Hear Ye!

January, 2002
No. 416

From the President,
Warren Barrick

Happy New Year!!

I hope that 2002 proves to be a happy, healthy one for all of you. Needless
to say I hope we can in some way find peace.
Notice elsewhere in this edition the nominees for 2001 VFSS Awards and the
thumbnail sketches which accompany them. Please come to the January
membership meeting and vote for your choice. The winners will be announced
at the Awards Banquet on February 12, 2002.

As in the past, the banquet will be held at Camelot in Bridgeport, PA. Plan
to attend and enjoy an evening of good food and camaraderie with other
members of the club and their wives and sweethearts. A tear-off is included
in this issue. Fill it out and send payment to Carl Sutton as instructed on
the tear-off. Deadline for reservations is February 1, 2002!

There will be many awards presented besides the ones already mentioned. Who
will win the "No fly zone" award? Who will win the "Sortie" award? Ron
Strobel will present and sell new editions of his video of VFSS activities.
Come out and see. A good time is guaranteed.

February business will be conducted at the banquet. There will be no meeting
at the church.
The March general membership meeting is the last time you can renew your
membership without penalty. The theme for the evening will be "Flight
Instruction." As usual, we will also have our Show-n-Tell and monthly
Raffle.

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A SPECIAL THANKS

Jim Jamison and Herb Hellings contributed airplanes and equipment to our
first VFSS Flea Market that amounted to $418 in proceeds from the gifts.
Thanks, Jim and Herb, for your kind and generous gifts. Thanks also to Joe
Weizer, Walt Pierzchala and Dee Messina for handling the sales.

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GENE'S JET
by Al Campana

Several years ago a Frenchman designed and fabricated a small jet turbine
engine. He later installed this experimental engine in a radio controlled
airplane model and successfully flew it. And so the jet turbine phase of
R/C modeling was born.

Fast-forward to 2001 and we have a club member, Gene Greatti, fascinated by
this new method of propulsion. Gene's background as a former Air Force jet
pilot and present day "job" as Captain with Northwest Airlines certainly
fueled his desire to fly a turbine powered model. Late this summer Gene had
a model ready to fly, and several club members at our field witnessed his
first flight, which ended successfully.

On Tuesday night Gene was our featured speaker at our monthly meeting. He
brought his model that he described as a Sport Jet. The kit, called "Hot
Spot" was manufactured in Germany. It has obechi-sheeted foam wings that
were fiberglassed. The fuselage is molded fiberglass and looks a little
like an F-14 Tomcat with the wings folded. Gene's model is equipped with
high-tech Robart retracts, wheel brakes and a speed brake that extends from
the fuselage top.

According to Gene, there are four manufacturers of jet turbine engines. His
engine, a Jet Cat P-80, is one of the newest designs and has a fully
self-contained, on-board starting system. It uses propane to start, then
runs on kerosene. The engine features an electronic control unit (ECU) that
monitors engine speed, temperature, etc. Engine RPM at full throttle is
117,000 and it "idles" at 35,000 RPM. It is rated at 17 pounds of thrust at
full throttle. The engine uses fuel at the rate of 8 ounces a minute and
the plane is fitted with an 84-ounce fuel tank. Good thing the fuel is
cheap!

Gene mentioned you do not need a license to fly a jet turbine model, but if
you want to fly at an AMA field and be covered by AMA insurance, you must
have an AMA Turbine Waiver. In order to obtain the Waiver you must:
1. Have ground training on your specific engine,
2. Pass a technical test,
3. Log at least 50 flights on a fast aircraft designed to fly at least 150
MPH,
4. Be signed off by 2 AMA Contest Directors, one of whom is Turbine
Certified.

According to Gene, the two most popular questions he is asked are:
a) How fast does it go? (About 180MPH at full bore) and
b) How much does it cost? (Total cost about $4500).

After the meeting, Gene took the aircraft outside and demonstrated the
start-up procedure and actual running of the turbine. The engine exhaust
was spectacular at night!

