Dear fellow HKRCSS members,

I am delighted to see you all in this annual gathering! We are just like a big family with a common interest – that is r/c glider flying. I am particularly happy to see many new faces joining us this year, welcome!

It is my honor to report to you the development of HKRCSS in the year 2006. Our club has organized many activities and contests last year. F3F slope races are now mature, we even sent HK teams to take part in the Taiwan Open and Viking Race 2006 in Scotland, and achieved good results. In order to attract more pilots to F3F, we organized many 60” F3F races for those who might have 60” moldies only. We also held some DLG contests and slope combat contests, the participation rates were high indicating that interests in these areas are increasing. However, we do expect more development works are needed in other areas of r/c gliding, in particular, F3B, electric sailplane and organized scale soaring.

Our club also contributes actively to the Hong Kong community.  It is worth mentioning that our club was invited to co-host the Hong Kong Secondary School Handlaunch Glider Design contest last May. This kind of contest can simulate secondary school students’ interest in science and engineering. We were also invited by Red Bull and HK Scout to exhibit our modeling and flying activities.

It is, however, disappointing to report also that our membership grew only marginally last year. We have taken steps to remedy this situation by introducing a comprehensive training program for new comers. We’ve scheduled a regular training day in each month to provide free supervised practice training for new r/c pilots. We hope that this program will help the membership development back into a healthy state. We also introduced a flying skill assessment exercise this year. A certificate is given if a pilot who has successfully achieved a defined level of skill in r/c glider flying.

Last year, we continued to enjoy the supports from the local r/c manufacturers and model shops by sponsoring prizes in HKRCSS-hosted competitions and activities. In this opportunity, I would like to express our sincere thanks to those who are supportive to our club.

Lets me summarize what we have achieved last year:

• 60” F3F slope race in Ma On Shan (5/2/2006): 13 pilots joined the race.

• Handlaunch and duration glider contest in Shamchung (19/2/2006): This was the first time we held a contest in Shamchung after a two-year break. 13 pilots joined the contest.

• 60” F3F slope race in Ma On Shan (5/3/2006): This is the second 60” F3F race for the year. Due to occasional rain, the race was attended by 10 r/c pilots only.

• Flying skill assessment exercise: The first exercise was held in Fei Ngo Shan on 23 April 2006. Over 25 pilots got their pilot certificates. The second and third exercises were cancelled due to unfavoured weather.

• Secondary school handlaunch glider duration contest (21/5/2006): A series of talks and training sessions were given prior to the contest which was held in Fung Kai First Seconday School. There were over 40 teams from various schools in the territory joining the contest.

• Taiwan F3F Open in Penghu Island (13-18 August 2006):  A HK team of 7 pilots was sent and the team won the champion, the first and second runner ups together with the best time award.

• F3F race in Ma On Shan (27/8/2006): 16 pilots participated in this race with marginal wind.

• Viking Race 2006 (9-14 Sept. 2006): A HK team and some HK pilots participated in the contest. Experience gained although the wind was marginal.

• Slope combat contest (15/10/2006): We have secured cash sponsorship for prizes. 24 pilots joined the combat with lots of fun.

• Electric sailplane during contest in Shamchung (22/10/2006): 8 pilots joined the contest.

• 60” F3F slope race in Ma On Shan (5/11/2006): 16 pilots participated in the contest.

• F3F race in High Junk Peak (7/1/2007): 11 pilots joined the race.

 Our sport is weather dependent. We have many activities cancelled or postponed last year due to unfavoured weather, but given the dedication of our team, many activities were successfully organized. I would like to thank our function chairs and committee members in contributing their time and efforts to make all these events enjoyable. Of course, your full supports and participations in these activities are the most important ingredient. 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 prosperous Lunar New Year with plenty of wind to soar and to land safely!

Chairman (Stanley Chan)

27 January, 2007