MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Opening meeting: President Marken opened the meeting at 7:10 pm.

Attending: Merrill, Olson, Austin, Berson, Anliker, Bruce, Dantzler, Kampman, Crumley, Hanke, Fitch, Creedon, Barras, Carter, Stephens, Greene, Bangle, Smith, Calkins, Berger, Marken, and Pendleton.

Guests: None

Additions or corrections to the Minutes for last meeting: none.

Treasurers Report: Income is $1,045.16 with expenses being $942.82, leaving a net of $ 102.34. Checking balance is $1,873.85. The CD is currently at $5,049.13, making the total assets $ 6,922.98.

Safety Report – Our Safety Officer, Tim Bangle, talked about using safe measures for starting fuel powered planes. It was pointed out that some members have been starting their engines on the ground without an adequate securing device, noting that tables have been supplied.

Concern tables – the large flat tables without the vertical posts to hold the airplane from an uncontrolled forward thrust have been a favorite preflight work area for those flying electrics. That use of those tables has not yet been clearly accepted or rejected. It seems that the electrics have their own unique hazard possibilities.

Old Business: None

New Business: There was some conversation about one of the newer members using his artistic creative ability to work on some to the tables at the flying field by giving them some fresh paint. It also seems that this same person, Seth Stevens, takes certain pleasure in making sure that he is not forgotten on the flying field maintenance signup sheet. There did not seem to be any criticism around the meeting table concerning Seth’s attitude about being involved with the club.

General Business: President Greg Marken brought up a suggestion that had been made regarding the wearing of name tags. It was suggested that name tags be worn while attending the monthly club meetings and while participating at the flying field. Greg’s summing up of his comments conveyed a unification of the membership in his desires for the direct of the Tri-Area RC Flyers by adding having team effort – All – for – One and One – for – All.

Crash of the Month: Yours truly has just recently learned that observing all of the flying safety rules does not exempt even exceptional pilots from this recognition. Yours truly, has the so called honor of taking home the infamous crash of the month trophy. Since the club usually considers a unanimous vote for this award I guess I should be feeling like I am really special. Yah. Thanks a lot…I think.

Service Award: Bill Berson, who couldn’t stay quiet any longer, nominated Seth Stevens, for really "bringin" home the bacon and Grant Smith was very quick to come in with a second to that nomination. A round of votes at the table said that the voting shared a unanimous decision for Seth.

Closing: The business meeting with its supportive attendance closed at 7:17 pm.

Program: One of the RC Flyers, John Nesset, who flies electrics exclusively, brought in his Sopwith Camel. If anyone wanted to place a bet as to whether or not electrics have power, all bets were off when John went to full throttle and the little fighter displayed "way power". According to John’s son, his dad always likes a bigger than needed power plant. John is adding life to the plane with his hand crafted sound box. Did you notice the expression on his face when he had those "hair standing" round engine sounds in sync with the RPM’s on the prop. And…oh yes, there were guns.

THE PREZ SEZ

From The President’s Hobby Shop

First, I want to thank the members that showed up for the January meeting. It was a tremendous turn out with more bodies than I have seen at a meeting for quite awhile. I especially want to say welcome back to those individuals that joined us that have been out of touch for some time. It is good to have you back. I would like to take this opportunity to invite the remainder of the club to make an appearance at one or two meetings this year and "share" or just "absorb".

I consider RC to be my stress reliever. I use RC to escape the real world. When I’m at my building table working on a project, I don’t have too many things on my mind other than moving on to the next step or preparing a parts order. When I’m at the field I am pretty focused on not crashing. I’m focused on model operation, procedures and skills…did I mention not crashing? I enjoy the hanger talk at the field. I enjoy seeing what other people are flying.

