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SkyWriter
Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter
- December 1998
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters
President's Message
Hi All,
Well it is hard to believe, but this message from me marks 1 year that I have been giving your newsletter editor fits with my verbose president's message. I figured he would appreciate another challenge, so I'll try to accommodate him this month as well.
First and most important is for me to thank all of the individuals who have helped me into my first year as your president. I have benefited greatly from the assistance of the entire BOD team and from many others. I was really unaware of all of the day to day stuff that has to be done to run our club, and I truly see why the club elected a BOD to handle most of it. Our meetings would last all night handling all of the details to keep the grass mowed, relations with the DNR, student night, etc. The people around me in the club made this possible, while I mainly played delegate this year. I originally thought about naming all who helped me, but then quickly realized it would comprise just about everyone in the club (which would cause your poor newsletter editor to need 20 pages for this newsletter!). To all of you who make this club run I give an honest and heart felt THANK YOU - now we get to do it all again in 1999!
The second issue of concern to me is that we all understand a piece of our relationship with the DNR that sometimes get lost. The land we fly off of is multi use land. This means that we share our field and surrounding area with other state park users. The primary users besides Skymasters, are the numerous hunters as the land is rich with small game around us. It is imperative that we accommodate them to the extent our lease calls out (and conversely, hunters have their own rules and regulations). Let me be more specific here. Hunters are actually allowed to use our parking lot, and the land around us, but we need to make all visitors aware of the fact that our lease demands that the gate must be locked when the last Skymaster leaves and also must be locked outside of allowable flying hours. This has caused a problem or two before, when a hunter drives up and leaves the parking lot without anyone letting them know, or refusing to even listen to us. I would strongly suggest that you not start an argument (after all, the hunter will more than likely have a loaded gun in his/her hands!). Simply inform them that the gate must be locked when the last Skymaster leaves the field in all cases and that this is not negotiable for us, it is in our lease, period. There are alternative ways for hunters to enter/exit our area. Hunters are also under an obligation to keep a safe distance from us and to never endanger any other citizen with their weapons. I believe that their regulations call out for at least 450 feet of clearance. It is important in the sprit of things that we try to accommodate each other, but if the time ever occurs that you get the dreaded "I pay taxes and I get to do anything I want here, you guys can go to hell" behavior, I strongly suggest that you leave the scene and call the park office DNR and report the situation. I do not want us to start lodging all kinds of complaints against hunters, do not misconstrue what I am saying here. We both have a responsibility to accommodate each other. I have been around long enough to see 2 occasions that I was involved with that needed the DNR involvement. Both times were from an individual who parked in our lot and refused to listen to the fact that it was about 8:00PM and the gates must get locked after the last Skymaster left at approximately 8:30PM. Each case was resolved by a DNR visit to the field, and unfortunately a ticket was issued to each of the permanent parkers (I think I remembered all the facts). Did we win here? - I would say not, we almost certainly created animosity towards Skymasters. My point to all of us is to remember the spirit of multi use and remember we are guests in Bald Mountain. Use your common sense and work things out amicably before we call in the Calvary.
Preparations are ongoing for the Skymaster Xmas party, and I'm not sure if you will get this before our party, (boy I sure hope so - I am not that far behind! Ed.) but I hope to see you all and enjoy one of my more favorite meetings. I got to pick out the prizes for pilots and I picked up 4 good intermediate 60-size ships. I have been admiring them sitting in my shop for a long time now, and will be sad to see them leave, but then again, in someone else's hands they will get built!
I hope all have a wonderful holiday season and that you all remember to join us at the Krazy Snow fly in Late December. Just remember that we will meet at the field regardless of the weather, we just might not fly (although Steve Fredericks chili can produce lots of fuel for combustion - I also remember using some for engine cleaner)
Keep your thumbs limber and I wish all a happy holidays
Joe Finkelstine
From the Editor…
Welcome to the December issue of Skywriter. Its hard to believe I've been publishing this for a year now! I hope you have enjoyed reading - if not, suggestions are always welcome. This is your newsletter.
