message from the or mail to: sparks president - …sparksrc.com/wp-content/uploads/public...
TRANSCRIPT
August 2010
SPARKS WEBSITE
www.sparksrc.com Or mail to:
SPARKS
P.O. Box 1361 Tomball, TX 77377-1361
SPARKS 2010 - 2011 Officers*
Alan Buckner President
281-655-0992
Rob Jasken Vice President/ Safety Officer
713-817-2078
George Terry Treasurer
281-356-4315
Diane Marson Sect'y/Newsletter
281-374-8915
SPARKS Flight Instructors
Chief Instructor
Lee Dillenbeck ** 281-288-7661
Flight Instructors Airplanes
Bob Allen Alan Buckner **
281-443-8779
281 -655-0992 Mark Hunt 281-290-0327
Richard Lewis 281-255-2067
Bill Murad 281-290-8945
Nick Marson 281-374-8915
Ground Instructor- Airplanes
Vic Baney 281-357-1357
Chris Fredona 281-376-7068
Flight Instructors Helicopters
Warren Watkins 713-725-0827
** AMA designated
* email addresses on
Intro Pilots
next page
Message from the President - Alan Buckner
August 2010
Newslet ter for SPARKS - SPr ing Area Radio Kontro l Soc ie ty
“And the survey says…”
In last month’s message, I mentioned that I would be sending out a survey to club members. I was impressed by the thought that went into the answers and the great ideas. I thought you may want to see the results. Here’s a summary of what we learned.
• 22 members participated in the survey. While that may not sound high, that’s the same number of people that usually attend our meetings (ie, the most active members). Coincidence? Based on the high quality of the feed-back, I don’t think so.
• 91% agreed with the vision presented. That’s a strong con-sensus which is great to know.
• We had a pretty even distribution of people flying from 1-8 days a month, though there was a small peak at 2 days/month.
Only 2 respondents said they didn’t fly at all.
• Why haven’t some people renewed? The top two were no surprise – 80% said the runway was too narrow followed closely by the trees being too close to the runway. The 3rd and 4th were much further down the list but included not enough clear area for deadsticks and lack of shelter. The good news is that even if we can’t get the land leased to us, there are alternative methods to solving these.
•What are your priorities for the field? #1 was a bit of a surprise to me: Shelter. This was followed closely by widening the field which is what I ex-pected to be #1. #3 was a landing strip for crosswind landings and #4 was another surprise – add electricity.
Please see page 2
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Message from the President, - Alan Buckner, con’t
Position Name Email address Phone #
President Alan Buckner [email protected] 281-655-0992
Treasurer George Terry [email protected] 281-356-4315
Secretary/Newsletter Diane Marson [email protected] 281-374-8915
Vice President/ Safety Officer Rob Jasken [email protected] 713-817-2078
Contact in format ion for SPARKS Of f icers - th i s wi l l be in each i ssue , but you might want to pr int i t out for easy reference
A note of thanks to the fol lowing contr ibutors…… Victor Baney, Alan Buckner , Lee Di l lenbeck, Mark Hunt , Rob Jasken, Nick Marson,
Mark Mendonca, Mike Rose, Randy Shewmaker and Gabe Vi rene
Please send your contr ibut ions for next month’s issue to me at :
dgmarson@earth l ink .net
Starting this month, we are adding a “For Sale / Want Ad” section in our Newsletter, called “Ad Corner”. A reminder will be sent each month and you can submit a description of your items, pictures, price, etc and it will be included in the newsletter. To help keep this section current and manageable, the ads will be for one month only and to repeat one, it will need to be resubmitted with a lower price. Also, it will be for club members only.
If you have any items to sell, please send the information to me by the 24th of each month. Please include the contact info you want for the ad…..
Check out the section this month beginning on page 16… Thanks, Diane Marson
• As for the meetings and speakers, it was good to see so many that like them the way they are. You gave lots of very good ideas for speakers so we should have some good ones this year.
• I was very impressed with the many great ideas for how to grow the membership. The officers will be meeting to consider those with the most promising and look for volunteers to help implement them. You’ll hear more about these in the coming months.
I was very pleased with the quality of the answers and additional comments included in this survey. Thanks to all of you that participated! This is YOUR club and YOU have spoken. The officers and I will focus our attention on the opportunities and ideas you identified.
Alan
Don’t forget the meeting next Wednesday, Aug. 4th.
We have a great speaker lined up...See you there at 7 pm, Valley Ranch Grill & Bar be que...SH 249 & Spring Cypress Rd. Come early and eat with us….
