Hear Ye!

June, 2005
No. 456

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Bob Sudermann

I have to start out this month with an apology to Al Campana. He was
gracious enough to bring out his newly completed G-Bee at the April meeting
and I forgot to give any mention of it in last month's newsletter. There
are certain people in the club that have set the standard for craftsmanship
pretty high, and Al is one of them. He has raised the bar a bit higher with
this project. The G-Bee has a reputation of being quite difficult to fly
(full scale) and I cannot wait until I have a chance to see Al's version
soar.

In May, Michael Myers brought his newly complete Extra not only to show off
the new craft but also to explain his process of achieving scale lettering.
By using readily available software, Michael manipulated a photo of a
full-scale aircraft and cut the desired lettering out. He adjusted the size
to fit his particular scale and printed an outline version. This was used
as a template to cut the covering material. Using a low-tack tape, he was
able to maintain alignment and spacing while the graphic was placed on the
model. The result looks great and I have seen the Extra fly - Great Job.

June will be the first meeting held at the field and will start at 6:30 PM.
Steve Kolet and Miles Bowman will be talking about sound: what it is, how
we measure it, how we control (minimize) it, and how it affects the VFSS.

Steve Kolet and I had the opportunity to meet the new superintendent of
Valley Forge National Park, Michael Caldwell, at our last meeting on May 6.
We were able to discuss the history of the club, how we operate and our
basic priorities of Safety and Sound. We will be inviting Superintendent
Caldwell to the Fun Fly in June and to one of the upcoming general meetings
so everyone can have an opportunity to meet him.

By the way, among the three of us, we have the Colorado University System
covered quite well. Steve Kolet attended the Air Force Academy,
Superintendent Caldwell the University of Colorado, and I went to Colorado
State. Small World!

Please remember, Thursday is Instruction Night. Any students wanting to get
some extra stick time are welcome. I tend to show up around 5:30 PM.

Safety Topic: Watch the Props - Spinning Props Hurt! - Be deliberate while
starting, operating and especially while removing the glow starter. My
father received 12 stitches in the palm of his hand recently while working
with a pusher aircraft. Be careful.

Remember - Fly Safe and I'll see you at the field.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AVIATOR SAYINGS

Airspeed, altitude, or brains. Two are always needed to successfully
complete the flight.

When a flight is proceeding incredibly well ... something was forgotten.

A smooth landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is
prevarication.

from The Super Glitch
Tulsa Glue Dobbers, Inc.
Mauricio Papa, editor
Broken Arrow OK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DRAGON EYE PROVIDES QUICK, RELIABLE INTEL
Submitted by Al Campana

From www.usmc.mil/
Story by Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2005) -

In 2003, the Marine Corps adopted the smallest functioning unmanned aerial
vehicle called the Dragon Eye, in an effort to minimize friendly casualties
and maximize pre-movement surveillance.

The Dragon Eye is a UAV specifically designed to follow a predetermined
mission into questionable areas to deliver a bird's eye view of its
surroundings with two near-real-time video cameras.

Sergeant William Hartzfeld of Jacksonville, Fla., the Dragon Eye instructor
with Marine Corps System Command, is the sole Dragon Eye instructor in the
Marine Corps. He conducts a five-day course every week on the proper
procedures and techniques to operate to remote controlled surveillance
machines.

The course is offered to any military occupational specialty field, upon the
individual command's discretion.
"A lot of [infantry] units are going through the course," said Hartzfeld.
"Any rank, any [Military Occupational Specialty], any person given the right
training can operate it."

The Dragon Eye system will soon be utilized at a company level, according to
Hartzfeld.

Proper operation of the system takes a two-man team - one man to assemble
the aircraft and one man to get the ground control station up and running.

The GCS - a computer system designed to control and operate the aircraft
from the ground - is a touch screen, laptop computer with wireless satellite
connections, which sends signals to the plane. The operator can view the
video through a pair of goggles connected to the GCS.

There are three interchangeable nose cameras including one for low-light
situations such as dusk and dawn, one for regular daylight and an infrared
nose used for night launches.

