Daily Archives: July 22, 2016

14 posts

Brad’s Corner for July/Aug 2016

Bipe HugThis month’s picture shows what happens to your favorite plane when you are not looking…

Another great month behind us!
Independence day was a great success! I would like to start by thanking the volunteers that helped control access at the gate during the critical hours between 6 and 9 PM. Jeff Struthers, Bryan Respess, and Hoang Tran did a great job! As I saw it there were NO unauthorized vehicles on site all day long. Next a shout out to Big Skips BBQ for providing the whole roasted pig and enough beans and potato salad to make everyone happy. Skip and his helpers were all very friendly and we enjoyed them hanging out with us into the evening.
 Again, Please throw a “Thanks!” to John Weaver at Discount Hobby Warehouse for giving the club a great discount on the raffle prizes for the 4th as well as the gift certificates for the monthly fun fly’s on meeting days. He always gives us great prices to make our events more valuable! For our Independence day raffle, every member that attended received one ticket . The big winners ( each won a bind and fly warbird from E-flite) were Hoang Tran, and John Laird.  Board members (me included) won 3 of the 4 gift certificates. There were some grumbles, but I can assure you we each had the same number of tickets (ONE) as everyone else. I like Jim’s take on the situation. Volunteering for the board of directors = good Karma!  If you want to win more, run in the upcoming election!  On that note, there will be one, possibly two, positions on the board that will likely be vacated at the end of this year. I would like each of you to consider taking a hand in the direction of the club over the next year or next few years if you so desire. The majority of us will keep the same positions if you will have us, and a few may shift a bit, but stay with the board. If you want your name in the hat, please approach me or Jim prior to the October meeting when we will announce candidates for the November election.
Last month I handed out 14 more fire extinguishers to new members, and members that have a routine presence at the field. Please remember to bring extinguishers with you if possible. I would prefer to have multiple on site when our field is in use. The outlying field has dried out and could cause a problem if we are not prepared.
Myself and another
 A quick note on the OTHER Skip – yes, that one… No blood this month, but there were a few instances of planes sliding around in the pits and in the back of his vehicle. Remember, if your transmitter does not have model match technology ( Hitec, Futaba, Airtronics ) if you do not unplug your flight pack after your flight, when you prep another plane the original one will power up on the ground when you least expect it – even if you switch models.
 When you have a few minutes, take a look at the new tables that recently went in  at the rotorplex area. Very nice tables of slightly different design. We will see how they work and when the tables at the main runway need replacing – may go that way. Again, thank you to the volunteers that assisted in auguring out the holes for the bases, and actually setting them up. One of our local vendors agreed to re-imburse our costs, so expect to see a few logos on the new tables.
Myself and a member pitched in and bought some new chairs a couple of weeks ago, and they are still there! I purchased chairs that DAVE can’t lean back in so hopefully they last more than a few months. We are still looking for more chairs, so if you have some taking up space in the backyard as summer ends, we will gladly take them off your hands.
We are still receiving new applications for membership each week. The last number reported by Isabel was 397, so we are on track to exceed last year. I really appreciate the way you all promote a welcoming environment to spectators and people coming for information. Helping each other succeed in this fine hobby is one of the best parts! I have heard a couple of members state that they know people that want to try it, but don’t want to shell out initial money. I will toss out a reminder that the club has a couple of completely set up training aircraft with buddy box capabilities. If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative that would like to try flying model airplanes, and you are a competent trainer (or enlist the aid of one) you can check out the clubs gear and get someone the first steps without them having to pony up a couple hundred bucks before they are sure this hobby is for them.
There are already people stepping up to plan and execute our holiday banquet. If you want to be part of it please let me know. We will firm up the committee in a few weeks and get them started. This year will be better than last year – and last year was amazing – so make sure you RSVP online when the mail to do so comes out.

 

This month’s club meeting will be held on the 23rd at the field. The fun fly – BOMB DROP!!  YEAH!!!, will start around 10:00 AM and will be followed by the meeting and beef hot dogs for lunch.

