AMA Charter 1752 Volume 30 March 2010

Transcription

1 BURLINGTON RC FLYERS Newsletter AMA Charter 1752 Volume 30 March 2010 Burlington President s Letter February RC 2010 Flyers

2 President s Letter by Paul DiFeo February, 2010 Hi Members, Well, it's 2010 and I would like to thank everyone for their support and help as I start as President of the BRCF. I started flying in 2004 with BRCF. My brother had been researching joining a club as a trainee pilot, found BRCF and soon Steve Stylianos was my instructor. Everyone at the Club was very friendly and welcoming. I felt at home right away! It didn't take long before I caught the RC flying bug. It all started in East Boston, the place I grew up, and the same place I still call "Home" today. We had a neighbor that flew remote control planes and he helped my brother build his first plane back in 80's. He took us both flying, and I guess the bug never left me! After all these years flying its still fun, it's always a new experience every time I fly, and I look forward to going to the field every weekend...i am an RC flying addict!! Before going to the field every weekend, I still enjoy the preparation the night before, making sure everything is charged and the plane is ready to fly...it's become a habit and part of my routine, and it should be a part of yours too. Currently I am trying to figure out what my new kit will be... I am steering towards a war bird (love war birds!), maybe something along the lines of WWI biplane (love biplanes - had you noticed?) or WWII fighter, maybe a Dauntless bomber? I would like to bring the fun back to the club, have more club oriented events - more Fun-Flys and more Fly-Ins. Make the club a friendly place to be a part of, and try and come up with some new, different, fun events to have. It is also a priority to keep our relationship with the City of Boston and Hanscom Airforce Base actively open. There is maybe the possibility of putting on an airshow at Hanscom this coming summer and they have welcomed us onto the base with indoor flying events this winter. It is important to me that I want to try and work out all the differences we've had in the past, and try and make this a Village and Family again... No more divisions, all of us committed to the same goal, the Burlington Remote Control Flyers and making the Club all it can be. I would like to personally thank Warren Cummings, Al Melansen, Jack Stanley, and many others for keeping up with the maintenance of the field year round, and making the field a great place to fly. I would like to thank Tony Covino for the building of the pilot stations, more of which there will be in addition this coming spring. Thank you also to Dave Palermo for lending a hand to Tony to install these pilot stations. Thanks to Steve for coming through with the fuel buy, and for picking up the prizes for the raffles. I would also like welcome all of our new and returning members. I need to thank Doug and Debbie Druce for all the time you spend with the news letter and pictures, I appreciate it more then you know so thank you very much.

3 President s Letter Continued I feel the club in the last few years has lost it's character, and I would like to bring it back to what it was before...making the weekends a fun event each and every week...so, as I mentioned before there will be new benches installed soon and a number of Fly-in/Fun Fly events throughout the coming year...plus, as I said there is the possibility of an event at Hanscom. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for an event please feel free to contact myself or a member of the BOD, any ideas would be appreciated. I want to thank all Club Members for being a part of the BRCF - You make the Club what it is and make my weekends fun and exciting! Remember this is a Hobby... Let's have a good time and keep it fun and enjoy the time we get to spend together. This is our own Family, and let's have the best year yet, and a great Rock on!! Paul DiFeo President BRCF Schedule of Events, 2010 Club Meetings for remainder of 2010 held at Lexington VFW, 7:30pm April 13th June 8 th September 14 th November 9 th BRCF Auction at Tewksbury Congregational Church, 10 East Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876, 12pm April 18th Spring Field Day at BRCF Field, 10am May 23 rd Fun Fly at BRCF Field, 10am June 20 th Fun BRCF Field, 10am September 12 th Fall Field Day at BRCF Field, 10am September 26th

