SKYWRITER ONLINE

Summer, 2001
Next Meeting Time: President's Corner:
Hello everybody. Hope everyone's having a good summer with minimum crashes. I have to say that I've seen far fewer incidents this year than in previous years. We're either getting better or flying more conservatively.

So far this year, we've had an excellent gremlin contest with a large turnout, one successful fun fly, and one, unfortunately, rained out. I'd like to thank all those involved in putting on these events.

Our Tuesday night "trainer night" has a few new fliers, but it's also become a good night for sport fliers. I personally find that it's just the thing to break up the week; kind of a mini vacation in the beginning of the week. Come on down and fly or just hang out.

The Scalemasters Qualifier at Gardner airport on June 23 - 24 was another good event (at least on Saturday, I wasn't able to be there Sunday). The only thing that bothered me a bit was the low number of entries. I like to think that this was a result of the questionable weather, and not due to a declining interest in scale competition. These airplanes are truly works of art, and with the usual strong winds, the pilots were certainly put to the test.

Don't forget that we still have fun flys the first Sunday morning of every month through the fall. Hope to see you at the next one.

The three most useless things to a pilot are the altitude above you, the runway behind you, and a tenth of a second ago.
by Steve Kelley

EDITOR'S NOTES
Secretary's and Treasurer's reports for the summer season will be printed in the September newsletter.

Peter Young from the Charles River Radio Controllers extends an invitation to our members to join them at their second Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 5, at the Marlborough Country Club. An excellent opportunity for both clubs to socialize and meet new people.

Radio Frequency Distribution

CMRCM 72Mhz Band Channel Usage

Channel Usage   Channel Usage   Channel Usage
12 6   28 7   44 12
13 2   29 2   45 0
14 4   30 1   46 2
15 1   31 4   47 2
16 9   32 6   48 5
17 3   33 2   49 1
18 5   34 7   50 5
19 1   35 0   51 2
20 2   36 2   52 7
21 2   37 2   53 2
22 5   38 6   54 5
23 2   39 5   55 1
24 6   40 7   56 12
25 3   41 2   57 2
26 7   42 8   58 4
27 1   43 5   59 4

Gremlin Contest Results
The CMRCM Gremlin Contest held on May 20th was well attended by both classes. Many new faces made appearances, and we had 9 contestants in each class. The weather cooperated with a nice day with a slight breeze and we didn't have a midair all day.

Stock class flew 3 rounds, with 3 regular round cuts, and with a flyoff decided by a cut as well. The final standings were as follows:
Ray Mierzejewski First place - 4 points - Won flyoff with a cut
Brian Gawronski Second place - 4 points
Russ Miller Third place - 4 points - unable to flyoff due to damage

Also flying in Stock class were Rene Rusche, Dick Lempicki, Jim Dibb, Dennis Phelan, Joe Lemanski, and Paul Horanzy.

Open class also had 9 entrants and also flew 3 rounds, but saw 7 cuts during the regular rounds, and also had a flyoff determined by a cut. We also saw the appearance of two Predators (only one of which flew in the competition). The final standings were as follows:
Dennis Phelan First place - 8 points - Won flyoff with a cut
Joe Lemanski Second place - 8 points
Kevin Schleicher Third place - 6 points

It took 2 cuts in three rounds to get into the flyoff! Also competing in open class were Jim Reith, Dave Beach, Dick Lempicki, Ed Ellis, Gerry Lempicki, and Brian Gawronski.

On a more humorous note, after I finished my open Gremlin at 11:30 PM the night before, I had to hum the theme song to George of the Jungle all the way home after whacking it into the trees across from the pits while bending the elevator stick in the second round. Fortunately it was a well-used wing, and other than breaking the leading edge in three places, it will fly again.

A good time was had by all, the turnout was good, lots of spectators.
Compiled by Jim Reith
The club and the BOD thanks Jim Reith, Ray Mierzejewski, Rene Rusche, and Mike Doucette for planning, execution, and otherwise helping to keep things running smoothly. - MCD

Annual Club Picnic
Being held Sunday, August 12 at the club field. Rain date Sunday, August 19. Jim and Toni Dibb are doing the BBQ honors this year.