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Inside this issue:
Just When you thought…. . A lan Buckner
Ju ly Meet ing Highl ights
July Model of the Month - The Maverick Mark Hunt
Giant Scale Pylon event Photos
A visit to the Smithsonian Air Museums Rob Jasken
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4 - 5
6
7
8 - 9
I love to FLY Gabe Virene 9
2010 Pattern NATS Nick Marson
A Verry close Call Alan Buckner
10 - 13
14
Hold on to your seat !!!!! Nick Marson 14
You must see to believe Lee Dillenbeck
“Great gun, plane included” Mike Rose
NavAir Ops in Afghanistan Vic Baney
Here’s your P 51 Mustang cockpit Mike Rose
NEW Feature ! ! - Ad Corner
Hobby Shop Ads
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15
15
15
16 - 18
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Just when you thought it was save to get back in
the air !! submitted by Alan Buckner
Remember the movie “Jaws” Tha’t what I thought
about when watching this video...Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the air...Du Dum ! Du Dum !! Watch out for this attack bird who successfully defended its airspace. An onboard
camera captures the raven attacking the sail plane…
http://www.austinrc.org/photonews.html
I you don’t want to watch the entire video, skip to 4:10 to see a slide show...
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President Alan Buckner called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm. Two guests were introduced, ……..Blaine Austin, our featured Speaker, and his friend Jason Hobbs. Minutes were approved as read. Treasurer George Terry’s detailed report for June was approved as presented.
Field Manager, Vic Baney, reported the County had plans to roll the runway to further smooth it out. Vic was able to reach Mr. Yang, the adjacent landowner, by phone again and discussed leasing the property adjoining acreage south of the creek. However, Mr. Yang is more interested in selling the entire plot. Vic mentioned that fact to Park Officials and he will give us any updates next month.
Alan Buckner mentioned two safety issues with just one LiPo battery. The leads had been soldered onto a Deans connector. There was no heat shrink on the bare wire ends, where they attached to the Deans connector. Any metal object could short the battery out, possibly causing a fire hazard. In addition the heat shrink gives some strain relief to the joint by supporting the wire.
Rob Jasken, Vice President/Safety Officer, suggested we have a second fire extinguisher at the field as well as jugs of water, in case a crashed plane ignited the grass.
Our guest Speaker, Blaine Austin, owner of Top Dawg Aviation RC, brought one of his GW Aircraft ARF’s, the 50CC edge 540, which features “Red Bull” style features. Top Dawg is the exclusive North American distributor for Mintor and TMM engines and features GW Aircraft models.
Jake Jacobsen and George Terry attended the recent Giant Scale Pylon Racing event in Hearne, Texas. The Event returned to Texas for the first time since 2001. Both Jake and George reported it was exciting as planes raced around two pylons at speeds of close to 200+ mph.
Model of the Month was won by Mark Hunt with his “Maverick”, a 1980s pattern ship.
Announcements of other upcoming area R/C events scheduled are:
12th Annual Big Bird Event – Aug. 26TH & 27TH - Austin, Tx
D.E.A.F. Dallas Electric Aircraft Fun Fly - Sept. 26 and 27th
More info on these events at http://www.austinrc.org/photonews.html
Southern Electric Jet Festival - Sept. 11th Northwest RC Club - please see more details at
http://www.nwrcc.com/pdf/2010_Electric_Jet_Festival.pdf
July 7th Meeting Highlights
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More July 7th Meeting Highlights
Top Dawg Aviation is very excited to announce our New 50cc Edge 540. We have raised the bar on the 50cc category. We are going to be offering the largest model in it’s class with a 91” wingspan and all up weight of 15.5 lbs. The competition will be scrambling to reach the performance levels only a Top Dawg Aviation aircraft can bring.
SPECs:
Wingspan: 91” Recommended Engine: 50-60cc
Length: 76" Weight: 15-16lbs
Wing area: 1385 http://www.dietrichaircraft.com/50CCEdge540/50CCEdge540_B.php
Blaine Austin, owner of
Top Dawg
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Designed around a rear exhaust two stroke with a pipe tunnel above the fuse and exhaust exits bottom through an extension tube.
Points of Interest: Mechanical Retracts using one servo for the mains and a seperate retract servo for nose gear.
