Hello all, and welcome to the May issue of the Skywriter. (That's my line! Ed.)

Our first flying event of the year is just around the corner, but before I get to that I want to chat about some of the non-flying activities that we are in the midst of. First of all we have just completed a very successful Bald Mountain Involvement Day. I want to thank all of those that pitched in to help! The count was at 55 members when I checked late that morning. Steve Fredericks will fill us in with all the details later on (look inside for Steve's report. Ed.), but I can't say enough about how important this annual event is. The State Park provides us with a lot of assistance and freedom to conduct year 'round activities at our flying site. Bald Mountain Involvement Day is our way of saying thanks and to keep up that good relationship. Please continue to do your part; Get a 2000 State Park sticker on your vehicle before going out to the Scripps Road Field. They are available at the park office, at club meetings, and from Greg Cardillo.

Here's your chance to be a part of history! "On Miniature Wings" a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian is currently in town for a three-month visit at the Detroit Historical Museum. The display includes model airplanes from the National Air and Space Museum. They are in need of volunteers to man the exhibit and answer any questions that the visiting public might have. Any of us would certainly qualify for the task. If this sounds interesting to you, please contact any of the BOD members for details. If you cannot volunteer at this time, at least try to visit the exhibit running now through June 24^th. A strong showing helps the museum as well as our hobby.

Tired of dodging those runway craters when taking off and landing?! Help is on the way! Bill Wood and Carl Long have been busy putting our spring maintenance program into high gear. The soil on the field has been analyzed by the Michigan State University Extension Service and recommendations for improving the field and controlling that grub population have been made. Our tractor has been brought out of winter hibernation and we will soon be rolling, aerating, seeding and fertilizing the runway. Some of this maintenance will be performed during our spring spruce-up event on Wednesday, May 24^th. Rather than have a Larson School meeting that day, plan to meet at the field for an easy work party. Some jobs will begin early in the afternoon and we will conclude in the evening with "test-running" the grills with the club providing all of the goodies. Get there when you can but stay for dinner! (Some activities during this maintenance will preclude flying! Field maintenance has priority over flying. Ed.)

Our last Larson School meeting for the spring season will be held on May 10^th. Keith Shaw, AKA Dr. Electric will present that evening the latest in electric technology and propellers. Don't miss this entertaining and informative event! The general business meetings for June, July and August will be held on the first Saturday of each month at the field. They start at noon and are usually quite short so as not to interrupt the flying too much.

Our first flying events of the year are a pair of Float Flys. The annual Seven Lakes Spring Float Fly on Saturday, May 20; and the Bald Mountain Float Fly on Sunday, May 21. See the Skywriter for details. The Bald Mountain Float Fly is one of those rare events that require us to close the Scripps Road field because the float fly site is within three miles away. This is also the date that the combination to the gate changes. If your membership is renewed, you will be informed of the new combination in your Skywriter. If you are not renewed or thought you were, please see any of the Skymasters Officers.

All for now. Fly safe and happy landings!

Gary Weaks

Welcome to to the May 2000 issue of Skywriter!

My turn to write this from 35,000 feet on my way to Texas. Hopefully this gets printed and in the mail by May 3… A little later than usual, but that's what a business trip can do to the schedule.

Our flying event season starts this month with a pair of Float Flys. See flyers inside for more info. We are also looking for help for Kids Day on June 4.

Did you renew your membership yet??? If not, please do so soon. We will be changing the field combination on May 21 following the Bald Moutain Float Fly. The new combination is on your mailing label next to your name if you are listed as renewed by our Treasurer. If your label says 'Not Renewed' instead, please contact Ross to join (or let us know if we missed you…)

The web site has received some updating this month. A new section called Event Information has been added. This is linked from the main page, as well as the 2000 Event Schedule. Flyers for all of our open events are out there, and we have begun adding expanded event information for several events starting with the Midwest Regional Float Fly and Kid's Day. All of the old event reports are consolidated here, and some new ones have been added (and more are being prepared from 35,000 feet!) Take a look and let us know what you think.

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…

Date: March 22^nd, 2000

Location: Larson Middle School

• N/A

• Hayden provided an interactive discussion on "Full Scale Competition Aerobatic" sport flying. He discussed various topic within Aerobatic flying including judging, construction of his plane, and types of aerobatic maneuvers.

