Hi All,

Well, I am nearing the end of my two-year term and I am down to my last few newsletters. By the time you get this, I believe that a replacement for me will have been found, and I will know if next month is my last newsletter.

The first I would have liked to report on was the field closing party. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make the party until about 10PM, at which time Carl Long, his wife Cindy and 2 guests of his were the only ones left at the field. All were housed up in the mobile home Carl bought from Randy, and were all inside away from the light rain and strong breezes. I had the pleasure of a few hours with them, but finally ran out of gas at around midnight, and left them. Sounds like the weather kept turnout pretty low.

We have some good speakers lined up for the next few meetings, but are still wide open for 2000 winter stuff. Personally, I am going to try to get us at least 1 indoor flying night at the school Gym, but I know lots of basketball, volley ball, etc. goes on at Larson. We’ll see if I can snag one.

This time of year has your president a little busier then normal preparing for Christmas parties; delivery of club presents to field neighbors, etc. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I personally find the holidays high on the stress factor, even though I love all of the get togethers. Between all of the family, work and club stuff, I usually am lucky to get in 1 building session during November-December. I am lucky though that I do not have any Y2K stuff to worry about for work, unlike several of our club members. I do not prescribe at all to the doomsday predictions of January 1, 2000. I believe it will be a nuisance (like not having my Blockbuster video card work). Since our Snow Fly is so near this Y2K stuff, I have a built in excuse if (er.. when) I crash, assuming that you all believe that my timer function on my JR transmitter somehow knows the date (which it doesn’t by the way)

This is also the time of year when my better half asks me if I want anything R/C wise from Santa Claus. This year is the first one in a long time, when I probably won’t ask Santa for any R/C toys. I am attempting to finish up all of the outstanding projects I have and trying to use my idle motors, servos, etc. I know better than attempt to finish up the kits I have, or I would be building for the next 10 years, as it takes me roughly 8-10 calendar months to finish a 120 size ship because of low shop time available in my life right now.

I am currently working on my Staudecker, and I am somewhat wondering how to get fuel to a plane for the first time. Seems I am intent on putting my Saito 300 into this plane, and the thirst of this engine poses a problem or two. The fuse is very wide and narrow, so the max thickness (without gouging the heck out of the fuse) tank is really only 20 Oz. A Saito 150 burns roughly 1.7 Oz. Per minutes at full throttle, so my tiny 300 will burn 3.4 Oz. Per minute. If I stuff a 20 Oz. Tank in there, I calculate just less than 6 minutes of full throttle, which would be about 8-10 minutes in my run mode. Strangely enough, the fuse looks like it will accommodate 2 side by side 14-16 Oz. Tanks, which should give me 11-15 minutes run time. Since the 300 also has two carbs, this might be the way for me to go. One engine fueled by two separate tanks feeding two individual carbs! – Let’s see if I get it to work! – I am also hoping I can quiet the darn thing down enough to make our field, so I have some head scratching to do!

I will sign off here, so I can leave lots of room in the newsletter for our editor to ramble on and defend himself from my attacks – see ‘ya at Larson

Joe Finkelstine

Welcome to the November 1999 issue of Skywriter.

The year is winding down. I can’t believe 1999 is almost over. The holidays are almost on top of us.

Hopefully we still have some flying left this year – at least for the diehards! Otherwise we’ll have more building time!

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…

Location: Larson Middle School

Minutes read and accepted

• Carl Bonkowski
• David Palechek

• October 22, 1999 Field Closing
• October 10, 1999 Indian City Swap Meet
• October 16, 1991 Rider’s Sale

• Bob Burns was presented a dinner bell for his wife to help thank her for all the effort for the dinners at student night.

• This years float fly had a net profit of $2058

• Ross Hardy will have the order forms for shirts, hats, and jackets at the next meeting

• Speakers are needed for presentations

Greg Cardillo gave a presentation on hinged surfaces and control rods.