Power: YS61 Long stroke with Hatori pipe swinging a 11x12W APC
Radio: Futaba Flying characteristics: 2 speeds. Fast....and Faster with gear up..:)
“Maverick” - July Model of the Month submitted by Mark Hunt
Design and built by: Dr. Mike Harrison (plans drawn in early 1983)
Span: 66"
Length: 61"
Weight: 8.5lbs.
Construction: Balsa structure fuselage with fiberglass canopy/top section (all molds done by hand). Foam wing and and tail sheeted with balsa. Entire structure glassed and painted (most likely painted with HobbyPoxy).
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Photos from the Giant Scale Pylon Event
Hearne, Texas Many thanks to the Austin Radio Control Association
for the great album of photos You can view the entire album by following the
links on their website
http://www.austinrc.org/photonews.html
Page 7 Crosswinds
Look at the size of some of these
craft !!
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Please see next page
Page 8 Crosswinds
A trip to Washington, D.C. and the Smithsonians
submitted by Rob Jasken
A couple weeks ago my family and I went to DC for a vacation. Among the many highlights, we went to BOTH Air and Space museums. One is in the mall area and the other new one out near Dulles Airport. If you have seen the movie Transformers II, the scene with the SR-71, or “Jetfire” autobot is filmed in the new museum. But I can say the museum is still in DC, because when Jetfire blasts open the doors, suddenly they are at the Arizona Boneyard.
For any aviation nut like most of us are, both are a must to see. The Mall museum has some fine history that I liked…Sprit of St. Louis, Bell X-1, and a X-15, V-1 and V-2 rockets to name a few. But the Dulles museum has the Enola Gay, SR-71, a Concorde and many more airplanes to see. Also a fine display of the first aircraft engine up through modern jets. I think we spent more time at the Dulles location.
Both are open 7 days a week, 10:00am through 7:30 in the summer, and are free. Parking at the Mall location will cost you something and the parking at the Dulles location is $17. We were surprised that during the middle of July the crowds were mild. Get there early for the best parking and lest amount of crowds.
Here are a few pictures from the trip.
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photo to right - The National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor is located along a tree-lined walkway which leads directly into the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. You are invited to place your name or the names of family members or friends who contributed to our na-tion's aviation and space exploration heritage on this permanent memorial at the only national museum dedicated to honor the pioneers of flight.
“I Love to fly” submitted by Gabe Virene ( a former SPARKS Member)
First there was the big yellow cub, doing crazy side slips and the crowd loved it.
Next year, it was my 100cc Aeroworks Quikbuild Extra 260 and this year I went all out on a 100cc Clipped Wing Cub with a 110 inch wing span. I would call it a real crowd pleaser
It’s the most addicting hobby i have ever taken aim at. I love to fly and the past few years I have been competing at New Waverly Tri County Barnstormers. The first time I attended, I enjoyed the people more than any other reason.
Well, I guess the airplanes had a little to do with it!!! So the past three years I've managed to win best of show three times with three different planes.
I really enjoy planes, but a lot has to be said about the people. Two very important people who enjoyed our hobby passed away and I will never forget them... .so I would like for the best of show to be in their honor. Doug Cockerham and Kyle Foote, may they both find their way to airplane heaven
A trip to Washington, D.C. and the Smithsonians, con’t.
submitted by Rob Jasken
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Our own….
Please see next page
Page 10 Crosswinds Pattern Nats - 2010 submitted by Nick Marson
Day 1 First up, we’ve begun! Standing at Site 3, I keep looking to Sites 1 and 4 to see where the first flight of the 2010 RC Aerobatic Nats will be. This year it was on Site 4 and Charlie Barrera’s Wind S was the airplane I saw. Charlie is no stranger to the Nats,having flown here for more than 10 years. 2010 is different for Charlie, however. He is flying his first electric powered air-plane.
Charlie chose the Wind S as an intelligent way to learn more about this exciting dimension of our sport/hobby. Charlie has only good things to say about his experiences with electric power and is looking for years of great flying in his future with electric power. His buddy, Don Ramsey gives the Wind S his blessings as well. Congrats to Charlie for being the first pilot in the air for 2010.
Standings after the first day, no Masters Scores were posted
This info is found in the Nats 2010 Newsletter….if you wish to view other types of competition, here is the link…. http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx
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Page 11 Crosswinds Pattern Nats - 2010, con’t. submitted by Nick Marson
Day 2 There are no SPARK’ members competing in Masters. Mark Mendonca had entered but has not posted a score yet. Bret Wickizer has moved down to 9th place, and Adam Mendonca has moved down to 4th place, with Charlie Barrera in 15th.
