Genesee Valley Aero Modelers

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 9 Genesee Valley Aero Modelers Editor: Glenn Crocker 21 Highview Trail Pittsford, NY The Prez Sez... There are two exciting things I want to mention this month. One happened this summer and the other will happen in December. First, Maynard Hill and crew succeeded in flying an RC aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean and landing it within 35 feet of where they wanted. This was the fifth attempt, and at the beginning Maynard only gave it a 20% chance of succeeding. This is not surprising considering the amount of things that could go wrong. Anyone who has flown an RC plane for a while can appreciate that. Briefly, the plane was launched under RC control, then turned over to the GPS system and returned to RC control for the landing in Ireland. Information on the condition of the aircraft was sent back to home base via satellite and an Internet hook up. To learn more about the flight check out tam.plannet21.com Second, December 17 th is the 100 th anniversary of powered flight. The Discovery Channel has done a great documentary on the Experimental Aircraft Association s work to reproduce the original 1903 Wright Flyer. This is the plane that will be flown at Kitty Hawk, NC on the 17 th. The show goes into a lot of detail on what the Wrights went through to design, build and fly the plane. The special should be shown again several times between now and the 17 th of December. They are planning another special on the 17 th. If you do not have cable, I have a videotape of the show I can loan out. For more information check out Happy Landings, Max Calendar of Events Oct. 11 Ladies Night Out Jan. 1 GVAM frozen finger fly Inner Strength If you can start the day without caffeine If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles

2 Page 2 of 9 If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time If you can overlook it when people take things out on you If you can face the world without lies and deceit If you can relax without liquor If you can sleep soundly every night Then you are probably the family dog. From Hanger Talk Orange Coast RC Club Betty Bliss, editor Whittier CA Fuel Tank Vent Tube Aid From Radio Control Modeler Ever get upset with getting that brass vent tube at the correct angle and length to hit the bubble at the top of the fuel tank, only to have everything go catawampus when you tighten down the compression screw? Here are a couple of tank tips that should help. First run a #4-40 tap through the nylon compression washer, discard the sheet metal screw supplied with the tank and secure a #4-40x1" bolt to replace it. Don t ever try to get that tube to hit the bubble, instead just get the bend pointing in the right direction, then use a piece of fuel tubing to extend it to the bubble. Cut a V notch in the end of the tubing so it can t seal against the top of the tank. Mark the end of the fuel line with a Sharpie so you can see it through the fuel tank. The #4-40 bolt will tighten down without putting any torque on the compression washer. Use a smidgen of silicone grease (available in the plumbing supply department) to lubricate the brass tube for easier insertion into the rubber stopper. Submitted by John Valentine, Nashville, TN At The Field By Glenn Crocker By the time you receive this, the field will have been winterized. We took the tarps down prior to the remnants of Isabel that were supposed to come thru and the rest was done the first part of. Other than the rainy stretch which seemed to be most of the summer, the flying season has not been bad. Thursday nights were well attended but it seemed this year most people were content to sit and chew the fat instead of flying and then hit the Ice Cream parlor in Honeoye. There was not too much award fodder this year. Most people behaved themselves, and the rest of the members who witnessed anything were sworn to secrecy. Ned s tree only had one confirmed kill this year. Flying at the lake was well attended. The last time we were there, we had eight people flying. Usually there have been three to four of us. The water has been calm for the most part. The only problem we had was the fisherman that caught a huge trout right in our takeoff and landing zone. He was back every Tuesday after that so we had to takeoff and land around him. Never did see him catch another fish.

3 Page 3 of 9 There still is a lot of flying left so plan to take advantage before the white stuff comes. See you at the Dinner aka Ladies Night Out. If you fly, watch for the plane eating trees. They are bulking up this time of year. Good gosh there were two of them! Here is another pretty face to identify. Believe it or not he was in the same school and same graduating class as our happy biker and the building was left standing. Answer on page 6 Elections this Year This is our year to elect a new slate of officers. We should have candidates identified at the meeting with elections held at the November meeting. No problem here Taxiing down the tarmac, a DC-10 abruptly stopped, turned around and returned to the gate. After an hour-long wait, it finally took off. A concerned passenger asked the flight attendant, "What was the problem?" "The pilot was bothered by a noise he heard in the engine," explained the flight attendant, "and it took us a while to find a new pilot." From P.O.R.K.S. Air Mail Pen-Ohio Radio Control Society For Sale Contact Gary Harvey for items listed below. Hanger 9 100" wingspan cub with both wheel gear and built EDO Floats. Flown about 4 times. $250 with floats,$200 with wheels.

