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SkyWriter

Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter - September 1998
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters

President’s Message

Hi All,

It is now late into the flying season, as you will all be reading this sometime near our Float Fly and after Top Gun. Last night at the flying field was a student night (Aug. 12) and it was a night for crashes to say the least. I think I counted 5 crashes that night, not including the 15 minutes I spent with your Skymasters VP (Gary Weaks), whilst he tried in vain to start his Eagle II motor with no fuel in the tank! (it ran a bit lean.)

My experiences with the club have been that August is one of the major "crash" months, as several of our summer students are at the stage of attempting takeoffs and landings on their own. It is difficult for flight instructors to moderate aircraft damage here, as the available time to "fix" a flight problem is minimal, if any exists at all. For those of you who aspire to become flight instructors, this time is amongst the most anxious and scary. That being said, it also is the time of greatest fun, as your student finally lands and then solos realizing perhaps a summer or 2 of effort. By the time you all read this, my guess is that we will have between 1-10 brand new signed off pilots in the club, who now get to stand at the flight line alone. Congratulations to all of you who make this step. I would also add here that this is perhaps one of the most dangerous for the new pilot in terms of aircraft damage. It is still O.K. to ask for instruction help even if you are signed off, particularly on a windy day, or when you are having trouble setting up for a landing. Trust me on this one, it is no fun having a flying license and not having an airworthy ship!

Our meetings at Larson Middle School begin again in September, with the first meeting to happen Sept. 9 (your newsletter editor will correct me here if I am wrong!) This meeting will be filled with Float Fly preparations, as this is our last get together before the event. For those of you new to Skymasters, our Float Fly, expertly handled by Darrell Watts, is the biggest event for Skymasters in terms of turnout and external exposure. We have had several big cheeses from AMA, etc., attend this event, and we often quote Dave Brown (AMA President) from his visit praising our site and setup. I would strongly encourage all of you to fly if you can, but please help out, we need several volunteers. This is a big project for us all. Please attend our first Larson Middle School meeting in September and figure out a way to help out if you are not going to fly. By the way, the Float Fly is at Island Lake State Park, in Brighton and is 2 days long starting Saturday September 12, with flying starting at 9:30AM (we worker dogs need to be there earlier!)

Since we have more lax sound rules for this once a year event, perhaps we will see Al McGee put some floats on one of those 2000Dba @ 3miles pylon racers ?!

Unfortunately for me, I was travelling during the Multi engine Multi wing event so I was not able to attend, but I heard a fun time was had by all (except perhaps Randy, who plugged his fuel tank vent line and spent most of the event getting his diesel to run? - perhaps Randy and Gary Weaks will give a talk next spring to our new students on proper engine starting methods?)

Keep making balsa dust,

Joe Finkelstine

From the Editor…

Welcome to the September issue of Skywriter.

A large portion of this issue is devoted to our Float Fly which is rapidly approaching. If you haven’t attended in the past, come out and see what you have been missing! Whether you are flying, helping, or watching, it is a great event! Of course much help is needed to run an event this size. Whether you can give a half day, full day, or two days, your help is welcome. The tasks needed are included in this issue.

Pete Foss has loaded a pictorial report of the Warbirds and Scale Event on the web site. There are too many pictures to publish here, so check out the web!

I have a number of pictures to publish, but for the second month no room to put them! So, we’ll have some flying pictures to take us through the winter month’s newsletters.

Some members have indicated difficulty in seeing upcoming Skymasters events in the listings here. I have bolded the Skymasters dates in the listing, and a separate section gives information on only Skymasters events. Other comments on things I can do to help are welcome!

The swap shops are coming! The swap shops are coming! Swap shop season starts again in October. Watch Skywriter for information and flyers. Other clubs: Send me a copy of your flyer (on white paper please!) and I’ll include as many as I can.

As I end this month, our thoughts are with Randy MacInnes and his family. Randy will be undergoing bypass surgery in the near future. He is planning on making it to the swap shops!

