From the President
By Warren Barrick
May Meeting
Our meeting in the park was a prime example of
where our Spring flying season has flown. It's "blowing in
the wind." What a rotten time for model aviation in our
locale. Any success this year has only been achieved with
plenty of power and a symmetrical airfoil. It's really not
high wing, trainer, flat bottom wing time.
Thanks to all who braved the wind chill factor to attend the meeting. As a result, our June meeting in the park has been given a new format. We will not have a speaker as originally planned. Instead, we will have a brief training/orientation presentation, some announcements and an open flying session for members.
Fixed Wing Fun Fly
Our first Fun Fly of 1997 will be on
Saturday June 28th 1997. We will have some surprises, food
and lots of fun. Plan to attend! Rain date will be Sunday
June 29th 1997.
V.F.S.S. Annual Auction
Will be November 1st, 1997. More
details will follow in due time.
Angel Flight
V.F.S.S. supports Angel Flight! Vintage
Aircraft Day at Wings Field will be in early September.
V.F.S.S., as last year, plans to participate. Al Campana
will coordinate this event. Look for more announcements
about this in the future.
The BOG has organized and budgeted for a Youth Education department within V.F.S.S. This department will plan and facilitate ALL contacts with youth groups, schools, and young people's organizations to facilitate their introduction to model aviation. Joe Weizer will chair this department assisted by Charley Swope and Walt Pierzchala. Volunteers will be needed on June 6th at 9:00 A.M. to assist a group from the Hopkinson School in Philadelphia. These children built Delta Darts and gliders previously under our club's supervision. They are coming to our field for an R/C experience. Please contact Joe Weizer and come out to help/participate. You will have a positive experience!
Change of Sunday Flying Hours
The BOG at its May meeting
proposed, discussed and voted to change our Sunday flying
hours. As of Sunday June 15th 1997, flying time for
sailplanes will terminate at 1:00 P.M. Daylight Savings Time.
The BOG rescinds its previous action to lengthen sailplane
flying time to 2:00 P.M. Daylight.
The BOG will not meet in June.
B.O.G. Review
By Sam Andreas, Secretary
The May meeting of the V.F.S.S. Board of Governors was
called to order at 6:30 on Tuesday, May 20th. This months
meeting was held at the flying field instead of the church
board room. Present were: The President, Treasurer, Secretary
and 15 board members.
Topics discussed were as follows:
1- It was decided that the raindate for our June 28th fun fly will be the 29th.
2- The new canopy which the club purchased last year will be erected for the fun fly.
3- The annual club auction will be held on the first Saturday in November.
4- The club will once again participate in the fundraiser for Angel Flight at Wings Field. Al Campana has agreed to once more chair the event.
5- The board decided to form a Youth Education department to handle club interaction with local schools. This will provide a means of introducing youngsters to the rewarding hobby of model aviation. An operating budget of $150 was allocated to this department for supplies. Joe Weiser will chair the department assisted by Charlie Swope and Walter Pierzchala.
6- Rom Boutin informed to board that Joe Pasquini is now an Instructor and Mike Estock is an Associate Instructor.
7- The June General Meeting will be held at the field.
8- Effective the second Sunday in June, Powered aircraft will be permitted begin flying at 1:00 on Sundays throughout the year.
9- Treasurers Report
10-The club will print 150 member directories.
11-We will purchase 36 badge holders which the Chief Instructor will give to new members.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25.
June General Meeting
The meeting will be held at the field on Tuesday, June 10th at 6:30. If its raining we will meet at the Church at 8:00. At this months meeting we will provide an opportunity for new flyers/members to have their planes checked out and test flown ( weather permitting ) and obtain some valuable tips on flying in general.
TRAINING PROGRAM
by Rom Boutin
As of 5/24/97 we have added two ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTORS to the existing staff. In addition to Ed Moore and Jim Holder we welcome Mike Estock and Mike Weiser to the Training Staff. ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTORS are very proficient R/C Pilots but do not desire to have students assigned to them but desire to offer help to students if their instructor is busy or not available. In addition to the addition of 2 Associates we have also added Joe Pasquini to our INSTRUCTOR STAFF. Congratulations guy's and prepare to have a busy flying season ( weather permitting).
Fixed Wing Fun Fly
The club will have its first Fun-Fly of the 1997 season on Saturday, June 28th. There will be food and refreshments for club members and plenty of surprises. Bring a plane (or several), a chair and an appetite. Expect to have a fun day. In the event of foul weather, the fun-fly will be held on the 29th.
Changing a Minus to a Plus
Nylon Wing Hold-down Screws
By Russ O'Brien
During the production of a TV satellite for the Japanese government, it was noted that some Japanese engineers referred to a Phillips screwdriver as a "Plus" and the one for slotted screws as a "Minus". I have seen R/C New Year's resolutions containing the vow not to use slotted screws anywhere on an airplane. Slotted screws are annoying because nothing keeps the screwdriver centered and a model is easily marred when the screwdriver slips off. The Phillips, or Plus-type has many advantages such as; 1)screwdriver stays centered, 2)screwdriver tip is always within 1/4 turn of engaging with the screw, 3)screw will stay on the tip of the screwdriver as long as it is pointed within about 60 degrees of vertical, 4)while holding the screwdriver, the index finger can hold the screw against the tip while starting the screw in any orientation - up, down or horizontal, 5) pressure can be applied to penetrate wood to get the screw started, 6)a screw in an awkward location can be driven in or out with no problems, even when it can't be seen, 7)a Plus screw can be driven by a Minus screwdriver in an emergency.
The above leads to the purpose of this topic. Nylon wing
hold-down screws are mass produced with slotted heads. If
there are any with Phillips drive they are a well kept
secret. After some trials with hack saws and milling machine
set-ups, it occurred to me that a hot Phillips drive tip
would melt the nylon and leave a perfect replica of itself
without weakening the head. Using a #2 Phillips tip from a
hardware store, a lathe for accurate centering, and a propane
torch, a slotted nylon screw was gripped gently in the self-
centering lathe chuck, leaving only the head exposed. The
Phillips #2 tip was gripped by the drill chuck in the tail
stock. The screwdriver tip was heated for about 3 seconds
and the hot tip was advanced into the nylon screw head. It
was found that it is best to let the parts cool down before
separating to the hot steel tip. It was learned that if the
tip is too hot, the nylon smokes and the imprint is
blackened. If the tip is not hot enough, it will not sink
into the nylon.
A lathe is not necessary; the same operation can be done on a
drill press for accurate centering. Clamp a short 2 x 3 to
the table and drill a 1/4" hole. Drop a 1/4-20 nylon screw
into the hole. Grip a #2 Phillips tip in the chuck, leaving
the tip protruding as far as possible to prevent excessive
heat from being drawn into the chuck. Heat the tip and lower
it on the nylon head, and set the depth stop. If you have a
1/4-20 steel screw with a Phillips drive head, use it in the
wood fixture to set the depth.
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