You are receiving this newsletter a little later than normal thanks to some unplanned business travel and planned holiday travel. Thanks for your patience - you should still receive this by the weekend before the Christmas Party.
Some items to note this month include the results of our officer elections and sound level vote. There is also a letter from Chet Brady regarding the Stony Creek proposal for a flying field. I indicated a few issues ago that you may be asked to help out with a letter. Well the time has come. See page 6 for more details.
Swap Shop season is getting ready to pick up again after the holidays! The first on Jan 10 has an ad included this month. Other clubs, please send me flyers/schedules for your 1999 events as they are decided. I will include as many as I can! Skymasters 1999 schedule should be set in late January or early February depending on the schedule of the AMRCC meeting. We should have another full year of activities. If you are interested in helping out with an event or two, let us know.
Two reminders again from last month:
It is getting to the time of the year when Mother Nature may affect our meetings. If weather is questionable, please watch the local news. If Troy schools cancel after school activities (or are closed), we are cancelled as well! Hopefully this can save many last minute phone calls!
Please send me any input you may have for the newsletter. Note my Email has changed! Please send mail to GMCardillo@att.net, or to my address on the back cover…
I wish you and your families a very happy holiday season, and lots of flying time (and swap shop time) in 1999!
Upcoming Programs/Events
Monday, December 7* Skymasters Retiree Breakfast, Dennys in Rochester
Wednesday, December 9* Skymasters Christmas Party, Larson Middle School
Monday, December 21* Skymasters Retiree Breakfast, Dennys in Rochester
Sunday, December 27* Skymasters Krazy Snow Fly
Thursday, December 31 DAM Red Eye Night Flight (11:50 pm), Stan Spiewak 313-534-3300
Sunday, January 10 DAM Swap Meet, Farmington, Tom Weedon 313-697-0875
Wednesday, January 13 Skymasters Meeting, Larson Middle School
Sunday, January 24 Metro Miniature Swap Meet, Westland, Larry Dalrymple 734-722-2489
Wednesday, January 27 Skymasters Meeting, Larson Middle School
*See additional information for these events in this issue of Skywriter!
Event info from mailings received, AMRCC, and Michigan RC Flying Times
Skymasters Events
Note that due to holidays, there is only one meeting in December!
December 7, 1998 Skymasters Retiree (and Wanna Be) Breakfast - Dennys in Rochester
December 9, 1998 Skymasters Christmas Party - Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM.
Bring your families and planes to our annual Christmas Party. There will be prizes for members bringing planes, and we have given the North Pole our date for Santa to plan on coming as well with gifts for the kids!
All food and drink is provided by Skymasters. Come and enjoy!
December 27, 1998 Skymasters Krazy Snow Fly - Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM.
Come join us for the last Skymasters flying event of 1998, as we brave Mother Nature on the last Sunday of the year. Of course, the way this year is going, we could be in shorts! Get your planes charged, and come on out for some flying and the famous Frederick's Chilli. Will it be wheels, floats or skis this year - we'll have to wait and see!
Rider's Holiday Sale
On your way to the Christmas Party, stop by Rider's Hobbies at either the Madison Heights or Macomb location. Both are having a sale Wednesday, December 9th starting at 5PM with discounts from 10-30% off (They haven't recovered from the 40% off yet!). Rider's is one of the hobby shops that supports us throughout the year.
1998 Skymasters Field Maintenance Update
Well, it's that time of year when we store our lawn mowers and brush off our snow blowers. Even though we had our annual Field Closing Party, the flying field is open all year. Some equipment (such as the frequency pin box) will be removed and stored during hunting season. Please be careful to "clear" your frequency with other flying pilots at the field when you fly during the "off season".