4 February 2010 Meeting Minutes By Dan Quaroni, Club Secretary The meeting came to order at 7:42pm with 31 people in attendance. Dan read the last meeting minutes. Marco read the treasurer's report. Jack made a presentation giving Warren Cummings a non-flying honorary lifetime membership and a plaque stating it. Tony is finishing up 2 benches. When the ground thaws we'll install them. Paul announced 4 dates for Hanscom indoor flying: February 20 th, March 13 th, April 10 th, April 24 th. There was discussion about the rules regarding minimizing the time pilots spend on the runway. Dave says particularly during training we need to push the rule that airplanes should be taxied onto the runway and taken off with the pilot at a pilot station. If you have to go out on the runway, do it but get off as fast as possible and announced that you're on the runway BEFORE you enter the runway. Also if someone yells deadstick, clear the runway immediately. The board will make an amendment to rule #16 and we will vote on it next meeting. Doug Murray recommends safety meetings at the field. The meeting broke for coffee and donuts. Former club President Ed told some great stories about the club from 1988 to 2001 and his experience learning to fly. He showed a slideshow of some very nice airplanes he s built. Dan to upload it to flickr, but the length limit is 90 seconds so that won t work. Show and tell time - Rafe showed his electric Agriduck that hasn't flown yet and says it was more of a pain to build than balsa planes. Doug showed a very nice built-in-lipo-powered heli started. Adam showed a 7.5 oz mini P51 that he modified and added a motor, servos, and battery to. Another person showed a 72mhz to 2.4ghz converter module for transmitters that use transmitter blocks. It's by Corona and is a much cheaper way to go to 2.4 ghz. the receivers are also much cheaper. Dana received his solo certificate. Then the raffle commenced and the meeting came to a close. Raffle Winners:- Steve Stylianos - Model Tech Majic RTF Paul Difeo - Allen Wrench set with clamps Rob Semmler - Volt watch Kalin Georgiev - An Air Alert George Hludzic - 1 Gallon Fuel Tony Covino - CA Glue Alfred Prudhomme - Allen Wrench set with clamps Al Melanson - 1 Gallon Fuel Aleksander Medvedev - Ski's

5 Burlington RC-Flyers Club Member Article Flying in the Sky is Blue.Green and Yellow Flying in Brazil.In the good old days By Miguel Machado I remember when I was about five years old, when my father used to park the car by the main Airport in the city of Belo Horizonte, MG Brazil. The exhilarating experience of a Boeing Airliner flying right over you on final to land is something that a five year old never forgets. At least for plane fanatics like some of us... So... That's when the whole thing started. After that, every time we were by the Airport... We would just have to stop by the road to watch 737s, DC-10s and others land on Runway 13. Then, I discovered the world of plastic models. At first, my father would build Revell kits with me. I still remember my first one, it was a Lockheed Super Constellation. One day I decided to hand launch the model from my bedroom window to see if, with enough speed, it would fly... Needless to say, it went down into the street below, braking to pieces. So, I guess, from the very beginning I realized that I would need something more sophisticated, if it was going to actually fly. But, realizing that dream would have to wait several more years. I continued to build Revell kits well into my teenage years. Then, some time in early 1986, I was 14 then and we had moved to Salvador city in Bahia State, I got a Cox.049 engine and a little Control Line plane kit, which I built and flew on a empty lot next to were we used to live. From there I got bigger and better U-control planes. I still remember a Fox 35 that I had, it was a nice reliable engine. The following year I wanted something more serious, and the right opportunity came up in the form of a Newspaper classified.it read: "For sale, Nice RC model plane, complete with engine and radio equipment etc..." My Birthday was about a week ahead, he, he, he... You do the math...that same day I spoke with my father, who by the way was the inspiration behind all this. He did not fly or collect planes, but loved the fact that I did. He contacted the guy and made a deal. The next day we went to the guy's house and came back home with my very first RC plane. It was one of the happiest days of my life. The plane was a yellow and black top winged Trainer with an OS 25 on it and Futaba equipment. The wing span was about 50" and it did not have ailerons. The perfect plane to learn how to use Rudder.

6 Burlington RC-Flyers Article by Miguel Machado Continued. I started to learn with a friend called Orison, who flew for many years before me and soon enough I was cutting the sky in Brazil with my very own RC plane. I still have fond memories of that time of my life when I learned so much about aerodynamics, electronics, mechanics etc We used to fly at an abandoned full size aeroclub field, right by the ocean. It was a very nice place to fly, but a little windy. Sometimes we flew out of a soccer field at the Military Academy nearby. My father knew some important Army people, so...we had permission. My second RC plane was a Goldberg Falcon 20 with a Super Tiger 23, it was red and white with black stripes. I had a lot of good moments with that little plane. I then built my first plane from a kit. It was another trainer, called Storm 40. It had a brand new OS 40 FSR, imported from the good old U.S.A. Next I moved on to my first low winged bird, a semi-scale T-34 mentor. Fiberglass fuselage with foam sheeted wings and tail surfaces. It was the plane! With the same OS 40 FSR. The more I flew, the more I was hooked. Flying in Brazil is something you can do all year long...no cold winters! Of course all these planes were eventually lost in crashes, except the T-34 which was kept as a restoration project after much use and damage. My last plane in Brazil was Sig Cadet with my old reliable OS 25. Today I can say that I'm very happy that I've had early beginnings, because it gave me a solid base. At some point I lost "The steam" for a lot of things, especially after my father passed away in Life was difficult for awhile and I had other priorities in life, but never really lost the bug. In late 1996 I came to the United States and shortly after I was on the look out for a suitable Hobby Shop. The very first place I found was Bill's Hobby Barn in Salem, NH. Went there and made an impulse purchase... My first radio here in the USA, a Futaba T6XA. I then found Alex's Hobby Shop in Belmont... Bought my Saito 91 (still have it) and a Hobbico Hobbystar 60 ARF. That was in I took my time building the plane and did not fly it until 2000 with another Brazilian guy I new then, his name is Roberto. Lost contact with him, but I think he still flies at Medfield.