Gene says the plane is a real pussycat, very stable and a pleasure to fly.
As one who has seen him fly the model, I can also add that it's a pleasure
to watch. Thanks Gene, for an interesting insight on jet powered model
aircraft.

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RX "ON" INDICATOR

Fliers of gliders, helicopters, power planes, car drivers, and boat users,
where the Rx switch is not easily seen or even inside a hatch, etc., there
is a great flashing LED available from Radio Shack that will tell you if
your radio is on.

The LED can be connected directly to any spare receiver servo outlet, or
even used with a "Y" lead. Anytime you have the Rx turned on, this little
device will flash and is available in red, green, or white. This LED
requires no additional resistors for a 4 or 5-cell battery pack.

It has a negligible power drain on the battery. Connect it up with an old
servo lead. (Do not use the signal lead, usually white or orange, as sketch
shows.) If you connect the polarity the wrong way, nothing happens because
it is a diode. Just resolder and reverse the connections. It is always a
good idea to insulate the solder joints.

An inexpensive plastic LED-mount can be used to install the LED anywhere you
want on the plane. Scale guys might want to put them in the wing or
instrument panel. Glider folks will want to put them in fuselage, in plain
sight of the launcher. A good visual confirmation that the radio is "on,"
just before a winch launch, will save many a model. It will also help
prevent the problem of leaving the Rx switches on, as well.

Submitted by Eric Henderson, Hopkinton, Massachusetts.
Forwarded by Rom Boutin.

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VFSS AWARD NOMINEES

DOUG DAVIDSON AWARD

ALEX PRIMAS - Alex is a former Treasurer, recipient of a Technical
Achievement Award, and BOG member. Alex has long supplied dessert for fun
flies and has been a true gentleman at the field. Nominated by Warren
Barrick.

DEE MESSINA - Secretary of VFSS for more than 4 years, instructor,
"war-bird" specialist, proponent of flea market idea. Nominated by Paul
Davis.

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TONY SZCZUR - Tony is an electronics wizard who keeps the buddy boxes in
shape, has his own business, ZZ Enterprises, which specializes in devices to
aid R/C aviation, repairs Gwen's models. Nominated by Gwen Szczur.

GENE "GINO" GREATTI - Gino is the proud owner of VFSS first
turbine-powered aircraft. An expert flier, he is knowledgeable and
accessible about most aspects of R/C aviation. Nominated by Pat Taggart.

RUSS O'BRIEN - Russ is the consummate tinkerer, a BOG member, innovator of
custom-crafted exhaust systems, a frequent Show-n-Tell contributor.
Nominated by Walt Pierzchala.

FRANK MORRIS - Deceased expert scratch builder of R/C models, a gentleman
at all times, designed and built own 5-cylinder 4-stroke engine. Many
members fly models crafted by Frankie. Nominated by Warren Barrick.

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VFSS Awards Banquet Reply Form

I, _________________________________________________ ,
will attend VFSS Awards Banquet on February 12, 2002, at Camelot in
Bridgeport, PA. I will/will not bring a guest.

Enclosed is my check/money order for ____________ ($7.50 per person).

Send to: Carl Sutton (Treas.)

Reservations and money must be received by February 1, 2002.

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VFSS BOG MEETING
Submitted by Dee Messina, Secretary

December 4, 2001
20 members present, 1 new member present

OLD BUSINESS

Item 1 - Park flyer topic continues to be discussed as to possible
interference conditions. No real conclusions as yet.

NEW BUSINESS

Item 1 - Flea Market netted $318 for the club treasury. Will be under
discussion for next year.

Item 2 - Our budget ran slightly over from year 2000. We are still very
solvent, and the BOG will adjust for next year.

Item 3 - Funds allotted for mower maintenance approved at $200.

Item 4 - Club Awards Banquet will be held February 12, 2002. The Banquet
Committee, consisting of Al Campana, Carl Sutton, and Pat Taggart, are
making arrangements. More information will follow.

