MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Secretary Bill Berson called me and said that he had no power, and when he started out to the meeting, found a power line down across his road, so he turned around and went back home.

Meeting minutes from Tri-Area Flyers January 9th, 2007 meeting.

The few members who braved the high winds last night found that the SKP clubhouse and park were without power, so the very abbreviated meeting took place by the light of the emergency exit lights in the clubhouse.

Attending were Austin, Marken, Greene, Calkins and Kampmann. 

An impromptu board meeting at 6:30 p.m. morphed into a very brief club meeting (more hangar flying than anything formal).

An interested model flier, Peter Bruce, attended, and wants to join the club.  Calkins explained the club rule about coming to 2 meetings and needing a sponsor, and then having the club vote on his admission. 

Members are reminded to send their dues to Bill Anliker before the February 7th, 2007 deadline.

The members attending who hadn't paid their dues prior to the meeting, submitted their dues and were issued 2007 membership cards. 

Kampmann postponed the raffle for the 2 channel sailplane until next month's meeting.

Austin postponed his construction demonstration of his Windfree sailplane.

Greene, Calkins and Marken talked about their experiences with flight simulators, both pro and con.  They agreed that even with the sim’s shortcomings, they were still a good way to get in some stick time when the weather was not conducive to flying, or just to sharpen their skills when trying out some new types of flying.

Potential new member Bruce told about his modeling interests, and that he is a full size pilot.  He flies an Avid Flyer 2 seater and a 1940's vintage Stinson.

As the battery operated lights began to go out, it was decided to adjourn until next month

Submitted by Bob Kampmann

Since I began writing this, the snow has gotten heavier and it's turned into what we former Midwesterner’s call a blizzard!

THE PREZ SEZ

Fred's Hobby & Guns in Sequim is once again open for business but their hours are abbreviated.  Co-owner Linda broke her leg about 10 days ago, so Fred will be helping her out. The store hours are Tues.-Sat. 10 to 4 until she gets back on her (2) feet.

Whadaya mean you didn't know Fred's was closed, or that there really is a hobby shop in Sequim!!?  Shame on youse guys!I'm teasing of course, but not about Linda's bum leg!!  Ouch!

AROUND THE CLUB

>December 28--I went flying today--only the second time since Labor Day!  The car crunched through ice as I drove down to the field, but most of the frost in the sunny places had melted.  It really crunched when I walked through shaded grass.

I was wearing my super warm Elmer Fudd hat, thick socks, a t-shirt and heavy sweatshirt, and my warmest jacket.  There was no wind and it was mostly sunny for the first time in a while.

I had brought 2 electric airplanes (one had never been flown) all assembled for ease/speed of getting flights in.  I flew the planes without a break between flights--1 flight per airplane--put them back in the car, and cranked up the heater. My hands were aching from the cold!  Total elapsed time was perhaps 15 minutes.  The time/temperature sign on the way home read 39 degrees.

>From Randy Calkins.

The Greater Northwest Hobby Expo, scheduled for Feb.2-4, 2007 has been cancelled. I checked their website and sure 'nuff, it's true!

>From Lew Creedon.

I was at the field & NOBODY else was there. I proved with the aid of snow that I normally land at least one model tail wheel first.

HINTS, KINKS, AND STUFF

Flying your bird through loops, rolls, spins and all the fancy stuff sure is fun, however many have a hard time with landing and that can tend to ruin an other wise nice flight. Once you have learned to make good smooth landings time after time it will make you feel good all over. You have demonstrated to yourself that you can control your aircraft from take off to landing.

I recommend the first thing you should do is take your bird up two mistakes high and level out in straight level flight. While maintaining your heading and altitude slowly reduce power to idle, as the plane slows the nose will want to fall, instead bring the nose up till the attitude is about the same as it would be if it were a tail dragger sitting on the ground. To do this properly you should not loose or gain altitude. While maintaining this attitude, work the stick all the way back and hold it there. The stall, when it comes, could cause the plane’s nose to drop sharply or not at all depending on the amount of elevator angle. The plane may just mush in a semi nose high attitude. The object of this lesson is to acquaint you with the plane’s stall characteristics which will be useful when landing.