7 Club Member Article Continued by Miguel Machado Anyway...One day I was at Alex's store and he recommended a club in Burlington with a bunch of "crazy" fliers, that was close to me. I visited the club and right then I knew Ok... this is it. I signed up and soon after I was back in the air with my good friend Jack Stanley, who I owe so much, for the patience and dedication. Thanks Jack! After some 12 years without flying, I re-learned to fly and got my confidence back. Some of my best friends are members of this awesome club, and the diversity is one the things that makes it one the best clubs around. I've had many, many planes since, some Trainers, some Aerobatics, Sport, Warbirds and I still enjoy this wonderful hobby the same way as I did when I used to fly in the skies of Brazil. The interest in aviation only grew more and more...i took full size flying lessons, I love going to Airshows and I'm a volunteer at the Collings Foundation, which preserves Historical Aircraft. One of my brothers in Brazil took interest in flying RC Zagi Wings recently and that led to planes. I've sent him a Futaba radio system and eventually donated my old T-34 Mentor project to him. The plane was restored to flying condition and re-finished...it flew again last year. He still has the plane. It's one of those stories, like I've never imagined my brother Leandro would ever develop interest in planes. He's always been into sports, surfing, skating etc...but he is now flying the same plane I flew over 20 years ago, and that is rewarding to me, because now, even so, we are far apart, I have one my best friends as a flying buddy. It's cool to talk about airplanes with my brother. Maybe some day, my best friend in this world, will take interest in flying as well. My son Daniel. What do you say Danny Boy?

8 Club Member Article By Jim Rosa I'm probably the most boring of all with respect to international affairs. I was born in Winthrop, Mass and went to school in Chelsea. The only things of interest that could be said for Chelsea is that, during the war for independence, the first British ship to be captured by the U.S. was seized in Chelsea Creek. The captain forgot about low tide and some minute men took pot shots at it until they surrendered. Also, we were told that, Chelsea lost more men in the American Civil War than any other city in the north. Club Member Article By Edson Costa Here are some facts about Brazil and aviation: Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont achieved the first officially observed powered (not catapulted!) European flight on October 23, 1906, in France. By flying nearly 200 feet in the "14-bis," he won the Deutsch-Archdeacon Prize of 3,000 francs for surpassing 25 meters (about 80 feet). When he found out the Bulgarians were using aircraft in war, he committed suicide. I'm just kidding about the Bulgarians, but he did kill himself.

9 Club Member Article By Rob Semmler Some regional flare you say? I was born in New Mexico which is NOT a noteworthy place for "terrestrial" aircraft... But we got plenty of these!!!!!!!!!! Club Member Article By Steve Stylianos My name is Steve Stylianos, I come from an Island in Greece. I came to America at the age of 4 and go back to visit at times, there is an Air Force Base on part of the Island. Growing up I have always watched the History Channel and have a fascination with planes and history in general, unfortunately I don t retain information in great detail to everything I watch. Before the internet explosion a friend of a friend told me he was learning to fly a remote control plane, that got me excited and he gave me a catalog where he bought his plane from (I had no idea there were hobby shops that sold remote control planes around at that time) there was a Hobby Town near my house many years ago but closed down and I don t remember them having remote control planes, maybe they did I don t remember. I ordered the hole setup at that time and also had no idea there were flying clubs around. I flew it at the park behind my house a nearly crapped myself trying to figure out what to do once it was in the air, I was definitely in panic mode, not knowing that the controls are reversed when the plane is coming towards you. After going in many circles I nosed it in the ground full throttle when it was close by, not much damage but that experience was just too much for me and I ended up putting it away in the basement. 5 years later my boss s friend came by the shop with a helicopter body that he wanted us to paint and he told me about a hobby shop near my house. I went to visit the hobby shop and found out there was a flying club not too far from my house which was the Burlington RC Flyers, I joined the AMA and became a member of the club and that s how this hobby all got started for me.

