Monthly Archives: September 2015

12 posts

Brad’s Corner for September/October 2015

Old Site Posts President's Corner

Brad & UglyWow! What a September!

 

We broke numerous heat records and also a rain record that had stood since 1906. When we saw the rain predictions we were hoping a good wetting down would firm up the west end of the runway until the next scheduled maintenance. It came out looking great (only a few footprints) and will easily get us to the next scheduled day with the water truck / industrial roller.

 

I mentioned a couple of things at the last club meeting, but wanted to throw them into the newsletter for those that do not always make the meetings at the field: We are starting our search for the image we will put on the 2016 badges. If you have a really great shot of planes or people at our site please e-mail them to me bradley.bender@cox.net. The board will select 10 finalists around the end of October – and our membership coordinator, Isabel Guidice, will make the final selection.   Also, I mentioned the support we have received from John Weaver, Owner of Discount Hobby Warehouse. For the last couple of years John has never batted an eye when we ask him to help with prizes or gift certificates in support of our events or raffles. He usually discounts us at least 20% off or better. When you are in his store and happen to run into him, please give him some personal feedback. I know he enjoys a “thanks” from time to time. Since I know his support for us comes right out of his pocket, I tell him thanks every time I see him!

 

A couple of things seem to recur no matter how many times we mention them, so they still need mentioning…  1. We had more reports from people on the cement footpath of multi-rotor aircraft flying over their heads. Our boundaries are 100 feet from the footpath/road. If you are over the dirt path, you are too close. Also a few people reported being buzzed at less than 10 feet while walking out to recover downed aircraft. Remember, we need to stay farther than 25 feet from any living things while in flight. These incidents have an immediate effect on the people who share Mission Bay Park with us, and if they do not stop ( NOW! ) it could ultimately lead to a vote to ban multi-rotors and FPV flight at our club. 2. The Flight Pattern should match the takeoff / landing pattern that is determined by the prevailing wind. Our pattern is normally right to left over the runway, into the wind – and left to right over the field for the downwind leg. If all pilots observe this it greatly reduces the chance for head on collisions. If there is no wind ( rare ) the pattern stays right to left, and if the wind comes from the east – then we shift left to right. A few members continuously fly exactly opposite, and some ONLY fly over the runway-both ways. If you are the only pilot in the air, this is not an issue – but why should everyone else have to dodge you? 3. There were a couple more crashes into the pits and a vehicle damaged this month. No blood, but a lot of surprise since in all of the incidents I heard about, no warnings were called out. If you do not have solid control of your aircraft and it comes over the fence line, YOU (yes YOU) MUST shout “HEADS UP!” to warn members and give them a chance to avoid possible injury.

 

We had a great time on Jet Day! Only 13 pilots actually flew, so the odds of winning a gift certificate were really good. (3) $25 gift certificates were awarded for best military, best civilian, and pilots’ choice. Each person that flew a jet was given a raffle ticket for the last certificate. Thanks to Jojo who won the RTF Jet (donated by Vince). Jojo gave the jet to a young member who had it flying the next day. I had no chance of winning anything, but no one complained that I was flying a prop-jet instead of a ducted fan. Paul and Tony made the dash to COSTCO to get the foot long dogs and made it back just as the club meeting ended. Thank you!

 

The board spoke in depth about our past experiences with Barter Day at our field. We agreed that is not in our best interest to continue this event. It could be perceived as holding a swap meet, which would not present well to the city. That being said, the last swap meet event in the county will be held by the Weed Whacker club in Lakeside at Cactus Park on November 7th.

 

Jim has been managing the electro-glide contest for the last 7 years. He is ready for a break. He has asked at numerous events that the participants either take turns running the event monthly, or have each person take a year to spread it around. Sadly, no one has stepped up to bat. If no one volunteers to run with this by the end of November this will be our last year. It sucks to let it go after 18 years, but I am not going to ask Jim to do it next year, if there is not enough interest in the current group to keep it going…

 

We are still getting a couple more new members each month that are paying for the rest of this year. Sorry, we do not pro-rate membership. It will be easier if you think about it this way: the other clubs in our area charge $15-$50 bucks a month anyways – so $45 dollars to finish off 2015 at our great site isn’t as bad as it sounds outright. While talking about membership, I know most of you purchased your 2016 AMA membership before the price increase on the 15th. Please DO NOT attempt to renew your SEFSD membership now. Our system is not set up to process next year and then there will be a hassle refunding you. Please wait until you receive the e-mail blast letting you know we are ready for 2016. Also, we are no longer accepting 2-year memberships. One year only starting 2016. Our antiquated system can only do one year at a time and it is difficult to manually track anything out of the ordinary. If you paid for 2 years last year, Isabel will process your payment.

 

Our holiday banquet committee has finalized our plans for the end of year banquet. Not to steal their Thunder, I will let them make the announcement at the club meeting on the 26th, Should be a great time for all.

 

This month’s event will be scale day on the 26th. If it looks like a real plane, and you can fly it like a real plane, Bring it!!! The event will start at 10:00 and the meeting will run between 11:30 and noon followed by freshly cooked dogs, chips, and liquid refreshment.

 

It should be another warm one, Hope to see you there!

