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SkyWriter

Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter - February 1999
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters

President's Message
Hi All,
Well, I am trying a new mode of writing this newsletter. I am actually writing from home, and to top it off, it is 1 day past my due date to your editor! - Although he has not yet reminded me of my offense. (That's because I am much more than a day behind! Ed.)

Your BOD has met already in 1999, and like last year, planning for all of 1999 events and our fast approaching Skymasters swap meet has begun. Gary Walling is CD'ing the swap meet, and I am going to go out on a limb here and anticipate your editor will include an article or note about the sign up for help we will need. The time slots are typically ½ hour long and are always easy to fit into your time at the swap meet. Gary has worked hard getting raffle prizes and I anticipate another great swap meet for us. I always remember a compliment that Pete Waters gave about our swap meet the last time we had him visit to talk about radios "Skymasters has one of the last true swap meets around - you guys have all kinds of junk for sale!" Two of my favorite swap meets are occurring in February, one in Flint and the other in Owosso. I have not bought an airplane for 5 straight swap meets so I am definitely overdue. Perhaps that ever-evasive Biplane or 90 four-stroke size ship will finally appear for me!

I have spent a longer than normal time this last month on the PC playing with several aviation related programs including simulators, design software, etc. My favorite in the last month has been one of the better full-scale simulators I have seen in a long time. It is called Pro Pilot 99 and I have been practicing ILS landings in dense fog into Pontiac airport (where I used to fly full scale). It has been very addicting, with several nights ending at 1-2AM with me forgetting the time, as I white knuckle in an approach to bare minimums. I have tried Microsoft Flight Simulator, and in my opinion, Pro Pilot 99 puts it to shame big time. It allows me to have most of the fun and challenge of flying full scale without the huge cost, so I am sure I will wear out this CD. I have also had a blast with several other programs, that I would recommend to any club member. They would be Flight Unlimited, which puts you into the cockpit of 5 modern aerobatic ships - Extra 300, Pitts, etc. It is an older program so I found it on sale for $10! (when I smash into the ground from an inverted pass, this program scatters pieces of the plane all over the country side - a tribute to your flying skill!) - I also am enjoying a multiplayer game called Warbirds, in which you can choose from over 100 WWII or WWI airplanes and go online an fight it out with other players all over the world. K.C. suggested I give the program a try and he was correct in that this one is fun as well. Finally, I am still playing with my CSM R/C simulator, trying to keep the thumbs ready for the spring thaw. I have found this program good to teach my son and daughter who both have asked to learn to fly this season. The Finkelstine vehicle may show up to the field with more than just airplanes and me this summer.

Unfortunately, our first January club meeting was snowed out, and I think we have finally got the word out to check the Troy school if things look shaky. The rule is simple. If Troy Schools are closed on the day of our meeting, then our meeting is cancelled for that day. Obviously, we do not make up lost meetings (except Christmas Parties! Ed.), so you'll just have to live without seeing my wonderful face until 2 weeks later!

Time for me to try an approach into Detroit Metro, or perhaps even better, finish up the Gremlin I am working on

Hope the balsa dust is filling your shop
Joe Finkelstine

Meeting Minutes

January 13, 1998 Meeting at Larson Middle School
Meeting Cancelled - Troy Schools closed due to weather.

January 27, 1998 Meeting at Larson Middle School
Minutes from previous meeting:
November 11, 1998 Minutes read, accepted and second

Treasurers Report: Not available

First time visitors:
Mike Jones New to the club. He has an ARF, and is building a spitfire

Presentation:
Speaker Keith Shaw couldn't make it, he rescheduled to Feb. 10

Upcoming Events:
Swap Meet Feb. 24 Th. at Larson Middle School Planning is going well almost $400.00 worth of prizes so far. Bill is doing the kitchen again (Thanks Bill) Admission is $3.00 there will be 2 raffles, a Skymasters table will be available.
See Gary Walling to sign up to work.

Swap Meets:
There are swap meets coming up they are in the news letter, Joe said Flint 2/7 and Owosso 2/21 are both good.