10 Club Member Article By Hristo Stoyanov The history of Bulgarian Aviation For the International edition of the Newsletter I wanted to cover a brief history of Bulgarian Aviation. I found it interesting reading and I hope you do to Bulgarians watch a flight of the French ballon "La France" over the town of Plovdiv. Army Lieutenant Vasil Zlatarov witnesses the flight and recognizes how useful it could be for the military. He becomes Bulgaria s first aviator. He is appointed to command the newly formed aviation detachment, however there is no balloon! Eventually, Commander Zlatarov is able to procure the materials from Russia and the Commander and his subordinates make there first flight, in the first Bulgarian balloon "Sofia 1" later that year Commander Zlatarov invites Russian aircraft builder and pilot Boris Maslenikov to Bulgaria. Maslenikov brought with him a replica of a French Farman IV and from the hippodrome in Sofia he demonstrated the aircraft accompanied by Zlatarov in the passenger seat. It was decided that Bulgaria would purchase planes from France, Germany, Russia and various other countries to form their own powered flight aviation detachment to the Bulgarian Armed Forces. Pilots and Mechanics were sent to various countries for training following this decision The Father of Bulgarian aviation, Zlatarov, flew as an observer with Italian pilot Giovanni Sabelli on a number of leaflet dropping missions in a French manufactured Bleriot, named the XI-2 Artillerie This year marked the beginning of the Balkan Wars, separate at that time from the major conflict of WW1. Bulgaria was the first nation to utilize identification markings on their planes. These consisted of the Bulgarian National colors - white, green and red - arranged on the tail surface with the outer portions of the under wings painted one side red and green on the other. It was very similar to the arrangement used later by the Italians In October Bulgaria entered into "The Great War" WW1, with Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empire on the side of the Central powers Following the end of WW1 and the subsequent defeat of the Central powers, it was forbidden under the Treaty of Neuilly for the defeated Bulgarians to possess any type of Airforce or Military aircraft. To bypass this stipulation the Bulgarians formed the "Air Gendarmerie", and this in turn provided a clandestine base for the creation of the "Vozdushni Voiski" - the Army's aviation component in Clashes began along the border with Greece. Though this was temporarily settled by the Leagus of Nations, this strengthened the Bulgarian resolve to expand it's air power and capabilities.

11 Club Member Article Continued by Hristo Stoyanov 1925 to In the period running up to WW2 the Vozdushnni Voiski became publicly visible although they still used civilian registrations and markings up until however saw the adoption of Bulgaria's new national insignia - a gold crowned lion on a red and yellow roundel, centered on a red and yellow 8 point crossed sword. This remained the same until Bulgaria's entry into WW With the outbreak of WW2 in 1939 Bulgaria declared an awkward and uneasy neutrality. This would remain in place until 1941 despite many of the neighboring countries declaring an alliance to one of the sides In December Bulgaria entered into WW2 on the side of the Axis powers. At this time the insignia of the aircraft took on the "Maltese Cross" but the tail colors remained as before. These planes also carried yellow identification stripes on the underside of the plane similar to other countries allied with Germany. This was done so that German and Allied anti aircraft crews could identify friend or foe! In September Bulgaria switches alliances and sides with the Allies and declares war on Germany. The Bulgarian airforce played an active and substantial role in the liberation of Southern Serbia and Macedonia. During the portion of the war ( ) that Bulgaria was part of the Axis powers 40 Bulgarian pilots died, 19 of them to combat against American and British pilots. The Vozdushni Voiski destroyed 147 American and British planes accounting for 200 pilots and crew being lost, 329 were also captured.