• Miniature Wings is in need of volunteers -- See the April 2000 Skywriter
• April 15^th -- Bald Mountain Involvement Day. We are in need for some volunteers for group leaders -- See Steve Fredricks
• April 26^th – No Meeting due to Larson School Spring Break
• May 10^th -- Keith Shaw will give a presentation on Electric Flight
• May 24^th -- Meeting will be held at the flying field for a field work day
• Darrell Watts is in need for some volunteers to help build planes for Camp Jeep.

50/50 Raffle Winner: Bob Burns

Show and Tell Winner: Paul Zabawa

• None

Date: April 12^th, 2000

Location: Larson Middle School

Minutes read and accepted

• Miniature Wings is in need of volunteers -- See the April 2000 Skywriter
• Darrell Watts announced two more kits need to be built for Camp Jeep. He is also in need of more volunteers to help build planes. Please contact Darrell.
• The August, 2000 issue of RCM will have an article on our Midwest Regional Float Fly.
• Fuel for sale – See Greg Brausa
• Steve Fredricks shared that the Stinson is coming along very well but we still need more volunteers. See Steve Fredricks.

• April 15^th -- Bald Mountain Involvement Day. We are in need for some volunteers for group leaders -- See Steve Fredericks
• April 26^th – No Meeting due to Larson School Spring Break
• May 10^th -- Keith Shaw will give a presentation on Electric Flight
• May 10^th will be the last Larson school meeting for the season.
• May 24^th -- Meeting will be held at the flying field for a field work day
• May 31^st -- First student night at the field.

• Greg provided us with a review of AMA Safety Code and Field Rules. He accomplished this with a "Who Wants to be a millionaire " theme. Participants who answered right won a $5 gift certificate to Rider's Hobby Shop.

• Check every bolt from nose to tail
• On four stroke engines check valve covers.
• Always use after-run oil
• Cycle your batteries
• Every three years have your frequency checked on your transmitter
• Give a little tug on all control surfaces to make sure the hinges are in good shape
• Range check your plane with full throttle
• Check you CG

• Joe Rubinstein brought in his finished Femto. It weighs less than 12 ounces and is powered by a 300 CAN motor, running 5 - 6 cells with a 4:1 gear box.
• Ron Thuringer brought in a Mini-Pleaser, which he purchased at the Toledo Expo. It weighs about 9 ounces and uses a hi-tech focus receiver.
• Jim Held brought in his finished Slowpoke. It weighs 3 ½ pounds and he brought it "in the bones" at the February 9^th meeting.
• Dave Lange brought in his Great Planes Dazzler. It weighs about four pounds and is powered by 34 Thundertiger four-stroke. A lot of work went in to repairing this plane after a broken plastic clevis. Dave wanted to show us what could happen if we don't use metal clevis's.
• Harold Reuter brought in the first completed trainer for Camp Jeep.

The weather was perfect for a successful Involvement Day. This year we started a new system using more group leaders to better organize the jobs. It was very successful as almost everyone was out working by 9:30 a.m. With over sixty members and twelve different projects, this was a big improvement over the previous years. I would like to thank all the group leaders for their effort as this makes it easier for the park rangers and me to organize and complete more jobs in one day.

This is our ninth year of making this an organized event to help out Bald Mountain Park. Bob Reimer, Blake Smith, Gary, and Ivory appreciate our efforts. Every year their staff is a little smaller than the previous year. We can keep this event a success by using good organization to make it a pleasant experience for all involved. Our efforts do not go unnoticed, as we are known up in Lansing as one of the first and most successful clubs to promote friends of State Parks. We can all feel good about ourselves after a hard day of work knowing our efforts are greatly appreciated.

The success of our field has depended on this once a year event. Without it, we could be looking for a new flying site. Our club would like to thank all the employees of Bald Mountain for giving us the opportunity to help with spring clean up. They spend many days planning and picking up materials to be ready when we arrive. Again, thanks to Bob Reimer and his employees.

In the seven years I have been organizing this event I have never seen as many eager members as I have this year. Many of you were here before 8:00 a.m. ready to start work. This year we had many varied projects from painting, brush clearing, changing boards on a picnic shelter, to building a new restroom at the Orion boat ramp. I had the time to visit all the work sites. At every site, I noticed an enthusiasm that I have not seen before. Quality and completion of the assigned tasks were number one.

A special mention goes out to Carl Long, Mark Smith and Dave Shea for returning Sunday morning to complete the carpentry and shingling of the restroom at the Orion boat ramp. Also, we can all thank Jim Swartz for running the kitchen. It takes him several days to prepare all of the excellent dishes he serves at lunchtime. Thanks Jim!

