Skymasters Newsletter:
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SkyWriter
Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter
- August 1998
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters
President's Message
Hi All,
Well, to keep up my record, I decided to once again write my favorite message to you all from up in the air. This time I am at 33,000 feet, but on my way to New Jersey. A few things have happened since I last wrote, so lets dive in. Just yesterday (July 12), we had our annual fun fly event. This event, run by Darrell Watts, had a bit of a change this year in that no individual events were run. All categories were team events, and I think your newsletter editor will have the complete write up in another spot. I am quite proud of 2 streaks I have that have occurred in each fun fly I have been in 1) Damage to my plane 2) finishing last in my respective category. I saw it coming when I noticed the Turkey buzzards began to circle the field when I fired up my ship! - I was teamed up with poor Bill Leppard, who missed his regular partner, Darrell Watts because Darrell is still moving and hasn't unpacked his planes yet. Bill and I were actually in second place after one event, so I started praying for rain, but I think my causing us to zero out the second event putting us in last place at over 80 points behind third kind of sealed our fate! -oh well we almost beat the newsletter editor and former treasurer! (who I might add came in one place ahead of us after handing what looked like a $20 bill to event scorer Jerry Blumenthal - yeah but he said it wasn't enough - Ed) but I'm not one to cry foul, no, no not me. Your newsletter editor will probably argue that it was the fact that we also zeroed out the third event (ah-ha - Ed) that caused us to finish last, but this fact has nothing to do with the results. Perhaps the best thing is that I only enter one or two contests a year!
On a more serious note, I have been in touch with a local soaring club, who asked us to consider closing our field to hold a glider event on a spot of land only about 1.5 miles from our field. I got off the phone with the club president last night and he informs me that they have canceled the event and that we do not need to consider closing the field now. One reason I mention this is that I announced at the fun fly that we were going to consider closing the field and for all to be prepared to not fly on Aug. 16th until 2:00PM - This no longer is needed and the field will be open as usual for business on the 16th.
The other reason I mention this is the long conversation I had with the soaring club president (Norm) about why they canceled and how his requests were received, and that caused me concern. Norm related to me how they had tried to get about 5 possible sites for the event and that 4 of the sites had power fields, like ours, that would be effected. Every club, except ours, more or less told Norm to take a hike and not return. If this actually occurred, it disturbs me from the point of perceptions and behavior to fellow R/C'ers. As we all know, several forms of R/C flight exists. Whilst we "sport" fliers dominate in terms of numbers, I think it behooves all of us to remember that sport flying is not the only legitimate and fun way to fly. Our own Skymasters has a sprinkling of most every one of these types from sailplanes, electrics, pylon, pattern, etc.
I would encourage all of you to watch and learn about a different form of R/C away from just sport flying. There is a reason that these people are enthused about their specialty! - The second point here is that I ask us all to be tolerant of these different forms. I was distraught listening to Norm explain how the other power clubs were expressing the non acceptance of anything but the power form. As I said in my very first presidents message, do your best to remember that this is a hobby, not a religion or profession (well, at least not a profession for most of us!)
Happy landings !
Joe Finkelstine
From the Editor…
Welcome to another Skywriter. Another busy month has flown on by. Your editor did some traveling this month (between student nights of course), so the newsletter is a little later than normal. I had a chance to return to Rochester New York, and fly with my old club, the Rochester Aeromodeling Society (RAMS). They were holding their annual Open House at the time. It was great to see many club members I knew and many new faces as well. I put over a half gallon of fuel through an OS .46 in a day of flying the Tsunami! I wanted to pass along my thanks to those I did see, and hello to those I missed. (RAMS are part of our Newsletter Exchange with other R/C clubs). I had a great time!
Event reports were not available for our July events, hopefully I'll have them for next month.
This is an 'expanded' edition of Skywriter to include all the correspondence related to our attempts to obtain a field at Stony Creek.
As always, send any input to me either to my address (on back cover) or email to GMCardillo@misi.net, or of course see me at the field!
