MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Minutes of the 03-11-2008 Tri-Area RC Flyers

President Jim Cook opened the meeting at 6:58pm.

Attending were Marken, Cook, Kampmann, Dantzler, Olson, Anliker, Berson, Pendleton, Creedon, McIntyre, Egan, Benjamin, Bangle, Fitch, Smith, Calkins, Becker, Maupin, and Carter.

Guests include Peter Shaw for his second visit, John Nesset for his second visit and John Barras for his third visit.

President Cook brought the meeting to order and the guests were introduced. Bob Kampmann sponsors John Barras for membership. John is unanimously voted in and we welcome John to the club.

The previous meeting minutes were approved as submitted.

Treasurer Report: Bank balance $2,637.23, CD balance $4,254.23 for a total of $6,891.46. New membership dues contribute to the growth of the bank account. The Treasurer incurred $18.13 worth of costs for office supplies. February net income was $195.11.

Old Business: The fence replacement project unraveled as time went on. More concerned members began to voice their opinion so President Cook formed a Fence Committee and appointed five members. They will address the design and cost issues and submit their findings at the next board meeting.

Safety Report: None

Crash of the Month: Lou Creedon is the recipient this month after he admitted to crashing his Ace Bingo due to "battery failure".

New Business: Lawrence Pendleton was commended for his effort to install a new bulletin board in the clubhouse at the flying field. Posted on the board are the signup sheet for guest pilots and the field mowing signup sheet. Bob Kampmann recognized John Fitch for his iron-on covering demonstration after the last meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 7:31pm

Program: Bob Kampmann introduced Lou Creedon to show pictures and talk about his experience building and flying his Volkswagen powered Dragon Fly.

Respectfully Submitted by Greg Marken

AROUND THE CLUB

>From Bob Kampmann:

>From Bob Kampmann:

What are you using for a charging source for your back-of-the-wagon setup?  It appears to be one of those 'emergency starter' dealies that everyone is selling nowadays!?  I've heard that they work much better than a sealed lead acid battery, in that you can use them to start your car, too.  Not that any of us would have use for that or anything, eh?

Bob

"When once you have tasted flight
you will always walk the earth
with your eyes turned skyward;
for there you have been
and there you will always be".
            Leonardo da Vinci

The rear vent windows on our car open just far enough for me to run a heavy power cord from the bus to the charger setup.  This allows me to leave the car locked overnight, and not much rain gets in.  I use the battery you spotted exactly as you described, and also use it to charge LiPo batteries because that charger is DC only.

Pete

I hope to obtain a brief bio and a picture of our new members to enhance their introduction to the membership. This is voluntary on the part of the newbys, but it should be beneficial for all.

John Barras, how about a short bio?

HINTS, KINKS, AND STUFF

>From old friend and co-worker Max Cossalter:

>From Bob Kampmann:

Model Airplane enthusiast rescued from Mount San Bruno

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/26/BAFAV8VK2.DTL

>From Tom Eagan:

Tom sent me a neat WWII story with pictures, but I was unable to copy it for the newsletter. I’m presently working with Roy Greene in hopes of putting it on the web site.

>From John Fitch:

THE FIRST F/A-22 FIGHTERS DELIVERED TO LANGLEY AFB

The F/A-22 first aircraft delivery has been made to Langley AFB in Virginia. Langley is to be first Operational AFB for the F/A-22.  It is a very beautiful AFB, located in a picturesque location near Norfolk and Hampton, VA.

In actual in-flight (simulated) combat operations against the F-15, two F/A-22's were able to operate without detection while going head to head against eight F-15's. The F/A-22's scored missile hits (kills) against all the F-15 Aircraft and the F/A-22's were never detected by either the F-15's or ground-based radar.
Major. Gen. Rick Lewis said: "The Raptor operated against all adversaries with virtual impunity; ground-based systems couldn't engage and NO adversary aircraft survived."
The F/A-22 is America's most advanced fighter aircraft for the 21st Century. They're a titanium and carbon fiber dagger. They're so advanced that if their on-board locator is switched off even our own satellites can lose track of them. They're the first military aircraft ever built that is equipped with a "black-out button" (BOB).  What that means is this:
The best conditioned fighter pilots are capable of maintaining consciousness up to in the vicinity of 15+ G. The Raptor is capable of making 22+ G turns. If some day an adversary builds a missile that is capable of catching up to one of these airplanes and a Raptor pilot sees that a strike is imminent, he hits the BOB and the airplane makes a virtual U-turn, leaving the missile to pass right on by.  They know that in the process he'll temporarily lose consciousness, so the Raptor then automatically comes back to straight and level flight until he wakes back up.

JUST PLANE FUN

>From Greg Marken:

Pete,

Good luck with the sporadic emails. Maybe some anti-sporadic email spray would help; maybe there is too much sun down there.

Also I just received another plane/bug in the mail. It is the Dragon Fly, Global ARF by Vinh Quang Models sold by Hobby People. It should sound like a real fly with an electric motor, Check it out. I think I will be the only one in the club who has one or at least the only one to admit it.

>From Bob Kampmann: Anyone we know?

EDITORIAL

The last time I flew was January 16 when I got in 5 of my total of 11 flights for the year to date. I have been away from modeling things for so long my normal (crabby) personality has begun to assert itself. To make things worse, my brother-in-law in the San Diego area gave me directions to the field where he flies. Of course the access road was locked! Friends in the Petaluma area sent me the local club’s web site just before our departure. I guess they recognized the effect flying deprivation was having on me.

During the last day of our visit with them we happened to drive by a hobby shop, so I made a scene and we went in. After parting with increasingly scarce funds I got to talking with the owner. When he found out I was from out of town he insisted on giving me some bumper stickers. I have reproduced the stickers as accurately as possible below:

I’D RATHER BE R/C FLYING

PORKEEZ HOUSE

OF HOBBYS

SEBASTOPOL, CA (707) 829-5548

The bottom line here is that you are never among strangers when you are with fellow modelers. It felt almost as good as getting in a few flights!

SPARKS

As mentioned in the editorial, I did make a purchase while I was at Porkeez Hobby Shop. I found a kit by Dumas of the old Aeronica C-3, a long time favorite of mine. The kit box tells me that it has a 40 inch wingspan, laser cut parts, hand selected wood, and plastic formed parts (I suspect the engine, which is exposed Cub style). The box also tells me the plane is specifically designed for electric power. Sooooo, I will start a review of the kit and the build starting with the next newsletter.

FOR SALE OR TRADE

If you want to list an item, just send me the details including your name, phone number, and asking price or trade-for item. Low pixel count digital (JPEG) pictures are also acceptable.

MONTHLY MEETING—April 8 at 7:00 in the SKP Clubhouse

Officers will meet at 6:30 unless otherwise directed by Jim Cook. I’m not sure what the program will be, so just show up and we’ll all be surprised. I might even fool you and show up!

Pete Granger

granger@olypen.com