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SkyWriter
Chartered Club #970
Skymasters R/C Club Newsletter
- June 2000
See Skymasters on the Web at www.geocities.com/~skymasters
President's Message
Greetings Everyone!
Ready or not flying season is
now into full swing. In fact by the time you get this newsletter our Spring
Float-Fly will already be behind us and Kid's Day will be very close. This
is the time of year that we see not only a lot of new planes but also new
people. If you are new to the hobby or to the Skymasters I would like to
welcome you. And to our membership; Please greet our newcomers and lend
them assistance in getting started with our club. Of course summer Wednesday
evenings (student nights) at the Scripps Road Field are good times to meet,
greet, and eat, and oh yes, fly! If you miss Wednesday evenings at the
field you miss one of the things the Skymasters are famous for.
Let's cover some up-coming events;
Kid's Day is Sunday, June 4th. This is one of the most highly
attended flying events that we conduct. As a result we are always in need
of extra help for this one. Most of all we need instructors and training
type aircraft, but we usually wear down our instructors before the batteries
in the trainer planes. Come out and bring the kids (or anyone who would
like to be introduced to this exciting hobby, we don't put an age limit
on this event!). If you can lend a helping hand that day that would be
wonderful, too. On Saturday, June 10th, is our new event, the
Small Fry, Electric and Sailplane event. Come out and see the exciting
aircraft that make up this fastest growing segment of out hobby! I'm sure
we will see a Great Planes Slow Poke or two at this one. This will be a
good warm-up event for our Slow Poke Derby later this year.
A number of our members are putting
in their time to make sure our field is "flight ready" Among them are Bill
Wood who is planning and scheduling runway maintenance, Al McGee who is
busy keeping the grass short, and Mark Smith who recently graded the drive
into the field. Runway maintenance and grass cutting are done as needed.
We try our best to schedule these activities outside of the flying hours
but due to weather and personal schedules that does not always happen.
So please be patient if your flying is curtailed a bit by runway maintenance,
we are trying to assure smooth landings for our delicate craft.
Now on to some sharing of my own
experiences; This winter I decided it was time to put some new skin on
my Sig Astro-Hog, after all, it had ten very active flying seasons on it
and was looking it's age! As I removed the old covering I was not surprised
to find most of the wood thoroughly oil-soaked. What did surprise me was
how many joint failures it had. Some of the fuselage formers were simply
held in place by the covering. Age and normal flying stresses had done
this. It has never been crashed. But I wonder how long my luck would have
held out! I dried the wood using a technique shared at one of our winter
meetings; I applied a mixture of baking soda and rubbing alcohol to the
oil-soaked wood and let it stand over night. Afterwards I brushed it clean
and found most of the wood in a like-new condition. A second application
was needed for some of the worst oil-soaked frame. The new covering went
on well and I am pleased with the result. Most of all I now have a much
safer aircraft once again. If you have a high-time aircraft, you might
want to check to see what's happening under that covering!
Lastly I would just like to leave
you with a few friendly reminders. Our flying hours at the Scripps Road
Field are from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM. There are no exceptions, electric
or otherwise, this is written in our use permit. Also, I still see too
many vehicles at the field without a State Park Sticker, please get one
today if you don't have one already. If you have not renewed your Skymasters
membership for 2000 please do so, the lock combinations have been changed
and you will get the new one as soon as you renew.
All for now. Fly safe and happy
landings!
Gary Weaks
From the Editor…
Welcome to to the June 2000 issue
of Skywriter!
What a start to our flying events for 2000.
You couldn't ask for two better days for the Seven Lakes and Bald Mountain
Float Flys. As they were late in the month, you will need to wait for next
month's newsletter for the reports and pictures (though they will probably
hit the web site sometime earlier than that!) Lots of events coming up
in the next few months - both ours and other area clubs.
Our June events include Kid's Day on Sunday,
June 4; and Small Fry, Electric and Sailplane on Saturday, June 10 as well
as our ongoing Wednesday Student Nights. Look for more info inside!
Did you renew your membership yet??? The
field combination has been changed, as has the password to the members
section of the webpage.
This month, for those renewed your mailing
label contains your AMA number on our records. If the number is incorrect,
or indicates * Need AMA *, please let us know the correct number.
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…
Meeting Minutes
Date: May 10th,
2000
Location: Larson Middle School
Minutes read and accepted
First and Second Time Visitors:
Robert Gillespie
Brian Schick
Jim Hartshorn
Announcements:
Al McGee will be holding a fuel
buy. If interested, please contact Greg Cardillo.
Upcoming Dates:
May 12th – Work Day
May 20th – Seven Lakes Float
Fly in Holly, Michigan
May 21st – Bald Mountain Float
Fly
May 24th -- Meeting will be
held at the flying field for a field work day
May 31st -- First student night
at the field.
June 4th – Kids Day at the
Skymasters field
Presentation: Keith Shaw discussed
Electric Flight
Keith provided us with an interactive
discussion on this rapidly growing segment of our hobby. Keith also brought
several of his well known planes for his talk. He provided us with the
basics of electric flight and answered questions from the audience.
