Skymasters Newsletter:
Requested issue not available in pdf format - displaying webpage format instead.
SkyWriter
Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter
- September 1999
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters
President’s Message
Hi Gang,
I decided to wait a few days beyond my normal editor imposed deadline so I could add my 2 cents after Top Gun. This time I am on the ground and it is a few days after our Top Gun.
By the time you actually read this we should be very near our real premier event, that being our fall Float Fly. Our master of ceremonies, Darrell Watts, has been working furiously on making this event go smoothly. Many individuals have helped Darrell, as this event is a thorough challenge to set up and run smoothly. This event garners us national attention (at least in our hobby!) and is not a bad moneymaker for us. I am encouraged by how many have already volunteered and look forward to another great float fly (hoping the weather cooperated like last year!)
Also by the time you read this, our potluck Student nights will have ceased and our Larson school meetings will have begun. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a tireless group of workers for student night that has been led by Bob Burns and his wife. They lead the charge with setup, supplies and cleanup, while lazy flight instructors like me just ate and flew. Thanks to all of you for this, it was very appreciated. Also deserving of thanks are the numerous flight instructors, including the "day shift" (i.e. the retired Monday Morning crew) and the night shift. Being an instructor is definitely a challenge, especially when a student airplane goes down, but it is also rewarding when they solo. We were a bit down on instructors and one of the challenges for next year’s Chief flight instructor will be to increase the ranks of instructors we have. If you have been flying solo for at least a year, please see one of the BOD members about becoming a flight instructor next year.
I would like to again call out for candidates for next year BOD. My increasing job responsibilities dictate that I abdicate the throne to a new president for our Y2K (I am happy to say that all of my 4 stroke motors are Y2K compliant, so I will fly them at our crazy snow fly). We also could always use new blood and ideas into the BOD. Please contact any other BOD member or me if you have any interest.
Congratulations to Terry Overton on being this year’s top gun and dethroning his son! – It was definitely different this year judging top gun instead of flying in it. I chose to crash my plane in warm-up instead of during the event, so I had to watch. I guess there is always next year!
That’s about all for now, keep the balsa dust flying!
Joe Finkelstine
From the Editor…
Welcome to the September 1999 issue of Skywriter.
Well, my Giles 202 finally made it off the ground! Now the scramble to get some float planes ready for our Float Fly! My old Seamaster should make a return, and I am hoping to have the Tsunami on floats as well!
The grand-daddy of our events – the two day Midwest Regional Float Fly is September 11 and 12. If you haven’t volunteered to help out yet, give Carl Long a call. I’m sure he could use the help! Some additional help for both Setup on Friday, and Tear down on Sunday, and additional waders for retrieval during the day. The dinner Saturday night promises to be great as well. The Patchcords will be back again this year. They are a Men’s Barbershop Quartert from Lansing that competes at the national level. See you at Island Lake!
Our fall meeting start on Wednesday, September 8 at Larson Middle School in Troy (map on back cover). Come on out and join us – don’t forget to bring your recent project. You may win a $10 gift certificate, and we all like to see what others have built/bought, etc.
Can you believe it is almost Swap Shop Season! The kickoff is the Indian City Swap meet in Taylor next month. See event listings for details!
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
Multi Engine/Multi Wing - August 14, 1999
Gary Walling
The weather didn’t cooperate for us this year because the wind kept many people on the ground all day. On the good side, at least it didn’t rain !
I arrived at the field to find Doug Riley Sr. waiting patiently by the locked gate. He thought that I’d know the combination -
wrong ! and we both had to wait for Mr. Cardillo to let us in. I rely on writing it down and leaving it in the car but I had swapped cars - to be able to tow the kitchen. As usual I had left the paper with combination number in the other car (sounds familiar ?)
We had 12 pilots for the event who brought a good selection of planes - electrics, bipes and a couple of twins. Most people got in a couple of flights and we raffled the prizes off at 12:45. We gave away a Hobby Hanger Fokker D-VII a Hobbico twinstar.