Upcoming Programs/Events
Saturday, August 8 Skymasters Multi Engine / Multi Wing, Scripps Road Field
Sunday, August 9 PMAC 10th Annual Scale Meet, Frank Vella
Saturday/Sunday, August 15-16 DAM Giant Size Air Show/Fly In, Stan Spiewak
Sunday, August 16 RCCD Wetzel Memorial Warbird Fly-In, David Wagensomer
Sunday, August 16 GDSHS Nostalgia & 3 Function Sailplane, Jack Iafret
Saturday/Sunday, August 22-23 Flying Tigers Summer IMAC, Tom Kroggel
Sunday, August 23 Skymasters Corn Roast and Top Gun, Scripps Road Field
Sunday, August 23 RCCD 8th Annual Great Lakes Scale, George Flemming
Saturday/Sunday, August 29-30 Hobby Stop "Silver Cup" Pylon for Q-40, Tom Kroggel
Saturday/Sunday, September 5-6 Midwest R/C IMAA Big Bird Fly-In, Richard Vukmirovich
Saturday/Sunday, September 12-13 Skymasters Midwest Regional Float Fly, Island Lake State Park
Saturday/Sunday, September 12-13 Chesaning R/C Helicopter Meet, Carl Brausa
Saturday/Sunday, September 12-13 MPAA Wolverine Classic, Tom Mitchell
Saturday/Sunday, September 12-13 Flying Tigers IMAA Fly-In, Charlie Mikolajczyk
Saturday/Sunday, September 19-20 RCCD IMAC Meet, Dave Pinegar
Saturday/Sunday, September 19-20 Flying Pilgrims IMAA Fall Phase-Out, Andy Pesonen
Saturday/Sunday, September 26-27 Flying Tigers Fall IMAC, Tom Kroggel
*See additional information for these events in this issue of Skywriter!
Event info from mailings received, AMRCC, and Michigan RC Flying Times
First Airplane Epitaph
You new student pilots need not have to worry.
The instructor is the one who is in a big hurry.
For he is trying to save your airplane from a fate worse than death.
You're confident that he will, but you still hold your breath.
As the smoking hole in the ground soon does appear,
You turn to him with a look of dispair.
For he is the instructor who is known as the ace,
As he stands with the transmitter and a dumb look on his face.
Wanted
Looking for a Wing for a .40 size Lanier Stinger. (If not, there is a Fuselage for a .40 size Stinger for sale!) Contact Randy MacInnes (Gee Randy, does the fuselage include a receiver?!?!)
Two is Better Than One
(Does that count for servos?)
-by Ron Lockhart
Take the case of the lonely aileron servo. Normally one servo is mounted in the center of a wing to drive two ailerons. To get the servo output wheel motion to each aileron, we often use a set of aileron torque rods. Sometimes linkage from the servo goes to a bellcrank for each aileron, and then to the aileron. Yet another method is to run nyrod casings from the servo into the wing and bend them 90 degrees to get them to the ailerons. All of these linkage methods have their problems. The main one is the slop or play that can be felt at the aileron.
Bad stuff - slop/play/looseness in ailerons (or any control surface). It contributes to possible control surface flutter, linkage and servo wear, and maybe servo failure. It makes the airplane harder to fly well, because the airplane wanders in heading and altitude. Each linkage point, the torque rod bearing, the bellcrank pivot, each pushrod that flexes, etc, add to the un-desirable play at the aileron. Curved nyrod casings add drag and
make it hard for the servo to find neutral.
How about using two aileron servos, one for each aileron? Mount them partly outboard in the wing ahead of the ailerons. Both servos can be plugged into the receiver aileron channel using a "Y" cord. It's that simple. If your radio has a provision for a left and right aileron channel, use it. That has benefits that could be the subject of another article. The super simple linkage is the beauty of this system. One short push rod goes from the servo wheel to the aileron horn in a straight line. Minimal/no slop! Great!
The two servo system is not perfect either though. You have to find another servo, (yes, same kind!) and build servo mounts into the wing. That isn't tougher than torque rods, bellcranks, and such, just different. Depending
on how far out on the wing the servos are mounted, you may need to lengthen the servo cords (using an aileron extension is the easy way) to reach the receiver. Extra weight? -Two servos may not be much heavier than one with
the extra linkage. Since each servo is doing half the work (actually less than half since linkage drag is reduced) you could use smaller servos to save weight.
