Skymasters Newsletter:
Requested issue not available in pdf format - displaying webpage format instead.
SkyWriter
Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter
- August 1999
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters
President’s Message
Hi Gang,
It is now late July as I write this newsletter, and I am once again actually in Michigan on the ground (that makes two in a row now). A couple of events will have occurred when this makes it to you.
The first is the Fun fly, and the second is Warbirds and Scale. As usual, your newsletter editor will have a thing or two to say about both events. This part of the flying season does see somewhat of a slowdown in meetings and BOD actions, particularly since a few of your BOD members have changed responsibilities at work. The field looks in reasonable shape (it will never be perfect!), and I have flown at least a few times off of it!
Two upcoming areas we all need to think about will be upon us soon. The first is our September float fly, and the second is the upcoming elections for the next BOD. The September float fly is much higher in priority and I would like all of you to consider helping out the club, as this event is a large undertaking for us. For those of you new to Skymasters, we have been hosting what has become a near national caliber float fly event every September for several years now. The master of ceremonies (also called CD in our language) has been working hard for several years with the hundreds of details to pull this off. The club has since also formed sub-committees to work various functions necessary to work this large event smoothly. Our float fly typically brings in fliers from all over the middle of the country and we average 100-150 planes and many dozens of pilots. We also bring in top AMA brass, or some famous RC’ers to help judge our one competition of the event. It is primarily a social event, with minimal competition, but we have many tasks to do to pull it off. For example, we run a full transmitter impound that usually requires 2-3 people, a set up crew that numbers over 1 dozen, etc. As you can see we are all needed to run this two-day event. The current issue of RCM has our float fly (and Samantha Foss) on the cover as they cover this event each year. When Darrell asks for help, I am confident that we all can respond!
The second thing I wish all to consider is the upcoming elections for BOD members. I know the elections are several months-away (November), but I would like any of you considering a BOD position to approach me and discuss the position. I ask now, because you will have an opportunity to see the current BOD in action at our meetings for a few months to determine if you really want to if you come forward within the next few months. Several of your current BOD members (including me!) have been serving 2 years and it is time to bring in new blood. Please consider giving a bit back to the club and become an officer. If you take over my job, you get to roast the newsletter editor every month if you like (just remember, he roasts back! Ed.), or pick on funny incidents at the field since you get your very own column! – Quite good pay I would say.
On the home-front side, I hope to have the Cap 232 finished by Top Gun, but since I had LASIK eye surgery (no shop time for 1-2 weeks) and a family vacation coming up, it will be close. I am seriously considering not flying in Top Gun this year primarily due to I still don’t have a good ship ready for it, and not having any practice time. Perhaps I should just fly my little Ultimate Bipe, as it flies crazy all by itself without any stick input. I suspect most would never now the difference if I just keep my hands moving on the transmitter!
Happy landings,
Joe Finkelstine
From the Editor…
Welcome to the August 1999 issue of Skywriter. Running a little later than I like, but the Cardillo household has been a bit hectic… From a business trip to Texas, a new job, and a small kitchen fire – things have been busier than normal. Those dry chemical fire extinguishes work great, but the powder does go everywhere! We are finishing the cleanup of the house and preparing for two weeks of visiting relatives for August.
I haven’t gotten as much flying/building time in as I would have liked… My new acquisition from our February swap shop is still not flying – it only needed a refit for new engine/radio. I am happy to say that as of last night, the ST 2300 is firmly attached to the firewall and all the servos are in. Some aileron pushrods, minor cowling work, and engine break-in is all that remains. Maybe by the Corn Roast!
Several events upcoming. The Multi Engine/Multi Wing event is August 14 (Saturday!) Planes with more than one wing and/or more than one engine take to the skies for the day.
Our annual Corn Roast and Top Gun competition is Sunday, August 22. This is for our members, their families, and our neighbors. A day of food and flying! The smell of fresh corn roasting and meat grilling topped off with our Top Gun competition! Just a reminder to the competitors – when inverted, down elevator lowers the tail – some ground clearance is required!