I want to thank all the members and leaders who helped make this a successful event. This is one event where everyone can participate and be on an equal basis. All the jobs are important to the park. At the end of the day we can all be proud to say we volunteered and participated as a Skymaster team. Thanks to all the members who participated. See you again next year!

Thank you again to all the members listed below that participated in Involvement Day:

Craig White, Bob Donahue, David Shea, Matt Rowan, Carl Boukowski, Eugene Dubel, Mark Smith, Andy Smith, Dan Olah, Earl Starr, William Wood, Jack Fleming, John Verbruggen, Steve Fredericks, Marv Middleton, Ron Socaz, Paul Shurtliff, Joe Finkelstine, Otto Gutsell, Bill Stark, Al Mrock, Greg Cardillo, Gary Weaks, Joe Hass, Chris Hass, Tim Bowman, Ron Greening, Paul Zabwa, Pete Foss. Sam Foss, Jim Zagacki, Jim Schwarz, Carl Long, George Dzendzel, Ron Thuringer, Dave Rowells, David Palechert, Helen Palechert, Roberto Mesnik, Gene Thuringer, Chet Brady, Russ Martens, Scott Boshart,

Howard Alexander, Ross M. Hardy, Steve Patterson, Ross Jones, Harry Etheridge, Bud Howard, Dick Chapman, Douglas Riley Jr, Douglas Riley Sr, Randy MacInnes, Aaron Williams, Norb Pietrykowski, Dave Lange, Harold Reuter, Darrell Watts, Chuck Slattery, Mike Maxwell, Denise Cardillo, Alyssa Cardillo.

The Toledo Expo has come and gone for the year 2000. I saw many Skymasters down there this year, and some fantastic models on display. Skymasters were well represented in the static competition this year. Al Mrock took FIRST PLACE is Military Sport Scale with his twin engine Sikorsky S38. Al had also won in two categories at the WRAM Show earlier this year. Vince Pettke placed SECOND in Sport Monoplane with his Northstar on retracts. Past Skymaster George Maiorana won THIRD PLACE in Designer Scale with his four engine electric powered Soviet TU-4 "Bull" - a Russian copy of the B-29. George and Skip Mast talked about their large electric plans at a Skymasters Meeting about 2 years ago.

Al Mrock's winning Sikorsky S-38

Vince Pettke's Second Place Northstar

George Maiorana's electric powered Soviet TU-4

Al McGee is continuing his work in mowing the field this year. Al has done a great job the last few years in keeping the grass short. Al's target is to have the grass as short as possible for Student Nights. This means the normal mowing day/time will be Tuesday morning. Al normally mows the field first, then the pit area and parking lot. While the runaway area is being mowed, the field is closed. Weather or Al's personal schedule may require changes to day/time on occasion. Mowing has priority over all flying activities. In the event this impacts your flying time, please say thanks to Al for his hard work, and wait for him to finish!

Al McGee is once again handling our annual fuel order. All fuel is from Morgan Fuel. All fuels are 18% oil.

Bulk 10% Cool Power - ordered in drums and put into gallon jugs - $10 gallon

Factory Packed 15% - $12 gallon

Cool Power (Synthetic Oil); Omega (40% Castor; 60% Synthetic); Four Stroke (50% Castor, 50% Synthetic)

Factory Packed 5% - $9.50 gallon

Cool Power (Synthetic Oil); Omega (40% Castor; 60% Synthetic)

Factory Packed FAI (0% Nitro) - $8.50 gallon

Cool Power (Synthetic Oil); Omega (40% Castor; 60% Synthetic)

Sign up at the meeting or call Greg Cardillo with your order!

Interested in other Morgan Fuels?? Let us know and we'll get a price.

Order to be placed mid-May!

May 10, 2000 Skymasters Meeting – Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM

Dr. Electric, Keith Shaw joins us to talk about electric power for R/C models. We are seeing more and more electric models show up at our field, enough to have an event for it. Come see what is possible with today's technology.

May 20, 2000 Seven Lakes Spring Float Fly – Seven Lakes State Park, Holly, 9:00 AM

Our first Float Fly event of the year. Get your planes ready to go. Small admission includes lunch and pilots drawing.

May 21, 2000 Bald Mountain Float Fly – Bald Mountain State Park, Main Entrance 10:00 AM

Got you planes set up at Seven Lakes yesterday? Well bring them back to Trout Lake on Sunday for another day of water flying! The Scripps Road Field is closed for this event due to the proximity of Trout Lake (less than 3 miles on GPS.)