Have flexible forward push rods and stiff rear push rods

Drill a hole(s) into the "teeth" of a vice and use it to make z-bends

On Push-Pull systems do not use electrical solder on mechanical joints

Never have less than 1oz./in. of torque per 1 square inch of surface area

Always use a lock nut on metal linkages and be sure to use the correct sized rod and thread for the linkage

• Greg Cardillo brought in a Giles G-202. It is powered by a Mid-West Super Tiger 2300 and is covered with ultra coat.
• Aaron Dechazal brought in a North Star. It is powered by an OS FX .46 turning an 11-inch prop. It weighs 7 pounds with a "huge" battery pack to offset the tail heaviness.

Motion to adjourn and second

Location: Larson Middle School

Minutes read and accepted

• Keith Wrighton
• Robert Ramee

• October 16, 1999 Rider’s Hobby shop of Madison Heights will have a birthday sale. Save 10-15% on current stock items only.
• October 17^th free indoor flying open house at Oakland Yard Athletics. It is located at 5328 Highland Rd. Waterford MI
• October 22, 1999 Field Closing
• October 28, 1999 Kisses for Katie will be held from 7-11 p.m. at Club Venetian. The club is located at 29310 John R (just north of 12 mile) in Madison Heights
• December 21, 1999 Oakland Yard Atheletics 1^st annual Free Flight and Electric radio controlled indoor flying competition.
• Y2K Snow Fly December 31, 1999

• 1^st and 3^rd Monday of each month retirees and wannabe’s breakfast
• Need nominations for Board of Directors
• Graham Overton gave the 1999 current treasures report has a current balance of $9,854.12
• SFA is filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy

• Bring your favorite cutting board and hobby knife to the October 27 meeting

• Mammoth fly in will not happen next year. Looking for suggestions on what to fill the date with. Darrell suggested Kit Bashing.
• Darrell Watts said the SKS video for the float fly are complete. The video is 1.5 hours long and can be ordered at 1-800-988-6488 it is 19.95 plus 3.25 for shipping and handling. Please put in an order

Gary Weaks lead a Discussion on winterizing our R/C Planes

Remove rubber bands from touching any covered surface. They disintegrate and leave markings

The heat from a mono coat iron and paper towel can remove oil from balsa

K2R can also remove oil from balsa

Perform a thorough annual inspection

For four stroke engines cover the engine with WD-40 and wrap the engine in plastic.

You can also use Marval air tool oil

On four strokes pump the oil into the engine to lubricate the rocker covers

Turn your engines during the winter

Reminder YS four stroke us a special oil for storage and lubrication

Do not rest your plane on the crankshaft

Store nose down

Hang electric motors up

Take battery pack out

Replace the receiver battery pack every two years

Transmitter battery pack every four years

Check connectors for corrosion

Recommended that you store nicad packs discharged

Label cell packs with number with all the specifications including date

Store batteries in the refrigerator

Perform a current draw test on servos to catch a bad tooth or catch a stall before it hurts you

• Greg Brausa (CFI) brought in a Jerry Caudle SL1 Pattern Flyer. It is powered by a YS120AC.
• Graham Overton brought in a "Delta Wing" which could be a new Aspect Aviation Kit. It is powered by a .061 Norvell.
• Paul Zabawa brought in a Lanier Stinger 10. It weighs 2lb 2oz. And is powered by a .15 Thunder Tiger
• Terry Overton brought in a Scale Spitfire. It is powered by an Enya 80

Mulch was put under the pavilion

Motion to adjourn and second

Mother nature threw us a curve ball for this one – attendance was on the low side as temperatures fell and the wind whipped through. But once the fire got going - those that were there were kept warm until Carl and Cindy Long arrived with their motor home… We had about 15-20 people come and go during the evening.
Of course the field is not closed – we’ll still be flying through the winter as long as Mother Nature cooperates…

November 10, 1999 Skymasters Meeting – Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM

Our own Terry Overton will show us soldering and brazing techniques. From joining wire, to making mufflers – what types of material and heat is needed to make it work. Terry will share his techniques with some demonstrations.

This meeting is also our annual elections for officers. The floor will be open for nominations. We have had some volunteers already. If you are interested, let a BOD member know – or nominate yourself at the meeting.
This is our only November meeting… Have a Happy Turkey Day!