Will two aileron servos be better than one for your model? As all things it seems, it depends. The bigger and faster a model is, and the more precisely you want the aircraft to fly, the more benefit you will find in using two servos. There is also some benefit in having the redundancy of two servos in case of a servo or linkage failure. In some installations, not having the one center mounted aileron servo protrude into the fuselage area is helpful.
Two is better than one, probably more often than we think!
via internet- published in "The Radiator", Atlantic City Skyblazers,
Atlantic City, N.J.
Skymasters Events
August 5, 1998 (and Every Wednesday thru September 2) Student Night and Pot Luck Dinners - Come join us for an afternoon/evening full of flying and food. We're out there rain or shine - "we always eat, we sometimes fly!" For those new members and families, we ask that you bring enough meat to grill for your family, and a dish to pass. I don't always eat what I bring, but it makes sure there is plenty of food!
August 8, 1998 Multi Engine/Multi Wing - Scripps Road Field, Bald Mountain State Park *see flyer above!* (note event is on Saturday!) Planes with more than one engine and/or more than one wing take to the air.
I am the CD for this event and am currently acquiring prizes for the event. I'm also looking for volunteers to help in the kitchen. We will be grilling hotdogs, hamburgers, hot sausage and the other usual trimmings. Any help will be appreciated. You can either call me on XXX-XXX-XXXX or see me at the event. Thanks, Gary Walling
August 19, 1998 Fish Fry! - Scripps Road Field, Bald Mountain State Park
Our normal student night includes our Annual Fish Fry! If you want fish, no need to bring meat to grill tonight! Thanks to all for the donations towards the fish as ice fishing was not friendly to us last winter!
August 23, 1998 Corn Roast and Top Gun - Scripps Road Field, Bald Mountain State Park *see flyer above!*
A wonderful day for Skymasters Families, and the neighbors to our field. All food/drink provided by the club. Lots of corn (or course) and grilled food for all! Also our annual Top Gun challenge as Graham tries to defend his title against some tough competition! Open flying throughout the day!
Skymasters Mid-West Regional Float Fly
Flying site: Island Lake Recreation Area, Brighton, Mi., is located on the south side of I96 at Kensington Road (12 mi. west of the I96 - I275 intersection or 3 mi. east of the I96 - US23 intersection). Michigan State Park "Permits" are required and may be purchased at the gate.
The Event:
1. Flying from 9:30am to 4:00pm each day. -- Check-in begins at 8:30 each morning.
2. Aircraft must have been flown & checked for stability and safety before entering this event.
3. Prizes will be distributed by random drawing, raffle, and special categories as designated by the CD. The "Super Prize" will be by raffle.
The "Judged Events" criteria:
1 . You may enter a maximum of 1 model in each class. Static score =1/3 and the flight score =2/3 of the total score.
2. Static score 0-100 based on "craftsmanship and finish."
3. Flight score 0-100 based on "smoothness & flight characteristics appropriate the model being flown." The flight will be judged for 3-4 minutes, including take-off - choose your own maneuvers. (The landing has been deleted from the judging but a touch and go during the flight is a definite plus.)
4. The flight judging will take place during one of your normally scheduled l0 minute "pintimes." All other flight lines will be in operation so other airplanes will be in the air while you are being judged.
5. In the SPIRIT of this "fun/sport" event the intent is to have a builder - flyer contest. However, if you have a disability which prevents you from flying your model you may have a friend fly it for you. Even though the prizes are large the intent is fun -- this criteria cannot avoid a certain amount of subjectivity, so please enter and fly your model for all to enjoy but remember the intent and that the decision of the judges and the Contest Director are absolutely final. If your are involved in a team project, please bring it, but don't plan on entering the judging.
6. To allow us the flexibility to get both the static and flight judging completed, please make every possible effort to attend both days. Winners will be announced at about 2pm on Sunday. If you win multiple classes you must choose between prizes. The prize you do not choose will go to the 2nd place entry in that class. LAST YEARS WINNERS MAY NOT COMPETE WITH THE SAME MODEL.
EVENT HEADOUARTERS: WYNDHAM GARDEN HOTEL
1. The Wyndham is an upscale hotel located only 8 miles east of the flying site. Exit I96 at Novi Road south, turn east into the Novi Town Center shopping area - the hotel is located on the access road, on the east side of the center.
