Dear Fellow Members,

It is my pleasure as in my second term of office to report to you the development of HKRCSS in the past year. Year 2002 is certainly a fruitful year for HKRCSS. We've seen many new faces joining the sport of r/c soaring. Our club is being recognized by the model plane industries, government and non-government agencies as an active and successful organization representing r/c glider pilots in Hong Kong. We are invited to be an affiliated club of the prestigious Hong Kong Aviation Club (HKAC) and our members can now join HKAC as affiliated members. We have negotiated with the Hong Kong Country Park Authority and now they recognize our right to fly powerless model sailplanes in the country parks. OFTA is willing to talk to us for opening more r/c frequencies although they are still far from satisfying our demands. In membership development, we are in a stage of consolidation with 90 members, an increase of 16 from last year. Three committee meetings were held for the day-to-day management of our club. We have also organized some activities for our members and their guests. In summary:

• HKRCSS took part in an exhibition and open day organized by HKAC in 23 February 2002. This gives us a chance to generate lots of public interest in our sport.
• We celebrated our club's one-year birthday with a seafood dinner gathering in Po Toi O in 1 July 2002.
• A pre-competition handlaunch glider event was organized in 28, September 2002. This event gives pilots new to thermal soaring a very good opportunity to practice the skill of bungee launch.
• A slope combat competition was held in Fei Ngo Shan south-facing slope in 20 October 2002. The number of participants is overwhelming with a total of 36 pilots competing in three rounds of exciting contest. We are particularly pleased to receive many sponsored prizes from some sailplane manufacturers and model shops.
• The first ever F3F slope race was held in Clearwater bay north-facing slope in 3 November 2002. A night BBQ was arranged right after the race. We really gained a lot of experience in holding F3F slope races and attracted more local pilots to F3F contest.
• On 16-17, November 2002, we set foot on Zhu Hai, China for the first time representing HKRCSS in a factory visit and glider flying trip outside Hong Kong. This trip really enables us to have a clearer understanding of r/c model industry in the China.
• A F3F slope race was held in Ma On Shan in 15 December 2003. The race attracted a total of 18 pilots to compete in five rounds of contest. We can discover that the skills of our pilots in F3F run are really improving.
• A bungee and handlaunch glider contest according to the F3K rules was held in Ma On Shan in 5 January 2003. This contest gives us a chance to further perfect our skills in bungee launching and spot landing.

In conclusion, we are satisfied with what we have achieved last year. I would like to thank the committee members for their helps in organizing activities, and most importantly for your supports in terms of active participation. As my term of office is coming to the end, I would sincerely give my best wish to the newly elected office bearers. I have full confidence on them that they will lead and propel our club to a new stage of development, and may I ask you to give your full supports to them. Finally, in this opportunity, may I wish you a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year.

Chairman (Nick Chan)

19, January 2003