Then the grand-daddy of our events – the two day Midwest Regional Float Fly is September 11 and 12. For those that have not been to one of our Fall Extravaganzas, it is well worth the trip. We need a lot of help, and it is also a lot of fun. With some cooperation from Mother Nature, we should have over 100 planes, and several in the air all day long! Come on out to help and enjoy!
Please send me any input you may have for the newsletter. Please send mail to GMCardillo@att.net, or to my address on the back cover…
Events of the Last Month
Team Fun Fly – July 11
Darrell Watts
26 hardy pilots turned out to try their hand at making their airplane do what they want it to do when they want it to do it.
If you missed this one you missed a really fun time. There are classes for all levels of ability – "Student" - "Sport" – "Expert." The tasks you must perform are meant to match the skill level so that there is a minimum risk to the airplane. It is interesting how everyone can do a touch & go b-u-t when you need to do it on queue; you can really get the dumb thumbs.
If you are not familiar with team fun-flying here’s a couple of the "events" so you can get a glimpse of what goes on. Pilot #1 takes off does a loop, roll, immelman, touch & go, a spin, a split S and lands. Teammate takes off does the same things – the score is the combined time from takeoff to landing for both teammates. OR both teammates take off at the same time – each pilot completes 5 touch & go’s – the score is the total time from when the first airplane wheels lift off until the last airplanes wheels touch down. The "team" aspect of this creates a lot of camaraderie and a lot of ribbing going on between pilots.
For those of you who flew this year, I’m looking at ways to make the events more competitive by eliminating "0" scores. So next year if a teammate kills an engine or something I’ll try to have a penalty of some sort so that the teammate can go ahead and fly and get a score for that event for the team. This will keep the scoring closer throughout the event.
But: NOW FOR THE RESULTS!
Expert:
1st Graham Overton/John Hoover
2nd Ross Hardy/Aaron Dechazal
3rd Greg Cardillo/K.C. Satchell
Sport:
1st Mark Smith/Bob Donohue
2nd Roberto Mesnik/Darrell Watts
3rd Gene Payson/Joe Rubinstein
4th Bob Burns/Marv Middleton
Student:
1st Josh Hardy/E. Malek
Thanks to all those who helped. Particularly Jerry Blumenthal who fought the scorekeeping task and to those who took care of the kitchen, Jack Fleming on time keeping, and Aaron Dechazal for helping put the lines on the field.
Everyone who participated seem to have a "fun" time. (That’s what fun-flys are supposed to be all about!) In fact some of the pilots want to have series of these events next year and keep a cumulative score. We’ll see how that pans out. For a really fun time plan on joining us next year for the Skymasters Team Fun Fly!
Skymasters Events
August 7, 1999 Meeting– Scripps Road Field, 12:00 noon. (SATURDAY!)
Summer meetings are short.. Be prompt and bring a plane to fly before or after!
August 14, 1999 Multi Engine / Multi Wing – Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM. (SATURDAY!)
More than one engine or more than one wing is the order of the day! The sound of multiple engines ‘in sync’ is a wonderful sound.
August 22, 1999 Corn Roast and Top Gun – Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM.
This ones for club members, their families, and our neighbors! All food/drink provided by the club – of course plenty of corn roasting away! Also our annual Top Gun competion. Our defending champion has hinted at retirement after three wins, so it may be an open field! Come on out and show your stuff, or just to relax and enjoy the day!
August 25, 1999 Fish Fry & Student Night – Scripps Road Field, 6:00 PM
Our annual Fish Fry returns for a student night! There will be plenty of fish for all. Bring a dish to pass, and any meat you would like if you prefer rather than fish… Come on out and enjoy! Last year we had over ninety people, and nobody left hungry!
September 8, 1999 Skymasters Meeting – Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM
Our fall meetings begin again at Larson Middle school. Look in next months newsletter for details!
September 11/12, 1999 Midwest Regional Float Fly – Island Lake State Park, Brighton, 9:30 AM both days!
It’s the big one! Get those planes on floats, and come out for a fun time! See additional info in this issue!
September 16, 1999 Friends of Bald Mountain Cookout – Scripps Road Field, 6:00 PM
Once a year, the friends group has a cookout in a different part of Bald Mountain park. This year, they would like to use our field! A great chance to show the Friends group what we do, and enjoy some food as well.
