Sparks Bulletin Board

Sparksrc Club

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS (Three update issues to pass on.)

Thu, Oct 17, 5:00 PM (2 days ago)

to bcc: me

1. Voting process for 2025....

I know we all have a lot to deal with regarding storm recovery. But I am hopeful all is well and your recovery is underway. It's imperative we take care of ourselves and our families needs first and then our beloved Sparks RC club.

Regarding Sparks business there will be now meetings or gatherings "FUN FLYS" they will be rescheduled at a later time. HOWEVER, it is imperative we have a membership meeting the 2nd of November to close nominations for our 2025 elections and start the voting process from that meeting's nomination list, once nominations are closed. Remember, as in past

years, November, we vote the entire month. You can vote by filling out the provided election sheet and placing your vote in the provided sealed box in the club office... You can only vote in-person to the club. If the club is locked you can still vote by filling out the provided sheet in the box next to the coke machine. Fold the voting sheet and slide in the mail door slot on the club shed, the next officer will put your vote in the sealed box for you. If a voting sheet does not have your name on it, your vote will not be counted (your name is the only way we can assure only one vote sheet per member)

2. Club electrical.

Half of the electricity for battery charging is working. Please, where there are working outlets leave room for others to set up their battery charging equipment. Updates will be coming to let you know when all outlets are working again.

3. 2025 MEMBERSHIP DUES.

IF YOU GO TO https://www.sparksrc.org/ GO TO THE CENTER TAP "APPLICATION FORM-DUES" YOU CAN RENEW ONLINE IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU PAY NOW THERE IS AN OCTOBER DISCOUNT OF $10 ....NOVEMBER DUES GO TO $75.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE OUR WEBSITE GO TO THE GO THE CLUB WITH CHECK ONLY AND FILL OUT AN APPLICATION. REMEMBER WE HAVE TO HAVE A NEW APPLICATION EACH YEAR PLEASE MAKE (LEGIBLE)

Be safe and please let's keep our club Sparks' membership strong...

Tom and Roel

Email Us: sparksrc1@gmail.com

AMA video

Soaring into better health with #SocialFitness! Did you know being part of SPARKS R/C and AMA improves mental, physical, and social well-being? 🚁 Members with an eligible health plan can now snag a membership for free thanks to Grouper. Click the link to see if your current plan qualifies

👉 GrouperGroups.com/SPARKSRC #IFlyAMA

#ModelAviation #grouper #hellogrouper #benefitswithfriends #medicareadvantage

Who is Grouper, Inc. May 30th 2024    At our last meeting, May 4th, Tom mentioned Grouper is a company that provides a reimbursement of AMA dues and more, to members over 65, via "Medicare Advantage or Supplemental plans". Im happy to report after many hours of research and conversations with other RC Clubs and AMA that Grouper is a company we should include in our arsenale to attract new members and keep our existing members. Please watch this video from the Director of AMA that explains this in more details. Out of 14 contacts all we're positive...

If you have any questions contact...Tom or Paul via our clubs email at

For more information go to their website.
   hellogrouper.com
Tom and Roel

This is a day of fun flying and a cookout with our friends and families. Too many prizes to mention, however here is a few.
Many $5 raffles for.....

60" Skywing Extra airframe from Extreme Flight.
Your choice one 60" airframes from Pilot-RC.
1 Aura 8, a $120 value from Flex Innovation.
1 Aura professional, a $249 value from Flex Innovations.
Included are 5-$10 gift certificates from Phil's Hobby.
5- Flex Innovation baseball caps.

Thanks to Luis, Extreme Flight has donated a 60” extra airframe for Sparks 3D flying this Saturday.

This airframe will be raffled at $5 per ticket. With shipping and tax cost over $420. At the 3D flyin you will be able to purchase as many tickets as you wish so bring money.

This is what the lucky ticket owner will win. Drawing time to be announced.

Length: 61.8 in.

Wing Area: 739.2 sq. in.

Weight: 6.4lbs. depending on battery, includes airframe only!

Sparks General Membership Meeting!

Tuesday night February 6th

Meeting time: 6pm.