When I used to travel for business I would stop by the local flying field and watch the folks fly all kinds of odd birds and fun things. It opens up your mind to the possibilities. Sure, you see an array of kits and ARFs in magazines but there is nothing like seeing a lawn mower or Snoopy’s dog house fly. Yes, these two examples are novelties and not too practical but they are imaginative and fun. Keep an open mind when choosing your next project. Look at aircraft designs you may not ordinarily be attracted to. Consider tricycle gear versus tail dragger, land versus water, high wing, low wing, multiple wings. Investigate flight characteristics that may be more challenging or more relaxing and fun. Try a new construction material such as foam, depron, or balsa. Check out alternative modes of power, electric for instance. Perhaps you just need to dust off and finish that twenty-year project.

I’m not suggesting investing in a whole new way of life. Use what you have. Trade with your buddy or swap with club members. Check out the used and abused market. Try posting an ad in the news letter. Whatever you do, HAVE FUN.

Respectfully,

Greg Marken

AROUND THE CLUB

J Thanks to Bob Kampman for this amazing video of a skydiver exiting one airplane and going into another!

http://www.flixxy.com/airplane-to-airplane-skydive.htm

NEW MEMBERS

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 newbie, but it should be beneficial for all.

FAR FLUNG FLYING

I have been flying both my electric Yak and the new Tango. The Tango is flying a lot better since I balanced it laterally, but the snaps and spins are not what they should be. It appears that it is slightly nose heavy, although it is a dream to land. About 2/3 of the landings are so smooth that you can’t tell when it is on the ground (!) and I am not that good.

HINTS, KINKS, AND STUFF

http://www.moyermade.com:80/chevyV8.html

J Another old friend, Carl Guthrie, sent me this web site of people "flying" down into Norwegian fiords (I think) using winged coveralls with a parachute landing at the end. I think these guys are totally insane, but they are sure enjoying their madness!

Click here: http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1778399&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&

J Thanks to friend Bob Skoien for sharing pictures of the Float Plane Classic in Lake Havasu this winter.

JUST PLANE FUN

From the January AMA Insider:

After WW II balsa models were once again available, including hand launched gliders that did not require any glue. The simpler ones sold for 5 or 10 cents, while the folding wing catapult launch Jim Walker glider cost a princely 50 cents. There was also a rubber powered slide together ROG (rise off the ground) plane that cost about half a buck also. All of these provided me with nearly endless hours of entertainment as well as teaching me how to warp the surfaces for trimming.

Eventually I was allowed to buy a powered model (even though I had no engine). I think that plane was a Victor Stanzel Tiger V. It was by far the most complex model I had ever attempted. Many, many hours were spent studying the plans. All of the parts had to be cut out by hand. Eventually I got the fuselage mostly put together…but then we moved. Unfortunately a heavy box was put on the plane and that was the end of that.

FIELD MAINTENANCE

Would someone please send me the field maintenance signups. These people deserve all the recognition and "attaboys" we can give them.

EDITORIAL—Regaining Control

Thanks once again to Don Bunyard, editor of the BARCF newsletter FLIGHTLINE.

Whatcha Gotta Do!

What is the first thing you do when

you start to get "behind" your plane when

you are maneuvering? The first reaction

is to panic, and this just makes it worse,

right? Whatcha gotta do is reduce the

speed….pull back on that throttle, and try

to get control again. Sounds easy, but it is

tough to do. Most of the time we just

"fight" the plane and try to recover, and it

goes into the deck, big time.

The last time I was up there and knew

I was in trouble, I had enough sense to cut

the throttle back just above idle. The

plane had enough speed to fly, but the

gyrations came under control and I was

able to complete the flight and land safely.

So, when you take off each time, have

a plan in mind for recovering from a

"dumb thumb", and it always starts with

reducing the throttle.

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 10 at 7:00 in the SKP Clubhouse

Our dedicated officers will meet at 6:30 to do the serious stuff. Bill Berson has put Alden Johnson of Port Ludlow on the calendar for the Feb 10 meeting program. He will talk about building and flying a turbine powered one seat experimental helicopter. 

Pete Granger

granger@olypen.com