Show and Tell:
Graham Overton brought in a Profile
Plane which is powered by a 0S .46 turning a 12x5 prop. The engine is hinged
and can change angle with the rudder.
Dick Freiwald brought in a Something Extra
powered by a 46 Mucola.
Ross Jones brought in a Mosquito powered
by an OS 52 four stroke.
Gary Weaks brought in a Grumman Wildcat
with actual folding wings. It has retracts built from scratch and is powered
by a Cheta 42cc gas. It has an 87 inch wing span and weighs 20 pounds.
Paul Zabawa brought in a Sport Airplane
powered by a Thundertiger 10. He also brought an Electric Slowpoke with
a magnetic mayham motor. The Slowpoke weighed in at four pounds. It has
8 cells @ 1700 mah turning a12 x 8 prop with a 3.2 belt drive.
Herm Greif brought in a Slowpoke Hughes
Racer powered by a Saito 30. It weighed 3 lbs.15 oz.
Joe Rubinstein brought in a Corsair. It
weighs 7 o.z.
Joe Finkelstine brought in an Ultimate
Biplane powered by a Saito 56 with a 12 x 6 prop. He also brought in a
PICO-Jet with a CAN motor. It is powered by 7 cell @ 600 mah.
Randy MacInnes brought in a Little Elfi
that is a Northwest airplane kit.
Mark Smith brought in a Flying Witch.
Powered by an O.S. 60 FX.
50/50 Raffle Winner: Ross Jones
Show and Tell Winners: Gary Weaks and
Joe Rubinstein
New Members Voted on and Accepted In:
Robert Selespi
Brian Schick
Motion to adjourn and second
Events of the Last Month
Look for the Spring Float Fly reports
in the next issue of Skywriter!
Late News: George Maiorana and Dave
Pinegar won the Team Scale category at Mint Julip with the TU-4 you saw
at Toldeo and last months Skywriter! Mint Julip is one of the qualifying
events for Scale Masters! Congratulations George and Dave!
Fuel Buy
The fuel order has been placed. Additional
requests for bulk 10% Cool Power fuel will be filled as available. Look
for an email when the fuel arrives.
Skymasters Events
May 31, 2000 Student Night Begins!
– Scripps Road Field
This and every Wednesday thru August 30th.
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 3, 2000 Club Meeting
(Saturday) – Scripps Road Field, 12:00 PM
Summer meeting are always short. Bring
a plane and enjoy…
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!
July 1, 2000 Club Meeting
(Saturday) – Scripps Road Field, 12:00 PM
Summer meeting are always short. Bring
a
plane and enjoy…
July 9, 2000 Team Fun Fly –
Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM
Events for all skill levels - from beginners
to experts. Bring a partner and have some fun! Don't have a partner?? We'll
find one for you at the event!
July 23, 2000 Warbirds and Scale–
Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM
Any warbird or other scale plane welcome
to fly! Come see a wide assortment of planes take to the air over Lake
Orion.
July 29, 2000 Harold "Big H" Maseles
4 Stroke and Majestic (Saturday!)–
Scripps Road Field, 10:00 AM
Any plane powered by a four stroke engine!
Upcoming Programs/Events
Skymasters events listed elsewhere
in this issue!
Saturday, June 3 RCCD, Warbirds Over Lenox,
Warbird Rally and R/C Combat Demo, Dave Wagensomer 313-881-9967
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 6th Annual
Giant Scale Fly-In, Frank Vella 248-627-8060
Sunday, June 18* Aero R/C of Flint Father's
Day Airshow, Clio, MI
Sat-Sun, June 24,25 Indian City Precision
Aerobatics, Grosse Isle, Bob Kane 734-281-8514
Sat-Sun, July 8.9 UFO "Flight of Giants"
Giant Scale Fly In, Dan Wamboldt 734-433-5451
Sat-Sun, July 8.9 AA Falcons/EFO Mid-America
Electric Fly, Ken Myers/K. Shaw 248-669-8124
Sunday, July 9 Irish Hills R/C 17th
Annual Outdoor Swap Meet, Gary Adams 517-592-6060
Thu-Sun, July 13-16 CARDS IMAA Giant Scale
Mini-Fest, Harold Morris 517-669-2301
Saturday, July 15 Milan Flyers Air Show,
Phil Smith 734 429-4707
Sat-Sun, July 15,16 GLASS Dual Soar In
Sailplane
Sunday, July 16 Chesaning R/C Heli Fun
Fly, Paul Binkley 810 639-2711
Sat-Sun, July 22,23 Signal Seekers Pylon
Q-500-Std & Exp, Barney Polzin 734 728-3029
Sunday, July 23 Windsor Airport Air Show
- Full Size & Models
Sat-Sun, July 29,30 Ribcrackers Open Air
Show, Lang Field, Greg Bessette 810 229-9732
Fri-Sun, July 28-30 DAM/Pilgrims Michigan
Jets, Grosse Ile, Burton Eisenburg 248 626-8838
*See additional information for these events
in this issue of Skywriter!
Event info from mailings received, AMRCC,
and Michigan RC Flying Times
For Sale!
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 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 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!
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