The club requests that those whose last names starting A thru M bring desserts, and N thru Z bring entrees, salads, etc. Sodas will be available.

All should bring their PAF (Personal Air Force) with them for a fun day of hangar flying, real flying, and good food !!

Fun Fly Results
July 1, 2001 Event 1 Event 2 Event 3  
Contestant Name Time Place Score Distance Place Score Time Place Score Total
Phil M :54 2 10 51.25ft 7 5 1:33 2 10 25(1st)
Kevin S 1:26 9 3 25.4ft 4 8 1:02 7 5 16
Jim D 1:19 8 4.5 45.3ft 6 6 1:19 5 7 17.5
Mike D 1:18 6 6 DQ 12 .5 :45 11 1 7.5
Ray M DQ 12 0 23.3ft 3 9 :48 10 2 11
Steve K 2:36 11 1 DQ 12 .5 1:37 1 11 12.5
Russ M 1:43 10 2 61.4ft 8 4 1:05 6 6 12
Norm C 1:19 8 4.5 65.1ft 9 3 1:30 3 9 16.5
Don P 1:11 4 8 1ft 1 11 :42 12 0 19
Peter F 1:16 5 7 29.0ft 5 7 1:28 4 8 22(3rd)
Paul H :51 1 11 80.4ft 10 2 :51 9 3 16
Rene R 1:02 3 9 19.1ft 2 10 :54 8 4 23(2nd)
May 6, 2001 Event 1 Event 2 Event 3  
Contestant Name Distance Place Score Time Place Score Time Place Score Total
Jack Hall 27.5ft 4 3 1:49(R) 5 2 n/a 6 1 6(5th)
Russ Miller 13.7ft 1 6 1:49 2 5 1:11.5 3 4 15(1st)
Don Porter 106.5ft 6 1 0:49(O) 6 1 1:18.9 4 3 5(6th)
Kevin Schleicher 17.7ft 3 4 1:17(O) 4 3 58.5 1 6 13(3rd)
Brian Gawronski 69.8ft 5 2 2:41 1 6 1:20.6 5 2 10(4th)
Jim Dibb n/a 7 0 n/a 7 0 n/a 6 1 1(7th)
Steve Kelley 14.2ft 2 5 1:22(O) 3 4 1:10.1 2 5 14(2nd)

Next fun fly: Sunday, August 5, CD's Mitch Dante and Mike Bortone

APRIL 2001 SHOW-n-TELL
Webmaster Kevin Schleicher showed his new Sirex Wasp, which he built from the plans he showed earlier. The completed craft weighs 3½ lbs with OS 46 motivation. It has only one main wheel, similar to most full-scale gliders. He attached vortex plates to the wingtips using double-sided tape.

President Steve Kelley displayed an Aerocraft Spirit. Many modifications were made during construction, such as: setting it up as a taildragger rather than the specified tricycle; squaring off the wingtips; and using a bolt-on wing instead of rubber bands. Finish is white with red-&-blue starbursts on top, and solid black on bottom.

Webmaster Jim Dibb showed his new Lanier Shrike. Power comes from an OS 46 FX, so at its completed weight of only 3½ lbs, this plane should MOVE. One thing he would do differently if he built another is to not use just one servo for the ailerons.

Young Mitch Buckley brought in his father Jack's new Sig Rascal. It features a Hornet 09 for forward motivation. Jack also made small skis for the plane. The covering on the wings was cut out using vinyl templates which insured that the panels all came out the same. Mitch reports that it is a smooth flier.

Dennis Cherry displayed his new Combat Mustang purchased through an online auction. The plane features a HPI 25 for power. He added carbon fiber strips to the leading edge and spars for added "G" capability. He also had with him a Balsacraft kit of the Grumman Bearcat, which he reports will be a lot of work.