July 4th 100 lap team FPV race and BBQ Recap

By Jim Bonnardel,

 

               Wow,  what a day!  July 4th this year we really rolled out the red, white and blue carpet for our club members.
It was a great opportunity for us to do something that we have never done before, cater a fully hosted, whole hog BBQ, as well as have an event that no one else has had before,  ANYWHERE!
The weather was perfect,  the crowds were packing the beaches, bay and parks, but our little slice of heaven was perfectly fine,  with only club members and their guests in attendance.
                We started the day with the 100 lap race at the RotorPlex.  A first time format of “Survivor Style” team selection,  followed by a brief strategy session,  then it was time to race.
Two teams,  “ID4” and “Stars and Stripes” with 5 pilots each prepped their aircraft,  selected their pilot rotation and FPV frequencies,  then got ready to race.  Scott Fuller set up the timing system to track the laps,  and issued the transponders to the teams.   Both teams worked out some intuitive systems to easily change the transponders like a baton in a relay race,   and for the most part,  that worked great.  It was impressive to watch the teams work together when it came time to change out pilots.   The race got under way around 10:00am,  and was very exciting to watch.  Spectators were impressed, and many commented as to how much fun it was to watch.   The racing was close,   up to about 35 laps,  where Stars and Stripes was 5 laps ahead,  until someone crashed at gate 1,  and the team sent their runner out to fetch the aircraft.   Getting the downed aircraft  (and transponder) back gave team ID4 the chance to gain some of their down laps,  and they did!  When S&S was back on the pad ready to launch again,  they were dead even at 40 laps each!  We had another 20 laps of intense racing,  with pilot changes happening at the same time for both teams.  ID4 was only 2 laps down at 60 laps when they suffered a crash, deep into the field at the tunnel.  It took them far too long to find the craft, and the transponder (which had ejected due to the ‘soft’ mounting system they devised) and by the time they got back onto the race track,  they were 15 laps down.  Stars and stripes continued to perform like a well-oiled machine and continued along to the 100 lap mark without any delays at all.  GOOD JOB TEAM! The comradery and sportsmanship shown before,  during and after the race truly was something to be a part of.  Everyone had a great time,  and competed with the highest degree of gracious professionalism.
                On to the BBQ…..   Club member and pit-chef extraordinaire Charles “Skip” Walton from Big Skip’s BBQ was first on scene on this holiday morning, arriving at the field  before 05:00 to get the hog on the coals. Skip did us all real good,  having a top-notch setup and menu.   Paul Guidice was in charge of our big raffle, and of course,  it was FREE to all club members in attendance.  Paul had two big airplane’s and 3 gift certs to hand out,  and the raffle was well received.   Everyone loves free stuff!   We were served right at the planned 1:00pm, and for about an hour,  there was literally no one in the air flying as the food was too good to not take the time to enjoy it.  Skip and his team (which includes his better-half Deena) fed about 125 people and there were leftovers to share.  Lots of folks bugged-out once the lunch was served,  and that was by design.  I wanted to have an event that did not prevent you from other holiday festivities you may have had planned.  There were about 25 pilots at the field after lunch,  until about 5:00pm,  when the evening folks started arriving in anticipation for the Sea World Fireworks.  By 8:00pm we were back to about 150 people at the field.    Using the portable PA,  we played the accompanying music from the “Big Bay Boom” fireworks show,  and once that finished,  we simply turned around and watched the show from Sea World,  as we have a pretty prime location for that show.   Leaving the field, many took advantage of our secret exit strategy,  and that was to exit straight across Sea World Drive,  onto Old Sea World Drive,  the road along the Jetty.  It was a speedy exit to Friars Road as 99% of the public is headed for the 5 freeway and you get to avoid that.   Overall,  it was a LONG (16 hours for your club president),  but extremely enjoyable day at the field.  
                Lastly, I’ll ask the membership to take a few minutes and personally thank your Board of Directors for this, and all the other events, games, food and FUN they are providing you in this club.  SEFSD has become THE BEST RC CLUB in San Diego.  More members, more events, more prizes, more participation and still,  the best location in the county to fly.  Sure,  other clubs may have paved runways and shade structures,  but no club offers you the free lunch, and the events that we do for your $45 per year. No greasy, oily tables,  no noise, no ‘cracker box’ flying zones.  We have 45 acres at our fingertips to fly in! If you want this board of directors to continue providing you all of these benefits,  TELL THEM! Become active in this year’s vote for your representatives,  or better yet,  TAKE PART IN LEADERSHIP,  it’s easier than you think.
 