Knowing how the plane stalls is important to a good landing. When on downwind in the pattern you should reduce power at a spot even with where you intend to land on the runway. From this point on (CONTROL AIRSPEED WITH THE POSSITION OF THE NOSE) up SLOW down FAST and CONTROL ALTITUDE

WITH THE THROTTLE). Extend your downwind so after turning from base to final you have plenty of time to adjust speed and descent. Pull the power all the way back only after you have made the runway. Level off as close to the surface of the runway as you can--10 to 12 inches and begin to apply up elevator. If the plane begins to rise ease off, but do not let it settle--apply more up elevator till you have full up. At this point the plane should be from 6 to 8 inches from the runway with full up elevator and will settle to a nose high attitude as if it were a tail dragger in a three point landing. Keep the up elevator throughout the landing roll. If your plane is a tri gear this will save wear on the nose gear and if it is a tail dragger you will be less apt to nose over and at the same time have better rudder control. Just remember when you are10 inches or so high, HOLD HER OFF< HOLD HER OFF< HOLD HER OFF. HAPPY LANDINGS !!!!!!!!!!!

Dick Benjamin

JUST PLANE FUN

>From Dick Benjamin: The airplane is a French designed Cri Cri (Cricket) originally built in the mid 1970s. It was only a matter of time before someone finally tried this conversion using the small turbine engines available today. A cheap way to build multi jet engine time for that future airline job! See the website below for pictures.

http://www.amtjets.com/gallery_real_plain.html>

SPARKS

I put in one flight on my "suitcase" YAK 54 December 28 (see AROUND THE CLUB above). Takeoff was pretty exciting as it went vertical before I could get in down elevator. Hummmmm, a little down elevator trim is needed—on second thought; a lot of down trim is needed…and then a bunch of right aileron. Finally the thing was semi-tame at half throttle and low rates. The roll rate is good, the elevator and rudder are very powerful, and it definitely needs a bit of lead in the nose, but I will use some spacers to move the motor forward for a minimum weight gain. The plane slows very quickly when power is cut off, and with an obvious tail heavy CG it was spooky to land. I managed to stall it about 6 inches off the ground and dorked it in—no damage.

EDITORIAL

Do you remember how you felt when you attended your first meeting? Did you feel left out because you did not know anyone? Did most of the talk and kidding around pass over your head because it was based on events you were not familiar with? I think we have all been there, probably more times than we like to think about. Getting acquainted takes time and experiences shared with the group, but the comfort level of new people can be improved if the "old timers" will just make a little effort.

New folks stick out like a sore thumb, so they are easy to spot. You should go up and introduce yourself anytime you spot a newby. Take him around the group and do introductions. Solicit and answer his questions (you may have to encourage him to ask the questions as he will not want to appear ignorant). If you don’t have the answers to the questions, it provides an opportunity to acquaint him with a person that can provide the answers. Above all else, make the person feel comfortable and welcome.

I think it is important to get the TALE SPINNER into the person’s hands as soon as possible. It provides various points of contact, the club web site, and an introduction to club activities. I like to get these people on distribution right away so they get a reminder for the next meeting. We should probably give new people a copy of the newsletter along with a membership application.

It is more fun to hang out with friends, but put yourself in the newby’s shoes. Who knows, you just might add a new friend!

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—February 14, 7:00 at the SKP Clubhouse

Yes, I know it is Valentines Day. So, avoid the crowds, take your honey out over the weekend, and come to the meeting anyway! Since last month’s meeting was a near wipe-out, the plan remains like it was in the last TALE SPINNER.

There will be a board meeting at 6:30. That is not much time for the officers to deal with club business, so please try to be on time.

Bob Kampmann is donating this month’s raffle prize. It's a 2-channel sailplane, ready to fly, complete with radio, a 58" wingspan, 12.6 oz., fiberglass fuse, and built up wing.  Also great for the slope, it has a white body, red wing, bungee or high start ready with a tow hook.  Hobby Lobby sold it as a Vicky II.

Pete Granger

granger@olypen.com