Item 5 - Some fractured comments about new headings for our Doug Davidson
and Technical Achievement awards. The talks ended with everything remaining
the same. Rick Bruce commented about posting more information about the
nominees to the website.

A large thank-you goes to outgoing BOG members. This will conclude BOG
business for year 2001.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
by Joe Pasquini

We should remember at the end of each year to thank all the people who hold
any position in our club. These volunteers keep our club running.

I especially want to thank all instructors and associates who offered their
time, experience and patience to teach new members.

I hope all volunteers will be back in 2002, and any new volunteers will be
gratefully accepted. Thank you so much. \

LATEST SOLOED STUDENTS

Student - Instructor
John Myers - Bud Klopp
Dan Zirolli - Joe Pasquini

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JANUARY RAFFLE
by Joe Yalove

The following tools will be included in the January 2002 club raffle:

1. Ryobi 6-volt battery-operated drill. Great for hobby work. Includes a
28-piece bit set.

2. 3P-inch bench vise. Attaches to your bench top with a couple of screws.

3. 53-piece socket set which includes 6 open end wrenches, a screwdriver
handle with 4 magnetic screwdriver bits in the most popular sizes, a
quick-release ratchet handle, extensions, and 35 socket heads - metric and
SAE - and a leather case.

4. Pocket-sized multimeter, including a case and 17-inch leads that wrap
around the case for storage.

5. A 5-piece mini pliers set in a nice leather case - essential for working
in tight situations.

6. Black and Decker Workmate. This is a great tool for holding a plane
while under construction. You have the ability to walk around the unit,
which you don't have in most workbench situations. The top is also an
adjustable vise.

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CLUB CALENDAR

Thursday, January 3rd -
BOG meeting at the church at 7:00 P.M. Banquet, budget for 2002, and new
business.

Tuesday, January 8th -
General membership meeting at church at 8:00 P.M. Speaker - William J.
Fili, a WWII Veteran and participant in 34 combat missions. Election for
Awards recipients. Show-N-Tell. Raffle

Friday, February 1st -
Reservations and money due for Awards Banquet.

Tuesday, February 12th -
Awards Banquet - Camelot, 425 Mill Street, Bridgeport, PA, 6:30 PM to 10:30
PM. Video presentation by Ron Strobel. Presentation of awards. Cost is
$15.00 per couple and $7.50 for singles. No general meeting at church.

Tuesday, March 12th -
General membership meeting at church at 8:00 PM. Instruction night - sign
up for instruction, meet your instructor. Learn what is needed to "solo."
Show-N-Tell. Raffle. Membership renewal deadline.

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NEW BOARD OF GOVERNORS

B.O.G. Term expires end of 2002

Warren Barrick, President
Rick Bruce
Al Campana, Special Events Coordinator
Jim Campana
Mario Chiarolanza
Dennis DiBonaventura
Bob Dolan
Mike Estock, Field Marshal
Dee Messina, Secretary
John Matt
Jim Myers
Russ O'Brien
Joe Pasquini, Chief Instruc., Fixed Wing
Ed Snead, Field Marshal
Carl Sutton

B.O.G. Term expires end of 2003

Frank Butta
Tris Colket, Field Marshal
Rudy Forst, Membership Chairman
Nathan Marks, Chief Field Marshal
Alex Primas
Bob Sudermann
Pat Taggart, Vice President
Steve Trabosh
Joe Varallo
John Williamson

OTHER CLUB FUNCTIONS

Rom Boutin, Field Marshal
Tom Greet, Sailplane Instructor
Gerry Keenan, Field Marshal
Mel Jones, Chief Instruct., Helicopter
Walt Pierzchala, Sunshine Chairman
Art Rothstein, Field Marshal
Joe Yalove, Raffle Chairman
Marilyn Ayres, Newsletter Editor

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ADDRESS CHANGE?

Contact Rudy Forst, Membership Chairman, at rkforst@msn.com.

Feedback or comments to: Marilyn Ayres , HearYe editor
Michael Myers, Webmaster

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