May 24, 2000 Skymasters Meeting – Scripps Road Field, 6:00 PM

Spring spruce up at the field. Come on out to help take care of some small projects at the field in preparation for Student nights and a summer of flying!! (We need to make sure the grill works!) Some projects will include work on runway. As always, flying is not permitted during runway maintenance.

May 31, 2000 Student Night Begins! – Scripps Road Field

This and every Wednesday thru August 30^th. Flying starts at 10am weather permitting. Dinner at 6pm regardless of weather! Flying till 8pm. For those new to the club, this is a great chance for students to meet and fly with different instructors. Then make arrangements to get together other days as well. Dinner is a potluck. Families welcome. We ask that you bring something for the grill - at least enough for your family - and a dish to pass. You will not leave hungry! This potluck is supported by those attending. We will have a sign up each week with needed staples (charcoal, plates, ketchup, etc…). If you would like to bring these instead of a dish, you can contribute that way as well.

Come on out; bring the family, and enjoy. Remember, "We always eat, we sometimes fly!"

June 4, 2000 Kid's Day – Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM

Come and join us for Kid's Day. Everyone is welcome to experience remote flight for the first time. Flyers of all ages can pilot an aircraft on Kid's Day. Mark your calendar now and tell your friends and family. Volunteers are needed for this event to be a success. We need trainer aircraft, instructors, and pilots to come forward.

We look forward to meeting the new faces that anxiously await our Kid's Day event. Please share your time and talents with us and make this years Kid's Day event the best ever.

Look forward to seeing you there! Sign up now! Contact Carl Long at (810) 254-0048

June 10, 2000 Small Fry, Electric, and Sailplane (Saturday) – Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM

A new event for 2000! Any size electric powered plane or sailplane. Two cycle engines up to .25 cu. In.; Four cycle engines up to .30 cu. in. Any size tow planes permitted. Should be an interesting event. We have seen many planes in these categories showing up at the field and our meetings recently!

Sat-Sun, May 20,21 Michigan Whirlybirds Helicopter Meet, Hebron, Ohio, Paul Giles 810-790-5952

Sunday, May 21 Sun Parlor R/C Season Opener Fun Fly, Canada, Fred Tonge 519-966-6981

Wednesday, May 24 GLASS Sailplane Meet (no contact info provided)

Saturday, June 3 RCCD, Warbirds Over Lenox, Warbird Rally and R/C Combat Demo,

Sat-Sun, June 3,4 Weak Signals Q-500 Pylon, Phil Smith 734-429-4707

Sat-Sun, June 10,11 LIFT Sailplane, Jim Johnston 231-938-1272

Saturday, June 10 Milan Flyers Fun Fly, Phil Smith 734-429-4707

Saturday, June 10 Signal Seekers IMAC Clinic (Basic & Sportsman), Pete Bergstrom 313-028-8260

Sunday, June 11 Signal Seekers IMAC Meet, Pete Bergstrom 313-028-8260

Sunday, June 11 Jackson R/C, Watts Over Jackson Electric Fun Fly, Jack Sowle 517-522-4708

Saturday, June 17 PMAC 6^th Annual Giant Scale Fly-In, Frank Vella 248-627-8060

Sat-Sun, June 24,25 Indian City Precision Aerobatics, Grosse Isle, Bob Kane 734-281-8514

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

Flint Aero Swap

The following Hotels have room blocks reserved for the Float Fly this year. It appears there is another event in the area that weekend - so book early (must book by August 1)! Ask for the Skymasters rate.

Kensington Inn (10 miles west of the park) Courtyard by Marriott (4 miles w of the park)

124 Holiday Lane (I-96 at exit 137) 7799 Conference Center Drive (I-96 at exit 145)

Howell Mi 48843 **517-548-3510** Brighton Mi 48114 **810-225-9200**

$59+tax -- 2 doubles or king $64+tax -- 2 doubles or king

Our article is confirmed to be in the August Issue this year. We just found out the cover will be Vince Pettke's boys with his Northstar! Also look for an ad (courtesy of RCM) for our event in the July issue.

XXL Club Jacket - Jacket is new and is the 'Sport' style. Logo is embroidered on front and back. Available immediately (allow one week if you want your name on it.) $90. Craig White at 248-435-5235 or 248-388-3564 (Nextel).

Approximately 40x48" piece of 1/16" sheet steel. FREE to good home.

If you can use it call Darrell 391-4677

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 2000 is 94dBa 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.

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!