Hey guys,
With temps spiking last week we have had our kick-off into summer. It’s very likely we will not see much more rain for the next few months and the outlying field area is drying out fast. There is still a little green out there, but most of the growth has the consistence of barbed wire, so avoid it if you can – both with yourself and your aircraft! The pretty nasty brush fires in the county this week are a sign of things to come, please be prepared to respond in the event of fires. Also, there was a report last summer of a rattlesnake in the field, so if you do venture out there, go a bit slow to ensure you don’t startle something into biting you.
If you have not heard, a federal court recently shot down the requirement to register all model aircraft with the FAA. If you use your aircraft in a manner which involves any type of commercial use, you must still register – along with additional licensing. I doubt there will be a refund involved (sorry Dave…).
As I mentioned last month, fund raising is quite a bit down from last year as we were not the US host city for international drone day this year and as such have not received any sponsor donations this year. Our chance to get some money in the end of year banquet coffer is coming quickly. Jim has already started picking up some neat stuff for our 4th of July Raffle. Quan is donating the receiver ready Joker sport plane he won at the 2015 holiday banquet, as it is not his style of plane, to the raffle. We expect to start selling tickets mid-June. If you have any thoughts for fundraising, bring them to me!
A couple of things coming our way next month. On June 4th SeaWorld drive will be closed between 6:00 AM and 12:30 PM for the rock & roll marathon. Their course map https://rnr30-compgroup.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/sites/4/2015/04/SD17-Course-Map-5.8-Elements.pdf has runners coming up behind us to the boat ramp parking lot and then along the path towards fiesta island. With so many people about we are discouraging anyone from coming in at 5:00 AM to have the morning to themselves. Also coming up is the traditional father’s day swap meet in the back parking lot at Discount Hobby Warehouse. This seems to be the best one with more quality items being presented. Don’t miss out!
Please keep an eye out for full scale craft in our area. If they are within a half mile of us stay around 50 feet until they are well away. We continue to have pilot reports to the FAA that we are too high and that is not a positive thing for us.
This month’s fun fly event on the 27th will be Poker fly, followed by the club meeting, and our hot dog lunch, See you there and fly safe!
Brad
Monthly Archives: May 2017
10 posts
The stick was a Rand that I mounted two Allen-Bradley pots to and the third channel was a reed switch. The Tx box was an aluminum LMB project box I got from one of the electronic stores that are no longer in existence. I didn’t have a nibbler or broaching tool so I had to drill and file the trim tab slots. The tacky looking wood finish is shelf paper. The Tx was 27MHz, note the center loaded antenna. The crystal alone was larger than a modern thumb drive.
When the Tx was completed I was surprised it actually worked. The receiver and servos were kits offered by Royal (and they were a Royal PITA, but I’m OK with that because I learned how to solder tiny stuff building those things). Then 72MHz became the new ‘air’ frequency and it was a lot safer than sharing 27MHz with CB operators. At around that same time Heathkit came out with radio kits so I built those to get into 72MHz.
During college I worked in the evenings at Lindberg field as ramp crew for Delta Airlines (DC-8’s). I studied mechanical engineering with a minor in electrical engineering. That, along with my hands on experience with RC gear, helped my career in aerospace and defense designing and manufacturing electronic hardware used in aircraft, spacecraft and missile systems.
By the mid 70’s and after college I phased out of RC and into motorcycles, sports cars and motor racing. After 10 years of racing I got married and raised a family. One day in 1999 I was on Sea World Drive and happened upon the SEFSD field. Everyone was friendly and it was interesting to see the advancements in electric flight. Thanks to SEFSD I got back into RC and have enjoyed several forms of RC flight from gliders to turbine powered jets, however most of my model planes are electric powered.
By Quan Nguyen
SEFSD Board Meeting Minutes:
Called to order: May 12th, 2017 7:15pm
Present: Paul, George, Jim, Brad, Dennis, Quan, Brian
-348 Members as of today.
-Discussed purchasing AMA windsock. Deferred due to concerns about it getting stolen.
-Discussed raffle to fundraise approx $3k for holiday banquet.
-Motion to authorize $1,200 to purchase raffle prizes. Approved.
-Quan to donate Joker into prize pool.
-Reiterated charging a fee for admission to holiday banquet to compensate for decrease in revenue.
-Planning potential increase in dues for 2018 proportional to increased operating costs.
-Treasurer report. All is good.
– Discussed website & Porta Potty costs.
-Replacement keys $3 each.
-Previously expelled member submitted payment without application. Board to return payment.
-Field will be closed during Rock-n-roll marathon.
-Field condition. Discussed dust control additive after sweeping. Approved $1,000 to recondition field.
-May’s event is Poker fly
-Still working on letter of agreement with Lindbergh
-Meeting adjourned: 8:30pm
AJ Laser 115 No Canopy or Batteries
Ready to Fly
Motor Front
Motor Side
ESC and Motor
14000 mAh Batteries on Scales
Battery Charging
By Jeff Struthers,
It was a tough Electroglide this month what with the Beach to Bay Marathon restricting access to our field until 10:00 and the strong winds from the North West.
Lindbergh Field was reporting winds of 8 to 10 mph during our competition, it sure felt stronger at our field.
First launch happened at about 10:40 and six aircraft took to the sky. Jon Graber, flying an Easy Star 2 got it high and held it there for the longest flight at 5:43. Scott Vance had the next longest flight time at 4:36 and scored an extra 20-points on his landing.
Second launch saw a bit stronger winds with only four aircraft flight ready. Roger Ball had the long flight at 4:50 with a 20-point landing. Scott Vance came in second at 3:50 and earning a 10-point landing. Those were the only extra landing credits earned.
Third launch found the wind was the only lift out there. Five aircraft were pointed North West at various altitudes, slowly descending while being blown in a South-East direction. The only way to stay north of our runway was to dive a bit and gain some airspeed. Scott Vance had the longest flight at 3:20. Also managing to stay near the target circles, scoring 20 points on landing. Roger Ball came in next at 3:12 with a 10-point landing.
Fourth and final launch saw the same windy conditions but we were getting the hang of it. Scott Vance again had the longest flight at 4:41 and a 20-point landing. Roger Ball came in at 3:52, I came in at 3:27. Stephen Treger scored the only other landing bonus with 10-points.
George Sullivan flew his DJI Mavic during the competition and recorded some video of us trying to land in the target circles. Notice the club’s wind sock.
Yes, the wind made it tough. It also made us learn to fly better. Don’t Spill the Beans, Bomb Drop, Pop Wing and Quad Copter racing, any competition that pushes us has the effect of making us better pilots.
The next Electroglide will be held on June 17th at 9:30.
Until then,
Jeff
Here is a You Tube link that contains video of a portion of the competition. Club member George Sullivan recorded the video from a DJI Quad-copter.
Click the pic.
Videomaster George Sullivan has created a new version of the SEFSD YouTube channel. Please click below and check it out.
We would love your videos so contact George if you have any questions: george@oldharborvideo.com
Thanks George!!
Click the pic for pics from the Altitude Challenge
Carlos’ Perfect Score!