2. Special Rates - Regular room for only $69 single occupancy, $79 double occupancy.
3 Reservations - Make your own. Call by August 30th! Call: 248-344-8800. Ask for the Skymasters rate.
OTHER HOTELS IN THE AREA:
>Kensington Inn, Howell, Mi. (formerly Knights Inn)
$40.50 single, $44.50 double
15 minutes west of the flying site
517-548-3510 (ask for Skymasters rate)
For Sale
The following engines, planes and kits are for sale. If interested contact Mike Russell, XXX-XXX-XXXX
Engines:
Thunder Tiger .46 2 cycle New. Still in box. $75.00 (2 avail)
Thunder Tiger .61 2 cycle New. Still in box. $120.00 (3 available)
ASP .61 2 cycle Used but excellent condition. $75.00
ASP .80 4 cycle Used but excellent condition $110.00
O.S. Max .46 2 cycle LA Blue. New. Still in box. $65.00
ASP 1.08 2 cycle Very low usage. Excellent condition. $125.00 (2 available)
Kits:
Top Flite AT-6 Gold Edition NIB $120
ACE 4-60 72" span sport $65
Sig 4 Star 60 72" span sport $65 (2 available)
Hobby Lobby Telemaster 72" span sport $70
Sig 4 Star 40 60" span sport $55
Great Planes Easy Sport 68" span $70
Planes w/engines:
ACE 4-60 72" span sport (no engine) $150 excellent condition and great flyer
Sig 4 Star 40 60" span sport with Webra .50 Speed 2 cycle. Brand new in excellent condition $250
Sig 4 Star 60 72" span sport with Thunder Tiger .91 4 cycle. Brand new in excellent condition $350
Venture 60 by Bruce Tharp 72" span sport. Brand new (never flown, engine never run) with Saito .91 4 cycle $395
Nor Cal Dauntless Scale/sport 72" span. Partially built (90%) $175
All planes will be sold with out receivers. I also have many other things (planes, engines, kits and so on too numerous to list here). Call me to see if I might have something you want.
NO, I AM NOT GETTING OUT OF THE HOBBY!
Stony Creek Metropark
As many of you know, we have been pursuing the possibility of a multi club field in Stony Creek Metropark. At this point, our proposal has been rejected. Included here is the correspondence between Chet Brady and the Park for your information. We are planning to continue pursuing this, and may be asking for your help as we progress in reminding our polititians that it is an election year! Chet has put a lot of effort into this activity including coordinating meetings/site visits with all the area clubs to discuss the possibilities.
Proposed Stony Creek Flying Site
January 20,1998
Board of Commissioners
Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority 13000 High Ridge Drive
P.O. Box 2001
Brighton, Michigan 48116
Dear Sirs:
We, the radio control model flyers of southeasters Michigan composed of the Academy of Model Aeronautics registered clubs: Skymasters R/C of Michigan, Radio Control Club of Detroit , Pontiac R/C. Fraser R/C, and the Michigan Whirly Birds (a helicopter club), do propose the following:
A flying site, as suggested by Mr. William Eberhart, on the old gravel pit area, North of Inwood Road and east of Mound Road. The site would be developed by the above mentioned clubs with the laying of an 800' x 100' sod runway and the installation of all of the safety items needed to protect the filers, spectators, and their vehicles.
As mentioned in my presentation at the Lake Erie Metropark in December 1997, each of the above clubs and every Member is insured to protect the site owners, club members, spectators, and equipment in the amount of $2,500,00 per occurrence. Hoping and praying that the Board of Commissioners grants us permission to use the site at Stony Creek Metropark.
---I remain yours truly---Chester V. Brady
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 12,1998
Chester Brady
43440 River Bend Blvd.
Clinton Twp. Mi. 48030
MODEL AIRFIELD PROPOSAL
Per our phone conversation Tuesday February 10, 1998, we need more information included in your proposal. In discussing this with your group and among ourselves we heard and remember comments differently. Thus, it is better to have the information in writing. Then we can all avoid working from memory.
