Hear Ye!

May, 2001
No. 408

From the President,
Warren Barrick

Our April meeting at the church featured Bruno Cavallo, a member of AIAA,
who came to share with us his expertise on German aircraft development
during the 1930's and World War II.

By using an extensive collection of three view transparencies, an overhead
projector, and a video presentation, he led us through a fascinating array
of airplanes and a turbulent period of history. Jets, rocket-powered and
multi-engined aircraft were all shown graphically, and Bruno had spirited
anecdotes about each planform as it was developed, tested, and either put
into combat during the war or abandoned.

The types of aircraft discussed included fighters, interceptors, bombers and
transport planes. Bruno also showed us many different and radical airplane
configurations such as swept wing aircraft, twin-engine planes with one
engine "pulling" and the other "pushing," and planes with no landing gear.
It was an enlightening experience and we are thankful to Bruno and AIAA for
making his appearance possible.

Show-n-Tell was, as usual, an example of VFSS membership at its best.

Rob Caso and Bill Sunick displayed 1/12 scale P-47s that were immaculately
constructed. Rob explained how Bill provided the wings and he drew
fiberglass molds for the fuselages, a real cooperative effort. Both were
silver and had great scale markings. Seems a shame to use such gorgeous
aircraft for combat flight. Thanks fellas, and good luck.

William Doucet of TurnKey R/C displayed his new CAD designed plans and kit
of an advanced version of the Fiesler-Storch aircraft. Everything looked
good; we wish Bill well with this ambitious endeavor.

Art Rothstein, who also doubles as one of our safety officers, showed his
nearly complete warbird, a Top-Flite P-40 Warhawk. Art's efforts also
display fine workmanship and a sincere love of the activity of building a
great looking-aircraft. Nice job, Art.

Our May meeting will feature Gene "Geno" Greatti and some surprises from one
of our practitioners of electric flight, Pat Taggart.

No formal meetings are planned for June, July or August, so all gatherings
will be at the field. There will be announcements, instruction, sound checks
and safety demos but mostly flying for fun at the best R/C facility on the
East Coast!

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FLYING NOTE

As in the past, the VFSS Flying Field will be available only to the Glider
Members for their use on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM while daylight
savings time is in effect. Your cooperation is appreciated.

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OFFICERS MEET WITH PARK SUPERINTENDENT

VFSS Officers met with Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent,
Arthur Stewart, and Assistant to the Chief Ranger, Dave Borzick.

Winberie's Cafe on Route 252 was the setting as club officers Warren
Barrick, Dennis DiBonaventura, Carl Sutton,and Dee Messina met over lunch to
converse with the superintendent and to inform him of the slight changes to
this year's program in the park. We informed him of our plans for the AIAA
fun-fly, which is a departure in that it will be our third event of the
season, one more than last year. We also discussed our wishes to have a Park
Appreciation Day on September 15th. We told him that we wanted to feed the
Park personnel who would be able to attend and to make buddy boxes available
for children and wives as well as interested employees of the park.

Superintendent Stewart expressed a keen interest in our educational efforts
with school groups and was pleased when we informed him that we are
constantly trying to increase our activities in that area. He is pleased
that we are policing our activities and are striving also to improve our
safety and sound procedures. We assured him that our goals are high and that
we aim to keep them that way.

He informed us that the perpetrator of the recent vandalism at the field
would be made to pay for all damages which occurred when the field was
"turfed" and that the VFSS would be reimbursed for any costs incurred:
labor, equipment and supplies. We are most appreciative of the Park's action
and their vigilance in apprehending the suspect.

All in all, we had a very pleasant conversation, and we are most thankful
that we have Arthur Stewart as Superintendent.

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NOISE
By Art Rothstein, Field Marshal

After I had a few shakedown flights on my new Bridi, Killer Chaos, I decided
it was time to have the plane sound checked. The engine was now running at
its peak, best RPM, and full lean. The OS .61FX out of the box with a stock
muffler running at top RPM had an average of 92 dbA. It was obvious from
just listening to it that it was well within legal limits.

After I came back from the sound check site, someone asked me if I'd had the
plane sound checked. Duh. I had, of course; it passed, and I had my
sticker. The person who asked the question has been in the club at least 3
to 4 years. He told me he never bothered to have his planes checked; he
knew they were okay, as he only used four strokes. Try telling a PA State
Trooper that you don't have an inspection sticker because you know your car
will pass.... I don't think so.

I decided to ask around to see how many people had the impression that if
you only have a .40 or a four-stroke you don't have to have the plane sound
checked. Guess what - almost everyone thought so!! I asked every
instructor I could find that day if their students, most of whom fly ARF's
with .40 engines, had their planes checked. To a person, not one had the
students' planes checked.

It is a club rule that all planes will be sound certified and have a
muffler. Whether it has an .049 or a Ford V8, it must pass a sound check and
be stickered. No exceptions! This is posted on the park bulletin board,
and I believe everyone was given a copy.

Any one in the club has the right to see your sound certificate. If you
don' t have one, you're busted. You can't fly that plane until you get one.

Remember: when in doubt - don't.

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FIELD MARSHAL'S REPORT
By Nathan Marks

Hey guys, it's time to practice safe "SECS" at the field!

As a new flying season approaches, and we head out to the field with hearts
a flutter, thoughts of stellar take offs, dazzling aerobatics, and
picture-perfect landings, and imagine the distinctive smell from the exhaust
of our revving engines, we will need to pause in order to think about
practicing safe "secs."

