Photo by CT Ballooning, Jim Regan, October 2011
CLAS OFFICERS 2012 President Garry Guertin 860-919-4175 gguertin@cox.net Vice President Jim Regan 860-209-0351 ctballooning@sbcglobal.net Secretary Ellen Dressel 203-272-6116 Treasurer Robert Zirpolo 860-620-3754 robertzirpolo@comcast.net The Scoop Editor Libby Richardson 203-988-6577 Libby_rich@yahoo.com Historian for Life 203-910-4955 Jim Adams Program Manager CLAS FAASTeam Representatives Penny Christy Santo Galatioto Tom Murphy Robert Zirpolo COMMITTEES Audit Competition Rick Silva, 860-536-870?? silvrw@sbcglobal.net Education Garry Guertin, 860-621-9945 gguertin@cox.net Erwin Dressel, 203-272-6116 Charlie Perreault, 860-426-9814 bythefireplace@gmail.com FAA Liaison Santo Galatioto, 203-397-0521 Santo.galatioto@yale.edu Daryl Smith, 860-742-6402 daryl@cthotair.com Nominating Safety Seminar Daryl Smith, 860-742-6402 daryl@cthotair.com Sunshine Tony Roswell, 203-264-5066 Webmaster Jim O Brien, 203-795-3598 James.obriem@pobox.com Winter Dinner Ellen Dressel, 203-272-6116 Libby Richardson, 203-988-6577 Libby_rich@yahoo.com CLAS Calendar April 19 CLAS meeting, 7:30 PM, Plainville Police Department May 17 CLAS meeting, 7:30 PM, Plainville Police Department. Topic: GPS Demystified. See below for more details. For those who actually read the Scoop, this is also the Editor s Birthday. Please plan accordingly CLAS May Educational Meeting: GPS Demystified If you attended the CLAS Safety Seminar in February, you saw how the national champions use GPS, but how does that apply to your normal flying? This presentation will show: - Practical uses of GPS in the balloon - Actual hands-on on how to do it - What the GPS can and can't do. - How to use your existing GPS - How to use software on your PC to talk to your GPS - What type of GPS to buy if you are going to buy a new one If you have a GPS, bring it. If you have a cable to hook the GPS up to your computer, bring that. If you have a laptop bring that too, even if you don't have a GPS About The Scoop This newsletter is published by The Connecticut Lighter than Air Society for its members and interested parties. Portions of this publication may be reproduced of credit is given to the written and CLAS. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the organization or members of the organization. Submissions for the newsletter are welcome. Thanks to this month s newsletter contributors! Garry Guertin Santo Galotioto Pam Guedry Keep it coming! Chris Mooney Jim Regan
Southington Fire Department and CLAS Partner for Hands-on Fire Extinguisher Demonstration The CLAS meeting on Thursday March 15, 2010 took place on-site at the Southington Fire Department Headquarters Station, 310 North Main St. Southington. CLAS members and Southington firefighters participated together in a fire extinguisher lesson. Lieutenant Higgins of the Southington Fire Department led the lesson which included an interactive discussion regarding different type of fire extinguishers, including when and how to use an extinguisher. The lesson finished with a hands-on fire extinguishing practice using the Fire Department s own special training equipment. A large amount of CLAS membership was present for the fire safety education in which everyone was provided an opportunity for hands-on practice. The education meeting left everyone with an improved level of awareness for dealing with fires and proper precautions when trying to extinguish them. The evening ended inside the fire house with a comprehensive tour of the fire equipment that is maintained and stored in each different type of vehicle. Additional discussions with Lieutenant Higgins indicated a desire on both CLAS and the Southington Fire Department continue to participate together in Hot Air Balloon safety awareness. A special thank you to Tony Roswell for doing such a great job of arranging this fire safety lesson with the Southington Fire Department. More photos on the next page and on our Facebook page.
Members tour the fire house following the demonstration Read a story about the use of a fire extinguisher in a balloon accident in the UK here.
CONNECTICUT LIGHTER THAN AIR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP FORM The Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society is a club for anyone interested in learning about, participating in, and improving the sport of ballooning. Pilots, crew, and enthusiasts alike are welcome and ALL can contribute to the safety, enjoyment and education of the sport. Meetings are scheduled monthly on the 3 rd Thursday of the month at the Plainville Police Department, 19 Neal Court, Plainville, at 7:30 PM. For more information, contact any of the officers listed in this newsletter. CLAS DUES $20 include membership privileges Extra voting family member add $5 NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE (Home) (Work) (Cell) E-Mail CLAS Membership Info: Single ($20) Family ($20) Extra Vote ($5) Name: New Renewing Crew Student Pilot Private Pilot Commercial Pilot N# BFA # BFA CAAP Level BFA PAAP Level FAA Wings Level Completed Pilot Certificate # Type(s) of Certificate(s) Make checks payable to CLAS and mail to: CLAS, PO Box 53, Southbury, CT 06488-0053 Like us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/connecticut-lighter-than-air-society/193563443995591 Pictures like this one to the left only come from one place Mardi Gras! SENDING WELL WISHES: Please keep Amedeo Mario DiStefano in your thoughts and prayers as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Please also keep Robert Zirpolo in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from knee replacement surgery. NOTICE: CLAS has received notification from the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) that it is mandating all public and industrial/business licensees convert existing 25kHz wideband radio systems to a minimum narrowband of 12.5kHz efficiency technology by January 1, 2013. This subject will be discussed in further detail at the April CLAS meeting.