One camera is mounted inside the nose of the plane and a second is located
on the left side. While the nose camera can move any direction, the left
camera can only point straight, but delivers an eight-digit grid at the
center point of the video.
Its small size and aerodynamic design allow it to be a hard target while
executing a mission.

The Dragon Eye has been in production for three years, and the Marine Corps
fielded it in two, according to Hartzfeld.
"That's nearly unheard of," Hartzfeld added. "It usually takes things a lot
longer to get fielded, but this was a quick asset."
Solely composed of fiberglass and Kevlar and made of five pieces including a
fuselage, a tail, a nose and two wings, the Dragon Eye is primarily used in
missions to take pictures of supposed improvised explosive device strips and
bunkers on buildings invisible from the ground.

The new UAV continues to be used in Iraq, according to Hartzfeld. "They're
actually using Dragon Eye photos for their [intelligence] briefs now," said
Hartzfeld. "That's how useful this aircraft's work is."

Hartzfeld, though having not deployed, has been training Marines on the
Dragon Eye since May 2004. He spent six months at Twentynine Palms, Calif.,
last summer conducting his course and is scheduled to go there again this
summer.

"Even though I'm not in Iraq, I know the work I'm doing is saving lives over
there," said Hartzfeld.

This UAV can reach speeds of 35 miles-per-hour, altitudes of 1,000 feet and
distances of 10 kilometers. It weighs approximately six pounds fully
assembled and spans wing-to-wing at three feet. Its maximum endurance rate
is approximately 60 minutes, while 45 minutes is nominal.

Overall, the Dragon Eye, having one year as part of the Marine Corps family,
has already proved itself worthy as a "must have" piece of equipment in
Iraq, according to Hartzfeld.

"This machine is definitely going to enhance battlefield capabilities and
the survivability rates all the way up to a company level and maybe even
battalion," said Cpl. Robert Broome, forward scout observer with Company C,
2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and a student of the course
January 10 to 14. "It's a quick peek into the future prior to any attacks."

* * *

Photo caption:

Corporal Robert Broome, a forward scout observer with Company C, 2d Light
Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, assembles the Dragon Eye unmanned aerial
vehicle during a pre-flight functions check at Tactical Landing Zone Falcon
Jan. 12.

Broome participated in the five-day Dragon Eye course with sole instructor
Sgt. Michael Hartzfeld, Jan. 10 through 14, to learn how to properly operate
the remote controlled piece of surveillance equipment.

Photo by: Lance Cpl. Matthew K. Hacker

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE STORY OF THE "NEW" CLUB TRAINER
By Steve Kolet

Last fall, Gene Gifford gave me a couple damaged trainer wings which I was
to repair and use in a "new" club trainer to replace the one I lost last
spring while flying the kids from the charter school. Gene had also given
me a trainer fuselage, which was pretty badly damaged and oil soaked. I was
unable to locate any K2R to try to pull the oil out of the wood, so
rebuilding that fuselage was not possible. In late winter, I repaired the
less damaged of the two wings and started looking at my old stuff. I had a
stab, elevator and rudder from a Top Flite Quik Fli III pattern plane which
I flew in the early 70's. I thought I could make a fin and design a
fuselage incorporating the wing and tail feathers. I designed a fuselage
based on the dimensions of the damaged fuselage. I started to build it from
1/8" lite ply that I had. Vince Judd donated two sheets of 1/8" x 4" x 48"
contest balsa for the decking when I found I was out of 1/8" sheeting.
Harold Harrison donated two Futaba S148 servos to replace two which were
lost in the crash and a Dubro main gear strut. I replaced the battery,
switch, RX crystal, fuel tank, motor mount, steering tiller, pushrods for
elevator and rudder (with new nyrods), nose wheel steering and throttle
pushrods (with new gold-n-rod), wheels, etc. After the crash, I had cleaned
up the club OS .46 engine and test ran it before pickling it for storage
last summer.