Yes, I said safe "SECS."

Safety - Must be a principal concern for all members. We need to use good
common sense to insure that we do not injure ourselves, fellow members, or
spectators. Look over the Club's Safety Management Guide or check with a
field marshal if you have questions.

Enjoyment - It's a cardinal rule that we enjoy ourselves when flying at the
field. There are no exceptions!

Camaraderie - This if what VFSS is about! We fly, we talk, we laugh, have
fun, show respect for one another.

Support - We lend support, learn from each other, and, we abide by those few
rules that ensure the future viability of our club.

I'd like to wish you a great, fun-filled, safe, season. You can't miss with
safe "SECS."

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SPRING PREPARATION

Welcome sweet Springtime!! Although it is rainy and temperatures have not
peaked at the time of this writing, I sense Spring in the air and "in the
air" is where we all most want to be. It's time to get this building and/or
assembling behind us.

The field is in excellent shape! Thanks to Dennis Di Bonaventura and his
long list of willing volunteers the field has been rolled, the barrels
freshly painted, and the roof of the bulletin board repaired with new
split-cedar shakes provided by the park administration.

We are in need of mower operators for the upcoming season. During
reasonably moist times the field has to be cut about every 5 days. Please
contact Dennis if you can make yourself available to help us out. We need
all the help we get. It is therapeutic to be in the park early in the
morning with all the wildlife and beautiful scenery to yourself. Try it;
you will like it!

As we prepare for our flying season and the numerous events which are
planned, let's all take time to reflect upon being a good citizen at the
field as well as improving our flying skills. First and foremost, treat
your fellow club members and visitors as you would like to be treated.
Second, obey the flight restrictions as to boundaries and flight safety. Be
courteous and use that most uncommon of things, common sense.

Nathan Marks has been appointed Chief Field Marshal. He plans to meet with
the other field marshal to clarify the club's agenda and to aid in conflict
resolution. We welcome him and anticipate a long and productive tenure for
him.

When the field is crowded, and always on Saturday and Sunday, make sure that
the ropes are up and the boundary is established. Safety first!

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BOARD of GOVERNORS MINUTES

Tuesday, April 3, 2001

Submitted by Dee Messina, Secretary

Twenty-one members were present.
The meeting was opened 7:10 by President Barrick.

Old Business

1. Nathan Marks was appointed as Chief Field Marshal.
2. Liability and safety conditions were finalized as follows:
a) Ropes will be in place as standard barriers on weekends.
b) The grass separation between spectators and flight line will be
re-installed as per AMA guidelines.
3. Glider safety regulations will be discussed at the next BOG.

New Business

1. Membership is up over 200 so far this year.
2. A motion for long-distance memberships at a reduced fee did not carry
and was defeated.
3. We will apply to RCHTA for the available club activity rebate.
4. A motion to approve Mr. Rom Boutin's "Valley Forge Members" web site to
operate within our on-line space was carried. A disclaimer will be
attached.
5. The AIAA affair will be held April 28, 2001, as planned.
6. A proposal for a Club Recognition decal is in the works.
7. The field will be rolled on April 13, 2001. Also a field workday is
planned for April 14, 2001. Consult Dennis DiBonaventura.
8. A motion was made and carried to reimburse Rudy Forst the sum of fifty
dollars for expenditures.
9. We are trying to get the Tuskegee Airmen to visit one of our club
meetings this fall.

The meeting was closed at 7:55 PM.

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MAY RAFFLE
By Joe Yalove

Below is the list of prizes for May meeting.

1. Tower Hobbies Deluxe Heat Gun and Sealing Iron Combination
2. Great Planes Metered Nicad Starter Including 1.2 volt-1800MAH C cell
nicad battery
3. Globee Quick Recharge Unit to Field recharge your Nicad Glo-Ignitor (I
have one. It works great.)
4. Great Planes Kaos 40 Size Kit (Everyone's alltime favorite sport flying
plane)
5. Globee Digital Intellitach (Tachometer)

A mistake was made on my part in the last newsletter. The May meeting will
be the last in the church till September. June, July and August Meetings
will be in the park. There will be no raffles till September due to park
regulations.

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CALENDAR

Saturday, April 28th - AIAA picnic & VFSS fun-fly at the field from 1:00 to
5:00 PM. Bring out your best aircraft, gliders, and helicopters to fly
before an appreciative audience. Introductory pilots bring trainers to give
novices a flight experience.

Tuesday, May 1st - BOG meeting in room 207 of the church.

Tuesday, May 8th - Gene "Geno" Greatti, a professional pilot and a VFSS
member, will share with us some of his aviation experiences. Show-N-Tell and
the last raffle until September.

Saturday, May 12th - Eagles All-Electric Fly-In at Hope, New Jersey. This is
Joe Beshar's event.

Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th - Fun Float Fly at Mauch Chunk Lake,
Jim Thorpe, PA. Contact "Jack" Carrigan for details.

Friday, June 1st - Flight demonstration for 25 students from Friends Select
School at 10:00 AM.

Tuesday, June 12th - No formal meeting. Meet at field for instruction,
boundary demos, sound checks and fun-flying. Bring a new member/student.

Wednesday, June 30th - Memorial Fun Fly, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Food, drinks
and fun!!!

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