Check out the pictures from July 4th at the club Facebook page taken by club ‘super mom’ Julie Njaa:
https://www.facebook.com/SEFSD/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1139265679479539
 
More great pics here.
 
Until next time,
Fly safe and have fun!
 
Jim Bonnardel
President

Call to Action – Club Video

Have you seen the video from WeedWackers? Lance does a wonderful job promoting his club, but …… he has laid down the gauntlet.


With our nearly 400 members, someone has got to be proficient enough with video and editing to best them!

There will be many (including your president) that will help with Aerial video if you don’t have that capability.

Can you accept the challenge and produce a video for SEFSD?

Take a look at Lance’s great video, and LETS MAKE ONE OF OUR OWN!!  Contact Jim.

vimeo.com/airvidssc/weedwackers

THANK YOU!!

Safety Report for July 2016

By Quan Ngyuen

 

It’s been a quiet several weeks since my last newsletter. I’m thinking the prospect of OTL (Over the Line Tournament) traffic has kept people at home. Indeed, there were 30 minutes of traffic on Sea World Drive last Saturday, but those who braved it were rewarded with calm winds and an open airspace. The issues I brought up last month about flying over the palm trees and against the pattern have been resolved, and I want to thank everyone for flying safely.

 

A note about taxiing on the runway. Please be prompt about clearing the runway, especially if someone else yells ‘landing’. Taxi your plane from the nearest gate where you intend to take off, rather than taxi your plane up the runway for three gates, and possibly in the way of an incoming model.

 

Also, I just want to remind members that although many people stand in front of the gate to fly, the safest place to be is behind the fence- it is designed to offer some protection from wayward models.

 

In other news, the “FAA Reauthorization Bill” containing the clause that contains the “Special Rule for Model Aircraft” has passed. This simply affirms the status quo for us as a community based organization with minimal regulation by the FAA. Let’s keep it this way by flying safe.

 

Also, we are starting our holiday party planning early this year. Randy, Julie Njaa, and myself have volunteered to help put the event together. It’s going to be bigger and better than ever! We have a few venues in mind, although it’s in the very early stages of planning. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please let one of us know.

BOD Meeting Minutes for July 2016

By Scott Fuller

 

July 8th board meeting 7:15pm

Jim, Paul, Scott, Dennis, Brad, Randy

 

  • 395 Members

  • Talked about the budget

  • DME bought us tables for the Rotorplex

  • Won’t be doing IRDA or MGP this year

  • The 100 lap challenge was a success

  • Money for events $30 per head for any of the SIGS at the field – Approved

  • Holiday Party – Quan and Randy – $5500

  • New Track was built for the next race quarter.

  • Start talking about board members for next year

  • Aug 5th – Next board meeting

Walt Good’s History of RC Flying (1986 AMA Model Aviation)

John Graber sent in this little treasure he found while perusing the AMA Archives:

 

“I discovered a great 3 part history of early rc planes by reading the biography of Walt Good in ama history project online biography section. Reference to to his articles was there. They are found in ama magazine online archives of 1986 issues for March pg 56, April pg 58, and May pg 76.”

 

The first part of the article is here.

 

You can find the remaining parts in the issues here.

Changes in the Field Rules

7. Flight area boundaries:

A. Flying will be north of the north edge of the runway except for soaring flight in the south east and south west soaring areas and helicopter hovering in the designated area.

B. The West Limit is the tree line east of the sidewalk.

C. The North Limit is the palm trees and sidewalk, unless above 150ft in altitude. Do not fly over the area of the blue patio cover near the sidewalk.

D. The eastern limit is 100 feet west of Sea World Drive E. The southern limit 100 feet north of Sea World Drive with the following additions:

1. Models south east of the pit area must be above 150 feet

2. There will be no flying over the pit and parking areas.

F. All low flying shall be done north of the runway except for take off, landing, and touch and go operations.

 

12. All airborne model aircraft must immediately descend to 100 ft 50 ft or less if any manned aircraft enter or approach the flying area.

 

 

The map below was added.

Rules Map