Looking back on this past flying season I would like to thank the membership for their patience in the early spring...we were still waiting for delivery of our re-built tractor and the grass did start growing before we were ready. Once we had our tractor back in hand Al McGee did a simply wonderful job at keeping the field, pits and parking area beautifully trimmed and neat. Thank You, Al!! We also recently had the north and east approaches to the runway brush-hogged. This should keep the brush in check for the next couple of years. We brush hogged further than the DNR expected us to. Next time we will stake out the cutting area before hand. Also, the DNR reminded us that we cannot cut down trees, no matter how small they are. Please consult the club officers regarding any issues with overgrown trees or shrubs, thank you.
1999 dB Level for Scripps Road
At our November meeting, we discussed and voted on the noise limit for 1999. As indicated last month, our current plan included a reduction to 94 dB. After discussion, it was voted to proceed with the planned reduction to 94dBa beginning January 1, 1999. One of our January programs will be on sound reduction and some ideas for those planes that may be on the edge. If you have a specific concern, let us know. Also please come to share ideas that have worked for you. The more participation, the more ideas we will have to try. Skymasters and several club members own dB meters. Talk to an officer if you need to locate one for some testing.
1999 Officers
Congratulations to the 1999 Skymasters Officers. We welcome back Joe Finklestine as President; Gary Weaks as Vice President; and Graham Overton as Treasurer - each for their second term. We welcome Ross Hardy, joining the BOD as Secretary for 1999. Our special thanks to our 1996-1998 Secretary, Paul Shurtliff, for his three years of service! The voting members of your BOD consist of these four officers and all past Presidents.
For Sale
(The following item was listed last month with the incorrect displacement. Here is the corrected adJ)
P.A.W. .049 Diesel Engine with 3 gallons fuel; refueling pump and manual. $85. 92 dB. Runs cool. Call Howard at 248-608-0473.
And some more items from Mike Russell:
Here is a final list of things I have for sale. I have sold a lot in the past month and I hope everyone who has bought something from me is happy with what you got. I have done my best to price everything reasonably (read "way below what I paid for it") and this has helped me buy some new engines and planes to fly IMAC and pattern. So here is the list of what I have left. Feel free to call me at 248-852-7413 before 11pm EDT with any questions but remember, I am a chef and since we are going into the holiday season I will be working long hours at the club (Bloomfield Open Hunt Club) so you may not get me easily in December except by e-mail which I read at least twice daily:
ENGINES
Saito 1.20 4cy. NIB (2 available) ~ $255 each or $500 for the pair. These are really nice engines and need a home in a scale model or two. Thunder Tiger .91 4cy. NIB ~ $175; Thunder Tiger .91 4cy. used but only about 1 1/2 hours ~ $155; Thunder Tiger .61 2cy. NIB (3 available) ~ $90 each or $250 for all three; Thunder Tiger .61 used but excellent condition ~ $70; ASP .61 2cy used but ex. cond. ~ $50; ASP.80 4cy. NIB (2 available) ~ $130 each or $240 for the pair; ASP.80 4cy. used but excellent condition ~ $100; ASP 1.08 2cy. (4 available) used but excellent condition ~ $90 each or $340 for all four
PLANE KITS ALL NEW IN BOX
Great Planes Easy Sport 68" span ~ $50; Great Planes Super Sportster 120 72" span (3 available) ~ $90 each or $260 for all three; Great Planes Cub .40 (2 available) ~ $70 each or $130 for the pair.
ACCESSORIES, ETC.
MACS headers for Super Tiger 3000 NIB ~ $10 each or $25 for all three; Sanyo receiver battery packs (about 6 months old and not used) flat pack 4.8 volts 800 mah (2 avail.) square pack 4.8 volts 1200 mah and 1300 mah (1 of each) ~ $10 each; Perry carburators NIB for ASP .91/1.08 (4 available) ~ $15 each or $50 for all four; Perry carburator NIB for Super Tiger 3000 ~ $15; Jtec Super Tiger 3000 muffler (2 available) NIB ~ $10 each; JTec O.S. BGX muffler NIB ~ $10 (all three mufflers for $25; ACE 6 volt charger NIB ~ $10; Spring Air retracts for Top Flight AT-6 NIB ~ $35; Robart small pressure air vessels NIB (2 available) ~ $5 each; Robart small pressure air vessels (smaller than above) NIB ~ $5 (2 in the package); J.R. retract servos (2) 66oz. NIB ~ $30 each or $50 for the pair. Shipping must be in addition to the above prices. I just took a beating this past month on sending everything first class U.S. Post Office but I like to get things to you quickly. Contact Mike Russell @ MDRCHEF@aol.com. Happy holidays.
