SKYWRITER ONLINE
February, 2001
February MEETING EVENT
Local RCCA rep Darvin Bells will talk about Combat competition and display typical Combat models
Next Meeting Time:
Meeting Program:
- Secretary's report
- Treasurer's report
- Field Director's report
- Old business
- New business
- Show-n-tell
- Darvin Bells from RCCA talks about Combat
Calendar of Events
Feb. 7: 495th R/C Squadron annual Auction.
Auction begins at 7:30 PM. Held at the First Congregational Church in Tewksbury, at the intersection of East Street and Route 38. Entry fee for all who enter; no commission. Raffles and concessions. Auctioneering and entertainment provided by Joe "Lollipop" Ramaci.
Feb. 11: 107th R/C Flyers annual Auction.
Viewing begins at noon; auction begins at 1:00 PM. Held at the VFH Hall on Main Street in Saugus, just west off Route 1. No entry fee. Raffles and concessions. For more info call Al Cohen at (978) 535-4545.
Feb. 23-25: WRAM Show.
March 7: 495th R/C Squadron annual Scale Show.
This event always draws the best projects by the best craftsmen in Scale. Bring your camera and talk to the builders. Assembled by the inimitable Arthur Alfano. Held at the First Congregational Church in Tewksbury, at the intersection of East Street and Route 38.
Free for the Asking
- Old Tektronix oscillosopes (tube type).
- One type 564B, 2 MHz storage scope with 3A72 (650 KHz) dual-trace plug-in and 2B67 time base.
- One type 506 scope with 9A1 dual-trace plug-in and 3B1 time base.
First-come, first-served.
Call Jack Hall at (508) 393-0173.
President's Corner:
Hello, hope everyone's having a good winter. Personally, I've been down
with the flu for the last week. Not having the ambition to go to work or
worse, down to the shop to build airplanes, I've decided to devote this
article to a few random observations:
- The WRAM show - boy, what a great remedy for the winter blues.
If you've never been, you owe it to yourself to go. If you've been,
you know what I'm talking about.
- The NCRCC auction in Vernon Ct.- Even if you don't need anything,
it's fun to go just to see how much or how little stuff goes for.
- The 495th auction - Just a fun night out. This one is, in my opinion,
the best "small" auction around.
- Show and Tell - I'd like to thank the members who are bringing
models in and hope that more members will participate in the future.
(any volunteers for plane-of-the-month for next year?)
- Scale Modelers - Yes, they really will tell you anything that you
need to know if you're interested in getting into scale. These guys
have to be the most helpful group of people in model aviation.
- People who participate regularly in fun fly's are a unique bunch.
Of what, I don't know.
- Finally, don't leave airplane magazines lying around. This is how
my dear wife Valerie found out that I spent slightly more than the
forty dollars I told her I spent for that new OS .91 four-stroke.
This month we're having a presentation on combat flying. I'm really
looking forward to it. Hope to see you there.
by Steve Kelley
Minutes of Meeting January 7, 2001:
Meeting called to order at 7:40 PM.
The Secretary’s reports for the December meetings were accepted as
published in the January newsletter.
The Treasurer’s report for December was accepted as published in
the January newsletter.
Field Director’s Report:
Dennis Cherry reported that the road to the field is packed with snow and ice. The road will not be passable until a melt occurs.
Old Business:
Mike Doucette reported that he selected Middlesex Saving Bank for the club account. The fees are $3.00 per month.
Kevin Schleicher and Jim Dibb were congratulated for their work in setting up the new web site. It is located at http://cmrcm.tripod.com.
New Business:
Volunteers were solicited to run the Fun Flies this year, resulting in the following schedule:
|
DATE
|
CONTEST DIRECTORS
|
| May 6 |
Jack Hall and Phil Metcalf |
| June 3 |
Kevin Schleicher and Jim Dibb |
| July 1 |
Mike Doucette and Peter Feil |
| August 5 |
Mitch Dante and Mike Bortone |
| September 1 |
Steve Kelley and ?? |
| October 7 |
Russ Miller and ?? |
Kevin Schleicher reported that Yellow Aircraft was not interested in making a presentation at one of our meetings.
Kevin Schleicher reported that at next month's meeting the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA) area representative, Darvin Bells, would talk about Class "A" and Class "B" combat. He will have an FW-190, a Corsair, and some kits with him as well.
Jack Buckley announced that he and others are working to have the 2002 New England Scale Masters in Gardner, MA. They will be looking for help in running the meet if they are successful.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting January 7, 2001
Meeting called to order at 8:35 PM.
Mike Doucette informed the board that he needs a copy of our Articles of Incorporation for the new bank. Peter Feil will get a copy from the Secretary of State since we do not seem to have a copy in our records.
A combat event could be added to our schedule of flying events if there is sufficient interest. Next month's meeting may get more members interested.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Treasurer's Report for January, 2001
| Balance as of 12/31/2000 |
958.10 |
| |
| Deposits: |
| |
2001 Membership Dues |
280.00 |
| |
| Withdrawals: |
| |
Printing: January newsletter |
104.78 |
| |
Account maintenance fee |
25.00 |
| Total withdrawals |
129.78 |
| |
| Balance as of 1/31/2001 |
1108.32 |
First Aid Tip
To stop bleeding, use black pepper. It does not burn, stops the bleeding instantly, and helps the wound to heal without scarring. Pepper is a natural anesthetic. Keep some of those fast-food paper packets of pepper in you field box or first-aid kit.
From Smoke Signals,
Joe Di Prima, ed.
775 Magnolia Drive, Franklin Square NY 11010
Aviation Trivia
In 1987, American Airlines saved $40,000 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class.
From Pit Talk, Ron Pierce, ed.
566 E. 300 N., Anderson IN 46012
Modeling Safety in the Workshop
Last month I talked about the fire/explosion hazards of airborne fumes and how to minimize (them). This month I will discuss another fire/explosion hazard.
That hazard is wood dust. That's right, wood dust!
Wood dust, like those piles of balsa dust that we all tend to make, is also extremely explosive. A balsa stick or balsa dust in a pile burns…right? Well, when that pile of dust is floating around in the air it can burn so rapidly that an explosion occurs. If there is enough wood dust suspended in the air, an explosion powerful enough to damage your home or even kill someone could occur.
That is pretty sobering when you consider how many folks routinely reach for a cigarette during their sanding sessions.
An electric sander really adds to the problem by rapidly filling the air in your shop with wood dust.
A shop vac with its nozzle located near the sanding belt or disc can draw this dust away before it becomes airborne.
Yes, this is an extra step and extra noise, but it is also extra safety. That shop vac combined with other housekeeping tools can be used to make your balsa dust factory a healthier and safer place to work.
By Ron Kohler
Tri City RC Berkshier NY
Via R/C Gulls' Tale-Spinner newsletter
Aviation Quotes
"More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost, if you can conceive of such a combination."
-Wilbur Wright
"Aviation is proof, that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible."
-Eddie Rickenbacker
"Flight is the only true new sensation that men have achieved in modern history."
-James Dickey, New York Times Book Review, July 15, 1979
"The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost luggage."
-Mark Russell
"No aircraft ever took and held ground."
-US Marine Corps manual
from the Web site Aviation Quotes