November 15, 1999 Skymasters Retirees and Wanna Bees Breakfast – Denny’s Rochester

714 Main Street at north end of Rochester. Join us for breakfast the 1^st and 3^rd Monday of each month starting November 1^st! Throw a plane in the car if the weathers nice, the group has been known to migrate to the field after breakfast. Contact Bob Burns for more info at 248-628-4666.

December 8, 1999 Skymasters Christmas Party – Larson Middle School, 7:30 PM

Our annual Christmas party for members and their families. Hors Devours and Desserts will be provided. Bring a plane (or more) for static display and have your name entered in a drawing for an early Christmas present! We’ve let the North Pole know the date – Santa will be joining us with gifts for the kids!

December 31, 1999 Krazy Snow Fly – Scripps Road Field – 10am

Come say goobye to the millennium with a day of flying (and lots of Chili!) You may need wheels; or skis or floats for snow, but either way this has become one of our more popular events.

Sunday, January 9 DAM Swap Meet, Farmington, Tom Weedon 734-697-0875

Sunday, January 23 MMMA Swap Meet, Larry Dalrymple 734-722-2489

Sunday, February 20 GDSHS Sno-Fli, Art Slagle 248-477-2228

Sunday, February 20 Chesaning R/C Swap Meet, Owosso, Paul Binkley 810-639-2711

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

Modification Rules:

Min. weight with: .10-.15 2.5 lbs.

Min. weight with: .16-.20 2.75 lbs

Min. weight with: .21-.25 (or.30 4-stroke) 3.0 lbs

(or a "can 600" with gearbox and eight 1750 cells)

Wing:

Price: > Combo Deal (minimum order = 20 units) > Airplane Kit (minimum order = 20 units)

(The combo price if we do not get 20 is $90. We may count the combo kits to reach our total of 20 plane kits. The Rider retail price for the combo is $127 or $63.55 for the plane incl. tax. Tower is comparable, incl.shipping)

Orders must be placed (incl. pay.) by Nov. 17’h. Delivery will be at the Christmas Party. (if no back orders)

***** If you have any questions on rules or placing an order, call Darrell Watts - 248-3914677. *****

Would you like to be a Webmaster? We are looking for a volunteer to be Webmaster for the Skymasters Web site. Contact Pete Foss if you are interested!

Have you ever knelt on a glow plug? Have you ever dropped a small screw and have it come to rest right at your feet? Have you ever mixed part A epoxy with part A epoxy? Have you ever had a prop smack your hand so bad you were afraid to look? Have you ever landed with your muffler hanging from the fuel pressure line? Have you ever bought something that you really needed, came home and found that you already had three? Have you ever pumped 15 oz. of fuel into an 8 oz. tank while watching another airplane? Have you ever bought a new kit the day before it went on sale for 25% off? Have you ever been mixing 5 minute epoxy when the phone rang? Have you ever had to cut the same piece of iron-on trim nine times? Have you ever needed a gyro to do your flying for you? Have you ever crashed your ex-best friends new model? Have you ever sold a used airplane for half now and half never? Have you ever seen one particular model for sale at eight consecutive swap meets’? Have you ever bought a model at a swap meet and realized later that you built it? Have you ever- loaned out your last prop or glow plug and then needed it 30 minutes later? Have you ever loaned out your last prop or glow plug and got it back? Have you ever cut yourself right through the bandage you put on less than 10 minutes ago? Have you ever seen a beginner on his solo flight fly better than you do? Have you ever replaced a glow plug only to find that the engine was out of fuel? Have you ever changed glow plugs and put the bad one back in? Have you ever been called up to the transmitter impound only to learn they’ve dropped your transmitter? Have you ever arrived at the field on a beautiful day when there were only two others there and both were on your frequency? Have you ever spent 10 minutes trying to start an engine before somebody suggested you hook up your glow plug battery? Have you ever wondered if some writers may have been spray painting without a mask for too long?

Yes it’s over! Lighten up, and remember, it’s only a hobby,

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!