FAI Standings after Round 4 (Best 3 out of 4)
Advanced Standings Round 4
Quote:
Contra rotation: Every year there are a few “must do” items on our list while here in Muncie. One new item for 2010 is to stop by and visit with Brenner Sharp and Mike Gasian about their new contra rotating prop design. Brenner is running this one-of-a-kind item on his Integral and has nothing but glowing accolades for this innova-tive experiment. He is running a simple Hacker C50 inrunner motor with the gear box disconnected. This system allows him to run two 22 x 18 contra-rotating props which cancel out the P-Factor. They transmit no prop swirl to the surfaces, they give increased breaking on down lines giving a more constant speed, they make stall turns a dream as well as spins, rudder becomes more sensitive so much less is needed, there is a zero-
degree thrust line, and so much more. Actually, there is too much to explain in the written format. You really have to catch these two innovative craftsmen and see it for yourself. Brenner and Mike have been friends for years and so as Brenner started imagining this new system in his mind, he would share those thoughts with Mike who would translate his designs into actual working models, which ultimately led to what we see flying this week.
Since you can’t walk into the average hobby shop for a pair of contra-rotating 22 x 18 props, actually you can’t walk into any hobby shop and find them, Mike had to first figure out how to make them and then actually do the job. And yes, Mike and Brenner do plan to make this amazing item available commercially; what you see to-day is only a prototype.
The most
interesting topic
in the daily
write-up was
focused on a
contra rotating
prop on an
Integral pattern
plane.
Please see next page
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Pattern Nats - 2010, con’t. submitted by Nick Marson
Day 3 There were a few flyer interviews, here is Brett’s
In the standings, Brett had lifted himself up to 7th in FAI and Adam Mendonca was sitting in 6th
Please see next page
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Page 13 Crosswinds Pattern Nats - 2010, con’t. submitted by Nick Marson
Day 4 The competition has just about come to an end.
Congratulations to the winners in each of the four classes at the Nats. Intermediate: Keith Hoard Advanced: Riley Kissenberth Masters: Tony Frackowiak (Tony also won in 2009) FAI: Andrew Jesky (Andrew also won in 2009)
Congratulations to our 2011 World Championship Team: Andrew Jesky (Team Captain) Chip Hyde Jason Shulman Brett Wickizer (Alternate team member) Albert Glenn (Team Manager)
I’m sorry the Nats News letter didn’t give the final FAI scores!
Brett in the Futuba team orange shirt
2011 U.S. Team
Chip Hyde
Andrew Jesky
Jason Shulman
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You must see to believe…... Submitted by Lee Dillenbeck
Page 14 Crosswinds
Verrry C lose ca l l - submitted by Alan Buckner
To read about it….and see the actual video of the crash….
http://gizmodo.com/5595167/a-fighter-jet-pilots-most-terrifying-moment
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/07/23/vo.ca.jet.crash.globalnews?hpt=T2
Fighter jet crash caught on camera….
That man in the top of this photo? That's Captain Brian Bews and he's lucky to be alive. The skilled pilot barely managed to eject before his CF-18 fighter jet crashed during a practice flight
Recently at the Houston Sports Flyers Annual Picnic, there was a two stage rocket demo….you can ride along with it because there was one of the little keychain video cameras attached….
AND if that wasn’t enough for it, next it was strapped to a bomb and dropped mid flight….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37n0qc_iTMk the rocket flight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRIutJSKQm0 bomb drop
What did we do for entertainment before YouTube ???
Hold on to your seat...it’s a bumpy ride - submitted by Nick Marson
Although he didn't say so, I think this guy must be related to my buddy Dmitry. They are both VERY clever Russian guys !!!
Yep, they are very well made indeed. Some of them are electric, but this T-34 1:4 scale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFVmCSn9twA
have gas engine inside (you may see on the video).
Others on the same page…...really amazing !!
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Great Gun , Airplane included….. Submitted by Mike Rose
“The official name of the plane built around this gun is
“A-10 Thunderbolt II.” Its nickname is “Warthog” or simply “Hog.”
It was developed by General Electric, the
“We bring good things to life” people.
It’s one of the modern-day Gatling guns. It shoots very big bullets.
It shoots them very quickly.
Someone said, “Let’s put it in an airplane.”
