAA or any law enforcement agency. The test is "Free" but must be accomplished at a "TRUST" approved
site. It takes about thirty minutes to complete depending on how fast of a reader you are.
More information here:
Here is a YouTube video that explains it more simply:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFyfZ6d569s
Here a the link to a site that is approved for testing and issuing certificates:
https://trust.pilotinstitute.com
The AMA also has a test site:
https://trust.modelaircraft.org
The AMA site is rather slow; I'd recommend the first one.
There are
others,
but they must display the "TRUST" logo to be valid testing sites. Flying just gets more and more
interesting as time goes by. Please go get your certificate and be safe.
But, most of all, let's have fun!KARCS President Duane Barrett
May
28th - 7:41 PM
On behave of myself, my family and the KARCS RC flying club, I would like to wish all of you
and your families a safe and happy Memorial Day. Whatever you decide to do this weekend,
please take a moment to remember those who gave everything so that we could have a safe
homeland to live in. Without their sacrifices, we might not have what we do today.
Be safe, play safe, and above all have fun,
Duane, KARCS President.
February
19th - 2:20 PM (website)
On February 15th Kitsap County was permitted to enter Phase II of the Governor's new Phased Plan.
The changes to outdoor activity will not affect the club's current policy for individual flying
at the field of 10 individuals at a time wearing masks. It does allow groups of up to 15, but
cannot contain more than 2 family groups. This will limit any field maintenance work parties for
the time being as we are many families, but one in spirit.
As of today, Friday February 19th, the gate combo will be changed. All current 2021 members were
sent the new gate combo earlier this week. If you did not receive the new combo and you are a
current member for 2021, please contact me at
president@kitsaparcs.org
and I will verify your current membership and then send you the new combination.
We are still hoping for some further changes in restrictions in the future so as to allow our
upcoming contests and events, but I want to protect everyone's health and safety first and foremost.
Stay safe, stay healthy and most of all have fun,
Duane
February
10th - 5:43 PM (website)
Everyone,
I would like to thank the club for allowing me this opportunity to serve you as your 2021
President. I hope we can make this a great year together. I also hope this year we can get
back to some resemblance of normalcy at the field.
For now, as far as I can ascertain, Kitsap County is still in Phase I of the Governor’s
"New Re-opening plan" with some exceptions. As a result, the Club is still only able to
allow no more than 10 people out of vehicles for individual flying only. Also masks are
still required to be worn when outside your vehicle. It should also be noted that according
to CDC guidelines the mask/face covering must cover both your nose and your mouth to be
effective. Please observe these guidelines when at the field.
For right now we will continue to hold our monthly meetings via ZOOM until we are allowed
to meet indoors again.
I really want to thank everyone for their efforts to observe our current health and safety
requirements while at the field. Everyone has been doing a fantastic job.
Be careful and stay healthy and safe,
Duane