I’d like to thank everyone who showed up either with a plane or just to ‘hang-out’. A special thanks to Doug Riley, Carl Long, Greg Cardillo and Steve Fredericks for helping to set up and serve in the kitchen. Remember the next time you are at an event please check out the new kitchen trailer.
Corn Roast/Top Gun - August 22, 1999
Beautiful weather graced our Corn Roast this year! I don’t remember when the wind was so light for this event! A lot of flying and food for the day as we roasted corn, grilled chicken, hot dogs, and sausage! There was plenty to eat and lots of flying! This is also our annual Top Gun competition. Three time champion Graham Overton stepped down this year, but still flew an impressive demo flight to remind the rest of us how its done. When the dust settled and the scores were tallied, the results were: In third place, your Newsletter Editor, Greg Cardillo. In second place, Pete Foss with his Electo-Streak. And in first place, Mr Top Gun for 1999 kepping it in the family – Terry Overton! Congratulations Terry!
Fish Fry/Student Night
Our ‘official’ student nights came to a close with our annual Fish Fry on Wednesday, August 25. Unfortunately our luck with Mother Nature ran out as the rain came pouring down; but thanks to our spring Shelter Extension, most of us were able to stay relatively dry! Over 55 people braved the weather to sample our deep-fried; pan fried; grilled; and Cajun blackened (Bam!) fish. Thanks to all who helped cook! And to all who braved the weather to eat!
Thanks to Bob and Donna Burns for coordinating the potlucks again this year – and to those who pitched in to help the beginning of the year while Bob and Donna enjoyed a vacation.
We’ll be back next year – starting Wednesday May 31, 2000!
Skymasters Events
September 8, 1999 Skymasters Meeting
– Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM
Float Flying! Some organization for the float fly, and some discussions about getting planes set up properly for flying off water. Come join us as our fall meetings begin.
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. We would like to have an assortment of planes on display as well as some volunteers to fly some demo flights.
September 22, 1999 Skymasters Meeting – Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM
Stay tuned for details for the program for this meeting…
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)
Upcoming Programs/Events
Skymasters events listed elsewhere in this issue!
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
Sunday, October 10 Indian City Swap Meet, Sheridan Center-Taylor, Jim Tesen 734-479-4328
Sunday, November 7 Midwest R/C Swap Meet, Northville, Chuck Wooley 734-326-6297
*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 - Thunderbirds and RCCD
Found!
A plane was found in the swamp!
There was no visible identification. If you lost a red/white stik type airplane,
contact Bob Donohue to identify and claim.
Please be sure your name and phone number are in your plane! It is required by AMA, and helps those finding planes get them back to you!
Aviation Words of Wisdom
From the ‘Dope Sheet’ Newsletter of EAA Chapter 13
Takeoff’s are optional. Landings are mandatory.
If God meant man to fly, He’d have given him more money.
If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back they get smaller. Unless you keep pulling the stick back – then they get bigger again!
Flying is not dangerous; crashing is dangerous.
It’s better to be down here wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were down here.
The propellor is just a big fan in the front of the plane to keep the pilot cool. Want proof? Make it stop; then watch the pilot break out in a sweat.
Speed is life, altitude is insurance. No one has ever colided with the sky.
It’s best to keep the pointed end going forward as much as possible.
The only time you have too much fuel is when you’re on fire.
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man. Landing is the first!
Everyone already knows the definition of a ‘good’ landing is one from which you can walk away. But very few know the definition of a ‘great’ landing. It’s one after which you can use the airplane another time.
The probability of survival is equal to the angle of arrival.
Always remember you fly an airplane with your head, not your hands. Never let an airplane take you somewhere your brain didn’t get to five minutes earlier.
You know you’ve landed with the wheels up when it takes full power to taxi.
Those who hoot with the owls by night, should not fly with the eagles by day.
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