4 Page 4 of 9 O.S stroke NIB $140 OBO LA.15 used twice $45 OBO Hitech Lazer 4 w/270ma Rec. Pack, 3 HS-81 micro servos & micro sss receiver channel 38. Used twice. $120 OBO Sig Kadet LT 40 ARF & Superstar EP w/charger Dynamite Mega II, battery pack & speed controller. Both need work $50. Looking for NIB 4-stroke OS or Satio. I am not getting out of the hobby. I am moving and looking to lighten the load. Keeping the dust off Eric Higham had a suggestion for a way to clean fragile and hard to clean items. He barrowed his wife's "Swiffer Duster". It's a small flexible device that can get into tight places to remove dust and dirt. The cleaning part is replaceable and they are available at most grocery stores. Eric Higham Genesee Valley Aeromodlers Ltd Honeoye, NY Scott Doser warming up the T-6. Unfortunately Scott had a tip stall a few days later. Eric & Jim more than likely flying their electrics Thursday night with the Titusville Terror. I thought I would throw this in just to remind you of what is coming.

5 Page 5 of 9 Thursday evening with the old truck. Eric and Charlie taking time out. Jim helping Bryan Spong get ready while Bryan s dad looks on. Dave getting ready to fly the blue monster Jim and Bryan getting in some stick time. The S-39 back in one piece. Joe Prate and Danna Boothe. Joe is working on his Super Cub.

6 Page 6 of 9 Joes Super Cub ready to go. Todd Scheean s plane. He really does have one that is not electric. This one has a fantastic roll rate. Even better than Abe s. Use plastic window covering Waxed paper is the standard covering for plans. When building an airplane on top of them, I find that waxed paper does not come in large enough sheets and tends to stick to the airplane. last time I built, I used some left over plastic that is used to cover windows. This stuff is made by 3M Scotch and comes in large 3x5 sheets. This was the exact size of the plans I was using. The covering will shrink if heated, but this is not necessary as it lays very flat. CyA and other glues will not stick to the plastic at all, and it is crystal clean unlike waxed paper. There was even a roll of double stick in the box. The price on the box (which was several years old) was $5. This price is much cheaper than the Great Planes plan protector stuff, but I don t think you get as much. From Thrustline Sky Streaker R/C Club David Marin, editor New Gloucester 2003 Mowing Volunteers Thank you for your efforts in keeping the field in excellent shape. This year was a challenge due to the hot humid weather and the extended periods of rain. Your efforts were greatly appreciated. A thank you goes out to Abe Sickles for keeping the high grass in check. Between Abe s work and the mowing team the flying field has looked like a park. Answer to the question on page 2 That pretty face belongs to none other than Tom Brown. The school has been in a recovery mode ever since the gruesome twosome attended. I still don t believe anyone is that old!

7 Page 7 of 9 Health Alert Many chores around the shop create dust, and while dust is a nuisance, it can also be a health hazard. Dust of any variety can cause problems over a period of time so why not get in the habit of wearing a dust mask? A cloth or paper mask is good for common dust. For known hazards like paint fumes or spray chemicals, a cartridge type respirator is the way to go. This becomes critical when working with two-part paints that are sprayed. Uncured epoxy and epoxy-based paints are toxic and can cause significant lung damage, even in a single exposure. There is a large selection of cartridges, so make sure to match the cartridge to the material you are working with. A couple of things to remember are there is no universal cartridge, and a mask that doesn t fit properly offers no protection. A separate air source, away from your shop, is the only safe way to use some paints associated with custom car work. Read and follow product warnings. From MACA News Miniature Aircraft Combat Association Bill Maywald, editor Corona CA A Little Humor Source unknown (I may have put this in an earlier Newsletter. If so I apologize but it s worth reading again) After every flight, pilots fill out a form called a gripe sheet, which conveys to the mechanics any problems they had with the airplane during the flight. The mechanics read and correct the problems, and then explain in writing on the lower half of the form what remedial action was taken. The pilot reviews the gripe sheets before the next flight.

8 Page 8 of 9 Never let it be said that ground crews and engineers lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance problems submitted by Quantas pilots and the solutions recorded by maintenance engineers. By the way, Quantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident. (P = The problem logged by the pilot) (S = The solution and action taken by the engineer) P: Left inside main tyre almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside tyre. P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough S: Auto-Land not installed on this aircraft. P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit. P: Dead bugs on windshield S: Live bugs on back-order P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet-per-minute decent. S: cannot reproduce problem on the ground. P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S: Evidence removed. P: DME volume unbelievable. S: DME volume set to more believable level. P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. S: That s what they re there for P: IFF inoperative S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode. P: Suspected crack in windshield. S: Suspect you re right P: Number 3 engine missing S: Engine found on right wing after brief search P: Aircraft handles funny S: Aircraft warned to straighten up and fly right, and be serious. P: Target radar hums. S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics. P: Mouse in cockpit S: Cat installed. P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. S: Took hammer away from midget. Keep it Together From Model Airplane News It can be a challenge to keep servo leads and extensions together in a model plane that flies in all directions. John discovered a simple solution: apply a drop of flexible CA to the back of the servo plug (the side without the pins) and then plug it into the extension. If you need to take the plugs apart, just slip your hobby knife between them and cut through the CA. You ll easily be

9 Page 9 of 9 able to scrape the dried CA off with the hobby knife. Because flexible CA is rubberized, it won t crack under vibration, so your connections will be secure. John Goscinski, Orlando, Fl. G.V.A.M. Newsletter c/o Glenn Crocker, Editor 21 Highview Trail Pittsford, NY 14534