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! Please verify my email address in your address book. Please use the misi.net address. Other addresses may no longer work!

Upcoming Programs/Events

Saturday/Sunday, September 5-6 Midwest R/C IMAA Big Bird Fly-In, Richard Vukmirovich

Wednesday, September 9 Skymasters Meeting, Larson Middle School

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

Wednesday, September 23 Skymasters Meeting, Larson Middle School

Saturday/Sunday, September 26-27 Flying Tigers Fall IMAC, Tom Kroggel

Saturday/Sunday, October 3-4 RCCD Regional Aerobatic Championship, Dave Pinegar

Saturday/Sunday, October 3-4 Flying Tigers Pylon Race 428/Quickee 500, Pat Falgot

Sunday, October 11 Indian City R/C Club 12th Annual Swap Shop, Jim Tesen

Thirsday, October 22 Weak Signals Annual Auction, Kevin Matney

*See additional information for these events in this issue of Skywriter!

Event info from mailings received, AMRCC, and Michigan RC Flying Times

Events of the Last Month

Multi-Engine, Multi-Wing

Wow - was it hot. I think that the high temperatures limited the spectators and pilots alike. It seemed that there were always more people sitting under the shelter ‘chin-wagging’ than out ‘tweaking’ on the flight line. I know that the heat significantly reduced the amount of snacks consumed - but boy did we sell some cold pop!

Twenty pilots brought all kinds of size, colour and shaped aircraft from Precedent Stampes, plan built Catalinas, to ARF Twinstars - we even had a diesel powered bipe. When Randy MacInnes started the diesel it generated lots of discussion, especially at idle when he cylinder head appeared to be oscillating about 15 mm on it’s soft-mountings.

Randy MacInnes won the Hobby Hanger OV-10 Bronco and KC Satchell won the SIG Ultimate Fun-Fly kits. Will we see those out next year ? Mr. Bob Ryan from Michigan R/C Flying Times was present, busy taking pictures and he graciously donated a couple of subscriptions to Michigan R/C Flying Times - thanks.

I’d like to thank Fred and Jerry Johnson for their help towing the trailer and Howard Alexander for his help in selling cold pop. It makes organizing an event so much easier when you know that there are people in the club willing to rise to the challenge of helping out - thanks.

Gary Walling!

(Thanks Gary for another well organized event! Ed.)

Corn Roast and Top Gun

Well, another Corn Roast has come and gone, and in the tradition of at least the last few years, the wind came as well! Many members and their families came out to join us, and boy were they hungry! A gross of corn was roasted and eaten along with pounds of chicken, hot dogs, and kielbasa!

The Corn Roast is also the scene for our annual Top Gun Competition. Six pilots competed for Top Gun honors: Greg Cardillo, Joe Finkelstine, Roger Garett, Chris Knee, Graham Overton, Terry Overton. When the dust settled, 4 planes remained. Two had attempted low inverted passes and discovered that once the fin touches, no amount of down elevator will lower that tail! (look for canard stabs next year to raise the nose!) The scores were tallied, and for the third year in a row, Graham Overton remains as Top Gun with his flight of his One Design!

Thanks to Joe Finkelstine for coordinating the Corn Roast, and Darrell Watts for running the Top Gun Competition!

Felix Cole

Felix Cole was a past member of our club and he did a great deal of work for us - we all owe him our thanks. Mr Cole was instrumental for Skymasters obtaining a flying field within State land - specifically the Greenshield Road site. He and Chet Brady spent a lot of time writing letters lobbying DNR officials and then visiting Lansing to open the door for RC flying in the State Park system. His hard work and dedication allows us all to continue to enjoy our hobby. Mr. Cole passed away last month.

Skymasters Events

September 9, 1998 Skymasters Meeting

- Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM. Our meetings start up again this month. Float Flying is the program for this one in preparation for our Mid-West Regional Float Fly.

September 12-13, 1998 Midwest Regional Float Fly

- See Flyer and info throughout this issue!