Charlie "Mr. Waco" Nelson showed the bones of his new 1935 Waco YKC-5, which will be finished to match the craft owned by the president of the National Waco Club. He will use the Stitz finishing system as he has in the past. The completed craft will feature working landing lights and a scale prop for display. The landing gear needed different construction techniques than those used for his YKS-7F and other models.

(Editors Note: Pictures from this meeting can be seen in the May 2001 online newsletter)

May 2001 Static Show
This year, president Steve Kelley brought two airplanes with him, but this time he had company! Eight other club craftsmen brought in their winter projects, for a total of 10 flying machines.

Judging this year was done as usual by those present at the meeting, but in only one category: Audience Choice. Each builder got up and talked for a bit about his project: what he liked, didn't like, or would do differently if he built it again, or anything else he thought we'd like to know, before the vote.

The exhibited airplanes were:

Russell Miller, 8-Ball Special (first place)
Ed Omiccioli, Sig Somethin' Extra (second place)

Peter Feil, Sig Somethin' Extra (third place)
Mike Doucette, scratch-built electric twin

Arthur Gendron, Balsa USA Cub 1/4-scale
Bill Rebh, Sig Kadet MKII (taildragger)

Jim Dibb, Lanier Shrike
Balsacraft Spitfire
Steve Kelley, Goldberg Eagle II
Sig Scamp

Shop Stuff and Hangar Hints
Compiled by Mike Doucette
Sticky Situation by Dave Price
I got this hint many years back from Tom Durham. To epoxy hinges in place: flatten a plastic straw, mix your epoxy with a bit of alcohol, dip the straw into the epoxy and hold the other end with your finger, insert the straw into the hinge slot and blow into the straw. This will place the epoxy all the way into the slot. Insert the hinge and let the epoxy dry, then do the other end. I have used this technique for several years and never had a hinge come out.

From Plane Talk
Lexington Model Airplane Club
Gerry Wagner, editor
CMRCM 2001 Phone List
Omitted from Online Newsletter to protect Members privacy. Consult a CMRCM board member if you need this list.

Field Emergency Information
If you have a cell phone dial the Westboro Fire Dept. at (508) 366-3040 and tell the operator that you are on the Fish and Game property at Rice Lane in Westboro, MA, and explain your problem. They will respond ASAP with an ambulance and administer First Aid on the spot and/or take you to an emergency room of your choice.

If no cell phone is available, and it is during weekday business hours, go to Fish and Game Headquarters at the top of the hill and ask for help.

As a last resort, drive directly to the Westboro Fire Dept. which is south on Route 135 about 2 miles on the right.

Your Health: Insect Bites


Spring is here and summer is coming. Everybody wants to be out at the field, including all kinds of potentially dangerous insects. Chances are that every time you are at the field, you will get bitten by insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, or even wasps. For most of us, being bitten or stung means pain and discomfort, generally lasting only a few hours. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, and itching at the site of the sting. However, some people are allergic to insect stings. Transient, localized hives are more of a nuisance than a serious problem. Occasionally a severe skin infection develops and needs to be examined further. Allergies are also a problem. Allergies can involve not only the skin, but also the airway. What's the difference between a bite and a sting? The differences are due to the nature of the bite or sting. Venomous insects attack as a defense mechanism, injecting painful, toxic venom through their stingers to punish you so you'll stay away next time. Nonvenomous insects bite and usually inject anti-coagulant saliva in order to feed on your blood. Although local irritation and "allergic" reactions do occur from nonvenomous bites, severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock only happen from venom stings.