I test flew the plane with the club OS 46 engine and trusty club Conquest TX
on April 20th with a funny result. I got out the plane and equipment and
asked the gang at the field to check it over as I had just built it and
wanted to test fly it. Everyone looked at it, said it looked fine, but no
one actually touched it. So I fueled it up, started the engine and range
checked it - ready to fly! Off it went.

I do a little test routine with new planes - basic turns and pitch response
at partial throttle, etc. I then slow down at altitude and stall the plane
to see if it rolls off and check the glide. I then decided to check how
this high-wing airplane will rudder turn. I set up in level flight with
partial power, input rudder, and the plane started to turn. It quickly
stopped yaw rolling, rolled itself wings level, and started to descend
slowly. I could see something did not look right on the plane so I
immediately turned back to the runway set up for landing. When I got it to
the edge of the field and shut down the engine, the rudder was hanging on by
the control horn and pushrod - I had forgotten to CA the hinges. We all
should have caught that and had a good laugh! I was done for the day since
no one had any CA.

I brought it back out on the 22nd after doing the rudder hinges and finished
testing. It flies well - slow and stable on half throttle, but it does roll
off just a bit on a wing when it stalls - easily manageable. The plane is
pretty clean and likes to hold airspeed and float on landing. I repaired the
second wing at the end of April. After a successful day of flying charter
school kids on May 11th, I switched wings and flew the second wing on the
plane with Gene Gifford. We had a great time, and the plane flies well with
either wing. So, if any of the club instructors needs it for a few days, or
if any other member wants to give it a flight, let me know. Thanks to all
of you who donated parts to the "new" club trainer!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TWO VFSS SENIORS TAKE 50+ EXPO BY STORM
By Warren Barrick

Joe "Motor" Pasquini volunteered to represent VFSS at the Chester County 50+
EXPO. He did this mainly because it was in Downingtown and not too far from
the Pasquini manse in Uwchlan Township. He also likes to talk, and this
seemed like a good venue for his verbiage. Instead of driving to the field,
he could be close to home and start talking to all who would listen as early
as 7:30 AM. Some higher authority told Joe that he should not "go it alone"
so Joe asked me if I would bring one of my near scale models to the EXPO,
and then, after he agreed, told me that set-up time was at 7:30 AM.

He then proceeded to give directions to the EXPO as if I were coming from
the east of Downingtown. Fortunately, he also gave me a printout, which
included directions from the south from close to my place of departure.
Guess who arrived at the EXPO first? I introduced myself to one of many
lovely young hostesses who were frantically working to make sure that the
whole affair got started on time. She led me to the two tables that were to
be the VFSS site, and I began to set up my Nieuport 28. Joe arrived a little
later and both of us were pleased to meet our "next-door neighbor," who was
an owner of a dance studio and the chief instructor of the school. Do you
get my drift? We were in pleasant surroundings and just starting to enjoy
ourselves. Joe set up his Telemaster in such a way that interested parties
could peer inside while he flipped the toggles and regaled them with "tales
of the servo." We were at this point armed and dangerous and ready for the
hordes of eager clients to pass our site.

Let me digress and tell you of the make-up of the many vendors at the EXPO.
There were nursing services and undertakers, radio stations and
chiropractors, investment bankers and representatives of the Chester County
Sheriff's office. There were over 200 vendors, and it seemed that the only
hobbyists were Joe and yours truly.

One of the hostesses came to inform us that continental breakfast was being
served in the Pizza shop, and Joe and I zipped right over and loaded up.
After a lovely breakfast that included fresh fruit, we returned to our
tables and the promised horde began to descend. We met many interesting and
interested people and we invited everybody to the field and particularly to
the June fun-fly.

One of the vendors had two Segways, and he instructed us both in their
operation. It was a real hoot to stand on that little platform and ride the
Segway. Steering is controlled by the left hand, and direction is controlled
by leaning forward or backward. Velocity is determined by how far you lean;
your feet have to remain static. I succeeded in doing a figure eight at a
pretty fair rate of speed. Maybe in the future we will all avail ourselves
of this marvelous invention.

