State College Radio Control Club Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 Meeting Minutes

 

 

Ron Lueth called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Mr. Bob Booz was in attendance as a guest.

 

 

1.                   The minutes from the February 3rd meeting were approved.

 

2.                   Al Jones read the Treasurer’s report. 33 members have paid their 2009 dues. The total includes two associate (non-flying) members. Members who have not renewed by the end of this month may rejoin later, but will be dropped from the roster. Al advised the current balance of SCRC’s account and the Treasurer’s report was approved.

 

 

3.                   Old business –

 

·         Al Niessner updated us on the field search committee’s efforts with a copy of the master plan (map) of the Oak Hall area parklands project. The latest revision does not include a model airstrip.  Al proposed designating a park flyer area at the last Centre Region Parks and Recreation planning meeting. There is a good chance that we will be able to make use of this area to fly electric-powered models. Another area within the Whitehall Road Parklands may be our best hope for a new flying field that will accommodate all model aircraft types.

 

·         Al Jones visited the 75-acre landfill site on North Atherton. Last month, this area was suggested by George Gurney as a possible flying site. Due to traffic-related safety concerns, Al decided that the landfill is not suitable site so he did not call Hawbaker to inquire about it.

 

·         Following up on last month’s proposal, Mark Wharton secured a meeting room in the Hammond building on the Penn State campus. In an effort to attract new members, this would make it easier for students to attend meetings. Currently, there is no Penn State R/C Club to join forces with. After discussion, Mark’s motion to move our meeting place was approved by membership by a vote of 13 to 6. Beginning next month, SCRC will hold our indoor meetings in room 308 in the Hammond building. Al Niessner will publish directions on the website.

 

·         Al Niessner advised that he will try to set up the Predator remote piloted vehicle program for the April meeting in the Hammond Building. He will announce this event on the SCRC website.

 

 

4.       New Business –

 

·         We received a letter from Ray S. Walker who is interested in reviving the Phillipsburg R/C Club and is asking for guidance from SCRC. Al Jones read the inquiry and offered to follow-up with Mr. Walker to determine exactly what kind of help he requires. With the club’s approval, he will report back to us at the next club meeting.

 

·         Al Jones submitted our annual Gold Leader Club status application to the AMA. He received a letter from the AMA requesting clarification on some of the requirements. We discussed these points and agreed that we already have exposure to the public (website and flyer), participate in a charity program (Relay for Life) and have a flight instruction program in place. To satisfy the requirement for engine noise restriction, Sandy Jaffe motioned to adopt the AMA’s recommended 90db at 9 feet guideline. The motion carried and Al will respond to the AMA.

 

·         Al Niessner completed a course proposal form to the Penns Valley OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute). OLLI targets retirees as potential students and SCRC was contacted to conduct a basic R/C aircraft course. Participation in this program is a potential source of club revenue and an opportunity to attract new members. By submitting the form, SCRC agrees to conduct one course (three class sessions) at Centre Airpark. The maximum enrollment is 20 people and the minimum is 10.

 

·         Ron Lueth reminded us of the upcoming Lebanon R/C flea market. The doors open at 9:00am on Saturday, March 14th at the Lebanon Fairgrounds. For further information and directions, visit http://www.cpaa.us/ .

 

·         Todd Cook brought along some radio gear that was donated by Alex Granlund. These items were not required to complete the Royal Trainer 40 (also donated by the Granlunds) project so Todd offered them SCRC members.

 

 

5.       Program (No program)

 

 

 

6.       Show and Tell

 

·         Sam Stitzer showed his completed Tower Hobbies Uproar 40 plane. It weighs in at 3-1/4 pounds and features flaperons with down elevator programmed in when the flaps are deployed. Great job, Sam!

 

·         Ron Lueth built a great-looking 35” span foamy biplane from plans. It’s an Infineon I3D similar to the black one that he flew last season but just a bit larger. The 80-watt electric motor draws about 12 amps and the total weight is 12 ounces.

 

·         Sandy Jaffe brought two helicopters to show. One was an E-Flite Blade with a Scale 530 NOTAR body. Sandy bought Bind-and-Fly version but it also available Ready-to-Fly with battery, charger and transmitter for $199. It’s a quad blade setup so it’s easy to fly, very stable and a great indoor flyer. Sandy also showed his old T-Rex electric model dressed up in a new scale-like fuselage. He received the body kit as a Christmas present. It looks great and Sandy reports that it flies very well.

 

·         Nathaniel Rice had a new electric Gaui Hurricane 200 aerobatic helicopter to show. The model was provided by Empire Hobby, a sponsor of Nathaniel’s. It’s a high-performance sub-micro helicopter with a carbon fiber frame. This model goes for about $300, not including the battery and radio gear. Nathaniel is also sponsored by Miniature Aircraft, the maker of his glow-powered competition model and he will be doing some traveling this season to demonstrate and promote these products at flying events.

 

·         Al Niessner showed pictures of himself with an 11-foot span, twin motor model. The plane was built (from a $600 kit) mostly by Nathaniel Rice who was employed by Penn State to complete the project. Nathaniel did a fantastic job of building this airplane. The huge model has an auto-pilot feature.

 

The motion to adjourn passed at 8:30 pm. Jeff Favuzza won the 50-50 drawing, splitting $15 with the club.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Daryl Allen, Secretary