 

Brad

BOD Meeting Minutes for Sept. ’15

Meeting Minutes Old Site Posts

By Scott FUller


Date Sep 4, 2015
Time 7:45 PM~9:40 PM

 

Attendees: Paul, Scott, Dennis B, Quan, Jim, Brad, George

 

– Barter day being canceled indefinitely. Sales permit costs $1200.
– Quan displayed new boundary map. Did some revisions. Namely around the helipad.
– George spoke about an individual causing trouble at the field. Board discussed plan of action.
– VP election for District 10 this year.
– End of year awards. Certificates. Thank you to the Christmas committee.
– Christmas Party – 94th Aero squadron. Jan 16th @5pm. This’ll be on next year’s budget.
– Tables at the Helipad. ~$300 per table. Jim wants to check on a few more prices.
– Paul reviewed the budget. Moving two events from $250 to $300.
– Officer nominations coming up. Will start accepting nominations next month.
– Paul talked about the incorporation paperwork
– Next Meeting – Oct 2nd.

The Mighty Little Champ

Builds & Reviews Old Site Posts

 

After two or three over-corrections the Little Champ crashed into the ground, under full power, much to the disappointment of the young man. With its nose crushed and wings dinged the little boy was undeterred. Full power and off into the air again! The Little Champ staggered into the air with all its heart, and with over correction and mis-control once again. Too soon, it was once again nose down into the dirt under full power. Over and over again, the young man would launch the Little Champ into the sky and little by little would fly just a bit longer with each flight. Over and over the determined young man would launch the Little Champ and over and over the Little Champ would “power on” into the air.

 

As the young aviator’s confidence grew, he became more brave and sure in his aeronautical endeavors until one day, in the blowing winds of a bright Romona afternoon, he launched the Little Champ for one last fateful flight.  Under full power, the Little Champ struggled to maintain control as the winds started getting rough.  But in the end, the Little Champ was tossed, never to be seen by the young boy again.  The mighty Champ would be lost.

 

The Little Champ was blown and buffeted by the mighty winds.  Over and over again it was tossed.  The Little Champ set ground in an uncharted Romona field with no one to see it’s final flight.

 

The Little Champ was crumpled and crushed.  The days became weeks, the weeks became months as the years went by in the harsh Romona sun.  As the sun bleached the Little Champ he thought about the days of “face plants” and how they did not seem so bad now. The moments of soaring through the air were, well, a little more sweet as the sun bore down so relentlessly.

 

Fast forward to the present.

 

A gentleman was tending his property and stumbled upon the broken and faded remains of a little model airplane.

 

He saw that this was a pretty darn cool modern R/C model airplane and gently picked it up and took it home.  In the late hours of the evening he looked upon the broken and faded wings of the Little Champ and decided that this little plane should be given a better home. This is where the story gets fuzzy, as a friend of a friend, or a friend’s friend gave it to my father because he has a full scale Aeronca 7AC. Anyhow, my father gave it to me because I fly R/C.  

 

I now had this broken (wings folded, nose crushed, stabilizer folded, sun bleached, prop split) Little Champ in my possession. (Let’s be real, you have to pull for the underdog.)  And so, I found a random battery in my pile of stuff and after a new binding sequence, lo-and-behold, the Little Champ woke up, wiggled its tail feathers and revved its motor happy to be alive once more.

 

 

The Little Champ that could!

 

 

I have straightened, patched, and repaired everything I can. The Little Champ is beat up and dented, dinged and faded, crushed and twisted. A pretty pathetic looking little survivor. But it now has new spars of carbon fiber and every time I put a charged battery in it, the Little Champ takes off and flies with all its heart just like it did for that little boy with the big eyes so long ago.

 

 

 

Lil Champ1

Maui Hawaii F5B 2015 Contest

F5B Pilots & Planes Old Site Posts

 

We contacted the local RC club “Maui RC Modelers” got the wheels turning to take care of the necessary details. The club flies off a old WW2 Maine training field that is now shared with race cars and motor cycles. The club members were very helpful in all aspects of making the event happen–including getting city permits and even having breakfast in the early morning for the fliers/helpers and organizers!

 

It turns out that getting to Maui is now easier than ever—Alaska Airlines flies daily nonstop flights from San Diego! What could be easier. Even hauling models is pretty easy—just get a “Sport Tube” which is normally used to haul show skies around the country—airline people see them all the time and don’t ask many questions! In this case someone taking a ski container to Maui in August did not raise any questions.

 

The event was run over 3 days in August starting the 28th. Two full rounds were flown each day with daily flight schedule being done by noon—why stop so early you ask? It’s easy–so people could go enjoy the many attractions to be found on Maui.

 

Several Club members from SEFSD including Steve and Michelle Manganelli and Wayne Walker made the trip to run the event. Steve was the CD and Michelle spent hours out in the hot sun pressing the button at the base “B” turn. Wayne helped keep the timing equipment setup going back in the pit area.

 

This year the Japanese team came very well prepared—in practice flights on Thursday before the start of the contest they put the fear of god into us when they posted a 54 lap distance run while we were getting 48 laps! The weather that day was perfect–thermals and very light winds—-but things would start to change. A hurricane was making i’t run near Hawaii and as the contest progressed the winds did change(much stronger)—-and as it turns out towards our favor.The Japanese planes were very light which was ideal for the light wind conditions—our planes on the other hand were fitted with much heavier motors. As the conditions became tougher the favor moved to the heavier models.

 

In the end the US took 1st and 3rd places with Japan in second place. The RC groups web site has a thread with more pictures and scores: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2358411

 

After the contest most people played tourist and just enjoyed Maui.

“Cornfield Bomber”

General Interest Old Site Posts

The “Cornfield Bomber” was a Convair F-106 Delta Dart, operated by the 71st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron of the United States Air Force, that made an unpiloted landing in a farmer’s field in Montana, suffering only minor damage, after the pilot had ejected from the aircraft. The aircraft, recovered and repaired, was returned to service, and is currently on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

 

Cornfield BomberClick the pic for the whole story.