We had our blood pressures checked and received coupons from delis and
yardsticks and pens from numerous vendors. The sponsors distributed cold
water to everybody and around noon passed out muffins and doughnuts to us.

WCOJ, which was located nearby, asked if I would like to be interviewed as
part of their live broadcast. I agreed and spent about 12 minutes telling
about the Signal-Seekers and the upcoming fun-fly.

All in all, it was a great day, and Joe and I were really a big attraction.
Our site was centrally located, and we were able to talk to a great many
people. Joe, of course, outdid me on that!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY
By Steve Kolet

BOG Nominations and Election

Nominations for the VFSS Board of governors are being taken until the end of
the August club meeting. We are looking for a mix of new and experienced
members to serve and would like to have at least 15 nominees. We will be
replacing the BOG members whose term ends in December.

Folks, please help your club - serve as a BOG member.

The nominees will be introduced and will present a statement of their
qualifications to the membership at the September meeting. The BOG Election
will take place at the October club meeting. If you are interested in
serving your club as a BOG member, please take a look at the duties of the
BOG in the club bylaws and then inform the club secretary by phone, email or
in person. Please read the club bylaws to familiarize your self with the
nomination requirements.

Field (Safety) Management Guide

All members should review the Field Management Guide. You can read and
download the Field management Guide and VFSS Bylaws from the Club website,
thanks to Doc Myers. If any club member does not have Internet capability,
please see me at the field, a club meeting, or call me and I will get you a
printed copy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CLUB CALENDAR

Tuesday, June 7
BOG Meeting at the Field, 6:30 PM.

Saturday, June 11
Fun Fly starts at 9:00 AM.
Rain date is June 12, also at 9:00 AM.

Tuesday, June 14
General Membership Meeting at the Field, 6:30 PM.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FROM THE AMA NEWSLETTER

Spring fun fly ideas by Dick Soucy

Bomb drop: Pilot puts a bean bag in a 4-ounce cup on top of the aircraft,
takes off, flies two orbits, and then goes inverted and drops the bean bag.
Score is based on how close the drop lands to target. The target is a 5-foot
circle within a 15-foot circle within a runway zone that is 100 feet in
length.

Bean carry: A 4-ounce paper cup is taped to the top of the aircraft right
over the center of gravity. Ten beans are put into the cup. The pilot takes
off, does three loops, and lands. The beans are counted and scored. In the
end, whoever has the most beans wins, with second and third place
accordingly.

Modified pylon: This will need some work, but basically, a two-pole pylon
course is set up. The pilot takes off, from a start/finish line, and begins
an orbit. The time begins as the aircraft passes the start/finish line (once
the pilot is comfortable). The pilot then flies three circuits around the
pylons and lands. Pylon monitors will signal when the aircraft passes the
pylons. Aircraft do not actually have to circuit around the pylons, but must
make the turn after passing the pylons. Time stops when the model passes the
start/finish line after the third circuit. Shortest time wins.

Two-minute flight: This is a timed event. The pilot must take off, fly, and
land within two minutes. Any maneuvers can be performed as long as the pilot
lands in exactly two minutes. Points taken away for time over or under two
minutes.
Climb and glide: Aircraft takes off and climbs for 30 seconds. Pilot shuts
down the engine and verifies by opening throttle. The time begins as the
aircraft glides to a landing. Longest time wins.

Figure eight: This is the same as the modified pylon event but the pilot
must complete three figure eights before landing. Shortest time wins.

from the Atlantic County NJ SkyBlazers,
Egg Harbor Township NJ

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AERO HUMOR
Submitted by Gene Gifford

A DC-10 had come in a little hot and thus had an exceedingly long roll out
after touching down. San Jose Tower noted, "American 751, make a hard right
turn at the end of the runway, if you are able. If you are not able, take
the Guadalupe exit off Highway 101, make a right at the lights and return to
the airport."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FOR SALE

Saito 100, like new, broken in and flown a few times, only a gallon and a
half of fuel through it. In the box, all paperwork. Call Steve
610-630-4580.

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

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