September 23, 1998 Skymasters Meeting

- Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM.

How Fast Is It?

Gene Payson has purchased a radar gun for use with RC models. If you are interested in checking the speed of your plane he will be happy to do so for you (no charge). Call him at (248) 391-2331 if you are interested or catch him at the field!!

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 YEAR’S 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)

SEPTEMBER FLOAT-FLY "ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF"

HELP!!!

We have had many compliments about how smoothly our event is administered. To make this happen took a lot of time by several people. It is much better if people who are not planning on flying can take care of the administrative duties. As you can see from the "job descriptions" listed below, no special skills are required to do any of these jobs. This is a very large event which is fun to be around even if you are not flying. It is an opportunity for some of you new pilots who don’t feel like you are up to floats yet, to join in on the fun (in fact some of the non-flying guys wives are planning on working, joining the activities and staying at the hotel.) You will note that some positions have "shifts," if you are willing to work more than one shift either on the same job or on a different assignment please let us know.

To help me out this year the following people have agreed to be responsible for specific areas: Carl Long - set up, tear down, boats & kitchen; K.C. Satchell - Flight line & frequency control.

Please sign up for one of more of the positions listed below:

Flight-line Coordinator:

(7 people each day) K.C.

Duties: You are given a clipboard with a list of the names and frequencies of all of the pilots assigned to your flight line. You simply check off as each pilot flies and notify the next pilot in your flight line that he is "on deck". Try to keep everyone in your flight line at an equal numbers of turns.

Saturday 8:30am - 4:00pm Sunday 8:30am - 4:00pm

( 7 Volunteers)

( 7 Volunteers)

Transmitter Impound Monitor:

(2 people each day) K.C.

Duties: All transmitters are placed in the impound. You control the frequency board to make sure that no transmitter is given to a pilot unless his frequency is open.

Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 8:00am - 4:00pm

( 2 Volunteers)

( 2 Volunteers)

Beach Wader:

(4 people each day) K.C.

Duties: Wear wading boots (or swim suit if you prefer) and retrieve aircraft which stop within wading depth along the flight line. Wade out to take airplanes from the retrieval boats as they get in to where the water is too shallow for the motor.

Saturday 9:00am - 12:30pm ( 2 Volunteers)

12:30pm - 4:00pm ( 2 Volunteers)

Sunday 9:00am - 12:00 ( 2 Volunteers)

12:00 - 3:00pm ( 2 Volunteers)

Retrieval Boat Operator:

(4 people each day - boats provided)CARL

Duties: Operate motor (approx. 10 hp outboard) and pilot the boat to retrieve airplanes which are beyond the "beach wader’s" range.

Saturday 9:00am - 12:30pm ( 2 Volunteers)

12:30pm - 4:00pm ( 2 Volunteers)

Sunday 9:00am - 12:00 ( 2 Volunteers)

9:00am - 3:00pm ( 2 Volunteers)

Retrieval Boat Assistant

: (4 people each day) CARL

Duties: Ride in the bow of the retrieval boat to pick up airplanes.

(Same schedule as the boat "operators" listed above.)

Kitchen "Servers":

(6 people each day) CARL LONG

(Note: Carl has already agreed to be in charge of having the appropriate amounts of soda, food, supplies, etc. in place. They will need people to "work the counter" and cook. We particularly need extra people during the heavy luncheon traffic periods.

Duties: Cook and sell food and soda. (Note: Shift overlap during lunch.)

Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm ( 3 Volunteers)

11:00am - 3:00pm ( 3 Volunteers)

Sunday 9:00am - 1:00pm ( 3 Volunteers)

11:00am - 3:00pm ( 3 Volunteers)

Registration:

(4 people each day) K.C.

Duties: Sign in participants - hand them their "packet" which will be completed from their pre-registration.

Saturday 7:45am - noon ( 4 Volunteers)

Sunday 8:00am - 10:00am ( 2 Volunteers)

Prize Coordinator:

(1 person -no solicitation, the prizes are already here.)