New Business:
Combat: Joe Finkelstine said we would like to have a "Gremlin" focus day, all planes could fly, but gremlins would be encouraged. Fun to watch.(snowman) Also a small fry/ Electric fly ; more on this later.

Hats: Darrell Showed new hats, we passed them around and picked one we liked. He will get 2 dozen or so, and they will be $9.50. Hats are white and blue.

Float Fly: The float fly should be in the July issue of RC Modeler. Next year SKS videos may use our float fly for a video. It would show our float fly and be instructional. Darrell needs a co-contest director this year. If you are interested see Darrell. In 2 years Darrell will step down. The F18 Will be the Raffle again. (I win this time)

New Field: Chet Brady is working on a new field at Stoney Creek. He is not getting much help from us in writing the Governor. We need your help. Please write, or send the letter in the news letter, to governor Engler. It is our only chance. Please don't give up on this great opportunity.

Chief Flight Instructor: We are in need of a new CFI, for the 1999 season. Pete has been CFI for 2 years. (Thanks Pete) If you qualify, and are interested, see Pete.

Show and Tell:
Greg Brausa brought a sweet lookin' Gremlin, It has a new "mac" tuned pipe, is covered in ultra cote. The 9x6 prop is turned by a .32 FX. "It flies nice but comes in hot".

Mike Katalinich brought in a Der Electrik Jager. It has a .40 FP (for now), weighs in at 8 lbs. The 54" span took 7 wks, to build and is covered in Monocote.

Joe Hass brought in his prototype DC3 with Hobby Lobby Twin .10 motors with 14 cells. He also brought in a new B2."The $39.00 airplane that cost 250.00".

Graham Overton showed his hyper-bees after the break, the red and black one is a GT :). It has a .12 with a short wing and weighs in at .25 oz. The other one is a twin .061 Hp motors which are mounted inverted to save vibration. Twin is 22oz. "Flies great if it starts".

Pete Foss brought an F117 Stealth fighter. it will have a speed 400 and may either hand launch or bungee. " the plans cost more than the plane". They came from England. Only the English have our top secret plans.He also brought his Electro-streak, it's motor is making a scratchy sound when you turn the prop. The crowd said: "then don't do that"

Terry Overton brought in a scratch built one design from RCM plans. Fiberglass cowl from fiberglass specialties. Weighs 14 lbs. Has a TME smoke system and is covered with ultra cote. The 1.8 Saito turns the 16x8 prop with just 88 DB. He used Kilz stain killer to prime under the covering, "it makes the yellow look much better".

Paul Zabawa brought in a 2 Balla foits?? " More work than a gremlin" the servo's are held in with silicone sealer, and the covering is 5 mil packing tape. Yahoooo!!

David Shea brought in a gremlin that "flew tonight" (not inside the school)it has a .40 LA. "don't put too much into a gremlin" OK!

Gene Thuringer Brought in a Great Planes P-51 Mustang Monocote covered, power supplied by an OS 70 surpass. "About 7 lbs".

Other:
50/50 was $17.00, show and tell won by Gene
Old-timers and wanna-bees Breakfast first and third Monday's at 9 am.
Our events are being coordinated to not over lap. This is done with the AMRCC.

Motion to adjourn and Second 9:19 PM


From the Editor…
Welcome to the February 1999 issue of Skywriter. Another packed issue this month. Once again no room for pictures.

Rumor has it our Treasurer is moving again!.. Graham's new address is: 1640 Drahner, Oxford Mi, 48371. If you haven't mailed in your application yet, please send it to this address! (New application on Page 7).
February is the last month to renew without paying an extra $10! Get your renewals in soon!

A lot of swap shops in the next month, including ours! Please call Gary to signup for some time to help out (see page 5). Look for our 1999 Event Schedule in next months Skywriter. We will have all our dates set with AMRCC by then.

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
KRAZY SNOW FLY

The day started out cold and brisk. With an early start, my annual team mate, Bob Donahue and I began setting up. The first order of the day was to start a blazing bonfire in the fire ring, as it was cold and windy this year.