The Gremlins Were Out From Chris Knee
Last Saturday, Mark Smith, Paul Zabawa and I were doing our first "trials" with our Gremlins. (Bob Donohue and Dave Shea had not finished theirs yet)
These Gremlins fly very well in the sense that they "groove" well and do go quiet fast. Well, Mark's and mine, since we had .46's and Paul was on a Magnum 40. Since we were all flying the same plane, there was a natural tendency for comparison - especially in the speed department. We were all flying the "pattern" (including Paul, who later told me he felt like he was the only one keeping to the speed limit!)
My plane was slower than Marks (ThunderTiger .46 pro vs OS46LA). I had to something. Bob Donohue suggested I try some other props. The first I tried helped, but I was still slower. Bob D. lent me a prop of his - a Bolly 10.5 x 6. This improved the speed a lot. I was closer.
Man, this was fun. We were flying circuits that included a half reverse cuban eight (sometimes incorrectly referred to as a split S) on the East side. To get that extra MPH across the field, we were also flying "downhill" a bit for our pass over the field where we could "experience" the speed.
Of course, to compare anything, you have to hold them near each other. Mark and I were close together but not closer than we normally fly. However, luck (or something else) was against us. During one of the East side turns, we seemed to have drifted in each other path. [At that distance out, it is very hard to tell if we were turning at the same distance] It was so far away, we did not hear any sound.
All of a sudden, I found I was looking at pieces. What had happened to my plane. Am I flying pieces? Oh, no, a mid-air. I hear Mark say: "Chris, what are you doing?" " uuhhhh ......, dunno ..."
A shower of parts rained down from the sky. This was the R/C equivalent of the Shuttle disaster. There was this incredible feeling of helplessness and futility that comes over you. Worse than the "GAME OVER" that appears on your computer game screen!
Some-one says: "Did you throttle back?" You respond: "I'm not sure - was I still controlling anything?"
So we put down our transmitters, and started walking. When you enter the corn field on the East side, your horizon disappears. All you can see is a small space around you. We search randomly for a bit.
I had the sinking feeling that this was going to be hopeless. We couldn't find anything. Bob Donohue and Russ [Morris TopCap] had also joined in the search.
Suddenly I hear a shout. Someone had found a hunter who had pointed out where the planes had gone down. We all rush to the shouts.
Wow, the planes were far away from the field. Much further than I think I would ever have guess-timated. In fact the planes were in the wooded area beyond the corn field.
My plane had no right wing and no engine. Marks plane which was eventually found IN the corn field over 100 yards away! His plane had no left wing, but all else was intact. Golly, these Gremlins are pretty tough. I had not secured my engine to the plane as per the plans due to a CG problem. This is possibly a reason why the engine came off the plane.
We began to search for the lost engine. Nothing. The light was fading. We had to call off the search.
The next day at the Swap meet we plan to conduct another search in the afternoon. The search is tedious and not very encouraging. Searching for parts after a regular crash is simple - find where the plane went down and the parts are close by.
With a mid-air, where's the crash site? The parts can be anywhere. This is especially difficult when you are standing in a row of corn and all you can do is look up. You can't see the field or the flying line.
Later Russ flew his plane back and forwards over the area [thanks Russ] to "show" us searchers the line. This helped a lot as we had no idea where we were looking. Nothing.
I even went back on Tuesday afternoon to search. Still nothing. It's also very spooky looking for something in a cold, deserted, windy and dark corn-field.