Somewhere in the proposal should be mentioned that your group understands that this activity would be a three year trial basis, at or near the end of three years, we would evaluate the operation and make a determination for the future.
Would you please provide us with the following information.
1. Layout of the field, sketch similar to that on page 4 of the AMA membership manual 1998. This should include all dimensions including the runway.
2. The size of the parking area, number of parking spaces.
3. What is the ultimate plan of the total, completed facility. This would include buildings, spectator viewing stands, toilets/portable toilets, utilities (drinking water, electricity), paving runway(s) and/or parking lot, etc.
4. Name of all the clubs involved, their approximate membership and present flying locations,
5. Who is going to build the field. This would include design, grading (leveling) the area, providing and installing drainage structures if needed etc.
6. Who will maintain the area, mowing, road and parking lot dust control, etc.
7. Days and hours of operation. Staffing and who will be responsible on busy days?
8. Liability Insurance, the amount and by whom?
9. What happens if one member club or more loses its/their home field? Does this field become their home field?
10. Mention was made of public events and flying demonstrations. Would this require a much larger parking area and sanitary facilities?
11. Any other item or condition which may be Important.
After looking at this list, it is a rather lengthy request. However, we need this information to determine the feasibility of such a facility. It is mostly what you want and plan to do, we will be able to provide some help and that would be part of your proposal. These answers could lead to further questions on both your and our parts but will provide a better basis for additional discussion. They will also help us prepare to answer questions our board will likely ask.
It would be better to address your answers to either myself or Dan Duncan, Chief Planner, Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, PO Box 2001, Brighton, Mi. 48116-8001. Actually, addressing this to the Board of Commissioners can delay getting them to us to work on.
STONEY CREEK METROPARK
W. Bing Eberhart Park Superintendent
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Romeo Skyhawks: 75 members ; Flying Wolverines: 18 members ; Radio Control Club of Detroit: 250 members ; Skymasters : 190 members ; Fraser R/C club : 125 members ; Michigan Whirly Birds : 40 members
QUESTION : Who is going to build the field ? The combined membership of six of the Southeast Michigan Radio Control Clubs.
QUESTION : Design ? The clubs with the approval of Huron Metro Parks Permission.
QUESTION : Grading ? Clubs with a big assist of the park commission.
QUESTION : Drainage ? In the first two or three years not really necessary until use of the field will tell us whether drainage is necessary or not. If necessary the clubs will either hire it done or with the large force of help; we can install the necessary drainage.
QUESTION : Paving? Not until trial period is completed, then the clubs with possible assistance of Park Authority a paved runway can be accomplished.
QUESTION : Mowing? Stony Creek with their large mowing apparatus.
QUESTION :Dust control? With the assist from Macomb Cty. Rd. Comm. and our cost this could easily be accomplished
QUESTION The ultimate plan? After a three year trial period, would include a shade and impound area..
QUESTION What is a impound area? It is a shelved rack that holds our transmitters and the frequency pins. This should be made of something tough enough to keep radicals from stealing our frequency pins.
QUESTION : Sanitation? First three years, Porta-Johns would be utilized, with rental borne by the participating clubs. After three years possibly a toilet facility could be erected for the use of flyers and spectators, both male and female.
QUESTION : Drinking water? Possibly after the trial period, as when the toilet facility would be constructed.
All of the above planned for the future are not out of reach with the cooperation of all parties. The runway will be sodded by club members, the cost being borne by the clubs Involved. A safety fence protecting the spectators will be put up by the combined clubs, the cost is ours. Picnic tables for the use by fliers and their spectators to be issued by the Park Authority. The hours of use of this flying site should be from 9 AM till dusk. Policing and enforcement will be carried out by club members and the Park Authority Security.
QUESTION : Liability? Liability Insurance by the Academy of Model Aircraft also known as AMA to the amount of $2,500,000 per occurrence. This insurance covers the She Owner, Club Members, Spectators, and Equipment. An AMA copy of Insurance shall be filed annually to the Stoney Creek Park with a copy to the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority at Brighton, Michigan.
QUESTION : Public events.? Public events as discussed can and will be put on by the combined efforts of all the clubs mentioned. Entrance fee to the public would be charged, and In addition your concessionaire would sell food and refreshments, with his percentage of contract percentage payable to the park.