Meeting at Pinellas Park library 7770 52nd Street North Pinellas Park, FL 33781

Tom opened the meeting starting at 6:03pm, with 22 members present.
Terry read the treasury report.
Tom explained to those present that due to medical issues Paul has step down as president and per the by-laws being the vice president he had step into the role as club President for the balance of 2024. He then names Roel Rios as his new V P. It was approved by unanimous vote.
Bids for the runway bids were discussed and $7500 and approved by the members.
New Roosevelt Street signs for Sparks was discussed and $750 was voted and approved.
Tom Simpson talked about having the clubs’ upcoming events…. Bob’s Celebration Feb 24th MacDill fly in the end of March 3\D May 18th and having the warbirds late June.
Tom closes the meeting at 7:30pm

James Kline, secretary

Reminder posted April 23

Our Next General Membership Meeting Is May 4th at 10am at the Sparks Field!

We have a lot to discuss and plenty of information to pass on. I’m hopeful for everyone’s attendance, this is an important meeting.

Time: starting at 10am sharp

Let's keep it agenda driven with topics of club business.

1. Treasure report and membership

2. Event planning for 2024,

3. Entry Road work party…yeah fun.

4 By-laws discussion on officers amount allowed for expenditures per by-laws.

5. 3-d event scheduled for May 18th

6. Discuss Paul’s absence, why Tom is President and Roel Rios is V.P. Per General meeting in Feb.

Please send any additional topics YOU would like to address.

This meeting needs everyone's input so please try to make it.

Tom and Roel

Reminder: this Tuesday’s Sparks’ General Membership meeting in a library at 6pm.

Sparks Rc Club

General Membership Meeting.

Finally, I was able to secure a meeting space for this coming Tuesday night February 6th from 6 to 7.45.

Meeting Place: Pinellas Park Library

7770 52nd Street North Pinellas Park, FL 33781

Time: starting at 6pm sharp

Let's keep it agenda driven with topics of club business.

1. Treasure report and membership

2. Event planning for 2024,

3. Runway repairs and resurfacing. Entry road leveling.

4. February 24th plans for Bob Shadroui's celebration of life.

5. March 29th and 3oth MacDill Blue Angel event.

6. Discuss Paul’s absence and why Tom for President and Roel Rios for V.P.

Please send any additional topics YOU would like to address.

Sorry for not having this date out earlier and the short notice, just too much going on.

Moved the meeting from the normal 7pm to 6pm to accommodate those coming from Tampa.

This meeting needs everyone's input so please try to make it.

Tom and Roel

Sparks Officer’s Meeting Minutes!

Tuesday night January 16th 6pm

Meeting time: 6pm.

Meeting at Pinellas Park library 7770 52nd Street North Pinellas Park, FL 33781

Paul opened the meeting starting at 6:03pm, with 8 officers present.
Terry read the treasury report.
Tom Simpson talked about having the events clubs upcoming events…. January 27 Swap-Meet\Fun Fly\E-Combat with Hot Dogs and Hamburgers. Bob’s Celebration Feb 24th MacDill fly in the end of March 3\D May 18th and having the warbirds late June.
A General Meeting was discussed and agreed to have it at the library February 6th.
Paul announced that he learned in December that he had medical issues that he was advised by is Doctor he must reduce all stress going forward. Everyone agrees.
Paul closes the meeting at 7:20pm

James Kline, secretary

Post fly-in remarks

Sparks 1st annual 3D FLY-IN

A truly great flying event. If you missed the fly-in on the 24 of June you missed an awesome exhibition of a big plane event. Approximately 100 people enjoyed the day. Tom as usual did a super job planning any executing our cookout. Randy Gruber’s spouse brought two dishes which was enjoyed by all.

Sparks donations including landing fees, 50/50 and food, and plane raffles created $1,176.08 in deposits for the club.

This hosted first 3D fun-fly event had such a strong attendance we are planning a 2nd annual event at a time when it’s not so hot. Luis Espinosa secured an Extreme Flight Gamebird and a Flex VTOL which were auctioned off for $10 a ticket. Many thanks to Luis, James K., Tom, Mike Valletti and all the members that worked on putting this very successful event together. Can’t wait for the next one!

Mike and Paul