AAF/Reno 2013; Broadening Our Horizons.

A great success: over 65 attendees, 14 NEW members recruited.

Three Sponsor displays, press (Reno Gazette-Journal) and TV (CH 2) coverage.

Thought-provoking presentations followed by challenging Q&A periods.

As per  tradition, sustenance in abundance was arranged by Jimmy Barnes.

Gabby Newhart presented another incredible performance of herding cats.

 

Monday (14th), Bordeaux-Claret convention room:

AAF Business Meeting, 0830-1000 (Voting Members only):

O830 Welcome; Walt Darran/Jim Barnes.
2012 AAF 2011-2012 milestones.
AAF website report.
Membership with email addresses will be posted; members can opt-out of this feature by notifying AAF webmaster.
Sponsors.
Social media links; Facebook, YouTube.
Jobs sought/available section on website; tabled.

0845 Financial Report, Gabby Newhart; AAF and Memorial Fund, membership summary.

0900 Discuss/ratify revised bylaws. Accepted as proposed. “Red-lined” bylaws will be submitted by AAF legal advisor Mike Moran to 2013 Board of Directors for final approval.

0915 Nomination/election of 2013 Board of Directors. Results posted under “ABOUT AAF”.

0945 2014 AAF meeting set for 11-12 January, 2014, El Dorado Hotel. Business meeting will commence at 1500 in the hospitality room on Saturday 11 January. Presentations will commence at 1000 on Sunday, 12 January.

1000, presentations:

Luke Thompson C130/MAFFS. Caylym/Guardian, Romania tests.

Dennis Hulbert, Coulson C130H/Q, NVG.

Bob Farinsky, AVA (MAFFS I & II IP).

Tom Kershner, Chris Holm, Dean Talley; BAe146.

1230-1330 lunch.

1330, presentations:

AAF 2013 goals:

1. Strengthen and expand our membership base, including international members, contractors, agencies, OEMs, affiliated suppliers (i.e., fire chemicals, OEMs), military wildland firefighters, and rotor-wing contractors and crews.

2. Encourage publication of postings, wildfire photography, and other material of a professional nature in airtanker.org.

3. Continue to address S.E.E. objectives at the local, State, National, and International level.

Bill Broadwell, AHSAFA. USFS contracts.

Jason Robinson; Scooper operations, Cl215.

Walt Darran; BE200, FireBoss, AT802.

Chuck George; ICL, Phos-Chek.

Dave Wardall; accident prevention (SMS), reporting, and investigation.

1700: adjourned to hospitality  room.

 

Next year, 11-12 January 2014, again at El Dorado Hotel & Casino, Reno. Business meeting will be held Saturday afternoon starting at 1500 in the hospitality room.