QUESTION : Parking? Parking for these events can be managed by any vacant space near the flying site, as well as the space on each side of the entrance road. Parking attendants would supervise the parking and collection of fees. The attendants can be club members.
QUESTION :Extra Sanitary Facilities? This would be accomplished by renting additional Porta-Potties for the occasion. The cost of these the responsibility of the clubs involved.
QUESTION :Should a club lose their own flying site will then the Stony Creek site be their permanent site? Definitely Not, It would be their interim field. The club that lost their flying site must in all haste get another permanent she for their exclusive use.
Mr. Eberhart, I hope that this reply answers most of your questions put forth, and if more information Is needed, please feel free to contact me at any time. Thanking you for your kind consideration and attention to our request I hope the wind Is forever at your back, for in our hobby we must have the wind on our nose for a successful flight. Thanks again:
Respectfully yours
Chester V. Brady
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr. Chester V. Brady April 13,1998
We have reviewed your request submitted on behalf of the membership of six Southeastern Michigan Radio Control Clubs proposing the utilization of a portion of our Stony Creek Metropark for a radio control site. The Administrative Staff of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority and Park Staff at Stony Creek can and do appreciate the needs of your organizations for a radio control site; however, based upon present and future land use considerations, adjacent property owners concerns, long term costs including maintenance, development, and security, coupled with the potential for added liability exposure, we herewith deny your request.
We feel that your request for the allocation of an area within Stony Creek Metropark for essentially the exclusive use by the representative clubs to the exclusion of the general public would constitute improper use of the public property.
In our contacts with other governmental agencies, we have heard concerns expressed regarding additional facilities at radio control sites, such as restrooms, trash receptacles, picnic tables, fencing, access roads and parking areas. All of these facilities, even if developed in partnership with your organizations, would, in addition to the initial construction costs, add to the overall maintenance and security costs for the park. These costs would have to come from our annual budget delaying needed projects in other areas of our district.
We are most appreciative of the time you and your club representatives spent with us in January 7, 1998, discussing the feasibility of a site at Stony Creek. In making our decision, staff members familiar with clubs in the area expressed their concern as it relates the the types of use being discussed by the clubs, including helicopters, boats and cars. This aside, the primary concern with the noise levels of the flying models adjacent to our nature interpretive area at Stony Creek. Our park visitors come to the interpretive area to enjoy and observe the sights and sounds of the native plants and animals in the quiet solitude provided in the nature area. We do not feel that the use as proposed by the Radio Control Clubs is compatible with the adjacent uses at Stony Creek Metropark.
We do understand your need to find flying fields away from highly developed and congested area especially In the light of the tremendous growth taking place In the tri-county areas. It would be our suggestion that the clubs look to leasing or purchasing sufficient property to accommodate their long range needs. We thank you for considering the Metroparks as a desirable location for your activity and if we can be of assistance to you In search for a new location outside of the Metroparks, please contact us.
Sincerely, Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority
Frank J. Sudek
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Mr. Frank Sudek, Director Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority June 11, 1998
This letter is in response to the April 13,1998, denial of our request for a flying site In the old gravel pit area, north of Inwood Road and west of Mound Road. We, the citizenry, involved in this sport-hobby believe that our request to the Commission for the use of Stony Creek property was totally misrepresented. The following information is directed to the points of refusal:
It is our understanding that the American Aggregate Corporation Donated the land to the state and specified that it be used for recreational purposes. To the best of our knowledge, the land has no current specific purpose, and in fact, lies dormant and weed covered. Our proposed development and use of the land for our sport-hobby would constitute recreational purposes.
The flying site and associated fly-over area, as shown In our response to Mr. Eberhart's February 12, 1998, letter, does not encompass air space above any roads or residential areas. In fact, the adjacent property owners we far enough away so that they will not even know we are there. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with concerned owners and alleviate any of their fears.