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)
$39.10 single, $44.10 double
15 minutes west of the flying site
517-548-3510 (ask for Skymasters rate)
>Best Western of Howell
$58.95 king; $68.95 two queens
14 minutes west of the flying site
517-548-2900 (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 that 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.
Carl Long has agreed to coordinate the administrative staff this year so please call or e-mail him to let him know what you can help with. 810-254-0048 – cclong@tir.com
Please sign up for one of more of the positions listed below:
Flight-line Coordinator: (7 people each day)
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)
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)
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 are provided)
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)
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)
(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)
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 [9/8 or 9] and deliver to the flying site at 7:30am on Saturday 9/11. DARRELL – 248-391-4677
Set Up Crew: (3 people)
Duties: Assist in setting up tent, pennants, etc.
Friday (9/10) 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)
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 (9/10) 5:00pm until 7:00am Saturday (9/11) ( 1 Camper)
Saturday (9/11) 5:00pm until 7:am Sunday (9/12) ( 1 Camper)
Sunday (9/12)-4:00pm until Mon. when big tent is picked up __( 1 Camper)_
Nurse or Doctor: Does anyone have a spouse or acquaintance who would be on site each day?
** Another way to volunteer is simply to tell Carl 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!!!
Upcoming Programs/Events
Skymasters events listed elsewhere in this issue!
Saturday/Sunday, August 7-8 Flying Pilgrims / DAM Michigan Jets and Turbines, Burt Eisenberg 248-626-8838
Sunday, August 8 PMAC 11th Annual Scale Meet, Tom Wheeler 248-334-7693
Saturday/Sunday, August 14-15 DAM Giant Size Air Show/Fly In IMAA, Stan Spiewak 313-534-3300
Sunday, August 15 RCCD 8th Annual Great Lakes Scale, Richard Vukmirovich 313-526-3168
Saturday/Sunday, August 21-22 PMAC IMAC Pontiac Grand Prix, Tom Wheeler 248-334-7693
Saturday/Sunday, September 4-5 Midwest R/C Big Bird IMAA, Chuck Wooley 734-326-6297
Sunday, September 12 Michigan Whirlybirds Heli Fun Fly, Paul Giles 810-790-5952
Saturday/Sunday, September 18-19 Flying Pilgrims Fall Phase Out IMAA, Jim Repp 734-416-5461
Saturday/Sunday, September 18-19 RCCD 1/12 Scale Combat Midwest Championships, Richard V. 313-526-3168
Sunday, September 19 Chesaning R/C Sport Scale, Paul Binkley 810-639-2711
Saturday, September 25 Jackson R/C Outdoor Swap, Jay Waters 517-536-4056
Fri/Sat/Sun, September 24-26 RCCD Camp & Fly Sportsman Fly-In, Richard Vukmirovich 313-526-3168
Saturday/Sunday, October 2-3 Flying Tigers Q-500 Pylon, 2 one day events, Gary Weber 419-382-2160
*See additional information for these events in this issue of Skywriter!
Event info from mailings received, AMRCC, and Michigan RC Flying Times
Other Area Events - RCCD Great Lakes Scale
Lake Orion School Programs
Some good news from our local school district in Lake Orion.
From Scripps Road Middle School, we have been told the AMA Grant has been renewed, and the amount increased to $750! This is up from $500 this year, and a sign of the recognition our program is receiving.
Waldon Middle School is continuing to express interest in beginning a program at their school during Dragon Days. Dragon Days are the first, third, and fifth Wednesdays from 12:20 to 2:20 PM. Harold Reuter has offered to start these sessions. Additional help is requested. There is hourly compensation available from the school if desired. Contact Harold during normal working hours if you are interested in participating in running this program. This will be starting the same way the Scripps Road program started; building small model airplanes, and hopefully progressing as well.
More details to come as available. This is a great way to give back to our community, and increase youngsters interest in modeling.
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 Greg Brausa. 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
Skywriter is available in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.
Download your free viewer
Send comments to the Skywriter Editor
© 2024