Duties: Pick up prizes at my house [9/9,10 or 11] and deliver to the flying site at 7:30am on Saturday 9/13. DARRELL

Set Up Crew: (3 people) CARL

Duties: Assist in setting up tent, pennants, etc.

Friday (9/11) 1:00pm - 5:00pm ( 3 Volunteers)

Tear Down Crew:

(3 people)

Duties: Assist in taking down and loading tent, pennants, etc.

Sunday 3:00pm - 5:00pm ( 3 Volunteers)

Flying Site Security:

(1 or 2 persons) CARL

Duties: Camp at the flying site overnight to prevent vandalism of our tent and setup. Obviously, you would need camping equipment - tent, camper, or motorhome. Restrooms, showers and drinking water are available at the site.

Friday (9/11) 5:00pm until 7:00am Saturday (9/12) ( 1 Camper)

Saturday (9/12) 5:00pm until 7:am Sunday (9/13) ( 1 Camper)

Sunday (9/13)-4:00pm until Monday when big tent is picked up ( 1 Camper)

**

Another way to volunteer is simply to tell Carl or K.C. what hours you would be available on which day and he will assign positions as needed. Please volunteer now so this does not have to become a last minute telephoning campaign.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

For Sale

The following planes (built) are for sale:

1. Flair SE5-a with Engine; Williams Bros Wheels/guns; 4 servos, battery. Add receiver and fly! $150

2. Birdi 40 with Irvine 40 engine; 4 servos; battery, receiver & Futaba 6VA Transmitter (CH23)! All for $200

3. Raven 40 ARF; 5 servos & battery $150. With OS .46FX $225

4. Raven Profile 40; 5 servos, battery $100. With OS .46 FX $175

Contact KC Satchell

The following R/C Scale Aircraft kits are for sale, all are new in box (NIB):

1. Balsa USA 1/3 scale Flybaby, has 112" wingspan, and has a optional folding wing feature. Comes complete with all hardware and wheels included. Should weight about 24 lbs. and will need a 2 to 4 cu.in. engine. $ 280

2. Douglas Dauntless SBD, WWII divebomber. This is a Jim Meister designed "Master Scale" kit, made by Dynaflite. Has a 65" wingspan and is 1.56" to 1’ scale. Should weight about 7 to 12 lbs. depending on optional features used. Will need a strong .60 to .90 engine. $ 260

3. Ryan STA, by Sig Mfg., has a 72" wingspan, and uses a .60 or bigger engine. $100

4. Fokker DVII by Sterling. Has a 58 1/2" wingspan and should use a .75 to .90 engine. For those oldtimers who have seen older Sterling kits, this kit appears to have good balsa in it. $80

5. Beechcraft Bonanza E33A. This isn’t the V tail version. Has a 64" wingspan and should have a .60 engine. Will weight about 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 lbs. Original instruction book is missing, but a photocopy is included. $75

Call Harry Kolomyjec if interested.

Buying on the Web

Gene Payson has found a great web site for buying and selling RC stuff. He bought and sold dozens of items...all new in the box (NIB) at fantastic prices. Usually the buyer sends an e-mail making an offer. Once the price (including shipping) is agreed upon the address is sent to the buyer. The buyer pops the check in the mail and when the check is received by the seller the seller puts the item in the mail. If you are leary of doing this, ask Gene Payson to buy the item for you and pay him when he gives you the merchandise!! Try it out!!

http://www.sysweb.com/rctrade/

Stuent Night / Pot Luck

With our fall meetings starting at Larson, our official student night/pot luck Wednesdays come to an end. I would like to thank Bob and Donna Burns for again coordinating the wonderful pot luck dinners, and all the instructors, helpers, students and families that came out to join us. This is one activity that really stands out for our club. For next year, Bob and Donna will be unavailable at the beginning of the season. We need someone(s) to step up and help out with the pot luck coordination. If you would like to help, give Bob or Donna a call. Thanks!

 

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!


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