After installing the curtains on the shelter and firing up the coffee pot, we began to relax by the fire, waiting for the pilots to arrive. By 10:00 the pilots began arriving.

By the looks of the weather we thought the pilot turnout was going to be light. We were fooled. By noon over 30 pilots had arrived. By this time the weather had warmed up enough that everyone who had brought a plane made as many flights as they desired.
The bonfire was the place to be this year as it was colder than in previous years. The chili pot received a steady line of hungry, brave pilots. I expected the temperature to rise another 10 degrees after I noticed that it only took about one hour to empty a 5 gallon pot of chili. Next year we may need two pots of chili.

Many of the pilots were flying a scratch built flying wing that they called Gremlins. They put on a good show to the enjoyment of the crowd. They also donated one of these kits for one of the prizes. I would bet that there will be many more of these kits flying by springtime. Get in touch with Chris Knee if you desire one of these kits.

At 12:00 the door prizes were awarded. Twelve $10 gift certificates were awarded by a drawing of names of all pilots who braved at least one flight. Two of these gift certificates were donated by Riders Hobbies of Madison Heights. Please support them when you buy your supplies.

I would like to thank Riders Hobbies for their year long support, the members of our club who donated the Gremlin kit and Bob Donahue for helping me set up and also to the members who helped me clean up.

Plan to attend next year. Thanks to all who attended, to make this an event which we will surely continue.

Steve Fredericks

Skymasters Events
Joe Rivers from the Yankee Airforce Museum will be rescheduled for a meeting the first half of 99.

February 10, 1998 Skymasters Meeting - Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM.
Rescheduled from January! When 30-40% of your plane's performance is based on prop selection, do you know what prop to choose? Noted electric flyer, Keith Shaw will be joining us to talk about how to optimize your performance with the right prop.

February 15, 1998 Retirees Breakfast - Dennys in Rochester
Come join the retirees and wanna bees for breakfast at 9:00 Monday morning!

February 24, 1998 Skymasters Swap Shop- Larson Middle School, 7:00 PM. (6pm setup)
See ad on next page! Gary Walling will be looking for help the day of the event for everything from setup/cleanup to staffing the door, kitchen, and raffle sales. Look for a signup sheet in this issue of Skywriter and at the meetings, or give Gary a call if you can help out!

March 1, 1998 Retirees Breakfast - Dennys in Rochester
Come join the retirees and wanna bees for breakfast at 9:00 Monday morning!

March 10, 1998 Skymasters Meeting - Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM.
Sound Reduction - now that Skymasters is 94dBa at 10 feet, how do we get those marginal planes 1dBa quieter?? Or those already quiet planes even quieter. Come learn and share what works and what doesn't from your own experiences, and hear those of others.

March 15, 1998 Retirees Breakfast
Dennys in Rochester
Come join the retirees and wanna bees for breakfast at 9:00 Monday morning!

Upcoming Programs/Events
Sunday, February 7* Flying Ace's Swap Meet, Flint Baker College, Steve Polen 810-635-9392
Wednesday, February 10* Skymasters Meeting, Larson Middle School
Monday, February 15* Skymasters Retirees (and Wanna Bees) Breakfast, Bob Burns 248-628-4666
Sunday, February 21* Mid Michigan R/C Swap Meet, Owosso Baler College, Michael Freeman 517-871-2673
(call after 5PM please)
Wednesday, February 24* Skymasters Swap Meet, Larson Middle School
Sunday, February 28* Taste of Troy benefit for Boys & Girls Club of Troy, Joe Hass 248-601-1541
Monday, March 1* Skymasters Retirees (and Wanna Bees) Breakfast, Bob Burns 248-628-4666
Wednesday, March 10* Skymasters Meeting, Larson Middle School
Monday, March 15* Skymasters Retirees (and Wanna Bees) Breakfast, Bob Burns 248-628-4666
Wednesday, March 24 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

