Camping at summer events
Money Matters by Keith Sessions, Chief Financial Officer
keithksessions@hotmail.com
Welcome to May. Many of you are out flying new models or getting ready for Joe Nall Week and other summer events. At the AMA, we are in the annual audit process.
This is something we used to do during the first quarter of the year. After retiring our bond issue a couple of years ago, we were no longer required to do this during the first quarter. By moving the audit to the second quarter, we still get timely audit results and save roughly 10% of the audit fees.
On top of last year’s regular audit, we finished the IRS audit. Although we passed the audit with flying colors, there were some recommended changes to how we account for certain expenses. These recommendations were incorporated in the 2016 books. I will report results later this summer.
I know a few of you are truly excited about the thought of poring over financial statements in an annual audit, but most of you are probably looking forward to flying at several events this season.
When you start looking at what it costs to travel to several events, the expenses add up. Gas has remained at a more reasonable level than it was a few years ago. The other large trip expense is usually lodging. This is one place that you can stretch your event budget by camping on-site. I camp at all of the flying events I attend. This month’s column is going to focus on tents.
In full disclosure, my tent camping days were long ago. For me, roughing it is when it takes me longer than 30 seconds to get the DIRECTV signal to lock in. Tents can be an economical way to spend extra time at the field during an event. They have changed and offer more options than what was available a few years ago.
At every event, you see row after row of pop-up shelters. They provide shade and a pit area. Now, there is an option for lodging as well. The Ozark Trail 4 Person ConnecTent attaches to one side of a 10-foot instant canopy. You can even add more to the other sides for additional camping space or storage for airplanes and gear. They are available through Walmart and on Amazon (www.amazon.com/Ozark-Trail-4-Person-Connectent-Canopy/dp/B01KH4CLEG).
One of my biggest complaints when tent camping is that it inevitably rains. Every tent I have owned has leaked to some degree and would have water on the floor. Kamp-Rite Tent Cots solve that problem. These are raised off the ground, providing a comfortable sleeping platform and no worries about flowing water under your floor. They set up quickly and are available online as well as through several retailers (kamprite.com/tent-cots).
Another option along the same line as a tent is to use a hammock. Hammocks have come a long way, too. Properly set up, they have a rain tarp for weather protection, and you can use a quilt underneath you to keep you warm. For back sleepers and side sleepers, hammocks offer an extremely comfortable slumber. Prices range from $15 to more than $800.
A lot of flying fields are just that—fields. They do not have an abundance of trees to hang your hammock. Hammock stands solve that problem as well. Retailers such as REI are great resources for finding the right hammock setup. A Google search will give you all kinds of information and videos on how to set one up. There is even a hammock forum (www.hammockforums.net), proving there is a forum for everything.
In addition to saving money on lodging expenses, camping at events adds much to the experience. Night flying and fellowship around a campfire are memories that you cannot replicate in a hotel room.
I look forward to seeing many of you at Joe Nall. I will be camping on-site the whole week.
AMA Executive Council Meeting
January 9, 2017
Ontario, California
The motions and acclamations are part of the unofficial minutes of the meeting. Minutes from a given meeting are not official until they are approved at the following quarterly Executive Council meeting. Questions or comments concerning the motions should be addressed to your district vice president.
It was moved, seconded, and approved by unanimous acclamation to accept the minutes of the November 12, 2016, Executive Council meeting.
Eric Williams will be the chairman of the Nominating Committee for 2017. Approved by consensus.
Motion I: Moved by L. Tougas (X) and seconded by J. Marsh (IV) to refer the travel and entertainment policy back to the entire Executive Council, with Keith Sessions as the chairman, for review to be presented at the April Executive Council meeting.
Motion passed: 8 yes, 5 no III, VI, VII, IX, XI II
Motion II: Moved by L. Tougas (X) and seconded by T. Jesky to support the Utah Drone Festival (August 23-26) in the manner as presented in the handout (see appendix A).
Motion passed unanimously.