12 Frozen Finger Fly - February 21st 2010 Arriving at the field at 9am on a brisk and windy February morning, anyone not associated with the Club may have wondered what exactly was going on. Tony C. was firmly planted in his car, stating "It's too cold and windy down there!"...al M. and Vu can be seen wondering back to their respective vehicles also...vu comments "Plane just went down, too windy!!"...nonetheless the trek down the path to the pits begins for the Frozen finger fly! It's not that cold...maybe 35 degrees, for February in this neck of the woods it's a nice day, but the wind...ah, the wind is wretched! mph gusts, a constant of over 10mph...and constantly shifting too!!! Take off on the lower left to right - land on the upper right to left! Challenging, but as I have learnt over time there is little that will stop the intrepid, die hard fliers of the BRFC taking to the skies...well, a snow storm, Nor'easter or 5 inches of rain might - but never for long!! In the pits a hardy crowd has gathered to brave the less than perfect conditions, and make the most of it. Paul D. is wondering whether to reschedule...then with his words the wind eases (for a while anyway!) and sun begins to peer through the clouds. As the sun appears so do the other fliers and spectators, not wasting a moment Paul and Deb make a dash to grab the coffee and donuts...frozen Finger Fly is GO!!! There was no shortage of people willing to test their skills against mother nature...although it must be said that many only did so once, either by choice or incident! The flying was challenging, the shifting winds made rudder control a must on approach and landing - no doubt good practice for every pilot. As the planes went up more of the members appeared, some who haven't been seen since Winter reared it's head...a notable example was Bill S. - Rob had just landed and was heading for the hot coffee when he saw Bill, shook his hand and noted "Did you see your own shadow??"...of course Rob was referring to Groundhog day...but it did make me wonder if Bill had indeed been hibernating, saw his shadow and realized there was a field to go to?!!!!

13 Frozen Finger Fly - February 21st 2010 Continued. For the many that took to the sky, there were inevitably casualties...robs newest "combat" plane went down after a mere 25 seconds of flight! The flight basically went like this - full throttle take off, 1 1/2 loops in a leftwards direction, full throttle into the brush - oh, forgot to mention the loud...very loud crack of balsa and solid wood connecting!!!! Another note of mention would be Alex at almost the end of the event...despite nasty flying conditions he had a great flight - even a great approach...but at the last minute the wind got the better of him, and the plane veered violently and quickly towards pilot station #1. He did his best to get Paul, but unfortunately - Ooopss - THANKFULLY!... missed Paul and himself by a mere few inches...mike and myself were pretty close to the action, and I have to say, for a guy carrying a few extra pounds I moved pretty darn quick...same could be said for Mike, but he was more interested in using me to shield the impact!!!...

14 Frozen Finger Fly - February 21st 2010 Continued. All in all a great time was had by everyone. It was good to see so many familiar faces back in the pits, and to hear their voices once more. It has been a long Winter, and the weather has not cooperated with our endeavors...but it appears as if Spring is on the way, and that the days will soon be here to fly at every opportunity again. Article by - Doug Druce

15 Burlington RC-Flyers Club Photos Indoor Event at Hanscom, Zach giving instruction Paul & Steve setting up Dana with his little foamy Victor with his electric Nadar s Yak More Yak Fun

16 Burlington RC-Flyers Nadar & Ceasar with their toys Rob braving the freezing temps Recovery crew after midair collision between Victor & Anthony Jim, Jack & Al braving the cold. The village gathers around the fire pit to warm their fingers It s a Profile ballet duet

17 Meeting Location: Lexington VFW Hall 2 Hayes Lane (off Woburn St) Lexington, MA Beginner Flight Instructors: Victor Samsanov George Hludzik Dave Palermo Mel Suarez Paul DiFeo Rob Semmler Adam Woodworth Doug Murray (Heli) Raphael Bustin (Electric) Advanced Flight Instructors: Victor Samsanov Dave Palermo This newsletter is published by the Burlington RC Flyers, a non-profit club organized for the promotion of radio controlled model aircraft building and flying. The club operates a flying field in Burlington, MA and offers free instruction in safe model flying to any member. Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) membership is required. Contact any club officer for more information Helicopter Instructors: Mel Suarez President: Vice-President: Treasurer: Secretary: Membership Secretary: Newsletter Editors: Board of Directors: Paul DiFeo (Pauldif82@comcast.net) Al Prudhomme, Jr (sedate9 at aol.com) Marco DelVecchio (MDelVecchio@erland.com) Dan Quaroni (dquaroni@gmail.com) Marco DelVecchio (MDelVecchio@erland.com) Doug & Debbie Druce (doug.druce@hotmail.com) Steve Stylianos ( RCFlyer165@comcast.net ); Kalin Georgiev (kalin283@yahoo.com ); Rob Semmler (ndtas111@yahoo.com); Dave Palermo (nichali13@rcn.com); Tony Covino sr (tony@covinodrilling.com); George Hludzik (toothguy32@hotmail.com); Don Letty (don.letty@gmail.com); Jack Stanley (stanley5@rcn.com); Alderice Melanson (alrita@comcast.net).