As stated in every correspondence to date, the initial development and maintenance of the site would be the sole responsibility of the petitioning clubs. Future state participation is optional and will be based upon the success of the three-year trial period. We are responsible people that are involved in a fairly costly sport-hobby requiring good hand-eye co-ordination and mental skill. We police ourselves and do not require the state to provide additional security. Every Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) member carries liability Insurance in the amount of $5,000,000 ($2,500,00 per occurrence). May I interject at this time, that as you may know, flying is taking place, as I write, at the baseball diamonds of Stony Creek Park. These renegades are uninsured and show a total disregard for the rules the AMA members live by. Allowing these renegades to fly and denying our request for an approved area for insured, rule-abiding citizen flight is a great inconsistency in policy.
The representative clubs are stepping up to pay for the development and maintenance of this site. The site would be available for use by any member of the national Academy of Model Aeronautics association. The area, including picnic facilities and port-o-potties, would also be open to spectators.
We would like to know which government agencies expressed concerns and what the concerns are. The DNR and other agencies involved at Bald Mountain Park, Wetzel State Park, and the Flint-Area R/C Parks have given the sport-hobby nothing but positive feedback.
May I reiterate, the restrooms (port-o-potties), trash receptacles, picnic tables, fencing, parking area, and access road development and maintenance will be the sole responsibility of the association membership. There need be no impact to the annual budget, in fact income will result from a minimum of 800 park admissions sold to club members alone. Our assumption although possibly premature was that like Bergen County, New Jersey, the state would consider collaborating in the future development efforts. At this time, we are not counting on the state for anything except for the permission to us the site. Possible future partnership request will be submitted separately when appropriate.
We cannot understand the concern about noise levels , as it would apply to this particular site. As you may know, the Nature Center is across the street from the Macomb County Gun and Sportsmens Club. There is shooting at the club seven days a week. Additionally, graveltrain trucks make a tremendous noise going down the washboard gravel road. AMA rules allow no more than 96 decibels at 10 feet. That is a hard and fast rule that is strickly enforced. The proposed site is approximately a quarter-mile northeast and downwind of the Nature Center. Nature Center Visitors and area residents will hear no noise.
We would like an opportunity to discuss, with the staff members familiar with the area clubs, their concerns. Although boat and car modelers may obtain AMA membership and liability coverage, no development in this area has been discussed or planned. If the commission believes that the use of the area should be expanded to all radio control modelers so as to include a broader population that can surely be considered. . The park system provides soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball hoops, golf courses, boating docks, walking trails, in-line skating paths, cross-country ski-trails, and numerous other recreational facilities. All we ask is that the Radio Control Society not be left out in the cold. We are working-class adults, seniors, and youth who care to participate and feel that we are currently being treated as second-class citizens.
We apologize for the length of this response, but we feel the misrepresentations identified in the denial of our request deserve to be reviewed and corrected. We would like an opportunity to meet with the entire Board of Commissioners to re-open negotiations regarding our request.
Thank you,
Southeast Michigan Radio Control Club
Chester V. Brady
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed Field Layout
Skymasters Information
Skymasters field is located within the Bald Mountain State Park (see map). State Park Permits are required and can be obtained from the Park Headquarters located on Greenshield Road or at club events. Flying is permitted from 10 AM to 8 PM. The noise limit for 1998 is 95dB at 10 feet - this noise rule is strictly enforced.
Wednesday evenings during the summer is Student Night and there are usually instructors around all afternoon. Student night is also 'pot luck' buffet night so that you can fly-n-feed (though not usually at the same time). Students are encouraged on other days and weekends. It is a great idea to come on Wednesday, meet the Instructors and arrange for more instruction time together. Our Chief Flight Instructor is Pete Foss. Assistant Chief Flight Instructor is Graham Overton.
From June to August, Club Meetings are held at the field on the first Saturday of the month at 12 Noon - a great chance to fly and gossip too! Winter meetings (September to May) are held at Larson Middle School (on Long Lake just east of John R - see map) on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM. Show and Tell, coffee and donuts, and model-speak are the order of the evening. Come along - they are fun.
The Skywriter newsletter is sent to all members, local hobby shops and other local R/C clubs. Any and all contributions are welcome, please pass any articles to the Editor. If you know of anyone who may be interested in our hobby (friend, relative, neighbor, colleague or acquaintance) - please give them a copy of this newsletter or a copy of an AMA magazine - it may spark their interest and get them into our hobby!
12 issues found
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