Al Glaza
I received the following note from Kim Glaza, wife of Skymaster Al Glaza. Al suffered a stroke several years ago, and is confined to a wheel chair.
Dear Skymasters,
I want to thank all of you for your concern about my husband and your fellow club member Al Glaza. He is in a nursing home in Mt. Clemens now and is in real need of cognitive and social stimulation. I am certain that he would enjoy visits from club members whenever possible. The more visitors he has, the better care he will receive. I am also hoping that there may be one or more of you, out there, who are retired or have some free time during the week or month to build very simple, small models with him. I'll provide the kits and equipment, you provide some time and expertise. If you can help, please contact me at work, during the day, at 248-333-3335 x115, or at home in the evening at 810-751-4204.
Thank you!
Kim Glaza
28244 Universal Drive
Warren, MI 48092

Skymasters Events

Our annual swap shop will be help on Wednesday 25-Feb-1998 at Larson Middle School. Set-up time is 6PM with general entry at 7PM. Raffles will be drawn at 7-45PM and 9PM. The 50/50 and door prize will be drawn at 9PM too.

I have been busy trying to organize the event and now need to call on our club members to help me by volunteering some of their time to help out during the evening. There are various jobs to be done, some light work and some heavier - but there will be jobs for all. Bill Dzure has accepted the daunting task of organizing the kitchen and so both of us will need some help. I have divided the event into 30 minute slots and would like people to sign-up for a given slot (or slots). Please consider helping out since it spreads the load and lightens it too. Note that we need people from around 5PM to help carry things and set-up the tables and afterwards to help clean-up.
Please call me and I'll pencil you in !
Gary Walling 248-299-4654

 

Other Area Events

For Sale (A web page only feature this month - no room in the hardcopy edition)
More items from Mike Russell:
I have a lot of items still for sale plus some new ones among them. If you are interested contact me by e-mail or phone at: MDRCHEF@aol.com or 248-852-7413

Engines
Thunder Tiger Pro 1.20 2 cycle NIB (2 available) $165 each
Thunder Tiger Pro 1.20 2 cycle used but ex. cond 1 hour run time $150
Webra 1.20 2 cycle used but ex. cond. 1 1/2 hours run time no flying time $190
Thunder Tiger .91 4 cycle used but ex. cond. 1 1/2 hours flying time $165
ASP.80 4 cycle NIB $150
ASP.80 4 cycle used but ex. cond. (about 3 hours flying time) $125
ASP 1.08 2 cycle NEW $100

Airplane Kits
Goldberg Ultimate Biplane NIB $115
Bridi XLT pattern plane NIB $80 (foam wings and fiberglass pipe cover) 64"span
Lanier Ultimate Pitts Biplane NIB $155

Planes, Built New/Used
Great Planes Super Sportster 1.20 (one season on it) with 5 servos (no engine, radio) 72" span excellent condition $220
Sig 4 Star 120 sport plane. 81" span, beautifully finished. Only flown twice. With 5 servos excellent condition $195
Sig 4 Star 60 sport plane. 72" span. One year old. Excellent cond. With 5 servos. $150
Great Planes Cub .40 Brand New, never flown. 76" span. Beautiful plane. With 5 servos $195
ACE 4-60 sport plane. 72" span. Ex. condition. One year old. With 5 servos. $150
If interested in an engine to go with the above planes we can put together a package price.

Misc. RC Items
Futaba receiver pack 600 mah 4.8v. flat pack. Brand new (came with a new radio) $13
Cermark/Sanyo receiver packs (3 available) 6.0v 1400AE 5 cell, flat pack. New (7/98) never used. With Futaba connectors. $20 each
Pirahana 6 cell 7.2v. square pack. Brand new (2 available). $10 each
TME Chargeminder (brand new) $35
Futaba wall charger 50 mah. Brand new $12
ACE Chargemaster Used but excellent cond. Switchable to trickle charge. 4 rx. outlets and 2 tx. outlets. Runs on AC current. $35
Kwik Klip wall charger and glow starters (2 avail.) ex. cond. $12 each
Package deal: All batteries and chargers for $150

Cowl for Goldberg Sukhoi (brand new) made by Fiberglass Specialties $30

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 1999 is 94dB 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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