Thursday night I get a call from Greg Cardillo. Have I lost an engine? Yes. Greg tells me Joe Hass has it! Now I am confused, Surely we weren't flying THAT far from the field?
When I get to Joe Hass's place, Joe tells me that a person who works in his sub-division saw his planes in the basement. He said that he had picked up an engine where he used to hunt. Joe Hass then calls Joe F. and Greg C to see if they know of anyone missing an engine.
And then Greg called me.
Now I have my 85 dB engine back! Thanks a million, guys!!
Stony Creek Flying Site Proposal
Extracted from Michigan R/C Flying Times
October 21, 1998
To Editor Kay Noble:
As you may know, we here at the Southeast Michigan Flying Clubs have been trying to get a flying site at Stony Creek Metropolitan Park.
After quite some negotiation, the Park Authority has turned down our request. The whole problem is that only the Park Planner answered our request even though there are eight Park Commissioners, and to this day - 60 days - not one has replied to our request to re-negotiate our planned use for the mile square abandoned gravel pit that American Aggregate Company donated to the Park Authority for recreation use!
We propose, at no cost to the State or Park Authority, to develop an R/C Park that would encompass Radio Control Flying, U-Control Flying, Helicopter Flying, and an R/C Car track.
Due to the sudden deafness of the Metropolitan Park Authority Commissioners, we decided to write Governor John Engler about this. Two letters have been sent to him with all of the proposed items that the Southeast Michigan Flying Clubs would do to make this a second-to-none R/C Park. After two certified letters sent to the Governor with acknowledged receipt of the same by his secretary, he too has turned a deaf ear to us. No response, no letter, no phone call, no nothing!
This is our proposal. Please print what is written and at the end of the letter, please enclose the following form letter to Governor John Engler so he knows that more than a few people are interested in this venture. If everyone that reads your wonderful paper writes the governor, we are bound to get some action!
Thanks you.
Chester V. Brady
43440 River Bend Blvd.
Clinton Twp MI 48038
810-469-3079
(I will bring copies of the form letter to the next Skymasters meeting, and give a copy to Pete to post on the Web. A scanned version is included here if you would like to draft your own letter. Ed.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
December 1998
Governor John Engler
Lansing, Michigan
Dear Mr. Engler,
As a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and a local flying club, Skymasters R/C of Michigan, I am writing to you about the proposed flying site at the Stony Creek Metropark in Macomb County.
Members of several flying clubs located in the Detroit metropolitan area have been negotiating with park commissioners for a flying site within this park. The details of this request have been sent to you.
So far, our petitions have fallen on deaf ears. We are requesting that you intercede with your appointees on our behalf.
Hoping that you will help your constituents, I remain
Sincerely yours,
__________________________
name
__________________________
__________________________
address
Skymasters R/C of Michigan
________________________________________________________________________________
The gentleman from Cores R Us was at a recent meeting with this flyer and a sample of his wings.
Pearls of Wisdom
Condensed from Tangled Lines, The Journal of the Greater Detroit Soaring and Hiking Society. Article by Mark Howard.
If your completed model is not more than ten percent heavier than advertised, then your scale needs to be calibrated.
No one else in the universe has ever managed to fold/bend/break on of those planes (the one you just folded/bent/broke) before.
Your modification will never fail until the flight just after you proudly point out what a fine design change it is.
If it's calm at your house - then it's windy at the field (at least when you get there).
If you take a day off when weather forecasters predict perfect conditions, it will be cold, cloudy and windy. If you don't, they will be right.
The main difference between power flying and sailplanes is that if you fly power, you stick your hand in the propellor. If you fly sailplanes it goes in the winch.
Most crash-causing interference is of the variety that affects the synapses in the neural junctions that connect the logic circuit to the decision making part of the brain.
You always discover the damage caused by a hard landing during the crash phase of the next flight.
If you spend more on your wife than you do on your planes, you will fly more often than those who don't.
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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