Someone else said, “Better still, let’s build an airplane around it.”
http://www.juggernuts.com/archives/5669
NavAir Ops in Afghanistan…... Submitted by Vic Baney
Updates from our men and women serving in harm’s way…
“FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNTS OF ADVENTURE AND HISTORY IN THE SKY”
http://tailspinstales.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html
Here’s your P51 Mustang cockpit…... Submitted by Mike Rose
Ever wanted to see the actual cockpit of a P51 Mustang?? well,
here it is in 360° glory….you will find the navigational buttons on
the lower left side…..hit the last button on the right to make it full
screen….WOW!!!
From the 2010 Geneseo Air Show…..
http://www.stclairphoto-imaging.com/360/P51-Mustang/P51_swf.html
More on the P51 ….
http://www.acepilots.com/planes/p51_mustang.html
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C o r n e r A
d
For Sale - OS 120 Gemini twin - New Motor has not been run…$ 375.00
Contact - Mark Mendonca 832 698 1873
For Sale - Hitec HS-5475HB SPECIFICATIONS: Class: Standard Digital: Yes Programmable: Yes Voltage: 4.8v or 6.0v Condition: Excellent. Used in my 69” Yak as a standard throttle servo, so light usage. Street price: $40.24 Asking $20
General Specs: - Bearings: Dual BB - Gears: Karbonite - 60° speed: 0.23 sec @ 4.8v - 60° speed: 0.18 sec @ 6.0v - Torque: 61.00 oz/in @ 4.8v - Torque: 76.00 oz/in @ 6.0v - 1.50 x 0.80 x 1.40 inches
Glow Props Qty 2 - APC 16x6 glow prop. I don’t see any marks so these probably were never used. New price $11. Sell for $6 each or $10 for both.
Qty 1 - Vess 16x6 wood glow prop. Used but excellent condition. New price $14.39. Sell for $7.
Qty 1 - APC 15x4W glow prop. I don’t see any marks so this may have never been used. New price $11. Sell for $6 each
Qty 1 - APC 14x6 glow prop. Again, no marks, but one very slight ding on one end. New price $11. Giving away for free.
Contact - Alan Buckner for these items
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Co
rn
er
Ad For Sale: E-Flight Extra 260 Price $190.00
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL2475
Like new RTF Extra 260. Plane comes basically RTF, all you need is a battery and Spektrum radio. ($119)
Motor: Turnigy SK 35-30 1100 – For more power a second motor – Turnigy 35-36c ($50) 12x6e prop ($3) 40a ESC ($30) UBEC ($8) 3 – HS-65kb ($66) 1 – MG Servo on the rudder ($8) Ar500 Rx ($59)
Also comes with a spare set of wings (minor repair on one wing), cowl (one scratch on it), extra gear, pants, and fuse. The fuse is damaged but the tail and motor box can be used.
The plane flys really nice. Very fast snaps, tumbles, knife edges, waterfalls and all other aero-batic tricks. It floats in nicely on landings and has unlimited vertical. I don’t fly it as much as I like so I’m letting it go. The plane and gear is about 5 months old.
For Sale - DX6i 2.4 Spektrum Radio. Price $ 95.00
Radio is in perfect shape, about 1 year old. It has had the recall check done on it and is fine. Also has upgraded trim tabs and selector tab($40). Fully programmable transmitter with 10 model memory (store 10 planes in the radio). Mode 2 airplane.
Contact Rob Jaskens for items on this page
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C o r n e r A
d Stuff for Sale
Randy Shewmaker 281-300-2899
P-47D Thunderbolt $ 100.00
• Aileron and Elevator control • 33 inch wingspan
• Rigid molded foam – hollow fuselage • Motor and ESC • 2 HS-55 servos - new • All parts required to complete…plane has been started and is probably one evening away
from being flyable.
Futaba T4EXA Radio $ 45.00 • FM - Four Channel
• w/Battery • Less than 1 year old – never used • Channel 59.
This is a Maxford Version 1 plane. Plane was flown several times; successfully. It has never been crashed. Cowl is NOT broken. I'm selling because the wing was stepped on. The fuselage has one JR Sport SM15 and one Hitec HS 85MG servo installed and the pull-pull rudder cables and elevator pushrod are connected and adjusted. The spring loaded tail wheel is attached. The battery hatch is included but not pictured.
Fuselage and cowl for a Maxford RC 40 inch
Gee Bee Model "Y". $40.00
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Please support our local RC Shops…they are vital to our hobby.
For sales, service, technical questions, inquiries and orders.
Contact Blaine @ 832-477-4842
http://www.dietrichaircraft.com/
15727 Cutten Road #907 Houston, TX 77070