The May Meeting

The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. on May 1.

   1. Meeting minutes from the April 3rd, 2007 meeting were approved.

   2. The Treasurer’s report was read by Al Jones and approved by the members. Al reported the treasury total includes the Will Coder fund. Currently, there are 43 paid members and the rent for the flying field is due.

   3. Old business –

·         Daryl Allen gave a brief update on the 2007 Air Show. Two potential guest flyers are interested in performing and are willing to travel to our field in August, at no charge to SCRC. One is a competitive IMAC pilot (large scale model precision aerobatics). The other gentleman is an expert 3D and IMAC pilot. It makes sense for both of them to fly a demonstration because they can make the trip together from the Harrisburg area. They provided videos that showcase their amazing abilities and the SCRC Air Show committee believes that their participation will be very entertaining to our spectators and SCRC members alike.

·         Ron Angle looked into FCC regulations and AMA guidelines regarding obstructions near runways. Since the regulations are not clear, it was decided that it would be best just to talk to Jack Garbrick and confirm the exact locations of our parking options.

·         Curt posted the SCRC rules on the frequency board at the field.

   4. New Business –

·         Congratulations are in order for Ron Angle, who was recently promoted in his line of work. The bad news is that he is moving out of Centre County, to the Lancaster area by June and will he be stepping down from the office of SCRC vice president. You’ll be missed, Ron - and thanks for all you’ve done.

·         Curt recalled the nominating committee into action (George Mock, Al Niessner and Jim Rhodes) for the purpose of nominating members to fill the open office of SCRC vice president.

·         Hugh Zinsmeister brought up a rule change regarding models conflicting with full-scale aircraft operations. After some discussion, it was decided that this is really just a reinforcement of the rules which currently cover our concerns very well.

·         Al Jones has the video and literature for the new Hanger 9 F-22 Raptor PTS RTF model if anyone is interested in checking this out. It’s a glow-powered, prop-driven, jet-like trainer. Al also brought along some nice kits and Monokote that were donated by a former member, Hugh Rogers. Free to anyone in attendance that is willing to build and fly the planes.

·         Curt led a discussion on SCRC’s non-profit status. Al Jones moved to gather additional information before the June meeting and encouraged the membership to help with the research. Motion passed. Al also reminded us that the June meeting will be held at the flying field.

·         Hugh reminded us to pick up our trash at the field and leave it cleaner than it was when we arrived! Also, please be considerate and remove your AMA card from the frequency board after each flight - and please stay conscious of keeping your transmitter turned off if your card is not in the correct slot on the board!

   5. Program – No program

   6. Show and Tell

·         George Gurney showed his Coronet old-timer with brushless electric power. George also explained the on-board How High altimeter device that records and displays the highest altitude reached during a flight. George built this plane many years ago with Cobalt 15 power, but now it goes straight up!

·         Daryl Allen brought his new, generic Quickee 500 racer. This one was built very lightly (2-3/4 pounds fully loaded) and could probably not withstand the stresses generated by the usual .40 size engine, so it’s powered by an OS .25 FP and it is intended for sport-flying.

Daryl’s Quickee 500 – nice!

7.   Francois De Fromont won the 50/50 drawing and split $16.00 with the club.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.

Will Coder’s stuff

Diana Coder still has some of Will’s things to dispose of. There are a couple complete airplanes left, and some tools and equipment from his workshop available. Shop equipment includes hand tools, various clamps, a bench vise and a good quality, variable speed drill press (bench mount). You can call Diana at 383-4753 if you are interested in purchasing any of those items.

Man, it’s windy!

  The last couple of times I flew at our field it was quite windy.  My little electric parasol winged Daydreamer was doing a lot of dancing around in the turbulence. I did manage to land it in one piece, though. This brings us to the subject of this writing: How to land in high wind.

  To land well in wind, you need to keep some speed on the airplane. This is not the time to drag it in slow and nose high, trying for a perfect three pointer!  You have to fly the plane TO the ground (but not INTO the ground!). I like to make my downwind leg fairly high, so I have a bit of an altitude cushion in case of the classic “stall on the downwind turn” syndrome.

  I usually put in some down elevator trim before the approach – just enough that the plane points its nose SLIGHTLY downward at the neutral elevator position. This helps to keep the plane from ballooning upward. Keep the power on; about one third throttle or so.

  Once you’re lined up with the runway the plane should make a nice descent. Do your best to keep the wings level with aileron (or rudder on three channel ships). When you’re about two feet off the ground you can chop the throttle, and release the elevator, and the plane should drop in for a gentle landing.

   Taxiing back to your pit area in wind can be tricky, especially with tail draggers. I hold full up elevator to keep the tail wheel on the ground, and use blips of power to give the rudder some authority to counteract the weathervaning it wants to do in the wind.

   These techniques will need some adjustments depending on the characteristics of different planes. With a little practice, you can fly and land on a windy day without fear!

That’s all for now.  Let’s fly!

Sam Stitzer  814‑364‑9530

samstitz@yahoo.com