Facts on stinging insects
  1. The majority of insect stings in the U.S. come from yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, bees, and fire ants. These insects occur throughout the United States except fire ants which are found only in the Southeastern states.
  2. More than 2 million Americans are allergic to stinging insects.
  3. More than 500,000 people enter hospital emergency rooms every year suffering from insect stings and 40-150 people die as a result of an allergic reaction to these stings.
  4. An allergic reaction to an insect sting can occur immediately, within minutes, or even hours after the sting (although never more than 24 hours). Such a reaction is characterized by hives, itchiness, and swelling in areas other than the sting site, difficulty in breathing, dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure, nausea, cramps or diarrhea, unconsciousness, and cardiac arrest.
  5. Patients who have experienced a systemic allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar (or worse) reaction if stung again.
  6. An allergic reaction in progress can be stopped with epinephrine, either self-injected or administered by a doctor. People who carry these sting kits must keep them close at hand wherever they go and remember that one dose is not always enough to stop a reaction. If you are stung, seek medical attention immediately.
  7. A person suffering from insect sting allergy can have this condition treated with venom immunotherapy (VIT), a 97% effective desensitization therapy administered by an allergist.
  8. Stinging insects are most active during the summer and early fall when nest populations can exceed 60,000 insects.
  9. These insects are most dangerous in the vicinity of their nests. A passerby is viewed as a threat to the safety of their home and is often chased out of the area by a sting(s).
  10. Yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps can sting repeatedly. Honeybees have barbed stingers which are left behind in their victims' skin. These stingers are best removed by a scraping action rather than a pulling motion which actually squeezes more venom into the skin.
  11. Stinging insects are especially attracted to sweet fragrances (perfumes, colognes, and hair sprays), picnic food, open soda and beer containers, and garbage areas. Avoiding these attractants will lessen a person's chance of being stung.
  12. One in every 250 people is highly allergic to insect stings. More people die from insect allergies than from snake bites.

Symptoms of severe reactions
For a small number of people with severe venom allergy, stings may be life-threatening. Severe allergic reactions to insect stings can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly. This reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include itching and hives over large areas of the body, swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea. In severe cases, a rapid fall in blood pressure may result in shock and loss of consciousness. (continued) Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, and may be fatal. If you or anyone else experiences any of these symptoms after an insect sting, obtain emergency medical treatment immediately. After your symptoms are treated in the emergency room, you should also obtain referral to an allergist to learn about treatment options.

Treating stings
If you are stung by a honeybee that has left its stinger (and attached venom sac) in your skin, remove the stinger within 30 seconds to avoid receiving more venom. A quick scrape of a fingernail removes the stinger and sac. Avoid squeezing the sac-this forces more venom through the stinger and into the skin. Hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets do not usually leave their stingers. Try to remain calm, and brush these insects from the skin promptly, with deliberate movements to prevent additional stings. Then, quietly and immediately leave the area. If you are stung by fire ants, carefully brush them off to prevent repeated stings and leave the area. Fire ant stings cause a reaction in almost all their victims. An itchy, localized hive at the sting site forms and then usually subsides within 30 to 60 minutes. Within four hours, a small blister forms at the site of each sting; a sterile sore with pus forms in eight to 24 hours. This sore then ruptures and scars in 48 to 72 hours. Stings must be monitored for secondary bacterial infection. Diabetics and others with circulatory disorders, including varicose veins and phlebitis, can be particularly at risk for complications, and should see a physician to monitor their condition after being stung. Up to 50% of patients develop large local reactions at the site of fire ant stings. Swelling may last for several days and may be accompanied by itching, redness, and pain. Taking the following steps can help in treating local reactions to insect stings: If you are severely insect-allergic and have had prior reactions, try to avoid being outdoors alone in insect weather in case you require prompt emergency treatment. Carry an auto-injectable epinephrine (adrenalin) device, a short-term treatment for severe allergic reactions. Learn how to self-administer the epinephrine according to your allergist's instructions. Remember that injectable epinephrine is rescue medication only, and you must still have someone take you to an emergency room immediately if you are stung. Additional medical treatment may be necessary. Those with severe allergies may want to consider wearing a special bracelet or necklace that identifies the wearer as having severe allergies and supplies other important medical information. If you have had anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) following an insect bite, carry an anaphylaxis kit.

Avoiding stinging insects Avoiding mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks Information on stinging and biting insects on the Net:

Facts on stinging insects:
http://allergy.mcg.edu/ALK/fact.html

Insect bites:
www.drpaula.com/topics/insectbites.asp
from The Super Glitch
Renato Sanchez, editor
Tulsa Glue Dobbers
Tulsa OK